Case Study for Performance-based Safety Assurance

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is soliciting a case study focused on performance-based safety assurance for a reactor protection system, aiming to advance methodologies that evaluate safety systems through operational performance metrics rather than prescriptive regulations. This solicitation, numbered 31310026Q0107, is issued under the SBA set-aside category targeting small businesses and falls under NAICS code 541330 for engineering services. The response deadline is August 21, 2026, and all proposals must be submitted prior to 4:00 PM Eastern Time. The work is expected to support the NRC’s mission of ensuring nuclear safety through innovative, data-driven validation techniques, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the reliability and efficiency of reactor protection systems in commercial nuclear facilities. The contract is managed by the NRC’s headquarters office located in Washington, D.C., and the point of contact for contractual matters is Margo Mancuso, Contracting Officer, reachable via email at margo.katzper@nrc.gov. While no specific place of performance is designated, the nature of the work suggests that most activities will be conducted remotely or at the contractor’s facility, with potential interactions required at NRC headquarters. This solicitation represents a strategic initiative to modernize safety assurance frameworks, and proposers are expected to demonstrate technical expertise in nuclear safety engineering, performance-based analysis, and regulatory compliance frameworks. All submissions must align with federal procurement guidelines and emphasize practical applicability and measurable outcomes.