DEMONSTRATION OF RECYCLING OF DEFENSE USED NUCLEAR FUEL REQUEST FOR APPLICATION (RFA)

The Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management is soliciting proposals through a Request for Application (RFA) numbered DE-FOA-0000001 to establish a long-term lease for property at its Idaho Falls cleanup site, with the goal of demonstrating the commercial recycling of defense-related used nuclear fuel currently in storage. This initiative is not governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation but instead leverages Other Transaction Authority and provisions under the Atomic Energy Act, allowing for flexible contractual terms designed to streamline regulatory processes and limit intellectual property rights to the government. Proposals must detail a comprehensive plan for the large-scale recycling of Advanced Test Reactor used nuclear fuel, including regulatory pathways involving DOE authorization and/or NRC licensing, material control and accountability, criticality controls, remote facility operations, process throughput schedules, annual mass balances, product specifications aligned with downstream manufacturers, waste management strategies, decommissioning plans, and the potential to transition to other defense-related used nuclear fuel. Applicants are required to submit a technical volume not exceeding 50 pages, with attachments such as project schedules and key personnel resumes, all formatted in standard 12-point font on 8.5 x 11-inch pages with one-inch margins and page numbers in the footer. Proposals must be submitted via email to the designated point of contact by June 19, 2026, and applicants must maintain an active SAM.gov registration with a Unique Entity Identifier throughout the project lifecycle. The RFA includes mandatory compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including NEPA and NHPA, and requires applicants to assist in completing the NEPA process, potentially through third-party agreements funded by the applicant. Security clearance, facility clearance, and adherence to nuclear safety regulations including 10 C.F.R. §§ 820, 830, 835, 850, and 851 are essential. All activities must be conducted without discrimination in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The site-specific requirements include effective property management, permit acquisition, environmental compliance, safeguards, and coordination with other site tenants. Proposed projects will be evaluated based on technical diversity, domestic supply chain integration, and the ability to pass mandatory RTES and foreign ownership reviews. An industry day is scheduled for May 27, 2026, at the Willow Creek Building in Idaho Falls, and interested parties are encouraged to contact Aaron Nebeker for details. The government reserves the right to select all, some, or none