REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST- UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENTS

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST- University Research Infrastructure Enhancements Summary: The Department of Energy’s (DOE) assistance to U.S. universities in the area of nuclear science and technology has had a profound effect on the field of nuclear engineering in the United States. Specifically, DOE has helped to reverse the decline in the number of nuclear engineering programs and students at U.S. colleges and universities. In 1998, fewer than 500 students in the United States were enrolled in the field of nuclear engineering, down from 1,500 in 1992. After several years of focused cooperative programs by DOE and the university community, the U.S. now has again approximately 1500 students studying nuclear engineering. This number is expected to increase as existing educational support programs are expanded and new programs are started. There are presently 25 universities operating 26 university reactors in 19 states. The primary purpose of university research reactors and related facilities is to educate those interested in working in the nuclear technology industry, nuclear medicine, or fundamental research areas. The role of university research reactors has evolved from the study of basic reactor physics and nuclear engineering to more diversified applications involving reactor use in basic and applied research as well as technological studies encompassing many disciplines. Unfortunately, most research reactors at U.S. universities date from the 1950s and 1960s and were not designed for these changing requirements. To assist the Department in planning and implementing program activities intended to respond to the Nation’s growing requirements in nuclear technology education and academic research, DOE is requesting input on potential actions that could enhance the university nuclear research infrastructure in this country. Scope of Work: DOE, by this notice, requests expressions of interest from U.S. universities, or consortia of universities and industry in identifying and developing enhancements and upgrades to major components of university nuclear engineering research infrastructure. The Department seeks expressions, which include a scope of work from universities, or consortia of universities and industries for research enhancements at university research facilities. The enhancements must be located at or near and used by U.S. colleges or universities and may include the deployment of new facilities. Expressions of interest should describe the design and/or development of major enhancements and/or upgrades and how these upgrades and enhancements would be beneficial in supporting nuclear education. Reactor activities, location, configuration, capabilities and user-base should be included as a part of this description. These expressions should include an initial estimate of the cost to develop these concepts. The expressions should also include an indication of private sector funding and commitments that may be available for these enhancements. In addition, the expressions should describe how the upgrade or enhancement will improve performance, quality, safety, security, or efficiency of the reactor, facility or laboratory. Items typically funded by DOE’s University Reactor Instrumentation (URI) Program, should not be included in the expression of interest. Expression of interest should be received by May 1, 2005. CONTACT INFORMATION: The Department seeks expressions of interest that describe the development, design, modification, and/or construction of major enhancements to the Nation’s university nuclear and technology research infrastructure and how these upgrades will be beneficial in supporting nuclear education and academic research. The expressions should identify university and partner organizations and provide points of contact. After the Department receives the expressions of interest, DOE will evaluate the expressions for our use in developing future University Research Infrastructure solicitations. Proprietary information contained within a submission should be identified and marked accordingly. The Department will protect proprietary information to the extent permitted by law. Interested parties may submit their expressions via email with the subject line, "RESPONSE TO EOI FOR UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENTS" to Seb Klein (contact@example.gov) no later than 3:00 p.m. MST on May 1, 2005. Any questions to this EOI should be directed to Mr. Klein (contact@example.gov) via email. Disclaimer: The information obtained through this Expression of Interest/Request for Information may be applied in the implementation of the Department's formal acquisition process. This document, which is intended to elicit information and comments for university reactor enhancements and upgrades, does not represent a commitment by the Government to enter into a financial assistance instrument for the work described herein. Neither is this document intended as a formal solicitation of competitive financial assistance applications. No costs associated with responding to this Request will be borne by the Government.