Technical Activities Related to New Reactor License Applications (ESBWR)

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Energy Research Incorporated (ERI) for technical and scientific disciplines relating to tasks accomplishing tasks aimed at ensuring overall safety, security and adequacy of nuclear power plant design, construction and operations. The items being purchased through this posting will be procured in accordance with FAR Part 15-Contracting by Negotiation. The period of performance for this technical services support is five (5) years. The authority for negotiating on a sole-source basis with ERI is made under the authority of 41 U.S.C 253(c)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, which provides for limiting competition from only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirements. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541690 (Size Standard: $14 Million). This action is for technical assistance services relating to the new license applications for GE Hitachi ESBWR. ERI possesses unique experience and expertise on this specific design center and familiarity with the application reviews under those designs over the past four years, combined with their integral role assisting in the entire review process up to preparation of Safety Evaluation Reports qualifies those organizations as the only contractors that can complete reviews related to the various design centers in a time-efficient manner. An award to any other commercial entity would result in duplication of cost to the NRC that is not expected to be recovered through competition. Further, the current scope of work creates an environment where potential bidders with little or no NRC licensing experience would further delay project schedules. This notice of intent is neither a request for proposal nor a solicitation of offers. A determination not to compete this proposed procurement based on responses to the notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. In doing so, interested sources must submit technical capabilities and any other information that demonstrates their ability to meet the NRC's needs. Detailed capabilities must be submitted to the above address not later than 15 calendar days from the date this announcement appears in the Federal Business Opportunities. Telephonic responses and responses providing insufficient information for evaluation by the NRC will not be considered. To review a list of the software product bundle NRC intends to purchase, please contract the contract specialist.