Unleashing American Energy Dominance and Expediting Responsible and Secure U.S. Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Deployment through the FIRST Program

The contract aims to advance U.S. strategic objectives by leveraging the American nuclear industry to reestablish global leadership in small modular reactor (SMR) technology, in alignment with Presidential Executive Orders 14299 and 14154. Through the FIRST Program, the U.S. Department of State provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to potential international buyers, enabling them to evaluate, select, and integrate U.S.-developed SMRs into their national energy strategies. This includes delivering comprehensive training programs, organizing civil nuclear energy tours and site visits, conducting feasibility studies, and establishing control room simulators and training hubs designed to familiarize emerging nuclear markets with the safety, security, and nonproliferation advantages of American SMR systems. The initiative covers a broad range of technical and strategic domains including technology selection criteria, deployment roadmaps, regional collaboration frameworks, nuclear licensing procedures, workforce development, site selection, spent fuel management, and the integration of SMRs into diverse energy grids. Emphasis is placed on promoting proliferation-resistant designs and ensuring adherence to the highest international standards for safety and security. The program operates under the Arms Control and Nonproliferation – Cooperative Threat Reduction office within the Department of State, with no geographic limitation on performance, as activities are conducted across multiple international locations. The NAICS code 541690 indicates that the work falls under other scientific and technical consulting services, and the point of contact for inquiries is Ryan Taugher at the Department of State.