A Case Study for Using A Systems Engineering Approach to Demonstrate Assurance Against Common Cause Failure in Operating and New/Advanced Reactor Technologies.
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is conducting a Sources Sought to identify qualified vendors for a project titled "A Case Study for Using A Systems Engineering Approach to Demonstrate Assurance Against Common Cause Failure in Operating and New/Advanced Reactor Technologies." This market research aims to find expertise to refine and validate a technical basis for assuring protection against common cause failure (CCF) in reactor systems. Responses are due by March 4, 2026.
Scope of Work
This project involves developing a technical basis and framework for the NRC to leverage a Systems Engineering approach in its regulatory reviews, building upon existing research in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Safety Assurance Case (SAC), and Hazard Analysis (HA). The objective is to refine and validate a technical basis for assurance against CCF through a case study of a reactor trip system, evaluating safety requirements, identifying hazardous interactions, formulating safety constraints, and reworking designs or technical criteria as needed.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research
- NAICS: 541330, Engineering Services
- Place of Performance: Remote to NRC in Rockville, Maryland
- Response Due: March 4, 2026
- Published: February 26, 2026
Required Capabilities
Vendors must demonstrate:
- Expertise in formulating and evaluating performance-based safety requirements for safety-critical cyber-physical systems.
- Expertise in Independent Validation and Verification (IV&V) of high-criticality cyber-physical systems for design certification or licensing.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in related activities, including identifying hazards, formulating safety constraints, and evaluating architectural specifications.
- Familiarity with regulatory approval considerations for safety-critical systems.
- Demonstrated capability for IV&V of safety-critical systems for certification or licensing.
- Capability to perform a case study using correct-by-construction model-based systems engineering methods and organizing safety analysis in a safety assurance case.
- Thorough understanding of NRC research publications related to hazard analysis and safety assurance cases.
Preferred Capabilities
- Expertise in transforming performance-based requirements into realized correct-by-construction safety-critical cyber-physical systems.
- Familiarity with NRC's applicable regulations (e.g., 10 CFR 50.34).
- Minimum 5 years of experience in applying correct-by-construction techniques, identifying hazards from systematic causes, and leveraging engineering models for hazard identification and verifiable safety constraints.
Submission & Evaluation
Interested parties, including all categories of small businesses, are invited to submit capability statements electronically. Responses should be concise, pertinent, and not exceed 10 pages. They should address organizational details, size, and how the firm meets both required and preferred capabilities, including past performance. This is for market research only; no proposals are requested, and the government will not cover submission costs.