MARVEL End User Application & Utilization
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 Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), managing the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from industry providers for potential tests and experiments leveraging the Microreactor Application Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) demonstration. This initiative aims to demonstrate microreactor operations and end-use applications, fostering private sector nuclear energy development. Responses are due by close-of-business on August 30, 2025.
Scope of Work
The MARVEL microreactor is an 85kWth reactor producing over 10 kWe, with a second stage planned to provide process heat (above 300°C). INL is soliciting requests for demonstrations valuable to private industry. Potential applications include:
- Demonstrating novel nuclear-generated electricity (e.g., microgrids, data centers).
- Demonstrating novel nuclear heat applications (e.g., chemical processing, synfuel production).
- Requesting data access (analyses, documentation, engineering drawings).
- Operating the reactor in specific modes to validate models.
- Deploying advanced instrumentation and control paradigms.
- Demonstrating novel safeguards and security paradigms.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- Response Due: August 30, 2025 (close-of-business)
- Published: August 25, 2025
- Next Steps: A two-step process is envisaged: a feasibility assessment (FY26) followed by a physical test/demonstration (FY27-28), contingent on Congressional Appropriation. Promising concepts will be invited to respond to a potential Notice of Opportunity (NO) at a later stage.
Submission Requirements
Interested entities must submit EOIs via email by the deadline. Responses must be no more than 2 pages in PDF format and confirm qualifications and relevancy. Submissions should clearly state which of the six topical areas they fall under, identify partnering institutions, and specify the level of support needed from INL. Content should ideally cover the application's goal, its impact on the US nuclear industry, and potential technical needs.
Evaluation
Expressions of Interest will be ranked based on their potential impact to the broader US energy landscape. Only potentially qualified entities, as determined by BEA, will be contacted for further discussions or a Request for Proposal.
Contact Information
For questions or additional information, contact Stacie Strain, Program Manager, at stacie.strain@inl.gov with the subject line "Response to MARVEL Utilization EOI." Technical questions must be submitted in writing via email.