Request for Information: Removal and Disposal of High-Flux Isotope Reactor Pressure Vessel
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 Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), managed by UT-Battelle, LLC, is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to identify interested parties capable of providing turnkey or specialized expertise for the removal and disposal of the High-Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) Pressure Vessel (RPV). This project, scheduled for the late 2030s, involves handling radioactive and mixed wastes. Responses are due by April 16, 2026.
Scope of Work
ORNL seeks input on capabilities for the following activities:
- Planning for disposal of irradiated/contaminated components, including specification, design, testing, licensing, packaging, and conveyance.
- Characterization of the RPV source term at final shutdown and planning for its disposal.
- Physical RPV removal, packaging, storage, transportation, and disposal.
- Disposal of all project-related radioactive and mixed wastes.
- Cleanup and restoration of project work areas.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Request for Information (RFI) – for information gathering and budgetary estimates only.
- Purpose: Not a Request for Quote (RFQ). Responses may inform future engineering studies or an RFQ within the next 3-5 years.
- Response Due: April 16, 2026, by 21:00:00Z.
- Published: February 27, 2026.
- Set-Aside: US Businesses are preferred.
Submission & Evaluation
Interested subcontractors should submit a written Letter of Interest (LOI) detailing their capabilities, experience, proposed solutions, and budgetary pricing estimates. Key areas for input include waste characterization, RPV segmentation/approach, removal/handling/lifting, shielding/closures, packaging/disposal, and decay storage considerations. NQA-1 certification is required or a plan to obtain it must be provided. Questions regarding this RFI must be submitted in writing via email to the Procurement Officer by March 13, 2026.
Additional Notes
The overall project timeline spans over a decade, with RPV replacement and reactor restart planned between 2038-2040. ORNL prefers whole vessel removal over segmentation to minimize debris and cleanup. Decay storage is considered an option to reduce radiation source terms and mitigate transportation risks.