Spent Fuel Shipment
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 National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued a Sources Sought Notice for Spent Fuel Shipment services. NIST seeks qualified contractors to provide packaging and shipping of highly enriched spent fuel elements from its Gaithersburg, Maryland campus to the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken, South Carolina. Responses are due March 20, 2026.
Scope of Work
The contractor will be responsible for:
- Providing NRC-certified cask(s) for MTR type spent fuel.
- Executing truck transportation services in accordance with all relevant regulations.
- Developing a comprehensive Transportation Security Plan detailing risks, mitigation strategies, and proposed security measures.
- Supplying all necessary tools and equipment for loading fuel stacks into casks and determining movement methods.
- Administering relationships with individual State Authorities for passage and escort, including coordination of clearances, checkpoints, and permits.
- Organizing the route from Gaithersburg, MD to DOE-SRS, SC, and managing interactions with federal, state, and local authorities.
- Providing all necessary security measures during transit.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research
- Set-Aside: None specified (market research stage, seeking small business input)
- Response Due: March 20, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- Published: March 11, 2026
- Questions Due: March 11, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Response Requirements
Interested parties should submit non-proprietary information including:
- Company name, address, contact details, and UEI.
- Details of capabilities meeting NIST's requirements and relevant past experience.
- Identification of any unduly restrictive requirements and suggestions for small business participation.
- Small business status for the NAICS code and suggestions for alternative NAICS/PSC codes.
- Existing Federal Supply Schedule contracts or other relevant contracts.
- Experience as a prime, subcontractor, or consultant for similar services.
- Any other valuable information for market research.
Additional Notes
This is a market research notice only and not a solicitation or request for quotation. NIST is not committed to issuing a solicitation or awarding a contract, and respondents will not be reimbursed for costs. Information provided may be used for planning purposes.