THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY
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. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) is conducting market research through this Request for Information (RFI) for a prospective Management and Operating (M&O) contract for the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) in Golden, CO. This RFI seeks industry input to inform a future Request for Proposal (RFP). Responses are due April 20, 2026.
Opportunity Details
CMEI is planning the acquisition for the M&O contract for NLR, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) with approximately 2,600 personnel and an annual budget of $1 billion. The current M&O contract expires September 30, 2028.
Purpose of Request
CMEI is seeking input from interested organizations regarding:
- Capability to manage and operate NLR.
- Likelihood of submitting an offer for a future M&O contract.
- Industry input on physical, financial, legal, or technological barriers to full and open competition.
- Risks CMEI should consider in acquisition planning.
This market research will help CMEI identify and minimize barriers to competition, mitigate risks, and develop the acquisition strategy. A draft Statement of Work (SOW) is provided as Attachment A for informational purposes.
Requested Information
Respondents are invited to provide information on:
- Business name, size status, and point of contact.
- Ambiguities, challenges, and risks in the draft SOW, and key information needed for the RFP.
- Concerns perceived as barriers to submitting a proposal (e.g., competitive advantage, incentive structure, partnering).
- Suggestions to mitigate perceived barriers or risks, and identification of unmitigable risks.
- Information pertinent to managing a significant project portfolio, international interfaces, and modernization of systems.
- Partnering arrangements that might facilitate proposal submission.
- Whether the organization would propose as a prime or as part of a team/consortium.
- Capability to perform the work outlined in the draft SOW, particularly regarding maintaining NLR's intellectual and physical capabilities and leadership in energy innovation.
Submission Guidelines
- Response Due: April 20, 2026, 4:00 PM Mountain Time.
- Submission Method: Exclusively via the FedConnect Response Builder web portal (www.fedconnect.net).
- Format: No specific format required, but responses should be no more than fifteen (15) pages, font size 12 or larger, and not exceed 50MB.
- Set-Aside: None specified (RFI stage).
- Contact: Colleen Curry, colleen.curry@ee.doe.gov, 720-541-3150.
Important Notes
This is an RFI only; it does not commit CMEI to award a contract or pay for information. Responses will be treated as information only and not as proposals. The Government will not respond to individual questions or submissions. Responses may be reviewed by federal and non-federal personnel, with appropriate confidentiality obligations.