U.S. Department of Energy, Oakland Operations Office, 1301 Clay Street, Room 700N, Oakland, CA 94612-5208

99 -- COMMERICAL SECTOR PROVISION OF IRRADIATION SERVICES FOR PRODUCTION OF PLUTONIUM-238 FOR USE IN ADVANCED RADIOISOTOPE POWER SYSTEMS FOR FURTURE SPACE MISSIONS DUE 021899 POC Tyndal Lindler, Contracting Officer, 510 637-1885 WEB: click here to download a copy of the responses to questions, http://www.oak.doe.gov (Select OAK Procurement). E-MAIL: click here to contact the contracting officer via, tyndal.lindler@oak.doe.gov. I. PURPOSE: The Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology is currently preparing an Environmental Impact Statement(EIS)for the proposed production of Pu-238 for use in advanced radioisotope power systems for future space missions. As initially conceived, the EIS would have addressed only alternatives in which DOE nuclear reactors would irradiate neptunium-237 (Np-237) targets to produce Pu-238. During the EIS scoping meetings, however, representatives of the commercial light water reactor sector expressed interest in providing these irradiation services. Accordingly, DOE is considering this commercial sector irradiation service initiative in order to explore whether commercial irradiation is a potential reasonable alternative for the production of Pu-238 and to determine the potential for cost savings. This is not a request for proposals, but rather an attempt to obtain information and to identify private sector entities interested in performing this irradiation service. This initiative extends only to irradiation services and not to any of the other functions reviewed in the EIS, i.e., storage of Np-237, target fabrication and chemical processing activities associated with Pu-238 production. In accordance with its responsibilities under the National Space Policy issued in September 1996 and consistent with its nuclear charter under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, DOE is proposing to establish a reliable domestic supply source for Pu-238 to meet the radioisotope-fueled power requirements for future space missions. Pu-238 is not weapons grade plutonium. DOE's existing inventory of Pu-238 available for space missions (approximately 9 kgs purchased primarily from Russia) will be exhausted by about 2004. Though additional firm missions cannot be specified at this time, some future space missions will require Pu-238-fueled radioisotope power systems over the planning horizon of the next 20 to 25 years. A production rate of 2-5 kgs of Pu-238 per year would be sufficient to meet these projected long-term requirements. DOE anticipates that Np-237 oxide powder (used to produce pellets which are placed into targets and subsequently irradiated) would be stored and the Np-237 targets would be fabricated at a DOE site. Under this commercial scenario, these targets would then be shipped to a commercial light water reactor for irradiation. The private entity would then ship the irradiated targets back to the DOE site for chemical processing. Pu-238 production operations that fall under the scope of this possible commercial sector initiative include: receipt of Np-237 targets from a to-be-determined DOE site (either the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center in Oak Ridge, TN, or the Fuels and Materials Examination Facility at the Hanford site in WA); irradiation of Np-237 targets to produce Pu-238 with Pu-236 impurity levels of less than 2ppm and consistent with production goals of 2 to 5 kgs/year; and, storage, packaging, and shipment of irradiated targets back to a to be-determined DOE site for chemical processing. Depending on the nature of the responses to this request for expressions of interest and on subsequent determinations by DOE, the Department may publish a formal solicitation for competitive proposals in the future. Any award would be made based upon an evaluation of proposals received pursuant to the evaluation criteria as stated in the formal solicitation. II.AREAS OF DOE INTEREST: The DOE is seeking Expressions of Interest by the commercial light water reactor sector in providing services for the irradiation of Np-237 targets associated with the production of Pu-238 for use in advanced radioisotope power systems for future space missions. Expressions of Interest should be structured to address: 1)Current experience in performing the work described above. The Expression of Interest must demonstrate reasonable knowledge of a sound, scientific approach and an appreciation of technical, cost, and regulatory risks. 2)Probability of success, clarity of objectives, and quality of approach. The approach should be based on well-defined objectives, milestones, and deliverables. The approach should contain a reasonable and practical plan for providing the maximum private sector participation on a financial and managerial basis. 3)Description of environmental impacts, community impacts, regulatory status/history, and procedures for safeguarding sensitive nuclear materials at interested facilities. 4)Estimation of costs to perform irradiation services consistent with desired Pu-238 production rate goal of 2-5 kgs/year. III.EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FORMAT: The length of the Expression of Interest should not be more than 15 pages (double spaced) using 12-point type font. While the responder may determine how best to use the 15 pages, we recommend the following format: SECTION I -Summary; SECTION 2 -- Comments on commercial involvement in DOE's Pu-238 production operation with specific reference to items 1 through 4 above; SECTION 3 -- Qualifications and experience of respondents in Pu-238 production operations or operations of similar complexity and nuclear operations. When describing similar work which has been performed, include the name of the organization, contract number, and name and telephone number of the organization's contracting officer. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION: If the Expression of Interest contains information that is privileged or confidential and which the respondent does not want disclosed to the public or used by the Federal Government for any purpose other than this Notice, the respondent should place the following notice on the Expression of Interest. "Notice: The data contained in the pages of this Expression of Interest have been submitted in confidence and contain trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is confidential or privileged, and such data should be used or disclosed only for purposes of consideration of this response. This restriction does not limit the Government's right to use or disclose data obtained without restriction from any source, including the respondent." The respondent should mark the pages that are considered "Proprietary Information". SUBMISSION: Each submittal should consist of an original and three photocopies, and be mailed to Tyndal Lindler, Contracting Officer, U. S. Department of Energy, Oakland Operations Office, 1301 Clay Street, MS 700N, Oakland, CA 94612-5208. DOE will not consider attachments or appendices. Respondents may submit questions within 10 days of the Commerce Business Daily notice being published. Questions may be submitted by e:mail to tyndal.lindler@oak.doe.gov or by fax to (510) 637-2004. Responses to questions will be provided on the DOE Home Page www.doe.gov. The original copy of the Expression of Interest shall contain all documents that bear original signatures. DOE is under no obligation to pay for any costs associated with the preparation or submission of Expressions of Interest in response to this Notice. DOE reserves the right to respond or not respond to any portion, all, or none of the Expressions of Interest submitted in response to this Notice. Posted 01/04/99 (W-SN284770). (0004)

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