RFI - DOE R

RFI Details

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
DE-SOL-0008246
University, National Laboratory, Industry, and
International Entities Input to the Office of
Nuclear Energy’s Competitive Research and
Development Work Scope Development
April 13, 2015
Office of Nuclear Energy
Office of Innovative Nuclear Research

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Table of Contents
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 3
2 Requested Information .............................................................................................................. 3
2.1 Cover Page .......................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 NE Work Scope Recommendations .................................................................................... 5
2.3 Other Information ............................................................................................................... 5
3 Participant Eligibility To Respond to RFI ................................................................................ 5
4 Program Guidelines .................................................................................................................. 6
5 Intellectual Property Rights ...................................................................................................... 6
6 Communications Protocol ......................................................................................................... 6
7 Schedule .................................................................................................................................... 6
7.1 Submission Time and Date ................................................................................................. 6
8 Disclaimers ............................................................................................................................... 6
2

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1 Introduction
The primary mission of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) is to
advance nuclear power as a resource capable of meeting the Nation's energy, environmental, and
national security needs by resolving technical, cost, safety, proliferation resistance, and security
barriers through research, development, and demonstration as appropriate.
NE’s program is guided by the four research objectives detailed in its Nuclear Energy Research
and Development Roadmap:
 Develop technologies and other solutions that can improve the reliability, sustain the
safety, and extend the life of current reactors.
 Develop improvements in the affordability of new reactors to enable nuclear energy to
help meet the Administration’s energy security and climate change goals.
 Develop sustainable fuel cycles.
 Understand and minimize the risks of nuclear proliferation and terrorism.
NE strives to promote integrated and collaborative research conducted by national laboratory,
university, industry, and international partners under the direction of NE’s programs. NE funds
research activities through both competitive and direct mechanisms, as required to best meet the
needs of NE. This approach ensures a balanced Research and Development (R&D) portfolio and
encourages new nuclear power deployment with creative solutions to the universe of nuclear
energy challenges. The competitive portion of NE’s R&D portfolio is executed through the
Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) and Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies
Crosscutting Technology Development (NEET CTD). NEUP utilizes up to 20 percent of funds
appropriated to NE’s R&D program for university-based infrastructure support and R&D in key
NE program-related areas: Fuel Cycle Research and Development (FC R&D), Reactor Concepts
Research, Development and Demonstration (RC RD&D), and Nuclear Energy Advanced
Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS). NEET CTD supports national laboratory, university and
industry led crosscutting research.
2 Requested Information
DOE is seeking ideas in the areas of research, information, comments, feedback, and
recommendations from interested parties for future work scopes for the major NE-funded
research programs. This input may lead to a more robust R&D program that reflects the
communities’ ideas and could identify new work scopes. Although the focus of this Request For
Information is to obtain input to and identify potential new work scopes for future Funding
Opportunity Announcements in the areas listed below, DOE also seeks input on creative,
innovative and transformative work that aligns with NE’s mission.
Fuel Cycle Research and Development (FC R&D) Program. The mission of the FC R&D
program is to develop used nuclear fuel management strategies and technologies to support
meeting the federal government responsibility to manage and dispose of the Nation's
commercial used nuclear fuel and high-level waste and to develop sustainable fuel cycle
3

---

technologies and options that improve resource utilization and energy generation, reduce
waste generation, enhance safety, and limit proliferation risk.
The program vision is that by mid-century, strategies and technologies for the safe, long-term
management and eventual disposal of U.S. commercial used nuclear fuel and any associated
nuclear wastes have been fully implemented. Additionally, it is desired that advanced nuclear
fuel and fuel cycle technologies that enhance the accident tolerance of light-water reactors and
enable sustainable fuel cycles are demonstrated and deployed. Together, these technologies
and solutions support the enhanced availability, affordability, safety, and security of nuclear-
generated electricity in the United States.
Current challenges include the development of high burnup fuel and cladding materials to
withstand irradiation for longer periods of time with improved accident tolerance;
development of simplified materials recovery technologies, waste management (including
storage, transportation, and disposal), and proliferation risk reduction methods; and
development of processes and tools to evaluate sustainable fuel cycle system options and to
effectively communicate the results of the evaluation to stakeholders.
Reactor Concepts Research, Development and Demonstration (RC RD&D) Program.
The mission of the RC RD&D program is to develop new and advanced reactor designs and
technologies that broaden the applicability, improve the competitiveness, and ensure the
lasting contribution toward meeting our Nation’s energy and environmental challenges.
Research activities are designed to address the technical, cost, safety, and security issues
associated with various reactor concepts. The four technical areas are Light Water Reactor
Sustainability (LWRS), Small Modular Reactors (SMR), Advanced (Non-Light Water)
Reactor Concepts (ARC) and Advanced Small Modular Reactors (Adv SMRs). In addition,
R&D for the development and manufacturing of radioisotope and fission power systems for
national security and space exploration missions is supported through the Space and Defense
Power Systems Program.
Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Program.
The mission of the NEAMS program is to develop and deploy the NEAMS ToolKit,
comprised of advanced computational tools, for use by government, industry, and academia in
nuclear R&D, design, and analysis. These advanced computational tools employ scalable
simulation methods on high performance computing architectures in combination with a
science-based, mechanistic approach to physics modeling to allow scientists and engineers to
better understand reactor materials properties and coupled phenomena in nuclear energy
systems. The NEAMS ToolKit spans length scales from atomic to mesoscale to continuum,
and time scales from picoseconds to seconds to days. NEAMS tools are currently being used
to help evaluate advanced nuclear fuels and reactor concepts, design and analyze nuclear fuel
experiments, and explore potential breakthroughs in the use of transient test reactors. Nuclear
Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) Crosscutting Technology Development (CTD).
NEET CTD competitively awards high-priority R&D to universities, national laboratories,
and industry, leading to the development of innovative solutions to unique and crosscutting
nuclear energy challenges. The subprogram works in close coordination with NE’s other R&D
programs to ensure that developed technologies and capabilities address critical technology
4

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gaps as part of an integrated solution offering the potential of revolutionary improvement in
safety, performance, reliability, economics, and proliferation risk reduction. Additionally,
NEET CTD strategically invests in competitive, nuclear energy-related infrastructure
enhancement at national laboratories; ensuring researchers have access to state-of-the-art
R&D capabilities. The capabilities developed through NEET CTD advance the state of
nuclear technology, improving its competitiveness, and promoting continued contribution to
meeting our Nation’s energy and environmental challenges.
Replies to this request should follow the general organization of Section 2 of this RFI and
information should be as succinct as possible. There is a three (3) page limit on each submittal.
Respondents are encouraged to provide input on any areas of interest of this RFI and each
individual idea should be submitted separately identifying the area of interest.
2.1 Cover Page
Responses shall include a cover page containing the following information:
 RFI title
 Names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses for the principal points of contact
 Company or affiliate name and address
 Date of submittal
2.2 NE Work Scope Recommendations
Clearly define your proposed work scope, and how it relates to any part of NE’s mission
described in this RFI. Describe any defined goals in achieving the desired outcomes, along
with appropriate metrics to assess how well those goals have been achieved.
1) What would be the estimated cost of the work scope?
2) Would the work scope be more focused on immediate NE program needs, or more
creative, innovative and transformative?
3) Would the work scope require multiple partners?
4) What would be a reasonable schedule duration and key milestones?
2.3 Other Information
Provide any other relevant information you feel is important not otherwise already covered
including comments or suggestions.
3 Participant Eligibility to Respond to RFI
Information is being sought from educational institutions, National Laboratories, utilities, private
industry, international entities, and any other interested party.
5

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4 Program Guidelines
This market research request is done under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Parts 10 –
Market Research and FAR subpart 15.201(e) – Requests for Information.
5 Intellectual Property Rights
Participants are advised that their RFI response package should be submitted without any
restrictive markings. However, if restrictions are required in order to fully explain a response,
the participant is responsible to mark the cover page and any and all submittal documents
appropriately. Respondents are strongly discouraged from placing any restrictive markings on
submissions as they may limit DOE’s ability to use the submitted information.
6 Communications Protocol
Responses must be submitted through www.NEUP.gov to be considered. You must create an
account to access the submission site. Submit electronic submissions through the “Applications”
function at www.NEUP.gov. If you have problems completing the registration process or
submitting your response, call 208-526-1507 or send an email to NEUP@inl.gov.
Participants are advised that any indication of interest, in the affirmative, is not meant to imply
nor in any way impart an obligation on the part of the Government that an award will be
forthcoming for the offered work or project.
7 Schedule
7.1 Submission Time and Date
The DOE will continually accept packages in response to this RFI No. DE-SOL-0008246.
However to be considered for inclusion in the work scopes developed for the 2017 grant
opportunities a response will be required no later than 8:00 p.m. ET, May 13, 2016. To be
considered for inclusion in the work scopes developed for the 2018 grant opportunities a
response will be required no later than 8:00 p.m. ET, May 13, 2017. To be considered for
inclusion in the work scopes developed for the 2019 grant opportunities a response will be
required no later than 8:00 p.m. ET, May 13, 2018.
This announcement does not impose any obligation on the United States Government nor does
it signify any intent for a contract or other form of award.
8 Disclaimers
a. DOE does not plan to send individual acknowledgements or replies to respondents to
the RFI. However, DOE may conduct one-on-one meetings with entities that respond
to this request if clarification or additional information is required to improve the
DOE’s understanding of the comments provided. If DOE decides to hold one-on-one
6

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meetings, applicable interested parties will be contacted. The decision to meet with a
company one-on-one has no bearing on the worthiness of its RFI submittal or on any
future offerings.
b. This is a request for information only. It has no direct relation to other DOE Funding
Opportunity Announcements or solicitations. DOE does not presently intend to
solicit or award any kind of contract or financial assistance award; this RFI is issued
only with the intent of obtaining information.
c. Any response to this RFI is voluntary and does not commit to Government to any
expense or obligation. This request does not impose any obligation on the
Government or signify a firm intention to enter into a contract. No costs associated
with responding to this RFI or participating in any subsequent meetings will be borne
by the Government.
d. DOE does not intend to publish the results of the responses to this RFI.
7

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RFI Mod 0001

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
DE-SOL-0008246
Base: April 13, 2015
MOD 0001: July 19, 2018
University, National Laboratory, Industry, and
International Entities Input to the Office of
Nuclear Energy’s Competitive Research and
Development Work Scope Development
Office of Nuclear Energy
Office of Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear Energy

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Table of Contents
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 3
2 Requested Information .............................................................................................................. 3
2.1 Cover Page .......................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 NE Work Scope Recommendations.................................................................................... 5
2.3 Other Information ............................................................................................................... 5
3 Participant Eligibility To Respond to RFI ................................................................................ 5
4 Program Guidelines .................................................................................................................. 6
5 Intellectual Property Rights ...................................................................................................... 6
6 Communications Protocol ......................................................................................................... 6
7 Schedule .................................................................................................................................... 6
7.1 Submission Time and Date ................................................................................................. 6
8 Disclaimers ............................................................................................................................... 7
2

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1 Introduction
The primary mission of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) is to
advance nuclear power as a resource capable of meeting the Nation's energy, environmental, and
national security needs by resolving technical, cost, safety, proliferation resistance, and security
barriers through research, development, and demonstration as appropriate.
NE’s program is guided by the four research objectives detailed in its Nuclear Energy Research
and Development Roadmap:
• Develop technologies and other solutions that can improve the reliability, sustain the
safety, and extend the life of current reactors.
• Develop improvements in the affordability of new reactors to enable nuclear energy to
help meet the Administration’s energy security and climate change goals.
• Develop sustainable fuel cycles.
• Understand and minimize the risks of nuclear proliferation and terrorism.
NE strives to promote integrated and collaborative research conducted by national laboratory,
university, industry, and international partners under the direction of NE’s programs. NE funds
research activities through both competitive and direct mechanisms, as required to best meet the
needs of NE. This approach ensures a balanced Research and Development (R&D) portfolio and
encourages new nuclear power deployment with creative solutions to the universe of nuclear
energy challenges. The competitive portion of NE’s R&D portfolio is executed through the
Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) and Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies
Crosscutting Technology Development (NEET CTD). NEUP utilizes up to 20 percent of funds
appropriated to NE’s R&D program for university-based infrastructure support and R&D in key
NE program-related areas: Fuel Cycle Research and Development (FC R&D), Reactor Concepts
Research, Development and Demonstration (RC RD&D), and Nuclear Energy Advanced
Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS). NEET CTD supports national laboratory, university and
industry led crosscutting research.
2 Requested Information
DOE is seeking ideas in the areas of research, information, comments, feedback, and
recommendations from interested parties for future work scopes for the major NE-funded
research programs. This input may lead to a more robust R&D program that reflects the
communities’ ideas and could identify new work scopes. Although the focus of this Request For
Information is to obtain input to and identify potential new work scopes for future Funding
Opportunity Announcements in the areas listed below, DOE also seeks input on creative,
innovative and transformative work that aligns with NE’s mission.
Fuel Cycle Research and Development (FC R&D) Program. The mission of the FC R&D
program is to develop used nuclear fuel management strategies and technologies to support
meeting the federal government responsibility to manage and dispose of the Nation's
commercial used nuclear fuel and high-level waste and to develop sustainable fuel cycle
3

---

technologies and options that improve resource utilization and energy generation, reduce
waste generation, enhance safety, and limit proliferation risk.
The program vision is that by mid-century, strategies and technologies for the safe, long-term
management and eventual disposal of U.S. commercial used nuclear fuel and any associated
nuclear wastes have been fully implemented. Additionally, it is desired that advanced nuclear
fuel and fuel cycle technologies that enhance the accident tolerance of light-water reactors and
enable sustainable fuel cycles are demonstrated and deployed. Together, these technologies
and solutions support the enhanced availability, affordability, safety, and security of nuclear-
generated electricity in the United States.
Current challenges include the development of high burnup fuel and cladding materials to
withstand irradiation for longer periods of time with improved accident tolerance;
development of simplified materials recovery technologies, waste management (including
storage, transportation, and disposal), and proliferation risk reduction methods; and
development of processes and tools to evaluate sustainable fuel cycle system options and to
effectively communicate the results of the evaluation to stakeholders.
Reactor Concepts Research, Development and Demonstration (RC RD&D) Program.
The mission of the RC RD&D program is to develop new and advanced reactor designs and
technologies that broaden the applicability, improve the competitiveness, and ensure the
lasting contribution toward meeting our Nation’s energy and environmental challenges.
Research activities are designed to address the technical, cost, safety, and security issues
associated with various reactor concepts. The four technical areas are Light Water Reactor
Sustainability (LWRS), Small Modular Reactors (SMR), Advanced (Non-Light Water)
Reactor Concepts (ARC) and Advanced Small Modular Reactors (Adv SMRs). In addition,
R&D for the development and manufacturing of radioisotope and fission power systems for
national security and space exploration missions is supported through the Space and Defense
Power Systems Program.
Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Program.
The mission of the NEAMS program is to develop and deploy the NEAMS ToolKit,
comprised of advanced computational tools, for use by government, industry, and academia in
nuclear R&D, design, and analysis. These advanced computational tools employ scalable
simulation methods on high performance computing architectures in combination with a
science-based, mechanistic approach to physics modeling to allow scientists and engineers to
better understand reactor materials properties and coupled phenomena in nuclear energy
systems. The NEAMS ToolKit spans length scales from atomic to mesoscale to continuum,
and time scales from picoseconds to seconds to days. NEAMS tools are currently being used
to help evaluate advanced nuclear fuels and reactor concepts, design and analyze nuclear fuel
experiments, and explore potential breakthroughs in the use of transient test reactors.
Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) Crosscutting Technology Development
(CTD). NEET CTD competitively awards high-priority R&D to universities, national
laboratories, and industry, leading to the development of innovative solutions to unique and
crosscutting nuclear energy challenges. The subprogram works in close coordination with
NE’s other R&D programs to ensure that developed technologies and capabilities address
4

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critical technology gaps as part of an integrated solution offering the potential of revolutionary
improvement in safety, performance, reliability, economics, and proliferation risk reduction.
Additionally, NEET CTD strategically invests in competitive, nuclear energy-related
infrastructure enhancement at national laboratories; ensuring researchers have access to state-
of-the-art R&D capabilities. The capabilities developed through NEET CTD advance the state
of nuclear technology, improving its competitiveness, and promoting continued contribution
to meeting our Nation’s energy and environmental challenges.
Replies to this request should follow the general organization of Section 2 of this RFI and
information should be as succinct as possible. There is a three (3) page limit on each submittal.
Respondents are encouraged to provide input on any areas of interest of this RFI and each
individual idea should be submitted separately identifying the area of interest.
2.1 Cover Page
Responses shall include a cover page containing the following information:
• RFI title
• Names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses for the principal points of contact
• Company or affiliate name and address
• Date of submittal
2.2 NE Work Scope Recommendations
Clearly define your proposed work scope, and how it relates to any part of NE’s mission
described in this RFI. Describe any defined goals in achieving the desired outcomes, along
with appropriate metrics to assess how well those goals have been achieved.
1) What would be the estimated cost of the work scope?
2) Would the work scope be more focused on immediate NE program needs, or more
creative, innovative and transformative?
3) Would the work scope require multiple partners?
4) What would be a reasonable schedule duration and key milestones?
2.3 Other Information
Provide any other relevant information you feel is important not otherwise already covered
including comments or suggestions.
3 Participant Eligibility for Response to RFI
Information is being sought from educational institutions, National Laboratories, utilities, private
industry, international entities, and any other interested party.
5

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4 Program Guidelines
This market research request is done under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Parts 10 –
Market Research and FAR subpart 15.201(e) – Requests for Information.
5 Intellectual Property Rights
Participants are advised that their RFI response package should be submitted without any
restrictive markings. However, if restrictions are required in order to fully explain a response,
the participant is responsible to mark the cover page and any and all submittal documents
appropriately. Respondents are strongly discouraged from placing any restrictive markings on
submissions as they may limit DOE’s ability to use the submitted information.
6 Communications Protocol
Responses must be submitted through www.NEUP.gov to be considered. You must create an
account to access the submission site. Submit electronic submissions through the “Applications”
function at www.NEUP.gov. If you have problems completing the registration process or
submitting your response, call 208-526-1602 or send an email to NEUP@inl.gov.
Participants are advised that any indication of interest, in the affirmative, is not meant to imply
nor in any way impart an obligation on the part of the Government that an award will be
forthcoming for the offered work or project.
7 Schedule
7.1 Submission Time and Date
The DOE will continually accept responses to this RFI, DE-SOL-0008246, as long as it remains
active. For submitted information to be considered for inclusion in the work scopes developed
for grant opportunities, a response is required no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time as follows:
RFI RESPONSE FOR WORKSCOPE
DUE DATE DEVELOPMENT
GRANT YEAR
May 3, 2019 2020
May 1, 2020 2021
May 7, 2021 2022
May 6, 2022 2023
May 5, 2023 2024
6

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This announcement does not impose any obligation on the United States Government nor does
it signify any intent for a contract or other form of award.
8 Disclaimers
a. DOE does not plan to send individual acknowledgements or replies to respondents to
the RFI. However, DOE may conduct one-on-one meetings with entities that respond
to this request if clarification or additional information is required to improve the
DOE’s understanding of the comments provided. If DOE decides to hold one-on-one
meetings, applicable interested parties will be contacted. The decision to meet with a
company one-on-one has no bearing on the worthiness of its RFI submittal or on any
future offerings.
b. This is a request for information only. It has no direct relation to other DOE Funding
Opportunity Announcements or solicitations. DOE does not presently intend to
solicit or award any kind of contract or financial assistance award; this RFI is issued
only with the intent of obtaining information.
c. Any response to this RFI is voluntary and does not commit to Government to any
expense or obligation. This request does not impose any obligation on the
Government or signify a firm intention to enter into a contract. No costs associated
with responding to this RFI or participating in any subsequent meetings will be borne
by the Government.
d. DOE does not intend to publish the results of the responses to this RFI.
7

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RFI Mod 0002

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
DE-SOL-0008246
Base: April 13, 2015
MOD 0002: April 20, 2022
Input to the Office of Nuclear Energy’s
Competitive Research and Development Funding
Opportunity Announcement for Universities
Office of Nuclear Energy
Office of Nuclear Energy Technologies

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Table of Contents
1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 3
2 Requested Information ....................................................................................................... 3
3 Cover Page ........................................................................................................................ 4
4 Funding Opportunity Announcement Recommendations ..................................................... 4
5 Research Areas Recommendations ..................................................................................... 4
6 Other Information .............................................................................................................. 5
7 Participant Eligibility for Response to the RFI .................................................................... 5
8 Program Guidelines ........................................................................................................... 5
9 Intellectual Property Rights ................................................................................................ 5
10 Communications Protocol .................................................................................................. 5
11 Schedule............................................................................................................................ 6
11.1 Submission Time and Date ........................................................................................... 6
12 Disclaimers ....................................................................................................................... 6
2

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1 Introduction
The primary mission of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) is to
advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet U.S. energy, environmental, and
economic needs:
NE’s program is guided by the three research objectives detailed in its Nuclear Energy Research
and Development Roadmap:
1. Enhancing the long-term viability and competitiveness of the existing U.S. reactor
fleet;
2. Developing an advanced reactor pipeline; and
3. Implementing and maintaining the national strategic fuel cycle and supply chain
infrastructure.
NE strives to promote integrated and collaborative research conducted by national laboratory,
university, industry, and international partners under the direction of DOE-NE’s programs, and
to deploy innovative nuclear energy technologies to the market in order to meet the strategic
goals and optimize the benefits of nuclear energy.
DOE-NE funds research activities, through both competitive and direct mechanisms, as required
to best meet the needs of DOE-NE. This approach ensures a balanced R&D portfolio and
encourages new nuclear power deployment with creative solutions to the universe of nuclear
energy challenges.
This RFI addresses the competitive portion of DOE-NE’s R&D portfolio, as executed through
the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) and the Nuclear Science User Facilities
(NSUF). NSUF provides access to material test reactors, beam lines, and post-irradiation
examination facilities to researchers from U.S. universities, industry, and national laboratories by
granting no-cost access to world-class nuclear research facilities.
For more information on the NE’s programs, please visit the Office of Nuclear Energy |
Department of Energy website.
2 Requested Information
The focus of this RFI is to obtain input to and identify potential new research areas for future
Funding Opportunity Announcements in areas that support NE’s mission.
DOE is seeking ideas, input, comments, feedback, and recommendations from interested parties
for future competitive university-led research projects.
This input may lead to a more robust R&D program that reflects communities’ ideas and could
identify new creative, innovative, and transformative outcomes.
DOE also seeks input regarding the structure of the solicitation itself, including any examples of
other solicitations that have been successful in utilizing university research.
Please note that the following topics are not a priority of DOE-NE: medical physics, nuclear
fusion, nuclear forensics, or environmental management.
3

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3 Cover Page
Responses shall include a cover page containing the following information:
• RFI title
• Names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses for the principal points of contact
• Company or affiliate name and address
• Date of submittal
4 Funding Opportunity Announcement Recommendations
DOE-NE is requesting that participants in this RFI provide their input by answering the
following questions:
1. Does the current CINR work scope structure, which focuses on tying work scopes back to
specific NE programs, provide enough flexibility for university creativity? If not, what
changes could improve the FOA? What FOA structures would be more effective?
2. Are there examples of effective university research programs that utilize different
application and review methodologies? What are the benefits and disadvantages of those
approaches compared to the CINR FOA? Please share a link to any recommended
applications and/or programs.
3. Are there partnership mechanisms that could make CINR funded university research
more effective than it currently is? Please provide examples.
4. Are there ways to better integrate equity and justice considerations into the CINR FOA?
Please describe.
5 Research Areas Recommendations
Clearly define any proposed research area recommendation and how it relates to any part of
NE’s mission as described in this RFI. Describe any defined goals in achieving the desired
outcomes, along with appropriate metrics to assess how well those goals have been achieved.
Current work scope examples can be found in the FY 2022 CINR FOA.
Areas specifically not of interest include research, development, design or licensing of fusion
energy and reactor technology primarily used for the purpose for producing industrial or medical
isotopes or other medical applications.
DOE-NE is requesting that participants in this RFI provide their input by answering the
following questions:
1. What technical areas should be considered in DOE-NE’s funding opportunity
announcement that would have the highest near or long-term impact to the DOE-NE’s
applied research mission?
2. What current nuclear energy-related technological needs/gaps could the university
research community be most effective in solving?
4

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General information for each recommendation should include the following:
• Description of R&D
• Project period length
• Budget range
• Justification for how it would support the DOE-NE mission (i.e., is it directly related to a
specific DOE-NE program, is it a strategic need that doesn’t fit within the current DOE-
NE program structure, etc.)
RFI participants are encouraged to include all relevant work scope recommendations in one RFI
submission.
6 Other Information
Provide any other relevant information that would help improve the solicitation process.
7 Participant Eligibility for Response to the RFI
Information is being sought from educational institutions, national laboratories, utilities, private
industry, and any other interested party.
8 Program Guidelines
This market research request is done under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Parts 10 –
Market Research and FAR subpart 15.201(e) – Requests for Information.
9 Intellectual Property Rights
Participants are advised that RFI responses should be submitted without any restrictive markings.
However, if restrictions are required to fully explain a response, the participant is responsible for
marking the cover page and any and all submittal documents appropriately. Respondents are
strongly discouraged from placing any restrictive markings on submissions as they may limit
DOE’s ability to use the submitted information.
10 Communications Protocol
Responses must be submitted through www.NEUP.gov to be considered. Applicants must create an
account to access the submission site. Submit electronic submissions through the “Applications”
function at www.NEUP.gov. If an applicant has problems completing the registration process or
submitting a response, call 208-526-1602 or send an email to NEUP@inl.gov.
Replies to this request should follow the general guidelines provided above and information
should be as succinct as possible. There is a three (3) page limit, not including the cover page, on
each submittal. Respondents are encouraged to provide input on any areas of interest of this RFI
and each individual idea should be submitted separately identifying the area of interest.
5

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Participants are advised that any indication of interest, in the affirmative, is not meant to imply
nor in any way impart an obligation on the part of the Government that an award will be
forthcoming for the offered work or project.
11 Schedule
11.1 Submission Time and Date
DOE will continually accept responses to this RFI as long as it remains active. For submitted
information to be considered for inclusion in the work scopes developed for grant
opportunities, a response is required no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time as follows:
RFI RESPONSE FOR FOA
DUE DATE DEVELOPMENT YEAR
May 16, 2022 2023
May 15, 2023 2024
May 13, 2024 2025
May 12, 2025 2026
May 11, 2026 2027
This announcement does not impose any obligation on the United States Government, nor
does it signify any intent for a contract or other form of award.
12 Disclaimers
a. DOE does not plan to send individual acknowledgements or replies to respondents to the
RFI. However, DOE may conduct one-on-one meetings with entities that respond to this
request if clarification or additional information is required to improve DOE’s
understanding of the comments provided. If DOE decides to hold one-on-one meetings,
applicable interested parties will be contacted. The decision to meet with an organization
one-on-one has no bearing on the worthiness of its RFI submittal or on any future
offerings.
b. This is a request for information only. It has no direct relation to other DOE Funding
Opportunity Announcements or solicitations. DOE does not presently intend to solicit or
award any kind of contract or financial assistance award; this RFI is issued only with the
intent of obtaining information.
c. Any response to this RFI is voluntary and does not commit the Government to any
expense or obligation. This request does not impose any obligation on the Government or
signify a firm intention to enter into a contract. No costs associated with responding to
this RFI or participating in any subsequent meetings will be borne by the Government.
d. DOE does not intend to publish the results of the responses to this RFI.
6

---

RFI Mod 0003

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
DE-SOL-0008246
Base: April 13, 2015
MOD 0002: April 20, 2022
MOD 0003: March 3, 2023
Input to the Office of Nuclear Energy’s
Competitive Research and Development Funding
Opportunity Announcement for Universities
Office of Nuclear Energy
Office of Nuclear Energy Technologies

---

Table of Contents
1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 3
2 Requested Information ..................................................................................................................... 3
3 Cover Page ....................................................................................................................................... 4
4 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Recommendations ........................................................ 4
5 Research Areas Recommendations .................................................................................................. 5
6 Other Information ............................................................................................................................ 5
7 Participant Eligibility for Response to the RFI .................................................................................. 5
8 Program Guidelines ......................................................................................................................... 6
9 Intellectual Property Rights .............................................................................................................. 6
10 Communications Protocol ................................................................................................................ 6
11 Schedule .......................................................................................................................................... 6
11.1 Submission Time and Date ...................................................................................................... 6
12 Disclaimers ...................................................................................................................................... 7
2

---

1 Introduction
NE’s mission is to advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet United States (U.S.)
energy, environmental, and economic needs. NE has identified the following goals to address
challenges in the nuclear energy sector, to help realize the potential of advanced technology,
and to leverage the unique role of the Government in spurring innovation:
1. Enable continued operation of existing U.S. nuclear reactors.
2. Enable deployment of advanced nuclear reactors.
3. Develop advanced nuclear fuel cycles and spent nuclear fuel management options.
NE strives to promote integrated and collaborative research conducted by national laboratory,
university, industry, and international partners under the direction of NE’s programs, and to
deploy innovative nuclear energy technologies to the market and to optimize the benefits of
nuclear energy.
NE funds research activities, through competitive and direct mechanisms, to best meet NE’s
mission. This approach ensures a balanced research and development (R&D) portfolio and
encourages new nuclear power deployment with creative solutions to the universe of nuclear
energy challenges.
This Request for Information (RFI) addresses the competitive portion of NE’s R&D portfolio,
as executed through the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) and the Nuclear Science
User Facilities (NSUF).
For more information on NE’s programs, please visit the Office of Nuclear Energy |
Department of Energy website.
Please note that there will be a separate RFI for infrastructure input.
2 Requested Information
The focus of this RFI is to obtain input to and identify potential new research areas for future
FOAs in areas that support NE’s mission.
DOE is seeking ideas, input, comments, feedback, and recommendations from interested parties
for future competitive university-led research projects.
This input may lead to a more robust R&D program that reflects communities’ ideas and could
identify new creative, innovative, and transformative outcomes.
DOE also seeks input regarding the structure of the solicitation itself, including any examples of
other solicitations that have been successfully used for competitive university research.
As a result of last year’s RFI input, the Office of Nuclear Energy has incorporated several
changes to the current CINR solicitations as follows:
• Increased the award size up to $1,000,000 for NEUP R&D projects.
3

---

• Broadened R&D topical areas to allow for innovative ideas that are of high interest to
the NE mission.
• Revised the application review process to increase focus on technical merit.
• Created blue-sky areas, including large, open-ended Integrated Research Project scopes.
• Modified R&D award mechanism from cooperative agreements to grants, allowing for
additional flexibility in reporting requirements.
• Adjusted eligibility requirements to allow for more participation by applicants as IRP
and R&D Principal Investigators (PIs).
• Increased engagement with Minority Serving Institutions.
Additionally, NE is considering implementation for the following items:
• A ‘Phase II’ project competition based on successful current CINR awards.
• A research experience for undergraduate students to be incorporated into future CINR
awards.
• A reactor sharing program to promote university research reactors, increase use and
engagement, and provide outreach to K-12 audiences.
Please note that the following topics are not of interest to NE: medical physics, nuclear fusion,
nuclear forensics, and environmental management.
3 Cover Page
Responses shall include a cover page containing the following information:
• RFI title
• Names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses for the principal points of contact
• Company or affiliate name and address
• Date of submittal
4 Funding Opportunity Announcement Recommendations
In addition to research area recommendations, described below, NE is requesting that
participants in this RFI consider providing input to the following questions:
1. In FY 2023, CINR topical areas were broadened to allow increased flexibility for
university creativity. Did this change create the appropriate environment for university
innovation and creativity in the application process?
2. Are there examples of effective university research programs that utilize different
application and review methodologies? What are the benefits and disadvantages of those
approaches compared to the CINR FOA? Please share a link to any recommended
applications and/or programs.
4

---

3. Are there partnership mechanisms that could make CINR-funded university research
more effective than it currently is? Please provide examples.
4. Are there ways to better integrate equity and justice considerations into the CINR FOA?
Please describe.
5 Research Areas Recommendations
Clearly define any proposed research area recommendation and how it relates to any part of
NE’s mission as described in this RFI. Describe any defined goals in achieving the desired
outcomes, along with appropriate metrics to assess how well those goals have been achieved.
Current work scope examples can be found in the FY 2023 CINR FOA.
Areas specifically not of interest to NE include medical physics, nuclear fusion, nuclear
forensics, and environmental management.
NE is requesting that participants in this RFI provide their input by answering the following
questions:
1. What technical areas should be considered in NE’s FOA that would have the highest
near or long-term impact to NE’s applied research mission?
2. What current nuclear energy-related technological needs/gaps could the university
research community be most effective in solving?
General information for each recommendation should include the following:
• Description of R&D
• Project period length
• Budget range
• Justification for how it would support the NE mission (i.e., is it directly related to a
specific NE program, is it a strategic need that doesn’t fit within the current NE
program structure, etc.)
RFI participants are encouraged to include all relevant work scope recommendations in one
RFI submission.
6 Other Information
Provide any other relevant information that would help improve the solicitation process.
7 Participant Eligibility for Response to the RFI
Information is being sought from educational institutions, national laboratories, utilities, private
industry, and any other interested parties.
5

---

8 Program Guidelines
This market research request is done under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Parts 10 –
Market Research and FAR subpart 15.201(e) – Requests for Information.
9 Intellectual Property Rights
Participants are advised that RFI responses should be submitted without any restrictive
markings. However, if restrictions are required to fully explain a response, the participant is
responsible for marking the cover page and any and all submittal documents appropriately.
Respondents are strongly discouraged from placing any restrictive markings on submissions as
they may limit DOE’s ability to use the submitted information.
10 Communications Protocol
Responses must be submitted through www.NEUP.gov to be considered. Applicants must create
an account to access the submission site. Submit electronic submissions through the
“Applications” function at www.NEUP.gov. If a respondent has problems completing the
registration process or submitting a response, call 208-526-2123 or send an email to
NEUP@inl.gov.
Replies to this request should follow the general guidelines provided above and information
should be as succinct as possible. There is a three (3) page limit, not including the cover
page, on each submittal. Respondents are encouraged to provide input on any areas of
interest of this RFI and each individual idea should be submitted separately identifying the
area of interest.
Participants are advised that any indication of interest, in the affirmative, is not meant to
imply nor in any way impart an obligation on the part of the Government that an award will
be forthcoming for the offered work or project.
11 Schedule
11.1 Submission Time and Date
DOE will continually accept responses to this RFI as long as it remains active. For submitted
information to be considered for inclusion in the work scopes developed for grant
opportunities, a response is required no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time as follows:
RFI Response For FOA
Due Date Development Year
May 15, 2023 2024
May 13, 2024 2025
May 12, 2025 2026
May 11, 2026 2027
This announcement does not impose any obligation on the United States Government, nor does
it signify any intent for a contract or other form of award.
6

---

12 Disclaimers
a. DOE does not plan to send individual acknowledgements or replies to respondents to
the RFI. However, DOE may conduct one-on-one meetings with entities that respond to
this request if clarification or additional information is required to improve DOE’s
understanding of the comments provided. If DOE decides to hold one-on-one meetings,
applicable parties will be contacted. The decision to meet with an organization
one-on-one has no bearing on the worthiness of its RFI submittal or on any future
offerings.
b. This is a request for information only. It has no direct relation to other DOE FOAs or
solicitations. DOE does not presently intend to solicit or award any kind of contract or
financial assistance award; this RFI is issued only with the intent of obtaining
information.
c. Any response to this RFI is voluntary and does not commit the Government to any
expense or obligation. This request does not impose any obligation on the Government
or signify a firm intention to enter into a contract or financial assistance award. No
costs associated with responding to this RFI or participating in any subsequent
meetings will be borne by the Government.
d. DOE does not intend to publish the results of the responses to this RFI.
7

---

RFI Mod 0004

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
DE-SOL-0008246
Base: April 13, 2015
MOD 0002: April 20, 2022
MOD 0003: March 3, 2023
MOD0004: April 3, 2024
Input to the Office of Nuclear Energy’s
Competitive Research and Development Funding
Opportunity Announcement for Universities
Office of Nuclear Energy
Office of Nuclear Energy Technologies

---

Table of Contents
1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Contents
2 Requested Information .......................................................................................................................... 3
3 Cover Page ............................................................................................................................................ 4
4 University Program Engagement .......................................................................................................... 4
5 Funding Opportunity Announcement Recommendations....................................................................... 5
6 Research Areas Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 5
7 Other Information ................................................................................................................................. 6
8 Participant Eligibility for Response to the RFI ........................................................................................ 6
9 Program Guidelines .............................................................................................................................. 6
10 Intellectual Property Rights .................................................................................................................... 6
11 Communications Protocol ..................................................................................................................... 6
12 Schedule ............................................................................................................................................... 7
12.1 Submission Time and Date ............................................................................................................ 7
13 Disclaimers ........................................................................................................................................... 7
2

---

1 Introduction
NE’s mission is to advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet United States (U.S.)
energy, environmental, and economic needs. NE has identified the following goals to address
challenges in the nuclear energy sector, to help realize the potential of advanced technology,
and to leverage the unique role of the Government in spurring innovation:
1. Enable continued operation of existing U.S. nuclear reactors.
2. Enable deployment of advanced nuclear reactors.
3. Develop advanced nuclear fuel cycles and spent nuclear fuel management options.
NE strives to promote integrated and collaborative research conducted by national laboratory,
university, industry, and international partners under the direction of NE’s programs, and to
deploy innovative nuclear energy technologies to the market and to optimize the benefits of
nuclear energy.
NE funds research activities, through competitive and direct mechanisms, to best meet NE’s
mission. This approach ensures a balanced research and development (R&D) portfolio and
encourages new nuclear power deployment with creative solutions to the universe of nuclear
energy challenges.
This Request for Information (RFI) addresses the competitive portion of NE’s R&D portfolio,
as executed through the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) and the Nuclear Science
User Facilities (NSUF).
For more information on NE’s programs, please visit the Office of Nuclear Energy |
Department of Energy website.
Please note that there will be a separate RFI for infrastructure input.
2 Requested Information
The focus of this RFI is to obtain input to and identify potential new research areas for future
FOAs in areas that support NE’s mission.
DOE is seeking ideas, input, comments, feedback, and recommendations from interested parties
for future competitive university-led research projects.
This input may lead to a more robust R&D program that reflects communities’ ideas and could
identify new creative, innovative, and transformative outcomes.
DOE also seeks input regarding the structure of the solicitation itself, including any examples of
other solicitations that have been successfully used for competitive university research.
As a result of previous RFI input, the Office of Nuclear Energy has incorporated several changes
to the current CINR solicitations as follows:
• Increased the award size up to $1,000,000 for NEUP R&D projects.
3

---

• Broadened R&D topical areas to allow for innovative ideas that are of high interest to
the NE mission.
• Revised the application review process to increase focus on technical merit.
• Created blue-sky areas, including large, open-ended Integrated Research Project scopes.
• Modified R&D award mechanism from cooperative agreements to grants, allowing for
additional flexibility in reporting requirements.
• Adjusted eligibility requirements to allow for more participation by applicants as IRP
and R&D Principal Investigators (PIs).
• Increased engagement with Minority Serving Institutions.
• A ‘Phase II’ project competition based on successful current CINR awards.
• A research experience for undergraduate students to be incorporated into future CINR awards.
• A reactor sharing program to promote university research reactors, increase use and
engagement, and provide outreach to K-12 audiences.
Please note that the following topics are not of interest to NE: medical physics, nuclear fusion,
nuclear forensics, and environmental management.
3 Cover Page
Responses shall include a cover page containing the following information:
• RFI title
• Names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses for the principal points of contact
• Company or affiliate name and address
• Date of submittal
4 University Program Engagement
In addition to funding opportunity and research area recommendations described in sections 5
and 6, NE is requesting that participants in this RFI consider providing input on what
engagement from NE’s University Program would be most beneficial. Questions to consider
include:
1. What engagement opportunities would you find most valuable? Some examples include
(but are not limited to):
a. Early career workshops
b. Hearing about projects and successes from past awardees
c. Learning about program opportunities
d. Hearing from NE senior leadership
e. Networking with Office of Nuclear Energy Program Managers
f. Past awardee panel sessions
4

---

g. Technical sessions/lectures
2. How do you prefer to engage with NE University Program staff, DOE program managers,
etc. Some examples include (but are not limited to):
a. E-mail
b. Webinars or online meetings
c. In-person meetings
d. Social Media (LinkedIn)
e. Newsletters
5 Funding Opportunity Announcement Recommendations
In addition to research area recommendations, described below, NE is requesting that
participants in this RFI consider providing input to the following questions:
1. CINR topical areas have broadened to allow increased flexibility for university
creativity. Did this change create the appropriate environment for university
innovation and creativity in the application process?
2. Are there examples of effective university research programs that utilize different
application and review methodologies? What are the benefits and disadvantages of those
approaches compared to the CINR FOA? Please share a link to any recommended
applications and/or programs.
3. Are there partnership mechanisms that could make CINR-funded university research
more effective than it currently is? Please provide examples.
4. Are there ways to better integrate equity and justice considerations into the CINR FOA?
Please describe.
6 Research Areas Recommendations
Clearly define any proposed research area recommendation and how it relates to any part of
NE’s mission as described in this RFI. Describe any defined goals in achieving the desired
outcomes, along with appropriate metrics to assess how well those goals have been achieved.
Current work scope examples can be found in the FY 2024 CINR FOA.
Areas specifically not of interest to NE include medical physics, nuclear fusion, nuclear
forensics, and environmental management.
NE is requesting that participants in this RFI provide their input by answering the following
questions:
1. What technical areas should be considered in NE’s FOA that would have the highest
near or long-term impact to NE’s applied research mission?
2. What current nuclear energy-related technological needs/gaps could the university
research community be most effective in solving?
5

---

General information for each recommendation should include the following:
• Description of R&D
• Project period length
• Budget range
• Justification for how it would support the NE mission (i.e., is it directly related to a
specific NE program, is it a strategic need that doesn’t fit within the current NE
program structure, etc.)
RFI participants are encouraged to include all relevant work scope recommendations in one
RFI submission.
7 Other Information
Provide any other relevant information that would help improve the solicitation process.
8 Participant Eligibility for Response to the RFI
Information is being sought from educational institutions, national laboratories, utilities, private
industry, and any other interested parties.
9 Program Guidelines
This market research request is done under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Parts 10 –
Market Research and FAR subpart 15.201(e) – Requests for Information.
10 Intellectual Property Rights
Participants are advised that RFI responses should be submitted without any restrictive
markings. However, if restrictions are required to fully explain a response, the participant is
responsible for marking the cover page and any and all submittal documents appropriately.
Respondents are strongly discouraged from placing any restrictive markings on submissions as
they may limit DOE’s ability to use the submitted information.
11 Communications Protocol
Responses must be submitted through www.NEUP.gov to be considered. Applicants must create
an account to access the submission site. Submit electronic submissions through the
“Applications” function at www.NEUP.gov. If a respondent has problems completing the
registration process or submitting a response, call 208-526-1602 or send an email to
NEUP@inl.gov.
Replies to this request should follow the general guidelines provided above and information
should be as succinct as possible. There is a three (3) page limit, not including the cover
page, on each submittal. Respondents are encouraged to provide input on any areas of
interest of this RFI and each individual idea should be submitted separately identifying the
area of interest.
6

---

Participants are advised that any indication of interest, in the affirmative, is not meant to
imply nor in any way impart an obligation on the part of the Government that an award will
be forthcoming for the offered work or project.
12 Schedule
12.1 Submission Time and Date
DOE will continually accept responses to this RFI as long as it remains active. For submitted
information to be considered for inclusion in the work scopes developed for grant
opportunities, a response is required no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time as follows:
RFI Response For FOA
Due Date Development Year
May 15, 2023 2024
April 9, 2024 2025
April 8, 2025 2026
April 7, 2026 2027
This announcement does not impose any obligation on the United States Government, nor does
it signify any intent for a contract or other form of award.
13 Disclaimers
a. DOE does not plan to send individual acknowledgements or replies to respondents to
the RFI. However, DOE may conduct one-on-one meetings with entities that respond to
this request if clarification or additional information is required to improve DOE’s
understanding of the comments provided. If DOE decides to hold one-on-one meetings,
applicable parties will be contacted. The decision to meet with an organization
one-on-one has no bearing on the worthiness of its RFI submittal or on any future
offerings.
b. This is a request for information only. It has no direct relation to other DOE FOAs or
solicitations. DOE does not presently intend to solicit or award any kind of contract or
financial assistance award; this RFI is issued only with the intent of obtaining
information.
c. Any response to this RFI is voluntary and does not commit the Government to any
expense or obligation. This request does not impose any obligation on the Government
or signify a firm intention to enter into a contract or financial assistance award. No
costs associated with responding to this RFI or participating in any subsequent
meetings will be borne by the Government.
d. DOE does not intend to publish the results of the responses to this RFI.
7