This Request for Application (RFA) from the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) solicits proposals for a long-term lease of property at the DOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) cleanup site in Idaho. The purpose is to demonstrate the commercial viability of recycling defense-related used nuclear fuel (UNF). The demonstration will involve UNF handling, recycling, product separation, and waste management using prototypical process equipment. Applicants are responsible for all project costs and must demonstrate a strong understanding of nuclear fuel recycling. The RFA is issued in parallel with another DOE RFA and is supported by Naval Reactors. The DOE may make Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) UNF and other irradiated materials available. Teaming is encouraged, but non-U. S. company involvement must be clearly defined due to national security concerns. All staff must be able to obtain requisite security clearances. The DOE anticipates using its Other Transaction Authority (OTA) or Atomic Energy Act authority. Proposals will be evaluated on the scale of the demonstration, business plan, security plan, and regulatory pathway. Lease periods may include development, construction, and operation phases. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources. The DOE's decision to execute a lease is subject to environmental laws, including NEPA. Applicants must assist in the NEPA process. Eligible applicants are U. S. entities with majority domestic ownership and control. Entities of concern are prohibited from receiving DOE funds. Transparency of foreign connections is required. Individuals participating in malign foreign talent recruitment programs are prohibited. All proposals are subject to a research, technology, and economic security (RTES) risk review. Applicants must submit proposals via email by June 19, 2026. The technical volume is limited to 50 pages. The DOE reserves the right to select all, some, or none of the applications.
The deadline for offer submittal is Friday, June 19th, 2026.
The application technical adequacy characteristics will be evaluated equally, with no single category receiving greater weight than another in the overall assessment of the proposed solutions technical adequacy. These characteristics include likelihood of project success, experience and capabilities of the project team, budget and financing, and regulatory compliance.
Eligible applicants are limited to those entities that are organized under the laws of the United States, its states, territories, or possessions, have majority domestic ownership and control, and have a physical place of business in the United States. All eligible applicants will be reviewed for risks of undue foreign influence prior to decision making by the Department.
Consequences for violations of the prohibition related to malign foreign talent recruitment programs will be determined according to applicable law, regulations, and policy.
The Office of Environmental Management will sponsor an Industry Day currently anticipated for Wednesday, May 27th, 2026, at Willow Creek Building, **** Fremont Ave, Idaho Falls, Idaho, **** attendees should email Aaron S. Nebeker for more information.
The Department of Energy will review applications for agreements or foreign ownership, control, or influence. DOE in its sole discretion may utilize this information to reject applicants based on discovered security risks. Determinations by the DOE that an entity is ineligible due to risk evaluations are unappealable.