Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF JANUARY 15, 2005 FBO #1146
SOLICITATION NOTICE

A -- REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) ADVANCED GAS REACTOR FUEL FABRICATION DEVELOPMENT AT THE IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY (INL)

Notice Date

1/13/2005
 

Notice Type

Solicitation Notice
 

NAICS

541990 — All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
 

Contracting Office

Department of Energy, Idaho Nat'l Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (DOE Contractor), Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Laboratory, 2525 Fremont P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415-3920
 

ZIP Code

83415-3920
 

Solicitation Number

Reference-Number-PROC29
 

Response Due

1/28/2005
 

Archive Date

2/12/2005
 

Description

I. INTRODUCTION Bechtel, BWXT Idaho LLC (BBWI), Management & Operating Contractor of the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory [as of February 1, 2005 the INEEL will become the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) operated by Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA)], is requesting an EOI from prospective vendors to develop and demonstrate fabrication processes at industrial scale for producing Advanced Gas Reactor low enriched fuel kernels and coated particles. This EOI serves as a method of screening potential vendors. II. BACKGROUND The INL is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratory with offices located in Idaho Falls, Idaho. To support the Advanced Gas Reactor Fuel Development and Qualification Program, an industrial partner (NRC licensed) is needed to help re-establish the capability in the United States to produce high quality fuel for advanced gas-cooled nuclear reactors at industrial scale. The scope of work will include optimization of production-scale processes for UCO kernel and TRISO coated particle fabrication, use of these processes to manufacture natural and low enriched uranium fuel for process development studies and eventual qualification tests, characterization of the kernels and particles, and certification that the fuel products meet all specifications. To support optimization of the production-scale fuel fabrication processes, smaller or pilot-scale equipment may be used for economy for some studies, followed by validation in the production-scale process. The full-scale kernel production rate is estimated to be about 3 kg/day. Also in support of process optimization, characterization of products beyond the requirements of the product specification is needed to provide a fundamental understanding of phenomena occurring during the fuel fabrication processes. III. PERFORMANCE CRITERIA Information is sought to identify prospective vendors with the following capabilities: 1. Capability to fabricate uranium oxycarbide (UCO) microspheres using a demonstrated internal gelation process with natural and low enriched uranium feedstocks. The kernel fabrication process must have a throughput of at least 1 kg of kernels per day, but preferably 3 kg per day. 2. Capability to characterize the UCO kernels and certify composite kernel batches to kernel density, diameter, sphericity, uranium enrichment, composition (total uranium, O/U ratio, C/U ratio and impurities) specifications. Characterization also includes phase identification, microstructure and specific surface area. 3. Capability to apply TRISO coatings to natural and low-enriched UCO kernels, in a coater capable of an initial charge of at least 3 kg UCO kernels and applying all coatings without interruption. 4. Capability to characterize coated particles and certify to specifications that include layer thicknesses, layer densities, pyrocarbon anisotropies, particle aspect ratio, the defect fraction for the SiC layer, defect fractions of missing buffer and missing OPyC layers, pyrocarbon and SiC microstructure, IPyC permeability, IPyC and OPyC crystalline size, and IPyC and OPyC surface connected porosity. 5. Capability to utilize statistical process control and statistical quality control to demonstrate control of process variabilities and product acceptance. 6. Capability to handle and dispose of waste products from these fabrication processes and characterization activities. 7. A validated quality assurance program that meets the requirements of ASME NQA-1 and an NRC license. 8. Facilities and procedures to receive, handle, and ship natural and enriched uranium feedstock and products. IV. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS It is the intent of this EOI to identify candidate vendors who have previous experience in providing the required services. Prospective vendors shall provide: 1. A description of presently owned equipment and facilities that have been or could be used for UCO kernel fabrication and coating, including details of both kernel fabrication and coating processes. 2. A summary of experience fabricating UO2 and UCO kernels and applying BISO and TRISO coatings. 3. Evidence of recent nuclear fuel manufacturing efforts to support a customer?s needs and evidence of applying statistical techniques in the fuel fabrication process. 4. Resumes of key personnel who would be assigned to the project. 5. Evidence of NRC license (validated NQA-1 program). Please provide your EOI submittal to Glenn Clemons ? BBWI Subcontract Administrator, PO Box 1625, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3865 by close-of business, January 28, 2005. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Mr. Clemons at (208) 526-5728 or email gc2@inel.gov. Technical questions must be submitted in writing (U.S. Mail or email).
 

Place of Performance

Address: Idaho National Engineering, and Environmental Laboratory, (located 50 miles from Idaho Falls, ID), 2525 Fremont, Idaho Falls, ID

Zip Code: 83415-3865

Country: USA
 

Record

SN00734447-W 20050115/050113211802 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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