2026 Market Research Memo.pdf

Description:

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) is extending the current Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) contract for 12 months to allow for focused market research and Acquisition Planning. Entities that previously submitted Expressions of Interest (EOI) do not need to resubmit unless those entities so desire. SC will consider previous EOIs still valid unless entities inform us otherwise. New EOI’s from responsible parties interested in performing the functions described in this notice may be up to 5 letter size pages and must be in searchable pdf format no larger than 20MB attached to an email and sent to ryan.fuesting@science.doe.gov. The subject line of the email should read, “Expression of Interest”. The content of the EOI is at the responsible party’s discretion, but should include the following information: the responsible party’s business name; business size and status (large, small, any pertinent socioeconomic category); the nature of the proposing entity (e.g., joint venture, limited liability corporation, etc. , if known at this time); a point of contact, including a telephone number and email address; and, a brief description of the responsible party’s capabilities relative to all of the functions described here. Submission of an EOI does not commit an interested party to submit a proposal, nor does not submitting an EOI preclude an interested party from submitting a proposal on any future Requests for Proposal(s) or Funding Opportunity Announcement(s) related to this notice. Expressions of Interest should be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 15, 2026. Please be aware that at this time, the current contract is being extended and SC is not considering separate awards for individual scope elements as described below.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Workforce Development

The Contractor will manage workforce development programs to help ensure a robust supply of STEM professionals to meet future science and technology needs. The Contractor will manage competitive scholarship, fellowship, internship, and related programs that provide research and training experiences, including participation in collaborative research, for students and faculty at all educational levels. The Contractor will:

• Provide recruiting and administrative support for all program aspects, including but not limited to travel, stipends, and appointments, and program evaluation.

• Conduct activities complementary to the development of a workforce to meet future science and technology needs as directed.

• Conduct labor trends research; provide follow-up studies to current science education initiatives; and collect, compile, and disseminate data, as requested.

mailto:ryan.fuesting@science.doe.gov

Scientific and Technical Resource Integration (STRI)

The Contractor will facilitate collaboration between academia and DOE to advance scientific research and education, focus research efforts, and promote quality of DOE-funded research.

Specifically, the Contractor will:

• Coordinate and conduct peer and merit reviews, and other activities related to Financial Assistance applications and proposals; evaluate ongoing research, as well as scientific and technical projects and programs; and other scientific and technical information including assessments, reports, and studies.

• Identify experts within academic, private, and national laboratory communities to support peer and merit reviews.

• Facilitate the Department’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Human Subjects Working Group (HSWG) activities by 1) facilitating communications to and among IRB and HSWG members, including arranging meetings and maintaining records and minutes; 2) providing education and resources to and for IRB and HSWG members and subject matter experts; and 3) supporting DOE’s selection of new IRB members and subject matter experts as needed.

• Coordinate workshops, committee activities, program reviews, meetings, and reports specifically related to this scope element.

• Collect and document comments and recommendations and develop reports as needed in support of the sponsor for each of the panels, workshops, committees, etc.

as described in the paragraphs above.

• Identify improvements to DOE peer review practices through lessons learned and experience with other science research-funding organizations.

• Maintain, develop, establish, and/or improve IT infrastructure and integrated application and review systems to support STRI and STEM Workforce Development, including on-line interface, information and user management, submission review, participant deliverables, and data retrieval capabilities as may be required.

Human Subject Health and Protection Surveillance

The Contractor shall provide DOE and the scientific community with important information on the long-term health outcomes of current and former workers.

This shall be conducted through surveillance of the health of current DOE workers and former DOE beryllium vendor employees through the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; maintenance of medical data and exposure information in the DOE Data Center; investigation of health effects by tracking the medical history of workers and analyzing the possible effects of exposure; and providing technical support to the DOE Human Subject Protection Program, and DOE Beryllium Registry (DOE-STD-1187-2019 Beryllium-Associated Worker Registry Data Collection and Management Guidance).

Specific tasks include:

• Facilitate electronic reporting of data for the DOE Beryllium Registry by

1) collecting, checking, and reporting data condition, and 2) accepting, processing, and loading data.

• Operate a beryllium testing laboratory for performance of Lymphocyte Proliferation Tests (DOE-SPEC-1142-2019, DOE Specification: Beryllium Lymphocyte Proliferation Testing) to screen individuals for beryllium sensitivity through

1) sample receipt, management, analysis, and disposal; 2) data management and process quality assurance; and 3) communication of results.

• Facilitate DOE Human Subject Policy Implementation through 1) administrative assistance, 2) distribution of information and guidance, and 3) identification and acquisition of technical assistance resources.

• Operate the Human Subject Research Database (HSRD), including 1) tracking data submission, requesting feedback, and conducting internet postings, 2) writing articles and giving presentations pertaining to the HSRD, and 3) coordinating research of ethical issues and new requirements for human subjects.

• Operate the Radiation Exposure Monitoring System (REMS) and Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource (CEDR). This includes 1) data receipt, management, and quality assurance, the purpose of which is to enable epidemiology and other health studies such as those pursuant to 10 CFR 602.5, and 2) storage and maintenance of occupational exposure records in a facility meeting DOE’s requirements for fire safety, security and confidentiality.

Independent Environmental Assessment and Verification

The Contractor shall provide expertise for and perform independent verification of radioactively contaminated site cleanup as requested. This includes providing expert advice and consultation on matters related to radioactive contamination at sites and assisting as required in resolving data discrepancies. The Contractor must maintain organizational independence of the contractors performing the cleanup, including the appearance of organizational conflicts.

Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site

The Contractor shall support preparation and execution of DOE’s emergency response assets through management and conduct of programs, studies, research, exercises, and/or training in areas such as radiological/nuclear incident management (including expertise in the medical management of radiation accidents or incidents) and emergency preparedness and response both domestically and internationally.

The Contractor will provide expertise in the medical management of radiation accidents or incidents through operation of the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS), a dedicated DOE facility located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Specific tasks in support of this activity require the Contractor to:

(1) Provide technical assistance for medical care of radiation accident victims in support of attending physicians. Activities supporting this capability are:

• Conducting medical and radiation triage, decontamination chelation therapy, assessment of injuries, and dose assessments.

• Providing 24/7 capability to receive and respond to calls for assistance for medical care of radiation accident victims.

• Maintaining equipment to provide medical education, advice, and assistance.

• Providing technical continuing medical education (CME) courses in-house and off site to medical, emergency planning/response, and health physics personnel and support international National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) training programs.

• Participating in the planning and conduct of emergency preparedness in large-scale national and international exercises and drills.

• Evaluating new developments in chelation therapy.

• Maintaining requirements to facilitate international collaboration consistent with Unites States priorities in radiation emergency medicine as specifically directed by DOE.

• Providing a deployable, on-call capability, available 365 days a year, that is able to respond within 4 hours of notification to nuclear/radiological accidents or incidents domestically or internationally and providing expertise in the medical management of casualties.

(2) Provide programmatic clinical expertise and resources to:

• Develop and implement techniques for clinical evaluation and treatment as well as dose assessments of radiation exposure.

• Maintain and improve REAC/TS Radiation Accident Registries.

• Maintain reporting to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Investigational New Drug Applications.

• Participate in occupational medicine meetings and symposia.

• Provide leadership and expertise in radiation medicine.

(3) Operate NNSA’s Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory for assessments of radiation dose exposures with the capability of providing dose estimates for radiation exposure events including multi/mass casualty events, conducting collaborative research to improve the dose estimate methodology and its associated utility, and increasing the speed of analysis.