Draft Statement of Work - DUE AC100.pdf

DRAFT

DRAFT Statement of Work (SOW) For

AC100 Deployment Demonstration for Unobligated LEU Enrichment – Phase 1

1.0 OBJECTIVE

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) must establish a new domestic uranium enrichment capability to produce enriched uranium (EU) that is suitable for NNSA defense mission requirements. The Domestic Uranium Enrichment (DUE) program is considering the acquisition of one to two 120-machine AC100 cascades to produce unobligated low-enriched uranium (LEU). The objective is to address the need for a new domestic uranium enrichment capability, gain additional confidence in the reliability of the AC100 centrifuge design, and reduce risk to meeting the program’s requirements.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The DUE program (NA-192.2) within the DOE/NNSA is responsible for ensuring a reliable supply of unobligated EU for NNSA defense missions, including low-enriched uranium (LEU) for tritium production and highly enriched uranium (HEU) for naval nuclear propulsion plants.

The U.S. Government currently lacks the ability to enrich uranium to support defense missions.

The last government-owned enrichment facility, the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, closed in 2013. DOE/NNSA possesses sufficient unobligated LEU to fuel tritium production through the early 2040s and sufficient unobligated HEU for naval propulsion plants into the 2050s.

DOE/NNSA must establish a new domestic uranium enrichment capability to continue providing EU material for these defense missions beyond these need dates.

The DUE program is leveraging an incremental approach to enrichment capacity deployment using one or more centrifuge technologies. The program is considering deployment of one to two cascades of AC100 machines to begin producing LEU in the near term. This deployment would provide a limited early production capability, demonstrate one of the available centrifuge technologies, and reduce risk to meeting the program’s requirements.

3.0 PHASING PROCESS

The DUE program proposes executing the AC100 Acquisition in three phases, which are described in Section II of the Request for Information (RFI). This SOW applies to Phase 1 only. Note that award of a Phase 1 contract does not guarantee award of contracts for Phase 2 and 3.

4.0 REQUIREMENTS

The DUE program requires the following high-level program requirements (PR) to be addressed in

Phase 1 of the AC100 acquisition:

PR-1. The AC100 machine and all cascade supporting equipment (e.g., feed and withdrawal equipment) must be unobligated (i.e., free from peaceful use restrictions).

PR-2. The AC100 cascades must be able to produce LEU UF6 up to 4.95% U-235.

PR-3. The AC100 cascades must operate at one of the American Centrifuge Plant (ACP) facilities in Piketon, OH.

PR-4. The ACP facility must have a license that can accommodate up to two 120-machine

AC100 cascades and their supporting feed and withdrawal systems.

PR-5. The facility must be licensed by the NRC for LEU production.

PR-6. Laboratory capability for analyzing process gases and byproducts for assay and chemistry must be included.

PR-7. The facility must provide space for storage of UF6 as natural uranium (NU) feed, depleted uranium (DU) tails, and EU product. Storage quantities are not yet defined.

PR-8. Plans must include the capability to expand enrichment capacity for more cascades in the future, if needed.

PR-9. The plant must be able to receive high-assay DU UF6 and NU UF6 feedstock and ship out DU UF6 tails and EU UF6 product, as needed.

5.0 PROJECT SCOPE

The ultimate scope of the project (Phases 1-2) is to establish and implement an execution plan to design and deploy a fully unobligated AC100 120-machine cascade (with an option for a second cascade, i.e., Phase 3) at one of the existing ACP facilities in Piketon, OH. The scope includes the design, procurement, and deployment of unobligated supporting feed and withdrawal systems. Any facility modifications required to facilitate cascade deployment are in scope, as well as completing the appropriate facility licensing actions with the NRC. The Phase 1 scope culminates in a demonstration of the Contractor’s ability to produce unobligated AC100 machines and subsequently operate the machines on UF6 gas. The Phase 1 contractor must:

a) Develop a project execution plan for deploying a 120-machine cascade at one of the existing ACP facilities in Piketon, OH (with an option for a second cascade) using fully unobligated AC100 machines and supporting feed/withdrawal systems that can produce LEU (4.95% U-235). This plan will include the full scope, cost, schedule, and risk assessment for the deployment and operation of two cascades to aid the DUE program in decision-making.

b) Design the LEU cascade, supporting feed and withdrawal systems, and any necessary facility modifications. Initiate appropriate licensing actions with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

c) Produce and install 16-241 unobligated AC100 machines, procure and install feed and withdrawal systems for the cascade, and demonstrate operation of the machines on UF6 gas.

Specific deliverables to be generated as part of the Phase 1 scope are identified in Section 6.

1 The number of machines to be produced in this phase is subject to change. NNSA is open to feedback on the appropriate number of initial machines required to demonstrate manufacturing capability and supply chain readiness for larger scale build-out.

6.0 TASKS AND DELIVERABLES

Phase 1.a. Project Execution Plan (~6 months–1 year) Deliverable Timeline Format

• The Contractor shall provide the DUE program a project execution plan documenting detailed planning associated with deploying a 120-machine cascade at one of the existing ACP facilities in Piketon, OH (with an option for a second cascade) using fully unobligated AC100 machines and supporting feed and withdrawal systems that can produce LEU up to 4.95% U-235.

The project execution plan must address program requirements PR-1 through PR-9 as specified in Section 4.0 above. The project execution plan must provide the following:

• High-fidelity (i.e., AACEI Class 3 or better) cost and schedule estimates for Phase 2 and 3 activities.

• A licensing plan to initiate a required license amendment for one of the existing ACP facilities to accommodate up to two 120-machine cascades; the plan must include the estimated cost and schedule for license amendment activities.

• A plan for manufacturing unobligated AC100 centrifuges and all cascade supporting equipment that ensures the resulting EU product carries no peaceful-use restrictions, as well as a plan with cost and schedule estimates (AACEI Class 3 or better) for any manufacturing development activities necessary to enable this supply chain.

• A staffing plan to ensure the contractor has sufficient personnel and expertise to accomplish all activities associated with Phase 1. The plan must include details associated with any necessary hiring needs, such as technical areas and timing.

Midpoint review on preliminary planning, status, and current direction

~3 months from contract award

Oral presentation or other format as agreed

Draft Plan ~5 months from contract award

Unclassified or CUI written document with optional classified appendices Final Plan ~6 months–1 year from contract award

• A plan for on-site storage of NU feedstock, DU tails, and EU product, to include on-site locations and storage capacity limitations.

• A risk management plan that identifies any issues that may affect the deployment of up to two AC100 machine cascades at one of the existing ACP facilities on budget and on schedule. The plan shall describe issues in detail and identify potential actions to address these barriers, including timeframes in which the issues should be addressed.

Phase 1.b. Cascade Design and Licensing (~1 year) Deliverable Timeline Format

• The contractor shall design an unobligated 120-machine cascade that can be deployed at one of the existing ACP facilities in Piketon, OH using fully unobligated AC100 machines and all cascade supporting equipment (e.g., feed and withdrawal equipment) that can produce LEU up to 4.95% U-235. The design must be able to accommodate an optional second 120-machine cascade in the same facility. The design must also include any necessary facility modifications to accommodate the deployment of the 120-machine cascade(s).

• The contractor shall initiate appropriate licensing actions with the NRC to ensure timely deployment of the lead 120-machine cascade.

• The contractor shall update any of the cost, schedule, and risk assessments completed during Phase 1.a. as greater project definition is achieved.

• Phase 1.b. can begin concurrently with Phase 1.a..

Conceptual Design Package Approximately 30% design completion

Oral presentation and design reports/documentation at each stage or other format as agreed

Preliminary Design Package Approximately 60% design completion

Draft Final Design Package 90% design completion

Final Design Package 100% design completion

Oral presentation and final design reports/documentation

Updated cost, schedule, and risk assessments from Phase 1.a.

As required Report

Phase 1.c. Demonstrate Machine Production and Operation (~1.5 years) Deliverable Timeline Format

• The Contractor shall produce 16-242 unobligated AC100 machines.

• The Contractor shall procure unobligated feed and withdrawal systems for deployment with the AC100 cascade.

• The Contractor shall implement any necessary facility modifications to accommodate the deployment of the 120-machine cascade(s).

• The contractor shall demonstrate operation of the 16-24 unobligated AC100 machines on UF6 gas for a minimum of 6 months.

• The contractor shall submit the final appropriate licensing actions to the NRC, if not completed during Phase 1.b..

Interim machine manufacturing milestones (e.g., 1 machine completed, 5 completed, 10, etc.).

Unobligated feed and withdrawal systems designed, procured, installed.

16-24 unobligated AC100 machines deployed and operating on UF6 gas at the ACP facility in Piketon, OH.

TBD Manufacturing demonstrations, on-site visits, Operations Readiness Reviews, Product sampling, Monthly Operations reports, etc.

2 The number of machines to be produced in this phase is subject to change. NNSA is open to feedback on the appropriate number of initial machines required to demonstrate manufacturing capability and supply chain readiness for larger scale build-out.

Contract Number Attachment #X

MONTH, 2024

7.0 REPORTING

The Contractor shall provide a monthly status to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer (CO) or Contracting Specialist (CS). The Contractor shall provide monthly written status including a summary of the status of the deliverables and percent complete, an explanation of any issues identified, and a forecast for activities to be performed in the next reporting period.

8.0 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall have a facility clearance, and its subcontractors and team members proposed to perform classified work shall have a facility clearance. All Contractor, subcontractor, or team member personnel performing classified work on this solicitation shall possess a DOE/NNSA “Q” clearance. The Contractor shall also possess electronic access to the NNSA Enterprise Secure Network (ESN) to enable classified communications between the Contractor and the Government.

9.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIALS/INFORMATION

The Government, at its discretion, may furnish:

• DOE classification guidance.

• AC100 data, including operations, machine manufacturing, machine technology, and engineering, procurement, and construction data (See RFI Section II.B).

• ACP facility access, building and infrastructure drawings, and condition details.

• ACP facility utilities and site program support (i.e., power, water, sewage, security, etc.).

10.0 TRAVEL

Travel to Piketon, OH, DOE Headquarters (James V. Forrestal Building), or other potential supplier sites may be required.

11.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Services provided under this contract will be performed at the Offeror’s facilities and the ACP facilities in Piketon, OH. Telework shall be allowed from a remote location as necessary, in accordance with Offeror’s telework policies.

12.0 INTERFACES

To successfully execute the contract scope, the Contractor will be required to interface with the NA-192.2 DUE program (including its support contractors), the DOE Office of Classification, and other organizations as deemed necessary by NNSA. This section outlines anticipated interfaces between these organizations.

• The Contractor will arrange for monthly calls to ensure information is being provided and progress is not impeded. These calls shall include the Contractor and NA-192.2, at a minimum.

Contract Number Attachment #X

MONTH, 2024

• The DOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) who is the ACP site lease holder.

• Receiving shipments of high-assay DU UF6 and NU UF6 feedstock from a contractor.

• Shipment of DU UF6 tails and EU UF6 product using external contractor(s).

13.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Phase 1 period of performance is anticipated to be three years, broken down as follows:

Phase 1.a: 6 months–1 year Phase 1.b: 1 year Phase 1.c: 1.5 years