RFI- Nuclear Identification of Potential Shore Installation Power Sites SAM.gov.pdf

10/07/2024

Request for Information: Identification of Potential Shore Installation Contractor 1

Owned/Operated Nuclear Power Sites 2

07 October 2024 4

This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP). 6

The Department of the Navy (DON), which comprises the United States Navy and the United 8

States Marine Corps, is seeking information and market interests from developers, utilities, 9 consortia, or similar private or public parties regarding interest in developing non-excess, under-10 utilized DON lands for the purpose of constructing commercial scale, grid facing clean energy 11 generation to achieve full base energy resilience. This initiative underscores the DON’s 12 commitment to enhancing resilience, energy efficiency, and decarbonization across the globe. 13

This RFI aims to identify industry capabilities as well as solutions that mutually solve the DON’s 14 resiliency and carbon free energy goals, as well as improving the cost, timeline, and risk profile 15 of industry projects of mutual interest with the DON. We welcome input from developers, 16 utilities, and consortia on innovative approaches that may include, but are not limited to, Shore 17

Based Nuclear Tecnologies and other advanced technologies. Our goal is to enhance energy 18 security and reliability for DON installations and the surrounding communities, and we invite 19 comments on various technologies, business models, contracting methods, and partnerships that 20 can contribute to resilient, redundant energy systems in the face of evolving geopolitical 21 challenges, climate change, and emerging threats across the DON. 22

BACKGROUND: 24

Installation resilience is a top priority for the DON, with a focus on achieving full resilience 25 across the enterprise to ensure operational continuity. This is crucial in maintaining national 26 security and readiness in the face of potential disruptions to commercial energy networks, 27 whether from physical or cyberattacks, extreme weather, pandemic biothreats, or other emerging 28 challenges. Ensuring that DON installations can continue their mission in the event of a grid 29 power outage is a critical priority. The DON also recognizes that our installations, operations, 30 workforce and supply chains are supported by critical infrastructure and community services that 31 are privately owned and operated, off-installation. The DON is taking proactive steps to achieve 32 a more sustainable and secure energy future while fulfilling its critical mission requirements. 33

The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, the significant rise in cyber 34 events, the potential for physical attacks as well as routine power outages necessitate a proactive 35 approach to enhancing the resiliency of DON shore installations worldwide. In support of this 36 approach, the Navy is committed to exploring the latest technological advancements, which offer 37 the potential for robust solutions to these challenges. Technologies such as (but not limited to), 38 advanced, distributed-scale shore based nuclear technology or other advanced reactor 39 technology, when sited on or adjacent to DON installations, could provide stable and reliable 40 energy for extended periods, ensuring that Navy and Marine Corps installations remain 41 operational even in adverse conditions. Shore based nuclear technologies are becoming more 42 attractive potential options, offering scalable and flexible solutions that can be tailored to the 43 specific energy needs of a region while providing resilience needs of a DON military installation. 44

Implementations of new energy generation technology may be particularly attractive in serving 45 large community and user bases, such as those proximate to many DON installations, while 46 encumbering a relatively small land area. Under normal circumstances, the commercial electric 47 transmission and distribution grids would be the primary off-taker from any generating station 48 hosted on DON lands; in the event of grid disturbance, power would revert back first to the 49 installation. 50

To realize the potential of new energy generation technologies for installation resilience, the 51

DON is interested in exploring various technologies, business models, contracting methods, 52 policies, and partnerships that would enable contractor-owned and operated power sites on DON 53 installations, ensuring that the DON can leverage commercial expertise and innovation. 54

Partnerships with industry leaders, academic institutions, and other government agencies will be 55 crucial in advancing the research, development, and deployment of technologies at DON 56 installations. Through these collaborative efforts, the DON can achieve enhanced resilience, 57 ensuring that its installations are capable of sustaining operations under any circumstances, thus 58 reinforcing national security and operational readiness. 59

SCOPE OF WORK: 61

The DON is committed to improving installation and community resilience in accordance with 62 its authorities from Title 10, U.S.C. 2911 and 2920. This RFI underscores the DON’s 63 commitment to align with national goals, aiming to maximize community and installation 64 resilience and achieve statutory requirements for 99.9% energy reliability for hosting 65 installations supplied through the commercial distribution systems as well as assuring a 66 minimum of 14 days energy endurance during a commercial distribution grid outage. We will 67 also seek to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Additionally, the DON is 68 dedicated to supporting the National commitment to triple nuclear power generation by 2050. 69

As articulated by the Honorable Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, 70

Installations, and Environment (ASN EI&E), climate change amplifies threats to the Navy’s 71 personnel, installations, platforms, operations, and international alliances. To uphold its status as 72 the preeminent maritime force worldwide, the DON underscores the critical necessity to fortify 73 resilience and diminish environmental vulnerabilities. In the face of escalating climate change 74 impacts, the DON recognizes the imperative to enhance its operational capabilities while 75 simultaneously mitigating environmental risks. 76

One of the avenues the DON is exploring to increase installation resilience, reduce carbon 77 emissions, and enhance operational capabilities is the potential for privately-owned and operated 78 clean energy power generation stations on DON installations. This Request for Information 79

(RFI) aims to gather insights, expertise, innovative business models, effective contracting 80 methods, robust policies, and potential partnerships from industry experts, developers, and 81 stakeholders. The focus is on four (4) prioritized Navy installations and/or three (3) USMC 82 installations identified for initial implementation (see below). The DON is open to exploring 83 additional installation(s) which could be used to for contractor owned/operated power generation 84 site(s). While seven (7) installations from both the Navy and USMC have been identified as the 85 priority, respondents should state their preference of installation(s) and considerations that will 86 need to be made for each installation selected, as well as for any other DON installations that 87 respondents may identify for consideration. 88

The DON welcomes innovative solutions, technologies, and concepts which can be utilized to 90 achieve reliable power quality, black start capability, independent microgrid capability, 91 continuous safe operations and distribution, and meet peak critical load requirements 24 hours a 92 day during a prolonged disruption in commercial energy supplies, thereby enhancing energy 93 security, operational capability, strategic flexibility and resource availability for DON 94 installations. Contractors who own or operate nuclear power sites on Navy or USMC 95 installations would be responsible for the possession, storage, and management of nuclear and 96 spent fuel, as well as obtaining and complying with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) 97 licensing requirements. The DON will be looking at developer responses for creative solutions 98 for the storage and disposal of spent fuel in accordance with NRC requirements. 99

DON Strategic Objectives Associated with this RFI 101

Identify Opportunities that Enhance and Support Installation and Community Energy 102

Resilience: Collect input for privately-funded concepts that would ensure continuous operational 103 capability of DON installations in the event of grid power outages, adversary attacks, extreme 104 weather events, or other disruptions, while improving utility regional grid capacity, flexibility, 105 affordability and resilience to support community continuity of services. 106

Identify Opportunities that Enable and Advance the Safe, Secure, and Responsible 107

Development of Domestic, Distributed-Scale, Advanced Nuclear Power Reactor and Fuel 108

Technologies: Collect input for privately-funded concepts that would advance, accelerate and 109 expand U.S. commercial markets, domestic supply chains, workforce development, industry 110 capacity, technology diversification, and economic viability for advanced, safe, secure, 111 distributed-scale, NRC-licensed nuclear power reactor and fuel technologies, that DON 112 installations can support and further enable. 113

Identify Opportunities and Challenges Resulting from Policy, Regulatory and Economic 114

Issues that Could Enable or Hinder U.S. Domestic Development of Safe, Secure, and 115

Responsible Advanced, Distributed-Scale Nuclear Power and Fuel Production for 116

Commercial Markets. Collect input regarding opportunities and challenges presented by policy, 117 regulatory or economic issues that impact the ability of DON installations for hosting privately-118 funded advanced, distributed-scale nuclear power plant concepts that could serve regional grid 119 power needs while also providing improved energy resilience for DON mission operational 120 power requirements. 121

Leverage Industry Expertise: Utilize the knowledge and experience of industry experts to 122 inform the DON’s strategy for nuclear energy deployment. 123

Strengthen Benefits to the Wider Community: Collect input regarding concepts that would 124 provide power to the community rate base as the primary power customer, improving power 125 quality, reliability and resilience for the area populace, fostering community industrial and 126 commercial development, tax base growth and jobs growth. 127

Candidate Installation 129

The DON has identified that the following installations have the potential to be mission-130 compatible candidates seeking full base resilience. 131

Virginia 133

Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana (VA) 134

Naval Support Activity (NSA) South Potomac (includes Naval Support Facility (NSF) 135

Dahlgren, VA and NSF Indian Head, MD) 136

Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Yorktown (VA) 137

Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico (VA) 138

Maryland 139

NAS Patuxent River (MD) 140

North Carolina 141

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point (NC) 142

MCB Camp Lejeune (NC) 143

RFI Response Requirements 145

1. Executive Summary - Provide a brief overview of your organization and its experience with 146 nuclear power solutions. Summarize your insights on the feasibility and benefits of contractor-147 owned and operated nuclear power sites for DON installations. 148

2. Technical Expertise and Capabilities - Detail your technical expertise and capabilities in the 150 design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed technology. Highlight any 151 previous projects or case studies relevant to military or critical infrastructure energy resilience. 152

3. Business Models - Propose innovative business models for contractor-owned and operated 154 clean energy power sites. Explain how these models can ensure cost-effectiveness, reliability, 155 and long-term sustainability. Address financing mechanisms, risk-sharing, and revenue models. 156

4. Contracting Methods - Suggest effective contracting methods that could facilitate the 158 deployment of clean power generation at Navy and Marine Corps installations. 159

Include recommendations on contract structures, performance incentives, risk mitigation 160 strategies, and lifecycle management. 161

5. Policy and Regulatory Considerations - Identify key policy and regulatory challenges and 163 propose solutions to address them. Discuss safety, security, and environmental compliance 164 requirements. Provide insights on the regulatory approval process and how it can be streamlined. 165

6. Partnerships and Collaboration - Propose potential partnerships and collaboration 167 frameworks with industry, government agencies, and academic institutions. Highlight how these 168 partnerships can enhance innovation, reduce costs, and accelerate deployment. 169

7. Implementation Plan - Outline a high-level implementation plan for deploying clean energy 171 generation at one of, or multiple, prioritized DON installations. Include timelines, key 172 milestones, and resource requirements (acres, locality of water and/or distribution power lines, 173 etc.) and additional considerations required to continue providing power to Navy and Marine 174

Corps installations from the nuclear power asset in the event of a grid outage. 175

8. Risk Management - Identify potential risks associated with the deployment and operation of 177 power sites and propose mitigation strategies. Include risks related to technology, regulation, 178 finance, climate change, sea level rise and security. 179

RFI Response Submission 181

Responses to this RFI should be submitted no later than 07 November 2024. 182

Submit responses to this RFI to: NAVFACHQ-RE@us.navy.mil 184

Please use the subject line “Response to Installation Energy Resilience; identification of 186 potential technology solutions RFI”. No limit on response length but please limit file sizes to 187

5MB. 188

This RFI is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or 190 offer of contract. The information gathered will be used to inform the Department of the Navy’s 191 strategy for enhancing installation resilience through innovative and new energy solutions. 192