SOW_NNX17608792Q.docx

SOW

W/UO2 Cermet Fuel for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) Applications

Background Fission energy has the potential for enabling very high performance propulsion systems that could dramatically improve NASA’s capability for performing advanced space missions. Both Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) and Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) systems could be enabled by development of a high temperature cermet fuel with suitable performance parameters.

Task

Provide NTP general project plan development and technical support. This includes providing schedule input for various scenarios, developing ROM costs for scenarios, developing scopes of work for various funding/timing scenarios, developing technology maturation plans, identifying major development risks, interfacing with DOE for planning activities, providing review of NASA project documents, and other activities as requested to support NTP planning.

Contractor Requirements

1. Contractor must have extensive and ongoing experience in developing and fabricating nuclear fuels, including fuels used in naval reactors.

2. Contractor must have current capability to work with safeguards “Category 1” quantities of highly enriched uranium (HEU).

3. Contractor must have experience in developing fuels designed to allow reactors previously fueled by HEU to be fueled by low-enriched uranium (LEU).

4. Contractor must have extensive and ongoing experience interacting with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).