Transformational AI Capabilities for National Security

The Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input on developing transformational artificial intelligence capabilities for national security applications through the Genesis Mission initiative. This procurement targets businesses, universities, research institutions, and technology providers with expertise in secure AI development, particularly for classified environments supporting nuclear weapons development, nonproliferation, and scientific research. Key requirements include capabilities for classified AI model development, secure cloud environments, data curation and management, AI model enhancement, and innovative partnership structures that can integrate with existing high-performance computing infrastructure. The RFI solicits detailed responses addressing technical capabilities, organizational competencies, and potential approaches to deploying AI technologies in NNSA's mission-critical operations, with respondents required to comply with Research, Technology and Economic Security (RTES) Requirements that restrict foreign entity involvement and mandate technology security disclosures. Responses must be submitted by January 23, 2026, at 12:00 PM Mountain Standard Time, with a 15-page submission limit, and the NNSA indicated the RFI was amended on December 10, 2025, with the final version posted on December 11, 2025.

This is a pre-solicitation notice with no set-aside designations applied, and the RFI document does not specify an award value, budget range, or quantity of goods to be procured, as the primary objective at this stage is to gather market research and industry input on feasible approaches to developing advanced AI capabilities for national security contexts. No incumbent contractors or potential awardees are identified in the available documentation. The classified nature of the applications and the emphasis on developing self-improving AI models for physics and engineering applications suggest this represents a significant, multifaceted initiative, though specific financial parameters and timeline for subsequent solicitation phases are not disclosed in the pre-solicitation notice. Respondents should note that all submissions may be shared with NNSA's management and operating contractors, and participation in this RFI does not guarantee consideration for future contract awards.