Vapor Explosion Regulatory Review and TEXAS Computer Code Maintenance and Development

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) intends to solicit, negotiate and award a sole-source contract to the University of Wisconsin, located in Madison, Wisconsin to provide specialized technical research and assistance, experimental analysis, maintenance and on-call technical support in the area of energetic fuel-coolant interactions (i.e., vapor explosions) for the TEXAS Computer Code. The period of performance for this contract will be two years from the date of award. This contract will focus on severe accident research topics on the development, updating and maintenance of the TEXAS computer code which was developed and copyrighted by the University of Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin is the leading US expert in the area of vapor explosions and is the only entity that has the rights to update and maintain the TEXAS computer code. Therefore, the only way that the NRC can satisfy this requirement is to directly procure the services from the University of Wisconsin. The authority to enter into a contract on a sole-source basis with the University of Wisconsin is pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.302-1, which provides for limiting competition in those situations where the supplies or services are available from only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirements. This Notice of Intent is NOT a request for proposal NOR a solicitation of offers. A determination not to compete this proposed procurement based on responses to the notice is solely within the discretion of the NRC. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any response to this notice must demonstrate strong and convincing evidence that competing the requirement would be advantageous to the Government. In doing so, interested sources must submit their technical capabilities and any other information that demonstrates their ability to meet the NRC's requirements. Detailed capabilities must be submitted to Carolyn Cooper via e-mail at carolyn.cooper@nrc.gov, no later than close of business on April 5, 2019..