SR-1 Freedom Reactor Radiation Shielding Design/Build
Key Dates
Due Date
-
Posted Date
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Agency & Value
Agency
BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE–DOE CNTR
Contract Value
Not provided
Codes & Classification
Solicitation Number
INL-26-053
NAICS
-
Classification Code
-
Additional Details
Documents1
Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), the Management & Operating Contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL), has issued a Sources Sought notice seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from qualified firms for the design and build of the SR-1 Freedom Reactor Radiation Shielding (RRS) system. This initiative is part of a collaborative effort between BEA and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop the SR-1 Freedom interplanetary spacecraft, with the RRS serving as a critical component to ensure safe operation of the spacecraft’s nuclear power module.
The primary purpose of this procurement is to identify and engage firms capable of designing, fabricating, and qualifying a radiation shielding system for the SR-1 Nuclear Power Module (NPM), which will be constructed at the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) located approximately 33 miles west of Idaho Falls, Idaho. The RRS is intended to provide effective neutron and gamma photon radiation shielding for various spacecraft components, including the reactor structure, control drum actuators, Heat Management System (HMS) heat pipes, and Power Conversion System (PCS) structure. The shielding system must be lightweight, with a composite weight not exceeding 1200 kg, and must interface seamlessly with four distinct NPM subsystems.
The scope of work encompasses the full design/build lifecycle, including material selection, engineering, fabrication, testing, and qualification of the RRS. The system and its materials must be engineered to operate reliably in the vacuum of space, withstanding extreme temperatures ranging from -273°C (space ambient) up to 800°C near the reactor and HMS heat pipes. Additionally, the RRS must be robust enough to endure the mechanical stresses and vibrations associated with launch, as well as the operational environment in space. The shielding must meet prescribed limits for gamma photon total ionizing dose and fast neutron fluence, ensuring adequate protection for all relevant SR-1 Freedom systems and components.
Key requirements for prospective contractors include demonstrated experience in radiation shielding material design and fabrication, proficiency in radiation transport modeling or equivalent shielding analysis, and the capability to meet the aggressive design/build schedule. Firms must also be able to fabricate shielding components in the required geometries, develop and execute comprehensive material testing and qualification plans, and maintain a documented quality program consistent with ISO 9001-2015 and ANSI/ASQC C1-1996 standards. Additionally, contractors must be capable of meeting quality assurance audit requirements necessary for inclusion on the INL Qualified Supplier List (QSL).
The procurement process will be phased, with BEA potentially awarding multiple contracts for the design phase to evaluate firms’ competencies before selecting a single contractor for fabrication. The contract will be firm-fixed price, and completion of the project is required no later than July 2027. The anticipated release of the Request for Proposal (RFP) is late September or early October 2026, with source selection and award decisions expected in October 2026.
Interested firms must submit their expressions of interest, including detailed qualifications addressing the specified criteria, by close of business on September 24, 2026. Submissions are limited to 20 pages. Only those firms deemed potentially qualified by BEA will receive the RFP for the project.
The contracting entity is Battelle Energy Alliance–DOE Contractor, operating under the Department of Energy. The place of performance is Idaho, United States. For further information or to submit questions, firms should contact Chase Egbert at [email protected]. Technical inquiries must be submitted in writing via email.
This opportunity is listed as active on SAM.gov under Opportunity ID ca69c6f41f34410d942aed12b710011d. Contractors interested in participating should carefully review the requirements and ensure alignment with their technical capabilities, quality assurance programs, and experience in radiation shielding for space applications.