INTRODUCTION

Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA) Management and Operating Contractor of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) owned Idaho National Laboratory (INL), is seeking an Expression of Interest (EOI) from qualified vendors capable of providing material handling, rigging, and transport services for the National Reactor Innovation Center’s (NRIC) advanced nuclear microreactor testing program.

BACKGROUND

INL is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory dedicated to nuclear energy, national security, and clean energy innovation. The NRIC advanced reactor testing program requires specialized support for moving reactors and related equipment at the Materials & Fuels Complex (MFC) and other INL facilities, including the DOME testbed. BEA anticipates awarding a Blanket Master Contract (BMC), with individual task orders issued over FY2027-FY2032.

SCOPE OF WORK

Work may occur at the subcontractor’s facility and/or at INL/MFC, depending on the task. Responding vendors must have experience with heavy rigging and critical lifts (350 tons / 40 ft, all axes), have the ability to operate equipment remotely for high-radiation work, be familiar with ASME and DOE lifting/rigging standards, have a quality assurance program comparable to ASME NQA-1, and have equipment rated for extreme temperatures (-47°F to 105°F). The scope of work will include the following

• Develop lift plans, engineering calculations, and safety procedures for each reactor move.


• Install and operate specialized handling equipment (hydraulic slides, powered skates, turntables, rigging, spreader bars, etc.).


• Transport reactors and components – up to 350 tons and 40 feet long – across INL property using cranes, SPMTs, crawler transporters, or similar.


• Install and remove reactors from testbed facilities, including remote operation for irradiated (high-radiation) reactors.


• Build mockups and perform load testing to verify equipment before use.


• Decontamination and radiation monitoring are not included; BEA will handle those.

PROCESS

This EOI is the first step in identifying interested and qualified vendors for future solicitation. Responses may be used to inform the development of a formal solicitation list. Selected vendors may be invited to participate in a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for award consideration.

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

Interested vendors should submit an Expression of Interest that includes the following:

• Company name and point of contact


• A summary of relevant experience (heavy rigging, nuclear/radiological work, critical lifts)


• Confirmation of ability to meet the tonnage and size requirements above


• NQA-1 certification, quality program documentation, and compliance with federal procurement requirements


• Lead times and renewal processing capacity


• NAICS and business size classification


• Confirmation of ability to comply with INL data control requirements


• High-level cost estimation for renewal services

Deadline for submission: August 26, 2026

Submit to: Chase.Egbert@inl.gov

Only select respondents, as determined by BEA, will receive an invitation to participate in the anticipated RFP solicitation.

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

Because information received in response to this EOI may be business sensitive or proprietary to the responding party, respondents must mark information in their responses accordingly.