The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating the AC100 Deployment Demonstration for Unobligated Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) as part of its Domestic Uranium Enrichment (DUE) program. This program aims to establish a new uranium enrichment capability to support defense mission requirements, particularly for tritium and naval propulsion. The project plans to acquire one to two cascades of 120-machine AC100 centrifuges to produce unobligated LEU, addressing the U.S. government's lack of enrichment capacity since the closure of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in 2013.
The project's implementation will unfold in three phases, with Phase 1 focusing on project execution, cascade design, and the production and operational demonstration of the AC100 machines at an American Centrifuge Plant (ACP) in Piketon, Ohio. Key requirements include unobligated machines, production capabilities of up to 4.95% U-235, and regulatory compliance with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The contract encompasses detailed planning and modifications necessary to achieve operational readiness, identifying potential risks and storage capabilities for materials involved. This endeavor reflects a strategic move to bolster national security and ensure a reliable uranium supply for critical needs beyond the early 2040s.
The request for information (RFI) outlines the need for a demonstration of the AC100 deployment as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Domestic Uranium Enrichment (DUE) program, which is vital for ensuring a domestic supply of unobligated enriched uranium (EU) for defense-related missions. The initiative stems from the closure of the last government-owned enrichment facility in 2013. The DUE program intends to establish enrichment capabilities by deploying one to two cascades of the AC100 centrifuge technology, focusing initially on a limited early production of low-enriched uranium (LEU).
The project will unfold in three phases, starting with the development of a project execution plan and culminating in the successful operation of the centrifuges. The RFI emphasizes the importance of competitive procurement and highlights the government's irrevocable rights to related intellectual property. Interested parties are encouraged to submit capability statements detailing their experience in nuclear material projects, along with their approach to the acquisition strategy.
The RFI's submission deadline is February 4, 2025, and aims to collect relevant market information to guide the eventual acquisition process without committing to a contract. Overall, the RFI serves the purpose of gauging interest and ability within the industry to support the critical need for domestic uranium enrichment for national security purposes.