How to bid on MARVEL End User Application & Utilization for the Department of Energy

What the Department of Energy is buying

The Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking ideas from private companies for tests and experiments using its new MARVEL microreactor. This reactor will generate 10 kWe of electricity and process heat. The DOE wants proposals on how to use the reactor for various applications, such as nuclear-powered microgrids, data centers, chemical processing, or to test new instrumentation and security systems.

This is an opportunity for businesses to propose innovative uses for a nuclear test bed, potentially paving the way for private sector nuclear energy development and demonstrating novel nuclear technologies.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

The deadline for submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI) is August 30, 2025. Responses must be sent via email by close of business on this date. This is the first step in a two-step process.

Promising concepts from this EOI stage will be invited to respond to a potential Notice of Opportunity (NO) at a later stage. The NO will provide more detailed requirements, funding expectations, and timelines. A feasibility assessment is intended for Fiscal Year 2026, followed by a solicitation for physical test/demonstration in Fiscal Year 2027-2028.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for companies and other interested parties in the environmental and energy sectors, particularly those involved in nuclear technology, power generation, chemical processing, data centers, or advanced instrumentation and control systems. Firms with innovative ideas for leveraging microreactor capabilities will find this relevant.

The DOE is looking for proposals that demonstrate novel nuclear-generated electricity or heat applications, provide data access, validate models, deploy advanced instrumentation, or demonstrate novel safeguards and security paradigms for nuclear technology.

How to respond

To respond, you need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via email. The EOI must be no more than 2 pages in length and in PDF format. It should clearly state which of the six specified categories your proposal falls under, list any partnering institutions, and indicate the level of support needed from Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

Your EOI should cover the goal of your application, its impact on the US nuclear industry, potential technical needs, and technical specifications such as energy quantity, temperature range, MARVEL reactor operating conditions, and test durations. Questions can be submitted to Stacie Strain via email at [email protected] with the subject line “Response to MARVEL Utilization EOI.”

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Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

When preparing your Expression of Interest, focus on clearly articulating the potential impact of your proposed test or demonstration on the broader US energy landscape. Since the EOI is limited to two pages, be concise and to the point.

Ensure your proposal directly addresses one or more of the potential application areas mentioned in the solicitation. Clearly outline your technical needs and specifications, as this will help the agency assess the viability of your concept. Highlighting any partnering institutions can also strengthen your submission by demonstrating a collaborative approach.