How to bid on SR-1 Freedom Reactor Radiation Shielding Design/Build for Battelle Energy Alliance

What Battelle Energy Alliance is buying

Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA) is seeking firms to design and build the Reactor Radiation Shielding (RRS) system for NASA’s SR-1 Freedom interplanetary spacecraft. This RRS system will be built at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

The RRS must weigh less than 1,200 kg and interface with four specific systems: the reactor structure, control drum actuators, the Heat Management System (HMS) heat pipes, and the Power Conversion System (PCS) structure. It needs to operate in space vacuum at temperatures from -273°C to 800°C and withstand launch forces, vibrations, and specific radiation requirements.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are due by September 24, 2026. The official deadline for submission is September 25, 2026 at 1:59 AM ET. Firms must submit an EOI of no more than 20 pages.

An official Request for Proposal (RFP) is expected in late September or early October 2026. The contract award is anticipated in October 2026, with project completion required by July 2027. The contract type will be firm-fixed price, and BEA may award multiple design/build contracts for the design phase before selecting a final firm for fabrication.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is for firms with experience in radiation shielding material design and fabrication, radiation transport modeling or equivalent shielding analysis, and the capability to meet a demanding design/build schedule. Firms must also be able to provide and fabricate shielding components in needed geometries and have a plan for material testing and qualification.

Vendors must have a documented quality program consistent with ISO 9001-2015 and ANSI/ASQC C1-1996 guidelines, and be capable of meeting QA audit requirements to be added to the INL Qualified Suppliers List (QSL).

How to respond

To respond, you need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) directly to Chase Egbert via email at [email protected]. Your EOI must be no more than 20 pages in length. It must include sufficient written information confirming your firm's qualifications against the specific criteria listed in the solicitation.

Only potentially qualified offerors, as determined by BEA, will receive the subsequent Request for Proposal (RFP) for the project. Technical questions must be submitted in writing via email to the contact person.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Carefully review all stated requirements for the RRS system, including weight limits, interface specifications, operational temperature ranges, launch force resistance, and radiation shielding performance. Your EOI should directly address how your firm meets each of these technical challenges.

Highlight your firm's specific experience with similar projects involving space-grade materials, nuclear shielding, or complex thermal and structural requirements. Provide concrete examples of past successes. Emphasize your quality assurance program and your ability to meet stringent QA audit requirements, as this is a key qualification for INL.

Given the 20-page limit, be concise and focused. Use clear, direct language to demonstrate your capabilities and understanding of the project's scope. Ensure your proposed schedule and execution plan are realistic and demonstrate your capacity to meet the July 2027 completion deadline.