DOE Moving Forward with Generic Interim Storage Design

The Department of Energy is making plans to move forward with the generic design of an interim storage facility, according to a sources sought notice issued on FedBizOpps this week. The notice seeks interested small business-qualified contractors to prepare a generic design for a pilot facility and a Topical Safety Analysis Report (TSAR) on the generic design suitable for submittal to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for review, approval, and issuance of a Safety Evaluation Report.

 

Much of the focus of the TSAR, according to the notice, involves the “72-71-72 Issue” of storing, transporting, and storing used nuclear fuel that has sat for decades on-site. “Material to be stored at a pilot ISF will have been stored for years and in some cases for decades at existing ISFSIs prior to be being transported and placed back in storage at the pilot ISF,” the notice said. “The NRC has promulgated regulations for storage of SNF, GTCC, and other nuclear material in 10 CFR Part 72, transportation in 10 CFR Part 71, and protection of that material against theft or sabotage in 10 CFR Part 73. Any pilot ISF will be designed, constructed, and operated to meet these regulations.” Responses to the notice are due by July 28.