The National Nuclear Security Administration wants to hear from entities interested in building a massive, 2,000-acre clean-energy farm to help power the Nevada National Security Site outside Las Vegas.
In an 18-page request for qualifications published Friday, the NNSA said it will choose one or more companies to develop and construct a facility capable of generating 200 megawatts of “carbon-pollution-free electricity” under a long-term easement.
NNSA “will choose the Qualified Developer(s) determined to have the highest probability of commercial success and that meets the socioeconomic goals of the community upon project completion. The degree of importance of pricing is not a factor since DOE/NNSA is not funding the project.”
The company or companies selected will also be responsible for maintaining the conduits, lines, wiring, electrical systems, interconnection facilities and other ancillary facilities and equipment needed for the installation, maintenance, and operation of the system, which will be interconnected with the local public electric utility system.
Because cost is not a consideration, the NNSA is weighing local economic impact highly, reads the notice posted to the federal government’s contracting website, SAM.gov.
The project is part of DOE’s Cleanup to Clean Energy program, the agency’s plan to use portions of its federal property for electricity generation.
NNSA’s criteria for candidate companies include how the proposed facility will support “disadvantaged communities” and the “degree to which the proposed project is likely to lead to increased high-quality employment.”
The agency also wants to incorporate regional institutions of higher education, small businesses, and local- and tribal-owned businesses in the endeavor.
Applicants have until March 31 to apply.
