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This is a Request for Information (RFI) as defined in FAR 15.201(e). The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the capability to d... This is a Request for Information (RFI) as defined in FAR 15.201(e). The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the capability to dismantle, de-militarize, and dispose of ex?Enterprise (CVN 65), including the defueled reactor plants in accordance with the attached Draft Summary Statement of Work (SOW), with all work done within the United States of America. This notice is not a request for proposals or a promise to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) in the future. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. The Government is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information provided, or administrative costs incurred, in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the Respondent’s expense. The Government will retain all responses, which will be protected as business sensitive and will not be released outside of the Government and the Government’s program support contractor(s). Defense and commercial contractors, including small businesses, veteran-owned businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, HUB Zone small businesses, and woman-owned small businesses are encouraged to participate. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If an RFP is subsequently issued, it will be synopsized on the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor for additional information pertaining to any future requirement. Further, notice is not intended to seek input or comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) for Disposal of Decommissioned, Defueled Ex-Enterprise (CVN 65) and Its Associated Naval Reactor Plants [https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/19/2022-17502/notice-of-availability-and-notice-of-virtual-public-meetings-for-disposal-of-decommissioned-defueled]. The public comment period for this EIS/OEIS was conducted between Aug. 19, 2022 and Oct. 3, 2022, and has now closed. BACKGROUND: Ex-Enterprise (CVN 65), the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier of the Navy, was commissioned in 1961, operated for over 50 years, and was decommissioned in 2017. Ex?Enterprise has eight reactor plants housed in four propulsion plants inside the ship. As part of the decommissioning process, the nuclear fuel was removed from the eight reactor plants and management of nuclear fuel is not included in the Draft Summary SOW. Ex?Enterprise is currently stored pier-side at Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. Dismantling and disposing of ex- Enterprise is necessary in order to comply with Navy policy for inactive nuclear-powered ships stricken from the Naval Vessel Register, and Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP) statutory responsibilities. Disposal includes dismantling, demilitarizing, and recycling the remnant hull sections at an authorized commercial facility in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, and removing and packaging the reactor plant components for transportation and disposal as low?level radioactive waste (LLRW) at an authorized radioactive waste facility or facilities. The SOW included in this RFI is modeled after successful and ongoing conventionally-powered Navy aircraft carrier dismantlement (by contract at commercial facilities), the Navy’s Surface Ship Support Barge (SSSB) dismantlement and disposal (by contract at a commercial facility), commercial nuclear power plant decommissioning (by contract with nuclear services companies), and the successful dismantlement of a U.S. Army barge (STURGIS) containing a defueled nuclear reactor (by contract with nuclear services companies at commercial facilities). Notably, several civilian, land-based, nuclear power plants, which are larger and more radiologically complex than Navy aircraft carrier reactor plants, have successfully been dismantled and disposed of by the commercial nuclear services industry. Accomplishment of the radiological dismantlement effort will be conducted using Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations with enforcement for compliance provided via the contract. Separately, NAVSEA anticipates arranging for NRC to provide the same reviews prior to dismantlement and the same amount of NRC inspection as would be required if a similar task were performed in the NRC regulated sector. Further, NRC reviews and inspection findings would be provided to the contractor for action and to NAVSEA to ensure corrective actions by the contractor were carried out in accordance with the contract. NAVSEA considers that such an arrangement provides a regulatory and contractual framework that is functionally identical to that associated with commercial nuclear power station decommissioning. Further, this regulatory and contractual framework would be similar to that which has proven successful during the ongoing accomplishment of the Surface Ship Support Barge (SSSB) dismantlement [https://sam.gov/opp/9b849bb27d1a4181a14e231ee562f02a/view]. Examples of documents produced under this framework for the SSSB dismantlement can be found on the NRC Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) under Docket #99902091. This arrangement does not divest the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (also known as Naval Reactors) of its regulatory authority per 50 U.S.C. §§ 2406, 2511. Dismantlement of ex?Enterprise requires identification, control, and disposal of regulated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) waste, asbestos, and other hazardous materials typical of those used in Navy ship construction in the 1950s, per all applicable Federal, state, and local regulations. Further, dismantlement of ex-Enterprise must include de-militarization of the vessel and components within in compliance with the Department of Defense (DoD) Demilitarization Program, which implements the statutory requirements of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) [22 CFR Part 120 through 130], and the Export Administration Regulations [15 CFR Part 730 through 774]. The value of scrap and reusable material not otherwise restricted by the DoD Demilitarization Program removed from ex?Enterprise can be used to offset some of the costs of dismantlement and disposal of radioactive and hazardous wastes in accordance with 10 U.S.C § 7305a. The Navy intends to provide waterborne delivery of the entire ship to the successful bidder’s chosen non?Governmental facility at a mutually agreeable date following contract award. The facility must be located in the United States and work completed by U.S. citizens in accordance with U.S. regulation and policy derived from the Atomic Energy Act and Arms Export Control Act and have no limitations that would prevent removal of radioactive material from ex?Enterprise and shipping LLRW and low-level mixed waste to an existing licensed waste disposal facility. While no decision has been made on the type of contract that may be used in the future if a contract is awarded for dismantlement and disposal of ex-Enterprise, NAVSEA is considering dismantlement and disposal of the ex-Enterprise under a firm fixed price contract with progress payments based on milestones defined by the contract. Some recent examples of such contracts exist within the commercial nuclear dismantlement industry. NAVSEA suggests that respondents study examples of dismantlement and disposal efforts, such as the Zion and LaCrosse nuclear power plant dismantlement and disposal projects, and consider the feasibility of a similar approach applied to ex-Enterprise. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) ADAMS documents ML16123A074 and ML13122A058 discuss the NRC evaluation of the contractual arrangements and guarantees for these dismantlement and disposal projects. Similar documents related to the SSSB disposal, which was also contracted on a firm fixed price basis, can be found in NRC ADAMS under Docket # 99902091. Dismantlement of the ex-Enterprise reactor plants involves work with “by-product material,” as such materials are defined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. The Navy has not made a determination on the applicability of the contractual provisions for indemnification against nuclear risks under Public Law 85-804 (50 U.S.C. §§ 1431-35) and the framework and requirements for implementation of such an indemnity agreement described in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 50 for ex-Enterprise dismantlement and disposal. Note that nuclear indemnification was not provided for the SSSB dismantlement and neither the SSSB nor ex-Enterprise disposals require disposition of nuclear fuel. RESPONSES: Interested parties are required to respond to this RFI with a white paper in Adobe PDF compatible format. Please limit responses to 60 pages or less (including cover and administrative pages); 1?inch margins; and 12-point font (or larger). Respondents should describe how they would propose to dismantle the reactor plants and package and transport the resulting components and LLRW to authorized LLRW disposal sites. Further, respondents should describe how they would propose to dismantle and recycle the non-radiologically controlled portions of the ship before, after, or concurrent with reactor plant dismantlement and disposal. Respondents should endeavor to provide as much information as possible, incorporate information from subject areas discussed above, as well as address ALL Questions for Respondents listed below. Information provided shall be treated as Business Sensitive and will not be shared outside of Government activities and agencies and its program management support contractor(s), without the permission of the provider. In support of developing a response to this RFI, the following information is made available: While a detailed SOW suitable for an RFP has not yet been prepared for ex-Enterprise dismantlement and disposal, a Draft Summary Statement of Work has been prepared and included with this RFI in order for respondents to understand the potential scope of the effort required. Dismantlement work will occur at a non-Government facility the respondent owns or has access to within the United States of America. Detailed information about ex-Enterprise and the defueled reactor plants can be found within the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Environmental Impact Statement/ Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) for Disposal of Decommissioned, Defueled Ex-Enterprise (CVN 65) and Its Associated Naval Reactor Plants available at the following website: https://www.carrierdisposaleis.com/Documents/Project-Documents/2022-Draft-EIS-OEIS The Navy has obtained a study from the Center for Navy Analyses (CNA) describing one possible approach for accomplishing ex?Enterprise disposal and respondents are encouraged to review and provide comments or suggestions for the Navy to consider to assist in scoping potential future contract requirements. The CNA study is available at the following website: https://www.carrierdisposaleis.com/Documents/Project-Documents/2022-Draft-EIS-OEIS under the header “2022 Draft EIS/OEIS Supporting Technical Documents”. No greater than Class-C radioactive waste is expected to be generated during dismantlement of ex-Enterprise. Only the reactor vessels and internal structures are expected to contain Class-C radioactive waste, with the remaining reactor plant components anticipated to contain Class-A radioactive waste. The Navy will continue to have ownership responsibility for all NNPP generated radiological materials but the Contractor will accept possession and responsibility for disposition of NNPP radiological materials in accordance with all Federal, State and local requirements. Reports of disposition of NNPP radiological wastes will be provided to the Navy periodically and upon project completion. The Navy would make available a Type B shipping container design certified by the NRC to meet the requirements of 10 CFR 71 for the purposes of shipping the reactor vessels with internal structures as part of the notional contract solicitation. The Contractor may elect to use this shipping container design to procure fabrication services from qualified vendors, or the Contractor may choose to disposition the reactor vessels and internal structures by alternative methods (e.g., segmentation prior to packing). The Contractor would be responsible for procurement of the reactor vessel shipping container(s) from qualified vendors; the Government will not provide shipping containers as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). Details of the reactor vessels (without the to-be-designed Type B shipping container) are included as an Attachment to this RFI. The Navy would make available a list of systems, spaces, and areas outside of the propulsion plant spaces that were identified as potentially radiologically impacted that were subsequently surveyed and any remediation and/or release activities. This list will be provided to the Contractor for information to aid in project scoping, however, the Contractor is responsible for planning and implementing proper controls for managing the work within all spaces shipboard to comply with NRC regulations. The ship, to include the hull and any passive protection features, and reactor plants contain no physical equipment, structures, or arrangements that are controlled as classified. Further no classified materials or information would be located in the ship, nor is classified information expected to be required to plan or accomplish the notional scope of work to dismantle and dispose of the vessel and associated reactor plants. As such, DOD facility or personnel security clearances to plan and accomplish the scope of work are not necessary. However, the reactor plants and associated technical information contain Unclassified Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (U-NNPI). NNPI is all information, classified or unclassified, concerning the design, arrangement, development, manufacture, testing, operation, administration, training, maintenance, and repair of the propulsion plants of Naval Nuclear Powered ships and prototypes including the associated shipboard and shore-based nuclear support facilities. Sensitive unclassified military technology is protected by several Federal statutes and export control regulations. Naval Nuclear Propulsion technology is subject to these controls, hence, U?NNPI is protected and subject to these controls. The designation U-NNPI indicates that although the information is unclassified, it is subject to special handling controls, restricted access and distribution (export controls), and marking requirements, and is not releasable to the general public without prior approval by the Government. Based on the presence of U-NNPI on the vessel and the need to process U-NNPI to plan and accomplish the scope of work, all employees, subcontractors, and other persons with direct access to the ex?Enterprise propulsion plant spaces and U-NNPI Government Furnished Information (GFI) shall be U.S. citizens. As dismantlement and disposal of ex-Enterprise is not qualitatively different from dismantlement and disposal of a civilian nuclear power station, current or past experience in construction or maintenance of Navy nuclear-powered vessels or Navy radiological work facilities by the Contractor is not expected to be required. Regulation of radiological work would be in accordance with NRC standards and enforced via the contract. The Navy envisions NRC will perform regulatory inspection services of the contractor’s work consistent with the NRC Decommissioning Inspection Program via an Interagency Support Agreement with the Navy, and the contractor would be contractually required (at no additional cost to the Government) to implement any corrective actions necessary to resolve NRC identified deficiencies or violations. In addition to the governance of radiological work under NRC regulations as described above, the Navy intends to adopt the NRC regulations for fire protection programs for decommissioned nuclear power plants as defined in 10 CFR 50.48(f) and NRC Regulatory Guide 1.191 (Revision 1) during dismantlement and disposal of the ex?Enterprise reactor plants and radiologically controlled support systems. The goal of the fire protection program envisioned during this project is to provide an appropriate level of defense-in-depth protection against the threat of fires. Defense-in-depth for fire protection involves a comprehensive program of administrative controls, physical fire protection features, emergency response capabilities, and protection of radiologically controlled structures, systems and components necessary to prevent or mitigate the potential of an unacceptable release of radioactive materials. The Navy recognizes that fire protection requirements may differ considerably depending on the approach to dismantle the ex-Enterprise reactor plants, but also is aware that in general the processes and activities associated with reactor plant decommissioning can be dynamic with plant conditions and configurations continuously changing. Therefore, the required fire protection program will evolve commensurate with the changes to fire hazards. The Navy is particularly interested in how respondents propose to implement a fire protection program that achieves the standards and goals described above. In support of developing this response, the Navy notes that a temporary fire main system header is currently installed on the main deck of the ship that is being maintained while the ship is in storage, but all other shipboard systems are disabled, and therefore, all fire response capabilities must be provided by the Contractor. Fire protection programs for shipbreaking activities (i.e., involving non-radiologically impacted portions of the vessel) will be conducted in accordance with OSHA requirements under 29 CFR 1915 and applicable State and local requirements. All other aspects of the Contractor’s accomplishment of the vessel and reactor plant dismantlement and disposal work will be conducted under applicable Federal, State, or local regulations. Questions for Respondents: Would the respondent likely be performing dismantlement and disposal of ex-Enterprise as the prime contractor or as a sub-contractor? Has the respondent identified other vendors to partner with to accomplish the project? If so, whom? In which state and at what location would the respondent be likely to perform the scope of work to dismantle and dispose of ex-Enterprise? Is the respondent aware of any impediments to performing ex-Enterprise dismantlement and disposal at the identified location? What is the anticipated duration of each phase of the SOW (i.e., planning through decommissioning work plan submittal and approval, shipboard preparations, reactor plant dismantlement, ship recycling, release of dismantlement site, project close out)? In order to facilitate timely commencement of the project and Navy tow of the vessel to the Contractor’s facility, the Navy envisions reviewing and acting on the Contractor’s request to accept possession of the ship and reactor plants with associated radioactivity in close proximity to contract award (see SOW requirement under Paragraph 2 for details). The Contractor’s request to accept possession of ex-Enterprise would be reviewed by the NRC and then forwarded with the NRC’s recommendation to the Navy for action. What information would be necessary for the Contractor to provide a Request to Transfer Possession of ex?Enterprise meeting the criteria described in the SOW as part of a contract proposal? What is the recommended period of time following contract award necessary for the respondent to establish the facility to be capable of receiving ex-Enterprise when delivered by the Navy? In response to this question, consider aspects such as but not limited to facility capabilities, fire and emergency response capability, establishment of environmental and radiological monitoring programs, and facility/vessel access control and physical security infrastructure, and completion of any public and local official outreach the Contractor considers necessary to support the project. While the Contractor will be permitted to accept possession of the vessel at a mutually agreeable date following contract award for the purposes of conducting preparatory work, no radiological dismantlement work is permitted until the Contractor’s Decommissioning Work Plan is reviewed by NRC and approved by the Navy in accordance with the regulatory framework. What is the anticipated period of time required to prepare a Decommissioning Work Plan and provide it to the NRC for review following contract award? What capabilities at the respondent’s notional selected facility are currently available to perform dismantlement and disposal of ex-Enterprise, and what capabilities would need to be established by the respondent before commencing the scope of work? What capabilities at the respondent’s notional selected facility are currently available to implement controls of hazardous materials to prevent migration into soils on site or the environment? What experience does the respondent have as the prime contractor in radiological decommissioning, dismantlement, or remediation project with aggregate contract value of at least $200M (FY23$) and within the last five (5) years? What Government Furnished Information (GFI) is desired to plan for accomplishment of dismantlement and disposal of the reactor plants and radiological areas? What GFI is desired to plan for accomplishment of dismantlement and disposal of the non-radiological ship structure and components? Note: The Navy anticipates permitting potential bidders to conduct a site visit to Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia for visual access to ex-Enterprise, including the propulsion plant spaces and at least one reactor compartment to assist in proposal preparation. However, the Navy does not anticipate permitting potential bidders to collect material samples or radiological data prior to contract award and transfer of possession of the vessel from the Navy. Therefore, in response to this question, please provide a detailed list of categories or specific types of technical information that which would expedite disposal and which information is necessary to provide a responsive proposal. What is the desired ship condition upon taking possession? How would the Contractor intend to package and ship large reactor plant components such as the reactor vessels from the dismantlement site to an authorized LLRW disposal site? Include a description of the notional transportation route, including how any transitions in transportation method (e.g., road to rail) would be managed. Packaging discussions should include any necessary segmentation or disassembly of large reactor plant components (e.g., reactor vessel, heat exchangers, pumps, tanks, and reactor compartment bulkheads). Responses should also address conceptual plans and techniques to dismantle and dispose of reactor plant tanks, shielding, and structures, including plans for lead recycling or disposal. Does the respondent have feedback on the regulatory approach for radiological work outlined within this RFI? How would the Contractor intend to achieve the fire prevention and safety goals described in the RFI for dismantlement and disposal of the ex-Enterprise reactor plants and radiologically controlled support systems? Based on a review of the summary scope of work and FAR Part 50, would the respondent be capable of performing the dismantlement and disposal of ex?Enterprise without indemnification for nuclear risks under Public Law 85-804? In response to this question, if nuclear indemnification is considered mandatory, please identify and define the specific nuclear risks involved with the scope of work, with a statement indicating how the respondent would be exposed to them, and describe whether these risks are covered under available hazard insurance policies available to the respondent. Respondents should review FAR Part 50.104-3 to guide the response to this question. Would the respondent be able to obtain the financial assurances required by the Draft Summary SOW? If the respondent answers any questions above in the negative or with comments, what approaches would the respondent suggest NAVSEA consider? Please include sufficient information for NAVSEA to understand the respondent’s position and basis for the response. The deadline to submit responses is 60 days. Responses should be e-mailed to Ray Duff at herbert.r.duff.civ@us.navy.mil and Bobby Whitlow at Robert.c.whitlow.civ@us.navy.mil with the subject line: “Defueled Ex-Enterprise (CVN 65) Disposal RFI”. Information provided shall be treated as Business Sensitive and will not be shared outside of Government activities and agencies and its program management support contractor(s) without the permission of the provider. All information received that includes proprietary markings will be handled in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations. Responses to this notice will not be returned to the submitter. An acknowledgement of receipt will be provided for all responses received. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within two working days, please notify the points of contact listed in this notice. NAVSEA may request further information regarding the capabilities of respondents to perform the efforts identified in this RFI and attached draft SOW. INDUSTRY DAY: The Navy intends to hold an Industry Day in Washington, DC in approximately four to six (4-6) weeks and before the deadline for receipt of responses. A separate Industry Day announcement will be posted on SAM.gov. Additional Industry Day presentations may be scheduled at locations outside of the Washington, DC area based on input from interested vendors concentrated in specific regions. SUMMARY: This is a request for information to identify potential sources that possess the capability to dismantle and dispose of ex-Enterprise including the defueled naval reactor plants. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e) responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation or obligation on the part of the Government. Respondents are wholly responsible for any costs or expenses associated with submitting a response. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this notice or any further requests for information relating to a response. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice. The information obtained from submitted responses may be used in the development of an acquisition strategy. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if issued. DRAFT SUMMARY STATEMENT OF WORK: While a detailed Statement of Work suitable for a Request for Proposals has not yet been prepared for ex-Enterprise (CVN 65) dismantlement and disposal, this Draft Summary Statement of Work has been prepared in order for respondents to the Request for Information to understand the potential scope of the work that may be required. {Note: It is likely that potential offerors of any subsequent RFP would be required to provide evidence upon proposal submission: 1) of continued availability of facilities viaownership, existing lease, or letter from facility owner; 2) that site specific permits are currently in effect or can be obtained prior to start of contract; 3) the offeror has informed appropriate State and local officials the offeror’s intent to prepare a proposal to perform the dismantlement and disposal of ex-Enterprise described in this solicitation at a specific location within the jurisdiction of those State and local official(s).} 1. Regulatory Framework for Radiological Work Within the Department of the Navy, the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP) has responsibility for the public health and safety associated with the CVN 65 project per the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and would retain that authority throughout the dismantlement and disposal of ex-Enterprise. The NNPP intends to enter into an Interagency Agreement with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to obtain regulatory oversight and inspection services for the Contractor’s radiological work. The NRC’s inspection process is one mechanism in which the NRC would provide the Navy with oversight consisting of independent analyses to assist the NNPP in fulfilling its decommissioning responsibility in support of public health and safety. NRC would conduct oversight and inspection services consistent with the manner in which oversight would be conducted for a contractor performing a scope of work of similar technical and radiological complexity. The NRC staff reviews and inspections are expected to be performed by following the guidance outlined in NRC IMC 2561, and other publicly available inspection manual chapters and inspection procedures as appropriate, such as IMC 2545 for decommissioning research reactors. The inspection focus will be on radiological hazards and implementation of the Decommissioning Work Plan (DWP). The Navy would enforce any NRC recommended contractor corrective actions through the contract with the Contractor. The Navy would not add or subtract from the NRC recommended enforcement actions. The Contractor would be responsible to address all NRC comments, findings, notices of violation, or other deficiencies identified during inspections or other reviews conducted of the Contractor’s decommissioning work planning or accomplishment without changes to the contract, to include but not limited to price, terms, conditions, or period of performance. All documentation of oversight and inspection activities (and resulting Navy actions) to include inspection/technical evaluation reports will be placed in ADAMS as publicly available. The Contractor will be subjected to NRC reviews, and regulatory oversight and inspection services throughout the period of performance of the contract. Specific Contractor deliverables requiring NRC review and NAVSEA approval: NRC will review and recommend whether NAVSEA should approve a request for the Contractor to take possession of CVN 65 and associated radioactivity. Although no license exists to be transferred, the NRC’s review will be similar to a review performed for a proposed license transfer, including review of the Contractor’s qualifications of key personnel and technical capabilities to ensure that the decommissioning contractor company will be able to complete the vessel decommissioning, dismantlement and disposal (see details in Item 2 below). NRC will review and recommend whether NAVSEA should approve the contractor developed DWP, as well as develop and deliver appropriate level of environmental analysis (e.g., environmental review or environmental assessment) consistent with the proposal. The Navy would issue any required environmental policy documentation recommend by NRC in accordance with Navy policies and statute. Significant revisions to the Contractor’s DWP may also require a similar NRC review and NAVSEA approval prior to implementation within the project. Note: The review and approval timelines for the items above are highly dependent on the quality of Contractor submittals and ability to address comments and provide revisions, as necessary, until acceptable to NRC and NAVSEA. As such, the Government will not provide any commitment...