WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking feedback on two draft requests for proposals (RFPs) to acquire high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU)—a crucial material needed to develop and deploy advanced reactors in the United States.

The first draft RFP focuses on acquiring services for production of HALEU material. The second focuses on deconversion activities to convert enriched uranium hexafluoride gas into metal or oxide forms used to fabricate fuels needed by various advanced reactor developers.

DOE is looking for feedback on the draft solicitations, including the goals, scope, and selection criteria. DOE will use that feedback to inform the final RFPs to be issued later this year. The draft RFPs are open for public comment until July 6.

“We must jump-start a commercial-scale, domestic supply chain for HALEU,” said Dr. Kathryn Huff, Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy. “Acquiring these services in the United States will reduce reliance on Russia, create American jobs, and support U.S. climate and energy security goals.”  

DOE projects that more than 40 metric tons of HALEU could be needed before the end of the decade, with additional amounts required each year, to deploy a new fleet of advanced reactors in a timeframe that supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035.

This announcement is another step forward in the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to secure a domestic supply of HALEU material, as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda that is building a clean energy economy. The HALEU Availability Program was authorized by the Energy Act of 2020 and responds to congressional direction to ensure HALEU fuel is available to support civilian domestic research, development, demonstration, and commercial use. The program will prioritize addressing long-standing and persistent environmental justice issues and be responsive to President Biden's Justice40 Initiative. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provided $700 million to the HALEU Availability Program.

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