The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration’s (DOE/NNSA) awarded a $57.5 million Phase 1 contract to Nuclear Fuel Services (NFS) on Feb 26, 2021 for the design and pilot demonstration of highly enriched uranium (HEU) conversion and purification services.
This contract serves as a bridging strategy to enable Y-12 as the Nation’s Uranium Center of Excellence to develop and implement more modern technologies with improved efficiency and safety to carry out this mission for the long-term. This contract with NFS will result in no reduction in workforce at Y-12.
NNSA is modernizing facilities, equipment, and processes used at Y-12 to recycle and recover HEU, some of which are over 70 years old and in need of replacement, while pursuing this bridging strategy with NFS, ensuring it will continue to meet the needs of the Department of Defense and the Nation.
Pending the results of this Phase 1 contract with NFS, NNSA will determine if a follow-on, Phase 2 contract will be awarded. If Phase 2 is pursued, NFS would provide uranium purification and conversion services to bridge the capability gap until Y-12 implements its new capabilities.
Source: NNSA