Request for proposal released for Eielson Air Force Base Micro-Reactor Pilot Program

  • Published
  • By Secretary of the Air Force, Public Affairs

Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska -- The Department of the Air Force, in partnership with the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, released a request for proposal for the Eielson Air Force Base Micro-Reactor Pilot Program today.

This is an important first step toward developing the next-generation energy technology needed for energy resilience at Eielson Air Force Base and to inform future initiatives to power national security infrastructure.  

Micro-reactors are small nuclear reactors that can produce clean energy and are equipped with built-in safety features that self-adjust to changing conditions and demands to prevent overheating. The technology’s ability to operate independently from the commercial grid and reduce greenhouse gas emissions make micro-reactors a promising power source for remote domestic military installations critical to the national security infrastructure.

“The release of the RFP for the Eielson AFB micro-reactor is a critical next step in furthering the development and deployment of reliable and clean energy technology at Department of the Air Force installations,” said Ms. Nancy Balkus, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Environment, Safety and Infrastructure. “This program is extremely important to mission assurance and sustainment in the face of climate change and continued national defense threats, and demonstrates the department’s commitment to ensuring our installations have a safe, reliable supply of energy, no matter their location.”

The Micro-Reactor Pilot Program was initiated in response to the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act requirement to construct and operate a micro-reactor by the end of 2027. The micro-reactor will be licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, but commercially owned and operated.

In conjunction with the release, the DAF is hosting a pre-proposal conference and site visit at Eielson Air Force Base on October 12th. Interested parties intending to submit a proposal may attend the site visit, which will provide prospective offerors with information to prepare proposals.  Results of the pre-proposal conference will be documented and made available on the SAM.gov website. 

For more information about this project, check out our Fact Sheet and FAQs.