U.S. Department of Energy, DP-25, 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20585

99 -- ACQUISITION OF ONE OR MORE OPTIONS TO PURCHASE OR LEASE AN EXISTING COMMERCIAL REACTOR OR REACTORS, OR TO PROCURE IRRADIATION SERVICES FROM ONE OR MORE SUCH REACTORS POC Steven M. Sohinki, Director, Office of Reconfiguration, DP-25, United States Department of Energy, (202) 586-0838. The United States Department of Energy is seeking expressions of interest from parties willing to provide it one or more options to purchase or lease an existing commercial reactor or reactors, or to procure irradiation services from one or more such reactors. Tritium is an essential material in all nuclear weapons in the U.S. nuclear stockpile. Because the U.S. is not currently producing tritium, development of a new tritium supply will be essential for maintaining the U.S. nuclear deterrent. The Department of Energy's preferred strategy for acquiring new supplies of tritium is to pursue the two most promising production alternatives: (1) use of one or more existing Commercial Light Water Reactors (CLWRs); and (2) to design, build, and test critical components of an Accelerator-Produced Tritium (APT) system to be used for tritium production. By this notice, DOE is requesting expressions of interest concerning DOE's possible acquisition of one or more CLWRs, or acquisition of irradiation services from CLWRs, for the production of tritium. In addition, this request will solicit interest regarding the future potential use of mixed oxide fuel from surplus weapons plutonium either coincident with or separate from tritium production. The use of mixed oxide fuel is not part of DOE's preferred strategy for acquiring new supplies of tritium, and no firm decisions have been made regarding the use of such fuel. Nevertheless, DOE is seeking to ascertain industry interest in the possible use of mixed oxide fuel for disposal of surplus weapons plutonium. More specific descriptions of DOE's requirements, and the information requested from respondents are contained in a Request for Expressions of Interest published in the Federal Register on December 13, 1995. Interested parties may also obtain a copy of the full text of the Request for Expressions of Interest by telephoning 1-800-776-2765, and following the recorded instructions. Parties wishing to use the Internet, may obtain a copy of the Request for Exprssions of Interest at the following address: http://web.fie.com/web/fed/doe/doeoor.htm (0345)

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