Glovebox Manufacturing Expansion Initiative

The objective of the Glovebox Manufacturing Expansion Initiative cooperative agreement is to support investments in facility expansion and equipment modernization of commercial facilities in the United States for the front- and back-end fabrication of Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA-1) or International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 nuclear gloveboxes. To meet its mission, “to protect the Nation, our allies and our partners by providing a resilient and responsive Nuclear Security Enterprise,” the DOE\NNSA must rely on commercial manufacturers to help meet important mission objectives. In late 2022, the DOE\NNSA determined the need to ensure a sufficient supply of nuclear capable gloveboxes is available for necessary capital projects and equipment replacements and installations within designated facilities. After extensive market research, the DOE/NNSA is working to coordinate efforts of federal management & operating (M&O) partners across technical, fiscal, contracting, and industrial base domains to create a coherent approach that uses all levers to meet prioritized mission requirements and support the nuclear security enterprise. Funding will support investments in facility expansion and equipment modernization of commercial facilities in the United States for the front- and back-end fabrication of Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA-1) or International Organization Standardization (ISO) 9001 nuclear gloveboxes. Applications must identify achievable expansion goals to increase current nuclear glovebox manufacturing capacity no later than December 31, 2027. Applicants should be prepared to show how facility expansion and/or equipment purchases will increase (at least double) their manufacturing capability. Multiple metrics may be appropriate. Applicants should estimate benefits in their applications and appendices using the same metrics which they intend to measure success. Implemented cooperative agreements will be monitored through reporting and within two years of granted funding, a review of efforts will be completed, and an assessment made if funding should continue.