Nuclear Legislative Working Group (NLWG)

Description

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to fund a cooperative agreement that engages state legislative leaders and representatives on issues and activities involving the topics for which DOE/NE has responsibility, including but not limited to: support for continued operation of existing reactors; development and deployment of advanced reactors; strengthening of the nuclear supply chain; consent-based siting an interim storage and/or disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel and high level radioactive waste; transportation of fresh and spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; STEM education, workforce development; and, energy and environmental justice. The purpose of NLWG is to maintain and strengthen the government-to-government relationships between NE and state legislatures, while helping DOE/NE to accomplish its objectives. A principal project objective is to provide a better understanding for nuclear energy-related subject material to state legislators, and their staff allowing them to make informed policy decisions as well as to pass along the vital information to their colleagues and constituents.As part of this cooperative agreement, the selected entity would manage, organize, and execute NLWG meetings pursuant to DOE General Counsel guidelines and requirements governing such meetings. The meeting management would include at least two, but up to four, meetings a year (depending on DOE’s needs and budget). The awardee staff would provide administrative and logistical support for NLWG meetings, including securing meeting and hotel space; arranging for state representative travel to the meetings; researching and compiling information and materials relevant to the meeting topics; development of the meeting agendas, including invitations to and confirmations of expert speakers; arranging for any associated tours of DOE, National Laboratories or other relevant nuclear energy-related facilities; providing on-site support; taking meeting attendance and notes; and, compiling and posting meeting summaries and meeting materials on a website accessible to the public. The successful applicant (awardee) would also host conference calls and/or webinars to inform state legislative staff and allow DOE/NE leadership and staff to provide updates to NLWG members on DOE/NE initiatives and activities.The awardee would provide significant expertise in nuclear policy research and analysis and product preparation, including but not limited to meeting preparatory materials; white papers/policy papers or other educational materials, briefings; and, regular communications vehicles, such as a newsletter and/or website. These materials are intended to expand the knowledge and understanding of nuclear policy issues for states. The awardee may, in coordination with DOE/NE, develop new tools to assist state lawmakers as they promulgate and execute policies that address nuclear energy-related topics. As a condition of funding the project, DOE/NE will have final approval of all written material to be provided to NLWG members.Applicants are invited to provide an application with a project period of up to five years that supports the objective of successfully conducting NLWG meetings and providing for appropriate state legislative engagement. Applications should demonstrate the ability to work effectively with State legislators and their legislative staff and coordinate the necessary meetings/webinars with DOE/NE. The application should also demonstrate significant expertise in both the subject matter and with managing and executing effective and efficient communication strategies and tools that enable proactive engagement with state legislators and their staffs, promote an understanding of nuclear energy technologies and related issues, and provide actionable technical information toward the goal of enabling a robust exchange of information in a non-partisan manner.

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