NWMO issues RFP for Centre of Expertise
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization issued a request for proposals (RFP) to design its Centre of Expertise in the Township of Ignace.
The Centre of Expertise, which is expected to open in 2028, will be a multimillion-dollar investment and an important landmark and international destination in northwestern Ontario, serving as a hub for research and development, community engagement and knowledge sharing.
The NWMO is prioritizing local and Indigenous vendors in the evaluation criteria, on a sliding scale based on proximity to Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace. Specifically, the contract will be for the detailed design, construction drawings, technical specifications, and cost estimates for the Centre of Expertise.
An Indigenous Knowledge and Reconciliation framework will inform planning for the Centre. This framework is part of the NWMO's Reconciliation Action Plan and reflects our commitment to advancing Reconciliation.
The Centre for Expertise will be a place for world-class science and innovation and will bring new high-value jobs to the community, including scientists and experts from a wide variety of disciplines for generations to come.
The NWMO has been in discussions with the Township of Ignace since 2019 about the design and use of the Centre. It will be home to a technical and social research program and a technology demonstration program that will display the entire process of packaging and placing the containers of used nuclear fuel in the repository. The physical appearance of the Centre will take the surrounding environment into consideration.
The RFP is open to June 13, 2025, and the NWMO expects to award the contract in July.
“The Centre of Expertise will be home to hundreds of high-value jobs, will provide educational opportunities across the region, and is expected to attract Canadian and international visitors. This is one of the most tangible benefits and most exciting commitments made by the NWMO to the communities hosting the deep geological repository, and we can't wait to see it spring to life in the coming years.” -Laurie Swami, President and CEO, Nuclear Waste Management Organization
