The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Aug. 23 began the official procurement process for decommissioning of its long-retired SM-1 reactor on the ground of Fort Belvoir, Va.
Prospective vendors have until 11 a.m. Nov. 4 Eastern time to submit bids. The Army Corps expects to select its contractor in the second half of 2020. Decommissioning must be completed by Sept. 30, 2026, according to the request for proposals.
The contract broadly will cover seven parts, with most having multiple assignments. They are: project management and support services; site preparation, including engineering, construction of a waste storage pad, and permitting; mobilization; disposition of Building 372, including asbestos abatement, decontamination, and demolition; demolition of other structures; demobilization; and reporting.
Most of the operations will be conducted on a firm-fixed-price basis, though there could be incentive fees for the demolition-related tasks.
A site visit is scheduled for Sept. 16, according to a stakeholder update Sunday from Brenda Barber, project manager for the Environmental and Munitions Design Center at the Army Corps’ Baltimore District. Potential vendors will be allowed to send up to four participants, all of whom must be U.S. citizens. Interested parties must RSVP by Sept. 4 via email to Barber, at [email protected], and contract specialist Tamara Bonomolo, at [email protected].
The SM-1 pressurized-water reactor achieved criticality in April 1957 and operated through March 1973. While it was the first U.S. nuclear power reactor to support a commercial energy grid on a sustained basis, it was primarily used for training personnel in operating the Army’s nuclear power plants. The reactor was placed into safe storage following deactivation.
The Army Corps expects early next year to complete planning for decommissioning ahead of the application for a permit. The permit process will require an environmental impact statement or assessment, a waste management or disposal plan, and a final decommissioning plan.
