An online briefing on a potential $100-million technical services contract at the Department of Energy’s Carlsbad Field Office in New Mexico drew about 60 people last week as prospective bidders prepare for the Dec. 14 application deadline.
Incumbent North Wind Group, which has a $44-million contract that began in November 2015 and could run until June 2021 if all extensions are granted, was among those participating in the Tuesday Webex session. Some of the others included Akima, Banda Group, Boston Government Services, Navarro, Pro2Serve, Spectra Tech, Strategic Management Solutions, and Veolia, according to the registration list.
Questions on the small business set-aside contract were due Friday and the DOE typically publishes answers to solicitation questions within a week.
The winning bidder will provide audits and technical assistance to the Carlsbad office as it oversees shipments from DOE-approved generators of defense-related transuranic waste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico.
Generally speaking, transuranic waste includes the remains of tools, clothing, rags, and other debris left over from nuclear weapons work that has elements heavier than uranium.
Since it started operations in 1999, WIPP has received about 12,800 shipments of such waste, according to a slide presentation from the conference. After receiving 292 shipments in fiscal 2019, the facility took in only 167 in fiscal 2020, in part due to COVID-19 work restrictions at WIPP and the generator sites.
