The Department of Energy’s engineering chief for the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant is calling for Bechtel National to be stripped of design authority on the project, asserting that the contractor has provided poor input on the massive project. In a scathing letter to top DOE Office of River Protection officials last week, Gary Brunson, director of the WTP Engineering Division at ORP, outlined what he described as more than 30 instances where Bechtel National had provided design solutions and technical advice that, among other criticisms:
- “was determined to be factually incorrect”;
- “was not technically defensible, technically viable or was technically flawed considering identified requirements”;
- “was not safe for the WTP operators, or designs that did not comply with the safety basis”;
- “was difficult and costly to verify considering other alternatives, thereby increasing WTP completion costs and extending the WTP completion schedule”; and
- “did not represent best value to the Government in terms of design costs, operating costs or completion schedule.”
Brunson wrote that the technical issues outlined in his memorandum “demonstrate consistent non-compliance between requirements and selected designs implemented in the field, and between design of and realization of a safe operating facility. Repair and rework of these noncompliant designs are leading to significant project costs and schedule impacts.” He added, “The number and significance of these issues indicate that Bechtel National Inc. is not competent to complete their role as the Design Authority for the WTP, and it is questionable that BNI can provide a contract-compliant design as Design Agent.” Calling for Bechtel National to be stripped of the role of design authority “immediately,” Brunson wrote, “The behavior and performance of Bechtel Engineering places unnecessarily high risk that WTP design will not be effectively completed, resulting in fully operational facilities that are needed to comply with contract requirements. Thus a change in approach to WTP project completion is warranted.”
Brunson’s memo, dated Aug. 23, was sent to ORP Manager Scott Samuelson and WTP Deputy Federal Project Director Delmar Noyes. DOE released the memorandum yesterday in response to a request from WC Monitor, and in a written response said that is reviewing Brunson’s concerns. “We recognize there are significant technical challenges remaining at the Waste Treatment Plant, some of which have existed for many years. The Department takes seriously its role overseeing the safe design and delivery of the Waste Treatment Plant, and is continuing to work with Bechtel to address the ongoing technical issues. Even as we work together to pursue solutions, however, the Department continues to be frustrated with the lack of progress,” ORP spokeswoman Carrie Meyer said. “Addressing these challenges effectively will require both additional work by the contractor, as well as improved oversight by the Department. It’s also important to note that the successful completion of this important project depends on employees continuing to be able to freely raise concerns.” For its part, Bechtel National did not respond to requests for comment as of press time yesterday.
