The Energy Department last week issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a small business set-aside contract, potentially worth almost $25 million over five years, to tackle low-risk, low-complexity characterization and remediation for the Oak River Office of Environmental Management in Tennessee.
The Y-12 National Security Complex, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) have a large number of old structures, containers, concrete slabs, and containers in need of more investigation before disposal options are decided upon, according to the solicitation. After the characterization is done, the contractor might be asked to do the actual deactivation and teardown, DOE said in a notice.
In particular, the department wants the contractor to carry out characterization for Building 9213, the Critical Experiment Facility, a 23,000-square feet structure south of Y-12. From 1965 to 1987 it was used by ORNL to test fresh fuel for the High Flux Isotope Reactor. The facility is cold and dark with all utilities deactivated. Process equipment and legacy material must be removed prior to demolition. Small amounts of radioactive material, such as enriched uranium solutions, are present in tanks and process equipment.
The Energy Department hopes characterization can begin in February or March 2019 to prepare for demolition of Building 9213. The building is part of a larger demolition project driven by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
A preproposal meeting between potential bidders and DOE officials is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at Oak Ridge. Only two representatives from each participating company may attend due to space limitations. Those interested in attending should respond today to Contract Specialist Carol Jennings, carol.jennings@orem.doe.gov, and Contracting Officer Jessica Speed, Jessica.speed@orem.doe.gov.
Responses to the solicitation are due by Sept. 20.