The Department of Energy yesterday released a draft Request for Proposal for operating the Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride facilities at the Portsmouth and Paducah Sites. The value of the contract, which would have a three-year base period of performance and a two-year option, would range from $400 million to $600 million. For evaluation criteria, relevant past performance and technical approach will be considered equal in importance, and are ranked “significantly” higher than key personnel and organizational structure. DOE has scheduled a pre-solicitation site tour and one-on-ones for April 27, while responses to the draft RFP are due by May 4. The two DUF6 conversion plants, located at DOE’s Portsmouth and Paducah sites, are currently managed by B&W Conversion Services, LLC, under a contract set to expire at the start of 2016. The plants are intended to help disposition more than 700,000 metric tons of material stored in thousands of cylinders at the two sites.