In documents released this week, the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management expressed reluctance to resume the pre-pandemic practice of in-person meetings on contract procurements, such as the ongoing prime contract solicitation at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.

Ten pages of questions and answers on the potential 10-year, $3-billion contract for management and operation of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, N.M., show DOE declining to do on-site tours, or in-person interviews for the final request for proposals that came out June 2.

The Cincinnati-based Environmental Management Consolidated Business Center released the questions and comments from unidentified potential bidders, and the DOE replies, on Wednesday.

The current $2.7-billion WIPP prime contract is held by Nuclear Waste Partnership, an Amentum-BWX Technologies team. The DOE this week extended the deadline for bid proposals by two weeks, until Aug. 3.

“Now that COVID-19 restrictions are lifting, and vaccines are prevalent, is WIPP considering an in-person site tour? It would be very helpful to the contractor to see this site in person,” one commenter said.

The DOE reply is basically, “no,” when it comes to both on-site tours and in-person site tours and in-person interviews.

“The Department’s paramount concern is the health and safety of all Federal employees, on-site contractors, and individuals interacting with the Federal workforce,” the agency said.

The WIPP Management and Operation Contract procurement website has virtual tour links and background materials, DOE said. Citing “the complexities of demonstrating and documenting compliance with U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC)” and state health requirements, DOE does not anticipate doing in-person oral interviews at this time.

Most DOE cleanup sites in May and June waved indoor mask requirements for individuals who have been vaccinated.