The Los Alamos National Laboratory is still waiting on word regarding a new contract for legacy nuclear cleanup at the Department of Energy facility in New Mexico, an official said Tuesday.
DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM) in September 2016 issued its final request for proposals for the contract, which could be worth up to $1.5 billion over 10 years. At the time, EM said it expected the transition to the new contractor to begin on July 3 of this year, but that date passed without a formal announcement.
“We are currently awaiting additional information on the announcement of a new contractor for those efforts,” Kathy Keith, director of Los Alamos’ Community Partnerships Office, said in an email message to stakeholders. She subsequently confirmed to Weapons Complex Morning Briefing that the laboratory has not been informed about the timing of the contract award or who might take over the work.
Laboratory management and operations contractor Los Alamos National Security (LANS) currently conducts environmental management duties under a two-year, $230 million bridge contract that expires on Sept. 30.
The Energy Department’s semiautonomous National Nuclear Security Administration has also begun the selection process for the laboratory’s M&O contract, which LANS has held since 2006. The agency is accepting comments on its draft RFP through 11 a.m. EDT today. The final RFP is anticipated in September, about a year ahead of the expiration of LANS’ management contract.
“Los Alamos has a long history—next year will mark our 75th anniversary—and through the contract transition the Laboratory will continue to focus on its mission, including planning for the future, and working with the broader Northern New Mexico community,” Keith wrote in her stakeholder message. “The crucial work the Laboratory undertakes will continue.”
Los Alamos National Security is a partnership of Bechtel National, BWX Technologies, AECOM, and the University of California. Cleanup responsibilites were removed from its management contract following the 2014 radiation release at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in southeastern New Mexico, which was linked to a waste container from the laboratory.
