More Details Emerge of B&W’s Spin-Off of Nuclear Businesses

Mike Nartker
WC Monitor
4/3/2015

As Babcock and Wilcox continues to move forward with plans to split into two businesses, additional details have emerged of the management structure intended for BWXT Technologies, which will consist of B&W’s nuclear operations, technical services, nuclear energy, and mPower businesses. Bill Fox will serve as President of the Technical Services Group, Nuclear Energy Group (U.S. Services business only) and mPower, reporting to Sandy Baker, who has been previously announced as the planned President and CEO of BWXT, according to a message sent to B&W employees late last week. Fox currently serves as President and CEO of Generation mPower, LLC, and will continue to serve as CEO of Generation mPower once the spin-off is completed, according to the message.

Chuck Spencer, who currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for B&W’s Technical Services Group, is retiring from the company, effective May 1, according to the employee message.  “Chuck will support Bill up to and following the spin in support of a seamless transition. I want to express my appreciation to Chuck for his service to the Company and, most recently, for his time spent leading the Y-12 National Security Complex,” Baker said in the message. Joe Zwetolitz, who currently serves as President of B&W Nuclear Energy, will depart the company once the spin-off is completed to “pursue other opportunities,” according to the message.

The Nuclear Operations Group, including Nuclear Fuel Services, will remain under President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Henry; and John MacQuarrie will continue to serve as President of B&W Canada, Ltd., according to the message.  Also set to continue in their current roles in the new BWXT is Vice President for Business Development Ken Camplin; Vice President of Programs, Contracts and Procurement Gary Camper; and Director of Security Operations Rod Johnson.

B&W Looking to Complete Spin-Off in Mid-2015

Last fall, B&W first announced plans to separate its nuclear operations, technical services, nuclear energy, and mPower businesses from its power generation business, which will continue to be known as Babcock & Wilcox once the spin-off is complete. B&W has said it anticipates completing the spin-off in mid-2015. Explaining the anticipated benefits of the spin-off in a message to employees last November, B&W President and CEO Jim Ferland said, “In operating independently, each organization will be able to increase its focus on their distinct businesses and will have more flexibility to deploy and execute a focused capital structure consistent with the strategic priorities of each business.”

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NNSA eyes 2027 RFQ for TEST 4 technical support contract

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The National Nuclear Security Administration expects to release a draft request for quotations (RFQ) for its Technical and Engineering Program Support 4 contract, or TEST 4, in January 2027, with the agency targeting contract performance beginning later that year.

B.J. Quigley, NNSA’s senior procurement executive, said at the Energy Technology and Environmental Business Association’s (ETEBA) annual conference Wednesday the agency is conducting market research through December as it develops the acquisition strategy for recompeting a TEST 4 contract. Quigley did not give any details on the contract.

NNSA is targeting an RFQ release between June and September 2027, with performance expected to begin Nov. 1, 2027, Quigley said during an industry panel.

The agency is seeking a more efficient and competitive approach to acquiring technical and engineering capabilities and views the contract as an opportunity to implement recent acquisition reforms, according to Quigley. NNSA is still considering how best to structure the procurement and is open to alternatives from industry, Quigley said in response to a question about whether the TEST 4 contract will proceed.

The TEST 4 procurement comes as NNSA seeks to accelerate its acquisition processes and make greater use of commercial approaches. Quigley said speed is increasingly viewed by the agency as a national-security issue, rather than simply an efficiency measure.

The agency is also examining alternative contracting mechanisms, including other transaction authorities and additional acquisition vehicles, as it seeks to give contracting officers more flexibility to select the approach best suited to individual requirements.

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