The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) on Friday Feb. 27 released the highly anticipated request for proposals (RFP) for management and operations (M&O) of the Savannah River Site.
The RFP is for a standalone performance-based contract, according to NNSA’s press release on the RFP. The base contract period would be five years, not including a four-month transition period.
In a March 4 update, NNSA said potential bidders can each send up to two approved visitors to a March 20 tour of the plutonium pits plant construction site at Savannah River. The deadline for vendors to sign up for that tour was 2 p.m. Eastern Time Friday March 6.
After the base contract period, there are six option periods with a maximum, if all exercised, of 20 years and four months for an estimated $61.5 billion in potential value, the press release said.
Currently, the management and operation at Savannah River Site in Aiken, S.C. is run by the Fluor-led joint venture, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS). Huntington Ingalls Industries subsidiary Newport News Nuclear is currently the junior partner in SRNS.
A source told the Exchange Monitor there are rumors of Bechtel, Fluor, Atkins, Huntington Ingalls Industries and BWX Technologies competing.
NNSA plans to evaluate the proposals on a variety of factors. These include cost and overall value to the government. The government will also consider technical and management approaches, especially when it comes to construction oversight of the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility. Key personnel, past performance of any contractors involved in a joint venture and planned small business participation will also be weighed by NNSA.
The work was previously administered through NNSA’s sister organization, DOE’s Office of Environmental Management. NNSA took over the contract when it took over Savannah River landlord duties from the Environmental Management office.
The SRNS contract runs out on Sept. 30, 2026, but there is a 12-month option still remaining on the contract that, if exercised, would extend the contract to Sept. 30, 2027.
All information on the RFP and competition will be on NNSA’s contract competition homepage, but FedConnect will be the primary site for disseminating information, NNSA said on its website. Responses are due by April 28 at 2 p.m. Eastern time.
Questions on the solicitation can be emailed to SEB10@nnsa.doe.gov.