The winner of the anticipated 10-year, $1 billion paramilitary security contract at the Energy Department’s Savannah River Site in South Carolina must pay for much of its own ammunition and all the dog food.
That is among the tidbits in in a third round of questions and answers posted Wednesday on the DOE procurement website.
The contractor will purchase all commercial ammunition, but DOE will provide military ammunition upon request, according to the document.
Up to 12 canine teams inspect vehicles that enter the site. One potential bidder asked if the contractor must foot the bill for dog food, medication, grooming, and medical care for the canines. While the government supplies the dogs, the contractor is responsible for most related expenses, DOE replied. The department does provide routine veterinarian care at the Fort Gordon Army base near Augusta, Ga.
The vendor protects the safety and security of employees, contractors, and the general public for National Nuclear Security Administration and DOE Office of Environmental Management operations at Savannah River. Roughly 12,000 people work at the site during the day, with staffing levels down to about 20% during off-hours, according to DOE.
Current contractor Centerra-SRS conducted about 90,390 vehicle inspections during 2018 at barricade entrances at the SRS complex.
Earlier this month, the Energy Department extended the deadline for responding to requests for proposals from April 22 until May 7. The current Centerra-SRS contract, started in October 2009 and running through Oct. 7, is valued at $990 million. Florida-based parent company Centerra Group has said it will seek to retain the contract.
The solicitation seems to have generated a significant amount of interest. Altogether 144 questions were submitted, and 23 registrants from a dozen organizations attended a March 26 industry site at the site. Participants included E2 Consulting Engineers, SOC, Centerra, Spectra Tech, Westech International, and Veolia Nuclear Services.
