Atomic Energy of Canada Limited expects to kick off a competitive bidding process this spring and host interested suitors next month for a new long-term management contract for Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.
Since September 2015, the Canadian labs have been run by Canadian National Energy Alliance, a team made up of SNC-Lavalin, Jacobs and Fluor, said Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) in a Tuesday press release. SNC-Lavalin is the parent of Atkins Nuclear, which does business for the U.S. Department of Energy.
The team’s 10-year deal expires in September 2025, said AECL, a Canadian Crown corporation. The incumbent team received a four-year extension to its six-year base period in April 2020.
AECL also sought expressions of interest last September.
AECL plans to issue a request for pre-qualification, according to the release. The work will include management of all of AECL’s sites and assets, including the Chalk River Laboratories and other satellite locations. Only those successfully vetted via the pre-qualification stage will be allowed to bid in the eventual request for proposals, AECL said.
Advance AECL’s nuclear science and technology research at Chalk River, as well as climate change research, will be priorities, AECL said in the release.
A site tour for prospective bidders is scheduled March 23, AECL said. Parties interested in taking part should fill out a visitor information form by March 9 and email it to [email protected].
On its website, Canadian National Laboratories refers to itself as Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, specializing in civilian nuclear research including for nuclear power and waste management.
