Army Corps Issues RFI for UPF Site Preparation
NS&D Monitor
10/10/2014
The scaled-back Uranium Processing Facility appears to be finally moving forward. The Army Corps of Engineers has released a Request for Information seeking small businesses to perform site preparation work for the project, which has been delayed as the National Nuclear Security Administration examines a new path forward for the project in the wake of Red Team recommendations to cut back on the size of the multi-billion-dollar project. The Nashville District of the Army Corps of Engineers is managing site preparation work on the project through an interagency agreement with the National Nuclear Security Administration, and while responses to the RFI are due by Oct. 17, the Army Corps gave no hint about when it will release a Request for Proposals though it provided a cost range of $1-5 million.
The Corps said it anticipates awarding a firm-fixed price construction contract through a “best-value tradeoff competitive solicitation.” Small businesses that qualify under NAICS code 238910 (site preparation contractors) with a size standard of $15 million are asked to respond to the RFI.
The scope of the project includes a site layout plan for trailers and laydown areas, a site infrastructure and services traffic control plan, excavation of Building 9107’s hillside, construction of a sediment basin and placement of engineered fill in the west soils spoils area, grading of support facilities areas, construction of drainage features and sewage lines, asphalt milling and delivery, erosion and sediment control, and water management activities. RFI responses should be sent to Army Corps of Engineers Contract Specialist Isaac Taylor via email at [email protected].
Procurement Manager Brown Staying on UPF Project
After months of rumors and speculation about the comings and goings of Uranium Processing Facility Procurement Manager Rich Brown, it appears that the leadership issue has been settled and that Brown will remain in Oak Ridge. Brian Reilly, UPF’s project director for Consolidated Nuclear Security, this week announced that Brown would remain on the project a couple of weeks after he had announced Brown’s departure. CNS spokesman Jason Bohne said UPF staff members were informed of the situation on Oct. 7. He indicated that the decision for Brown to stay as procurement chief was made possible because of a delay on a Bechtel project in the United Kingdom where he had previously accepted an assignment.
Mark Swager, another Bechtel veteran who was brought to Oak Ridge as Brown’s replacement on UPF, reportedly will leave town for a new, unspecified assignment. But Swager reportedly will stay in Oak Ridge for a while to help Brown to analyze and adapt processes and procedures to more effectively execute the project’s approach for design, engineering and construction. “We are fortunate to have someone with Mark’s background and experience to assist us with these critical improvement opportunities,” Reilly said. “I appreciate Mark’s understanding and professionalism during this change in direction, and look forward to the tandem of Rich and Mark working together over the next few months to help drive.”
