Oak Ridge Increases Oversight at TWPC Preparing for Contract Transition
WC Monitor
3/20/2015
The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Environmental Management Office will increase oversight of the Transuranic Waste Processing Center during the transition to a new contractor. DOE last month notified incumbent contractor Wastren Advantage, Inc. that it will be implementing an “enhanced oversight plan” at TWPC. “We understand that the end of a contract period is an extremely busy time for federal and contractor staff, so we made the proactive decision to commit additional resources to TWPC during this time to ensure the work continues to be completed safely,” DOE Oak Ridge spokesman Mike Koentop said in a written response this week.
The TWPC is used to prepare contact- and remote-handled transuranic waste at Oak Ridge for off-site disposal. DOE is currently evaluating bids for the new contract to run TWPC, and has extended WAI’s contract for the facility through July 15. DOE’s enhanced oversight plan will remain in effect until July. “If a change in transition dates occurs, this plan will be modified accordingly,” the new oversight plan states. The plan increases oversight through a number of strategies. That includes assigning four new facilities representatives to cover TWPC on a rotational basis. Additionally, it establishes minimum field oversight by safety and health personnel and calls for increased awareness from subject matter experts.
