Interested bidders for the Energy Department’s potential five-year, $250-million support services contract at the Paducah Site in Kentucky are getting an additional two weeks, until April 2, to submit a proposal.
The prior deadline was March 19 and DOE announced the extra time Tuesday on the Paducah procurement website.
At least one bidder in a question posted on the website this week requested an extra three weeks be granted in order to prepare a detailed cost estimate. Another commenter said non-incumbents are at a disadvantage given March deadline, and the lack of a draft request for proposals for the business.
The incumbent, Paducah-based Swift & Staley, has a five-year, $192 million contract that runs through September. Also, this week, DOE issued an amendment clarifying the definition of “teaming subcontractor,” saying this is a firm expected to do at least $10 million of work during the contract period, including option years.
The landlord-type contract includes tasks such as property management, safeguards and security, snow removal, records management, and preparation of briefings and public documents.
Swift & Staley was among the companies that sent representatives to the industry day last month. Others kicking the tires on the small business set-aside contract included Atkins, GEM Technologies, and Navarro Research and Engineering.
In 30 pages of answers to contractor questions, posted March 5 on the procurement website for DOE’s Office of Environmental Management, the agency noted that some references in the recently released request for proposals incorrectly allude to a 90-day transition.
In response to one question, DOE said about 99% of the records maintained on-site by the incumbent are electronic. The winning vendor must ensure pest control is done, although it can be subcontracted.
Potential vendors peppered DOE with questions on the degree of road maintenance, light replacements, and grounds upkeep required in recent years at the former gaseous diffusion complex. Responding to a number of queries, the agency said it does not track such data in detail and suggested instead that contractors look at task orders previously performed at Paducah.
On another question about maintaining the Paducah rail system, DOE said the contractor is responsible for making sure the rail lines are maintained – not actually running the locomotives that transport various supplies into the complex.
The contract itself could be awarded by the end of the year.