B&W Y-12 SAYS IT MADE ‘COMPELLING CASE’ TO KEEP CONTRACT

Y-12 National Security Complex contractor B&W Y-12 believes it has made a “compelling case” to the National Nuclear Security Administration that its contract should not be terminated as a result of the July 28 security breach at the site. NNSA issued a “show cause” notice to B&W Y-12 in the wake of the incident, and the contractor delivered its response Monday, but has cited sensitivities related to security in its decision to not publicly release the letter. Since the incident, B&W Y-12 noted that it had moved quickly to make changes at the site, revamping the plant’s leadership, repairing security systems that contributed to the breach, and retraining site personnel. The NNSA also shifted management of protective force contractor WSI-Oak Ridge’s contract under B&W after the incident. “The July 28 event brought to light gaps in our maintenance and security operations, and we are using it as a catalyst for a comprehensive and objective examination of all our operations,” B&W Y-12 President and General Manager Chuck Spencer said in a statement. “As a result, a series of extent-of-condition reviews are ongoing throughout Y-12. Specific to our show cause response, we believe we have demonstrated a compelling case for NNSA to continue our contract.”