Martin Schneider
GHG Monitor
4/11/2014
Comments are due by today on the Department of Energy’s draft Request for Proposals for Research and Development – Implementation and Support (RADIS) Services at the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The draft RFP, which seeks a contractor to “actively perform and provide support for fundamental and applied research efforts” and perform “interdisciplinary, collaborative R&D with federal in-house technical staff,” was issued March 11. NETL’s current contract with incumbent contractor URS expires on Nov. 14, 2014.
DOE envisions a cost-plus award-fee contract with a five year base period and up to five years in additional award team. The potential for option years will be assessed every six months, with the contractor eligible to earn an additional six months of award term for an “excellent” rating and an additional three months of award term for a “very good” rating. At least four companies—URS, Lockheed Martin, Fluor and Battelle—are considering leading teams to pursue the contract, but several industry executives involved in assessing the draft RFP previously told GHG Monitor that a number of changes will likely need to be made in the final RFP to attract bids from all of those teams.
Foremost among the concerns is the future role of the university consortium currently involved in NETL’s work—the Regional University Alliance. Some potential bidders are concerned that the draft RFP does not clarify the role RUA going forward, perhaps allowing RUA or its member universities to be exclusive to only one of the bidding teams. Bidders also pointed to key personnel language—specifically the penalties for early departure—as another area in need of clarification.
