Mike Nartker
GHG Monitor
10/4/13

The Department of Energy’s recent award of the new Strategic Petroleum Reserve management contract to a team led by Fluor is coming under challenge, with DM Petroleum Operations Company having filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office Sept. 30. DM Petroleum Operations Company is made up of Jacobs and International Matex Tank and Terminal, and was one of four unsuccessful bidders for the new contract, which is worth approximately $1.46 billion over 10 years. The other unsuccessful bidders included URS-Parsons Brinkerhoff; CB&I-Loop; and AECOM, and it remains to be seen if any of them will also file protests with the GAO.

The GAO currently expects to make a decision on DM Petroleum Operations’ protest by early January 2014, according to the agency’s website. In a brief statement Oct. 1, Fluor spokesman Keith Stephens said, “The Fluor team is looking forward to serving the needs of our Customer and the critical mission of securing and maintaining our nation’s energy reserves at SPR.” The Department of Energy did not respond to requests for comment about the protest or whether it would impact Fluor’s transition.