NNSA AUTHORIZES TRANSITION TO RESUME ON Y-12/PANTEX CONTRACT

Nearly 14 months since the National Nuclear Security Administration first selected Bechtel-led Consolidated Nuclear Security for its Y-12/Pantex consolidated management and operating contract, transition to the new contractor has resumed, NNSA spokeswoman Keri Fulton confirmed yesterday. However, Babcock & Wilcox-led Nuclear Production Partners—which three times protested the NNSA’s selection—declined comment yesterday on its plans, leaving the door open that it could continue to challenge the award, perhaps in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Such a move, however, would not guarantee a stop to transition.

The transition period is expected to last four months, meaning CNS would formally take over the contract in July. CNS started transition for about 10 days in January of 2013 until B&W first protested the contract. “We have received direction to resume transition activities,” CNS spokesman Jason Bohne said in a statement yesterday. “We are mobilizing our transition team now, although stormy weather has made that a bit of a challenge. Over the next four months we intend to conduct an orderly and effective transition that prepares us to perform from day one of the contract. Among our transition activities we will be meeting with employees and community stakeholders to communicate our plans as they progress.”