Mike Nartker
NS&D Monitor
5/8/2015
The National Nuclear Security Administration late this week began conducting market research to see if a planned contract to help install radiation detection systems to prevent nuclear smuggling can be set aside for small businesses. The new contract is a follow-on to an existing contract to provide design, integration, construction, communications and engineering (DICCE) services for the NNSA’s Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence Program, formerly known as the agency’s Second Line of Defense Program. NNSA currently envisions the new contract being an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity-type with a five-year ordering period, according to a sources sought notice, and agency officials have said that multiple awardees are anticipated. A “rough order of magnitude” estimate for all the work envisioned to be performed under the follow-on contract is $300 million to $400 million, according to the notice.
Work to be performed under the contract centers on design and installing radiation detection systems at border crossings, airports and seaports around the world. “The DICCE will be responsible for ensuring all design requirements, contractor furnished equipment, government furnished equipment construction materials, in-country contracting and construction are coordinated and completed as required. It is anticipated that the contracting terms and conditions will establish a preference for the DICCE contractor to subcontract with local construction firms for the installation of the NSDD systems,” the sources sought notice says. NNSA anticipates issuing a Request for Proposal for the new contract this summer, with award set for January 2016, according to the notice. Responses to the sources sought notice are due by May 20.
