NNSA MOVES Y-12 PRO FORCE CONTRACT UNDER SITE M&O B&W Y-12

In the wake of the stunning security breach at the Y-12 National Security Complex, the prime contract of security contractor WSI-Oak Ridge has been assigned to site management and operating contractor B&W Y-12, NW&M Monitor has learned. The action in effect makes WSI’s contract a subcontract to B&W Y-12 rather than a prime contract to the National Nuclear Security Administration for the remainder of its term, which runs through Nov. 30. A senior NNSA official said the move was made to “strengthen the chain of command for this important work at Y-12, reduce layers of management, and to improve the span of control between management and members of the Y-12 Proforce” after three peace activists managed to reach the highest security areas of Y-12 in the early morning hours of July 28. The incident has led to the ongoing shutdown of operations at Y-12, the suspension of guards, and the replacement of several key contractor and federal officials. It also means that WSI leadership will report to B&W Y-12’s new deputy general manager for security, retired Gen. Rod Johnson. “Right now it’s better to have one voice rather than two,” one official told NW&M Monitor. WSI’s contract includes a provision allowing its contract to be assigned at the request of the Department of Energy. “The terms and conditions of the contract will not be changed as a result of this assignment, other than as needed to change the parties,” WSI’s contract says.