WC Monitor
11/7/2014
IN DOE
The Department of Energy has awarded a $3.6 million grant to Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet for regulatory oversight of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant. The grant covers a period from Nov. 1 through Oct. 31, 2015, with options for four one-year extensions. The grant aims to have Kentucky “provide an independent, impartial, and qualified assessment of potential environmental impacts of present and future DOE activities at the PGDP,” according to a DOE release.
The Department of Energy is considering extending the deadline for bids for the new Paducah infrastructure support services contract, according to a notice issued late this week. In response to a question from a potential bidder on the new contract on a potential amendment to the Request for Proposals, DOE replied, “Consistent with other DOE-EM procurements, any amendments to the final RFP will be released as soon as possible to industry. At this time, an extension to the proposal due date is under consideration.” Bids for the new contract are currently due by Nov. 20. According to DOE, the new contract, which is being set-aside for small businesses, is estimated to be worth between $100-180 million, and is set to run for a three-year base period and a 22-month option period.
IN CONGRESS
As the Department of Energy moves cleanup work at Los Alamos National Laboratory from the National Nuclear Security Administration to the Office of Environmental Management, members of New Mexico’s Congressional delegation are urging EM to keep requirements aimed at local businesses. Under the current M&O contract at LANL there are several provisions aimed at supporting local businesses and communities. “We write to strongly encourage EM to maintain all regional requirements from NNSA’s existing prime contract that help maximize economic opportunities for local workers and businesses,” states the letter from Democratic New Mexico Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and Rep. Ben Lujan (D-N.M.).
