WSI SAVANNAH RIVER EARNS 88 PERCENT OF FEE IN SECOND HALF OF FY13

Savannah River Site security contractor WSI-SRS earned about 88 percent of its available award fee in the second half of Fiscal Year 2013, or about $2.4 million out of the $2.7 million available, according to documents the Department of Energy released yesterday. The contractor’s performance in the April 1 to Sept. 30 period was an improvement over the first half of the fiscal year, when it earned only 79 percent of the available fee. “WSI-SRS demonstrated an acceptable level of performance this period in meeting or exceeding many of the goals and objectives and in supporting several ongoing critical projects at various SRS operating facilities,” according to a Dec. 5 letter from DOE Savannah River to WSI-SRS.  

WSI did not earn some fee in part because it “experienced an unusual number of security incidents associated with the identification, marking and protection of sensitive information as well as concerns associated with the conduct of the inquiries of the security incidents. There were also noted single point failures across the organization by [protective force] personnel,” the letter states. However, it adds later, “Notwithstanding the aforementioned security incidents and single point failures, the WSI-SRS achievements and accomplishments during this rating period demonstrate overall sound practices in protection of SRS national security interests and resources. WSI-SRS has indicated renewed discipline and diligence to both fully address noted performance deficiencies and meet the challenges ahead in support of ongoing critical missions and future business opportunities at SRS.”

In a statement, WSI said, “The semi-annual AF score at SRS was an 88 which equated to a VERY GOOD. However, WSI recognizes that VERY GOOD is not the standard of excellence for the Department of Energy nor does it meet our own expectation.” WSI also noted DOE’s comments on “renewed discipline.”