Department of Energy Announces Extension and Competition Decisions for Laboratory Contracts

1/30/2004

From: Joe Davis of the U.S. Department, of Energy, 202-586-4940

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 -- The U.S. Department of Energy today announced extensions and competitions for the management and operating contracts for several of the Department's science and national defense laboratories.

Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said, "The Department's science and national defense laboratories are the foundation for scientific discovery in this country. From developing new technologies, to creating microbes that one day may devour nuclear waste, to ensuring America's nuclear stockpile, our facilities' contributions to the country's scientific advancements are unmatched anywhere in the world."

"Sound management of these facilities is important to our continued scientific pursuits as well as America's national security," Secretary Abraham said. "I have shared with the Department's management team that it is my belief that a competitive environment is generally desirable for the effective and efficient operation of our labs, in order to help ensure that the taxpayers' investment in our lab community is allocated wisely and effectively."

"It is important that the management of our labs, including the extension and competitions announced today, proceed in an orderly manner to allow the maximum opportunity for bidder participation," Abraham added. In addition, Abraham has directed Deputy Secretary Kyle McSlarrow to identify the implementation of Section 301 of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act as a Department management priority. This initiative joins the evaluation and implementation of the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on the Use of Competitive Procedures for DOE laboratories.

While the Department is making initial announcements for specific facilities today, additional information regarding the competition of these contracts will be announced when appropriate.

The decisions are as follows:

-- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory -- The contract expires on Jan. 30, 2004. The contract term will be extended 12 months to provide sufficient time to conduct a competition that results in an award by Jan. 31, 2005.

-- Argonne National Laboratory -- This contract expires on Sept. 30, 2004. The contract term will be extended for 24 months to provide sufficient time to conduct a competition resulting in an award by Sept. 30, 2006.

-- Ames National Laboratory -- This contract expires on Dec. 31, 2004. The contract term will be extended for 24 months to provide sufficient time to conduct a competition resulting in an award by Sept. 30, 2006.

-- Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility -- The Department will compete the management contract for this facility following a one year extension of the current contract which ends on Sept. 30, 2004, providing sufficient time to conduct a competition resulting in an award by Sept. 30, 2005.

-- Los Alamos National Lab -- As previously announced, the Department will compete this contract. The schedule remains as previously announced and an award of a new contract will be made by Sept. 30, 2005.

-- Lawrence Livermore National Lab -- As previously announced, the contract to manage this facility will be competed. Details on that competition will be provided at a later date.

-- Stanford Linear Accelerator Center -- The Department will extend the management contract administered by Stanford University for three years and six months beyond the current contract expiration date of March 29, 2004.

-- Fermi National Accelerator Center -- The Department will compete the management contract for this facility to accommodate an award coincident with the completion of the current contract on Dec. 31, 2006.

-- Brookhaven National Laboratory -- This contract was recently competed and contains a renewal option. The option will be exercised consistent with applicable regulations in recognition of the laboratory's superior performance. The contract now expires April 3, 2008.

-- National Renewable Energy Laboratory -- The Department will exercise its competitive option in the management of this lab. Midwest Research Institute was awarded this contract in November 1998 as a result of a competition. The contractor's performance has been rated as superior. This contract will now run for four years beyond its current completion date of Nov. 8, 2004.