J&A for Structural Engineering and Liquid Mercury Removal and Remediation Services for the Dunn Solar Telescope (DST)
Awarded Limited / Sole Source Justification Posted
- Solicitation number
- NSF260002
- Agency
-
National Science Foundation
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Contract number
- 49100426D0001-49100426F0029 Federal contract award
- Awardee
- Thornton Tomasetti, Inc.
- NAICS code
- 541330 Engineering Services
- Place of performance
- Sunspot, New Mexico 88349, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Science Foundation intends to award a sole-source contract to Thornton Tomasetti for structural engineering, liquid mercury removal, and remediation services for the Richard B. Dunn Solar Telescope (DST) at Sacramento Peak Observatory, with a contract value of $20 million.
The justification invokes unusual and compelling urgency under 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(2) and FAR 6.103-2. On January 5, 2026, a liquid mercury release was discovered on the main floor of the DST; on January 16, 2026, a structural crack was identified at the weld between the mercury valve and bearing bottom. The 136-foot above-ground, 228-foot below-ground facility, constructed in 1969, contains approximately 160 gallons (18,000 lbs) of liquid mercury in its bearing system. NSF determined that catastrophic structural failure could release all mercury within five minutes, creating severe personnel safety hazards and extensive environmental contamination. The facility remains closed pending remediation.
NSF selected Thornton Tomasetti as the only source capable of immediate mobilization, citing the contractor's unique combination of forensic structural engineering expertise, prior experience as prime contractor for the Arecibo telescope collapse response, in-house mercury expertise, and proven ability to respond without delay. NSF concluded that full and open competition would cause unacceptable delays materially increasing failure risk.
The contract period is 12 months. Scope includes forensic structural assessment, stabilization strategies, complete mercury drainage, hazardous materials removal, selective interior demolition, and environmental remediation. Place of performance is Sacramento Peak Observatory. No pre-award synopsis was issued due to time criticality; post-award notice will be published per FAR 5.301 and 6.301.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
The Justification and Approval (J&A) for the Dunn Solar Telescope (DST) mercury remediation contract is being reposted for 30 days to correct inadvertent redactions in the previously posted version. This version restores names and the total contract ceiling value that should not have been redacted. This reposting does not change the underlying justification or constitute a new J&A.
Awarded contract 49100426D0001 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2026-03-20.
Update #1 ·
See Redated J&A.
Awarded contract 49100426D0001 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2026-03-20.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| NSF SAK Peak JA redacted Copy_signed.pdf | ||
| NSF SAK Peak JA redacted_Final Redacted.pdf |
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