Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition for the Management and Operation of the National Nuclear Security Administrations Y-12 National Security Complex

A one-year extension (October 1, 2010 - September 30, 2011) to the contract for the management and operation of the NNSA's Y-12 National Security Complex was awarded on September 30, 2010. The contract modification includes two three-month options for further extensions through March 31, 2012.

This is a special notice of intent to award a contract extension on a sole source basis in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements" to Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC for the management and operation of Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) for a one-year base period, October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011. This contract extension is necessary while actions are completed for the follow-on competition resulting in a single contract award for the management of Y-12 and the Pantex Plant with an option for the phase-in of Tritium Operations performed at the Savannah River Site (DE-SOL-0001458). This extension also includes two three-month options which may be exercised if needed.

The principal activities at the Y-12 site support the ongoing maintenance, surveillance, and retrofit of the nuclear weapons stockpile. Y-12 specializes in precision part manufacturing and provides one-of-a-kind services across the Nuclear Security Enterprise. Additionally, Y-12 is also responsible to evaluate, retrofit, and repair weapons in support of the life extension programs and provide critical data required to certify the safety and reliability of the enduring nuclear weapons stockpile. Y-12 is also providing material for domestic and foreign research and test reactors for use as targets in medical isotope production. The current contract may be viewed at the following web site: http://www.doeal.gov/mocd/indext.aspx. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 561210. The extension is being sought to minimize any impacts to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Y-12 mission while NNSA completes it follow-on competition. Y-12 is undergoing a transformation that will continue beyond the current 10-year maximum term of the contract (2010) to include activities that support the ongoing maintenance, surveillance, and retrofit of the nuclear weapons stockpile. These activities are very complex in nature and continuity is essential. The critical aspects of nuclear weapons surveillance, assembly, and disassembly will be a significant challenge to a stable, high performing contractor. Changing to a new contractor during this contract extension would be disruptive and could possibly cause critical nuclear and non-nuclear production requirements to be missed and would impact deliverables to the Department of Defense that are vital to the nation's security. In addition, any disruption would severely impact Y-12's ability to support the life extension programs, provide critical data required to certify the safety and reliability of the enduring nuclear weapons stockpile, and to meet dismantlement commitments to Congress and the President.

From a nuclear nonproliferation (NN) standpoint, Y-12 is providing material for domestic and foreign research and test reactors. The Y-12 facility also provides material used for targets in medical isotope production. If these activities are disrupted, the NNSA could have serious international implications related to its foreign sales contracts for reactor fuel. Y-12 also provides critical technical expertise to numerous NN programs including the Global Threat Reduction Initiative, Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) Transparency Program, and the International Material Protection and Cooperation Program. The disposition of excess HEU from weapons would be severely impacted. Target material for the generation of medical isotopes, already in short supply, would also be severely impacted. All of these initiatives are of critical national importance.

This special notice of intent to award a contract extension on a sole source basis is neither a request for proposal nor a solicitation for offers. No contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice. All inquiries must be addressed in writing to NNSA Y-12 Site Office, Attn: Jill Albaugh, PO Box 2050, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-8245, or e-mail to albaughjy@yso.doe.gov. Responses to this notice must be submitted in writing no later than July 8, 2010, 4:00 pm Mountain Time. Interested sources may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. Response to this notice is not required.

This is a special notice of intent to award a contract extension on a sole source basis in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements" to Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC for the management and operation of Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) for a one-year base period, October 1, 2010 through September 31, 2011. This contract extension is necessary while actions are completed for the follow-on competition resulting in a single contract award for the management of Y-12 and the Pantex Plant with an option for the phase-in of Tritium Operations performed at the Savannah River Site (DE-SOL-0001458). This extension also includes two three-month options which may be exercised if needed.

The principal activities at the Y-12 site support the ongoing maintenance, surveillance, and retrofit of the nuclear weapons stockpile. Y-12 specializes in precision part manufacturing and provides one-of-a-kind services across the Nuclear Security Enterprise. Additionally, Y-12 is also responsible to evaluate, retrofit, and repair weapons in support of the life extension programs and provide critical data required to certify the safety and reliability of the enduring nuclear weapons stockpile. Y-12 is also providing material for domestic and foreign research and test reactors for use as targets in medical isotope production. The current contract may be viewed at the following web site: http://www.doeal.gov/mocd/indext.aspx. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 561210. The extension is being sought to minimize any impacts to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Y-12 mission while NNSA completes it follow-on competition. Y-12 is undergoing a transformation that will continue beyond the current 10-year maximum term of the contract (2010) to include activities that support the ongoing maintenance, surveillance, and retrofit of the nuclear weapons stockpile. These activities are very complex in nature and continuity is essential. The critical aspects of nuclear weapons surveillance, assembly, and disassembly will be a significant challenge to a stable, high performing contractor. Changing to a new contractor during this contract extension would be disruptive and could possibly cause critical nuclear and non-nuclear production requirements to be missed and would impact deliverables to the Department of Defense that are vital to the nation's security. In addition, any disruption would severely impact Y-12's ability to support the life extension programs, provide critical data required to certify the safety and reliability of the enduring nuclear weapons stockpile, and to meet dismantlement commitments to Congress and the President.

From a nuclear nonproliferation (NN) standpoint, Y-12 is providing material for domestic and foreign research and test reactors. The Y-12 facility also provides material used for targets in medical isotope production. If these activities are disrupted, the NNSA could have serious international implications related to its foreign sales contracts for reactor fuel. Y-12 also provides critical technical expertise to numerous NN programs including the Global Threat Reduction Initiative, Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) Transparency Program, and the International Material Protection and Cooperation Program. The disposition of excess HEU from weapons would be severely impacted. Target material for the generation of medical isotopes, already in short supply, would also be severely impacted. All of these initiatives are of critical national importance.

This special notice of intent to award a contract extension on a sole source basis is neither a request for proposal nor a solicitation for offers. No contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice. All inquiries must be addressed in writing to NNSA Y-12 Site Office, Attn: Jill Albaugh, PO Box 2009, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-8245, or e-mail to albaughjy@yso.doe.gov. Responses to this notice must be submitted in writing no later than July 8, 2010, 4:00 pm Mountain Time. Interested sources may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. Response to this notice is not required.