Chemical Demilitarization-Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives

The Chemical Demilitarization-Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (Chem Demil-ACWA) is a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) operating under the Major Capability Acquisition pathway with an Acquisition Category ID designation. The program focuses on the elimination of chemical weapons stockpiles and associated production capabilities. This comprehensive initiative involves multiple aspects of chemical demilitarization, including the construction and operation of specialized facilities such as the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in Richmond, Kentucky.

The program's contract awards range from small purchase orders of $11,000 to major definitive contracts exceeding $5 billion. The largest contracts have been awarded to Bechtel entities, including a $5.15 billion cost-plus-award-fee contract to Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass Joint Venture and a $4.27 billion contract to Bechtel National, Inc., both extending into 2026-2027. Other significant contractors include Medvolt, LLC ($30 million for static detonation chamber site preparation), Dynasafe US LLC ($1.5 million for long-lead metal storage), and various suppliers of specialized equipment such as Rockwell Collins, Inc. and Professional Aircraft Accessories Inc. The primary contracting agency is the Department of the Army, particularly through the Joint PEO Chemical and Biological Defense and the Army Materiel Command. Most contracts are awarded without set-aside designations, though there is one notable 8(a) sole-source award. Contract types include both firm-fixed-price arrangements for equipment purchases and cost-plus structures for larger, complex efforts.