SRSCRO Letter on SRS M&O Contract [download here]
SRSCRO Op-Ed Article on SRS M&O Contract [download here]

The CRO’s Board of Directors has adopted positions regarding critical issues associated with the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site (SRS).
Currently, those issues include;

These position papers include our positions on radioactive waste storage and disposition, management of excess property, payments in-lieu-of-taxes and community input into the DOE decision making process.

Highlights of SRSCRO Recommendations for the New SRS Management Contract

I. Competitive Re-Bid Is Needed

The SRSCRO Board of Directors strongly supports competitive re-bid of the existing SRS management contract. We believe competition provides an opportunity to:

• Ensure selection of the most qualified bidder;
• Strengthen the contractor’s role and relationship with the community;
• Foster increased focus on economic diversification initiatives supported by SRSCRO and the community at-large.

II. A Single O&M Contractor is Needed

The SRSCRO Board of Directors also supports DOE selection of a single O&M contractor. There has been considerable speculation that DOE may re-bid the contract scope as one or more than one separate contracts (e.g. Cleanup activities, NNSA activities and SRNL). 

In an ideal situation, a single O&M contractor is preferable provided that: (1) proposers have ‘world class’ capabilities in all areas of laboratory management, operations and clean-up activities, (2) DOE’s contract places equal priority on the laboratory, operations and clean-up missions and (3) DOE’s contract establishes a clear objective of long-term technology leadership and community support. 

Absent assurance that those conditions will be met, alternative procurement plans should be examined for recommendation.

III. The New Contractor Should Invest At Least 5% of Its Fee in Economic Development

The new SRS contractor should commit to invest a percentage (no less than 5%) of Offeror’s gross contract fee in existing economic development and diversification programs in the five-county CRO region. The contractor should also designate a corporate team responsible for coordinating economic diversification programs between SRS and SRSCRO for the duration of the contract.

IV. Support for Regional Economic Development Efforts Is Needed

DOE should direct the Management Contractor to support regional economic development efforts by SRSCRO and others to expand existing businesses, create new business startups, and attract new businesses in the area to diversify the local economy

Highlights of  SRSCRO Position Paper on DOE Issues

I. Waste Reduction

There is continuing concern regarding the likelihood that the planned permanent repository at Yucca Mountain will ever open.  The State of Nevada continues to oppose the facility. The schedule has been delayed repeatedly – with the latest official date for completion being 2010.  In the meantime, plutonium from other DOE sites continues to be shipped to SRS. 

This is an area of utmost concern to SRSCRO and to the community at-large. 
The negative perception and potential for health risks associated with the presence of a “nuclear waste dump” in our community is almost certain to adversely impact future economic development and job creation efforts

II.   Payments In-Lieu of Taxes

SRSCRO fully supports the efforts of affected local governments – Aiken, Allendale and Barnwell counties --  to develop and implement equitable Payment In-Lieu-of-Tax agreements with the Department of Energy that fairly recognize the value of property tax payments which local governments may not collect from the Federal Government.

III. Excess DOE Property

SRSCRO should continue its role as the responsible authority for disposition of surplus DOE equipment based on revised guidelines agreed upon with DOE and the Contractor. DOE should coordinate with the SRS Community Reuse Organization before any item of personal property or capital asset is transferred to any non-federal entity or otherwise disposed of.  DOE should complete its review of the excess property program without further delay and implement the program changes indicated.

IV. Worker Transition Funding

The lack of section 3161 funds has hampered the Central Savannah River Area’s ability to plan and react to the dynamic changes at SRS.  Additional effort is needed in reuse studies, engineering support, marketing studies and industrial recruiting incentives.  The CSRA must deal with SRS downsizing on a long-term basis and long-term 3161 support is needed. DOE should actively support SRSCRO’s recommendation that Congress appropriate $5 Million in FY 2006 for Section 3161 activities to be administered by the SRS Community Reuse Organization.