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DE-RP05-99OR22725--Oak Ridge National Laboratory M&O Contract
SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT
Introduction
Research and Development
Protection of Workers, the Public and the Environment
Project Management
Mission Related Partnerships
Other Activities
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Introduction
(a) Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a multi-program
Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory and a Federally Funded
Research and Development Center (FFRDC) established in accordance
with the Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 35. Oak Ridge National
Laboratory, subsequently referred to as the Laboratory, is an Office
of Science laboratory. The Laboratory performs work for all DOE
programs including Science, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, Nonproliferation and National
Security, Fossil Energy, Environmental Management, and Defense Programs.
The Laboratory mission is to conduct basic and applied research
and development (R&D) to advance scientific knowledge, the nation’s
energy resources, and environmental quality and to strengthen educational
foundations and national economic competitiveness. DOE programs
are carried out in partnership with academia, the private sector,
other DOE national laboratories, the international scientific community,
and other government agencies. The Laboratory also performs work
consistent with the DOE mission for entities other than DOE. The
Contractor will advance the frontiers of science and technology
through broad interdisciplinary R&D programs that answer fundamental
questions, solve technical problems (locally, regionally, nationally,
and internationally), and develop and apply technologies to address
societal needs.
(b) This performance-based management contract
reflects the Contractor’s responsibility to develop and implement
innovative approaches and adopt practices that foster continuous
improvement in accomplishing the Laboratory mission. The Contractor
will provide integrated line management of this diverse research
institution, aligning multiple program scientific and technical
missions with the appropriate resources and support to deliver world-class
science in a cost effective manner. Integrated line management incorporates
integrated safety management, cross organizational teamwork recognizing
matrix management, and efficient work practices and applies them
to programmatic and operational efforts. Success in partnering with
industry and ultimate application of the scientific information
and/or technology to solve DOE or broad public issues is essential.
(a) Research and Development
(1) In accomplishing the DOE mission, the Contractor shall
maintain and advance the R&D capabilities that support all
four DOE business lines: Science and Technology, Energy Resources,
Environmental Quality, and National Security.
Science and Technology - The Contractor shall maintain
and enhance critical Laboratory capabilities in materials science
and engineering and in neutron science. The Contractor shall
manage the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), the Radiochemical
Engineering Development Center and other hot cells, and the
Spallation Neutron Source project. These facilities will support
user programs in neutron scattering, materials irradiation,
and isotope production. Also, the Contractor shall manage Laboratory
capabilities in analytical and separations chemistry, computational
sciences, environmental (including field experimental facilities)
and social sciences, fusion science and technology, genetics,
genomics, and biotechnology. The Contractor shall direct Laboratory
capabilities in nuclear physics, astrophysics with radioactive
ion beams, and solid state physics.
Energy Resources - The Contractor has the responsibility
to manage Laboratory capabilities in: 1) biomass renewable energy
feedstock and conversion technologies; 2) energy efficient technologies
for buildings, industry, transportation, and utility end-use;
3) applied materials in support of energy efficient technologies,
vehicle technologies, and fossil fuel use; 4) nuclear technology
and safety; and 5) assessing national energy use and projections
of future energy supply and demand.
Environmental Quality - The Contractor shall maintain
and improve capabilities in environmental technology development,
environmental restoration and waste management support, and
health and environmental risk assessment. The Contractor shall
effectively and efficiently manage the minimization, characterization,
and certification of Laboratory generated wastes and other materials.
National Security - The Contractor shall maintain existing
materials storage and processing facilities and develop related
technologies. The Contractor shall support DOE, through the
National Security Program Office (NSPO) at the Y-12 plant, in
the development of technologies that promote non-proliferation,
international nuclear safety, and safe stockpile stewardship.
(2) The Contractor shall effectively and efficiently manage
all the Laboratories’ core competencies. This includes directing
research in neutron-based science and technology; computational
science and advanced computing; biological and environmental
sciences and technology; and advanced materials synthesis, processing,
and characterization. In addition, the Laboratory has core competencies
in instrumentation, controls and measurement science and technology,
and in energy production and end-use technologies. The Contractor
shall ensure the Laboratory conducts basic and applied research,
development, and demonstration activities facilitating deployment
of technologies both in U.S. and international markets through
partnerships with the private sector.
The Contractor will direct these core competencies into creative
research projects for DOE in partnership(s) with universities,
other federal laboratories and the private sector. Opportunities
to transfer technology into useful products and processes should
be conducted in close cooperation with private sector sponsors.
The Contractor shall make it possible for the private sector
to join in development/operation activities with the Laboratory
to enhance teamwork and technology transfer.
(3) The Contractor is responsible for operating 15 national
user facilities supporting diverse DOE mission areas. The 15
user facilities are: the Atomic Physics EN Tandem Accelerator,
the Bioprocessing Research Facility, the Buildings Technology
Center, the Californium User Facility, the Computational Center
for Industrial Innovation, the High Flux Isotope Reactor, the
High Temperature Materials Laboratory, the Holifield Radioactive
Ion Beam Facility, the Metals Processing Laboratory, the Oak
Ridge Electron Linear Accelerator, the Metrology Research and
Development Laboratories, the Shared Research Equipment Program,
the Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park (NERP), the
Mouse Genetics Research Facility, and the Surface Modification
and Characterization Research Facility. The Contractor shall
also operate the American Museum of Science and Energy.
The Contractor is responsible for accommodating over 4,000
visiting scientists that are guests of the Laboratory every
year, and maintaining over 500 agreements to engage the 15 user
facilities. Agreements are in place with other government agencies,
industries, universities, and international participants.
(4) The Contractor shall effectively, efficiently, and
safely operate the HFIR (e.g., produce neutron beams for experiments
for at least 90 percent of the time scheduled for experiments
each year). HFIR provides state-of-the-art facilities for neutron
scattering and materials irradiation and is the world’s leading
source of elements heavier than plutonium for research, medicine,
and industrial applications. HFIR is a light-water cooled and
moderated reactor with a design power level of 100 megawatts
and a normal operating power of 85 megawatts. HFIR supports
production of radioactive elements that benefit approximately
800 customers in diverse areas like cancer radiation therapy,
nondestructive inspection of explosives and aircraft, and as
start-up sources for nuclear reactors.
(5) The Contractor shall maintain effective operations of
existing and planned user facilities, other appropriate facilities,
and provide effective customer service to user clients. The
Contractor shall implement DOE mission objectives to ensure
user facilities are user friendly, readily available, and can
operate within conditions requested by user clients.
The Contractor is also responsible for new user facilities
that pose a significant challenge in planning and scheduling
experiments. For example, the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS)
project when fully operational is estimated to have 1000-2000
user scientists per year in a wide variety of scientific investigations.
A number of other facilities are proposed at the Laboratory
during the term of this contract (e.g., the National Transportation
Research Center).
(6) The Contractor shall manage and maintain government-owned
buildings and facilities at the Laboratory site and the NERP,
together with the utilities and appurtenances thereto. The Contractor
is also responsible for certain buildings at the Y-12 Plant
which house major facilities and equipment in support of ORNL
programs. Some of the facilities at the Laboratory related to
the cleanup of the site are managed by the DOE-Oak Ridge Operations
(ORO) Environmental Management, Management and Integration prime
contractor.
(7) The Contractor shall manage the resources and capabilities
of the Laboratory and provide leadership for this scientific
institution. The Contractor will effectively and efficiently
direct the day-to-day management of the Laboratory and proficiently
link scientific/engineering capabilities to accomplish DOE’s
objectives. Providing leadership in methods of integrated line
management to ensure inter-laboratory team building and intra-laboratory
cooperation while supplying a safe working environment is essential.
The Contractor is charged with maintaining and enhancing the
intellectual resource base in order to avoid erosion of the
scientific and engineering foundations at the Laboratory. The
Contractor is also responsible for the employment of all personnel
engaged in the SOW efforts and for the readiness and training
of its personnel.
(b) Protection of Workers, the Public
and the Environment
Protection of workers, the public and the environment are fundamental
responsibilities of the Contractor and a critically important performance
expectation. The Contractor’s Environment, Safety and Health (ES&H)
program shall be operated as an integral, but visible, part of how
the organization conducts business. A key element is continued implementation
of the ORNL Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS), including
prioritizing work planning and execution, establishing clear ES&H
priorities, and allocating the appropriate level of trained and
qualified resources to address programmatic and operational considerations.
The Contractor shall ensure that cost reduction and efficiency efforts
are fully compatible with ES&H performance.
The Contractor shall perform all activities in compliance with
applicable health, safety, and environmental laws, orders, regulations,
and national consensus standards (contained in ORNL Work Smart Standards);
and governing agreements and permits executed with regulatory and
oversight government organizations. The Contractor shall take necessary
actions to preclude serious injuries and/or fatalities, keep worker
exposures and environmental releases as low as reasonably achievable
below established limits, minimize the generation of waste, and
maintain or increase protection to the environment, public and worker
safety and health.
Incorporating integrated line management, the Contractor shall
put in place a system that clearly communicates the roles, responsibilities,
and authorities of line managers. The Contractor shall hold line
managers, including direct reports accountable for implementing
necessary controls for safe performance of work in their respective
area of responsibility. The Contractor shall establish effective
management systems to identify deficiencies, resolve them in a timely
manner, ensure that corrective actions are implemented, (addressing
the extent of conditions, root causes, and measures to prevent recurrence)
and prioritize and track commitments and actions. The Contractor
shall, as appropriate, consider ES&H performance in selection
of its subcontractors and incorporate ES&H requirements into
subcontracts.
(c) Project Management
The Contractor shall manage facility engineering and construction
efforts in a manner that allows completion of project objectives
in a safe and environmentally sound manner within the planned schedule,
cost, and technical baselines.
The Contractor is expected to achieve all project deliverables
associated with the SNS project. The National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) determination is expected during 1999 with the preferred
site in Oak Ridge. Construction is expected to be initiated during
FY 2000. Project activities will continue until the facility has
successfully completed startup (including commissioning), and is
ready for operation which is currently planned during 2005. Construction
of the SNS within the established schedule, cost, and technical
baseline is required.
The HFIR upgrade project includes the development of a
cold source of neutrons, new neutron scattering instruments, new
thermal guides, and replacement of the beryllium reflector. The
upgrade began in FY 1996 and is to be completed by mid-FY 2002.
The Contractor shall complete this project on the established schedule
within budget.
(d) Mission Related Partnerships
The Contractor shall maintain and enhance existing partnerships
and develop new technology partnership activities in support of
the DOE mission. Mechanisms for partnerships include cooperative
research and development agreements, direct assistance programs,
employee loan programs, user facility agreements, memoranda of cooperation,
memoranda of understanding, memoranda of agreement, license agreements,
and other arrangements as approved by DOE in which research and
development resources are leveraged with private sector partners.
Efforts to develop broad based partnerships with academic research
institutions, other agencies, other DOE laboratories, the international
scientific community, and with the private sector are essential
to the long term viability of the Laboratory. Accomplishments in
creating these partnerships may expand beyond the more classical
cooperative research and development agreements as approved by DOE.
Neutron science, isotope production, functional genomics, and computational
research programs provide opportunities for partnerships with the
private sector, universities, and other national laboratories to
advance scientific frontiers and enhance technology development.
Facilities and instrumentation may be developed with applications
in the pharmaceutical industry, clinical medicine, environmental
remediation, and other areas.
(e) Other Activities
(1) The Contractor shall manage facilities and resources
to optimize the effectiveness of operations in support of the
DOE mission. The Contractor shall maintain critical skill mixes
and resources at the Laboratory. The Contractor should perform
make/buy analyses on work functions that may be inefficient
and determine options for improvement. The Contractor shall
examine Laboratory operations to consolidate work efforts, eliminate
duplication of scientific effort, identify underutilized facilities,
and reduce operational costs. Site planning activities shall
be conducted by the Contractor proactively addressing concerns
of DOE, regulatory agencies, and stakeholder groups.
(2) The Contractor shall support DOE/ORO in its responsibilities
for land use planning and land management activities for the
DOE Oak Ridge Reservation, which consists of 34,545 acres of
federally-owned land. The Contractor’s responsibilities, as
directed by DOE and as identified in the DOE/ORO Reservation
Management Plan and the Facility Information Management System
(FIMS) database, include land and facility planning for the
Laboratory site, conducting research and operational and maintenance
activities within the NERP, and integrating reservation activities
among contractors and other parties to support DOE’s management
responsibility.
(3) In addition to the services specifically described
in other provisions of this SOW, the Contractor shall perform
services as DOE and the Contractor shall agree in writing that
will be performed from time to time under this contract at Oak
Ridge or elsewhere, as follows:
(i) Services incidental or related to the services
described in other provisions of this SOW.
(ii) Services, using existing facilities and capabilities,
for other federal agencies and nonfederal entities in accordance
with policies and procedures established by DOE.
(iii) Services, using existing or enhanced facilities
and capabilities, for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC), under agency agreements between NRC and DOE.
- Services in support of ORO programs when the work
involved has been determined by DOE to be within
the unique capabilities of the Contractor or when
the work involved has been determined by DOE to
be within the special scientific and technical capabilities
of the Contractor and the urgent need for the services
precludes acquiring them from another source.
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