DOE-EM issues draft RFP for Hanford lab work, awards WIPP monitoring grant

The Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management issued a draft request for proposals on June 25 for the Hanford Site's 222-S Laboratory contract. The 222-S Laboratory is the primary on-site laboratory for analysis of highly radioactive samples in support of all projects at the DOE's Hanford Site in Washington state.

Interested parties will have until July 31 to submit comments regarding the draft RFP, and DOE-EM anticipates a final RFP will be issued in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027.

DOE-EM has established a dedicated webpage for the contract procurement, which will be conducted as a total small business set-aside competition. The draft RFP will also be posted on SAM.gov.

The work: According to DOE-EM, a contractor is required to perform analytical and operational requirements for Hanford tank waste and environmental sample analysis, facility upkeep, and regulatory compliance to support the laboratory's overall mission at the site, including the following:

Analytical operations, such as radioactive and environmental sample analysis, hot cell and glove box operation, process chemistry, and research and technology development.

Facility operations, such as preventative and corrective maintenance for real and personal property, facility improvements, waste handling, and operational control.

Engineering, nuclear safety, and information technology network support.

Environmental, safety, and health, including radiation protection, fire protection, emergency management, and managing environmental compliance.

Assurance systems, including quality assurance, contractor assurance, and requirements management.

Safeguards and security, including nuclear material control and accountability.

Interface management.

Business services.

WIPP monitoring: DOE-EM also announced on June 25 that it has awarded a three-year, $2.2 million noncompetitive financial assistance grant to the New Mexico Environment Department Oversight Bureau for monitoring work at the department's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico.

The bureau will conduct independent, confirmatory environmental monitoring at and around WIPP-including groundwater, surface water, soil, vegetation, air, and gamma radiation sampling-to verify protection of public health and the environment from transuranic waste operations, DOE-EM said.