Los Alamos Contract Decision Delayed

A decision on who will run Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico has been delayed, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported last week (see GSN, June 13).

Tyler Przybylek, chairman of a group of U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration employees looking into the laboratory’s management, has asked for more time to review proposals to run the site. He said he “does not anticipate a significant delay in the selection decision.”

Przybylek’s group, known as the Source Evaluation Board, is working on a report on the strengths and weaknesses of the bidders. The board will deliver its report to Thomas D’Agostino, deputy administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, according to an agency spokesman.

Representative Tom Udall (D-N.M.) said he was disappointed with the delay. “People have been in a limbo situation up there for a while,” he said. “I certainly hope this is a short delay.”

Senator Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) said he is confident the proper decision will be made.

“I continue to have faith that (the Department of Energy) is conducting a fair, thorough and exhaustive evaluation of the two bids, and I’m confident that no matter what the outcome, the lab will have an excellent management team and the employees will be well treated,” Domenici said in a statement. “I do not expect this delay to inhibit lab operations.”

The University of California and Bechtel National have teamed up on a bid to run the laboratory, as have the University of Texas and Lockheed Martin. The University of California has managed the laboratory on its own since 1943.

Michael Anastasio, head of the University of California partnership, said a decision should not be rushed. “We look forward to that decision, whenever they will make it. So we wait,” he said.

Rod Geer, spokesman for the Texas group, said a decision is eagerly anticipated. “But we also know that (the Department of Energy) and NNSA want to do this right” (Andy Lenderman, Santa Fe New Mexican/RedOrbit.com, Nov. 24).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.