OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - EM’s cleanup contractor at the Oak Ridge site for its performance from Oct. 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, amounting to 92 percent of the total award fee available.
The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) recently issued its six-month fee determination scorecard for URS | CH2M Oak Ridge (UCOR) after completing its evaluation of the contractor.
Each year, EM releases information relating to contractor fee payments - earned by completing the work called for in the contracts - to further transparency in its cleanup program.
According to the scorecard and OREM’s correspondence to UCOR regarding the fee determination:
UCOR received a “very good" rating for project management and “high confidence" for cost and schedule during the period. Indicators such as cost and schedule indexes reflect a contract that performs well against a cost and schedule plan.
The contractor continues to execute its scope under the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) contract very well. UCOR had advanced multiple projects required to complete the ETTP cleanup and reduced risks associated with OREM operations at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Y-12 National Security Complex, including:
* Identifying a new approach for disposal of a large volume of mixed low-level waste from Building K-1037; UCOR obtained approval to use macro-encapsulation bags that will save more than $400,000;
* Ceasing operations at the ETTP garage after transitioning to a U.S. General Services Administration leased fleet, allowing Building K-1414 to be demolished earlier than planned and maintaining momentum to achieve Vision 2020;
* Completing installation of nine new piezometers well ahead of the commitment to regulators; these devices will provide EM and regulators important information about water levels at and around an onsite disposal facility;
* Exceeding small business subcontracting goals - achieving 80 percent compared to the 65-percent target - with the exception of service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses;
* Conducting monitoring of groundwater, surface water, sediments, and other elements in accordance with remedial action report comprehensive monitoring plans.
While OREM noted UCOR’s significant accomplishments during the period, the office also pointed to opportunities for improvement. OREM noted several issues with work planning and control, hazard awareness, and inadequate recognition of changing conditions. The contractor plans to complete corrective actions - and has finished others - for the nuclear high-hazard operations project and other matters. In December last year, OREM identified a potential decline in the effective implementation of the systems of control covered under the UCOR contractor assurance system, including integrated safety management, and work planning and control.
View the scorecard.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
