Draft RFP for contract to manage the Lab released

The Department of Energy is seeking comment on its draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the competitive selection of a management and operating contractor for the Laboratory. The draft RFP comment period will be open through Jan. 7, 2005.

The draft RFP, to be issued on a full and open basis, seeks interested parties with the capability "to manage world-class science and achieve excellent operations and management performance." Key elements of the proposed contract included in the draft RFP include the following:

• Unique contract clauses intended to redefine the federal-contractor relationship; to transition to industrial standards and best practices; to capitalize on private sector expertise; and to increase contractor accountability and efficiencies.
• An "award term" provision to permit extension of the resulting contract for incremental periods up to 15 years beyond the initial five-year term as an incentive for superior performance.
• A requirement to retain [Los Alamos'] current work force (excluding key personnel and direct reports to the Laboratory director) and provide comparable pay and benefits.
• A requirement that the contractor be a constructive partner in Northern New Mexico by engaging regional stakeholders in issues and concerns of mutual interest, and recognizing that giving back to the community is a worthwhile business practice.

The draft RFP's key evaluation criteria include the potential contractor's capability to successfully manage world-class scientific research and development; the capability to achieve excellence in Laboratory operations and business operations; proposed organization structure; the proposed key personnel, including the proposed Laboratory director; and past performance.

To read the draft RFP, go to http://www.doeal.gov/lanlcontractrecompete/DraftRFP.htm online.

To read the National Nuclear Security Administration release, click here.

To read a statement from University of California Vice President Robert Foley, click here.

To read a release from U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, click here (Adobe Acrobat Reader required). To read U.S. Rep. Tom Udall's release, click here.

To read a release from Governor Bill Richardson, click here (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).

UC's Foley releases message to Laboratory work force Dear Colleagues (LANL employees), Today, the Department of Energy released a draft request for proposals (RFP) for the management contract for Los Alamos National Laboratory. The draft RFP is at http://www.doeal.gov/lanlcontractrecompete/default.htm online. In early October, DOE released the LANL Acquisition Plan and the release of the draft RFP is the next stage in this complex process. Now that the draft RFP has been released, I am sure many of you are interested in what steps UC is taking regarding the upcoming competition. I want to give you a brief update. UC Laboratory Management staff, working with the Los Alamos National Laboratory Acquisition Team, are reviewing the draft RFP, and we will submit comments to the Department by Jan. 7, 2005 after a thorough review is completed. The university expects to see the final RFP in early 2005 and we will have 60 days to finalize a proposal. Selection of the contractor will occur in the summer of 2005 and begin full contract performance on Oct. 1, 2005.  While the final decision regarding competition will be made by the UC Board of Regents after the Department of Energy releases the final RFP, there is much to be done before then to ensure that the University of California has the best proposal should the regents decide to compete. We have retained external experts to assist us in the proposal process. Separate space has been retained to house the proposal efforts with appropriate supporting business systems. We also are considering options for industrial partner(s) to assist us in developing progressive management systems and higher levels of operational effectiveness. As you may be aware, as part of the overall management of the [Laboratory] acquisition process, UC has engaged Rich Mah to serve as our [Laboratory] acquisition manager. Rich is already in place and with UCOP is leading the acquisition team through the initial phases of this proposal process. Rich has a tremendous amount of experience and a strong familiarity with [the Laboratory] and UC. Salaries of all personnel working on the proposal come from UC's earned fee funds that have been allocated for the proposal's preparation. These are non-Laboratory funds and do not come out of the university's general funds provided by the state, students or private supporters for its campuses.   With the strong actions the University of California is taking throughout its laboratory system and with the continued dedication and scientific excellence of the [Laboratory] staff, I believe we will be in an excellent position to submit a strong, winning proposal should the [UC Board of] Regents choose to do so. I recognize that many of you have questions about employee retention, compensation and pension issues as we move through the competition process. I believe it is important to highlight that the language in the draft RFP includes language that specifically address these issues. In addition, the Department of Energy's press release regarding the draft RFP includes the following language: "Key elements of the proposed contract included in the draft RFP are: A requirement to retain [the Laboratory's] current work force (excluding the Laboratory director and the most senior managers) and provide comparable pay and benefits." Thank you for your ongoing commitment and service. Sincerely, S. Robert Foley, Jr.