EM Update | Vol. 10, Issue 6 | Feb. 13, 2018

• Procurements Benefit Communities, States Hosting EM Field Sites
• EM Announces New Manager to Succeed Jack Craig at Savannah River Site
• Preparations Underway for New Interim Surface Barriers at Hanford Tank Farms
• SRNS Takes Innovative Approach to Upgrade Equipment Fleet Without Added Cost
• Hanford Employee Receives Prestigious Leadership Award

Procurements Benefit Communities, States Hosting EM Field Sites

Workers from local small business Watts Construction provide critical road maintenance across the Hanford Site. With more than 340 active-lane miles of paved roads and more than 10,000 average daily trips by site workers, the roadways need to be maintained to ensure everyone’s safety.

   EM and its cleanup contractors across the DOE complex invest hundreds of millions of dollars each fiscal year in the goods and services of business in the communities and states that host them.

   Following is a sampling of EM sites and the amounts they spent in their respective local areas and states in fiscal year 2017:

Hanford

   EM Richland Operations Office (RL) contractor CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation Company (CHPRC) spent more than $189 million on goods and services in fiscal year 2017 (FY17) to perform cleanup work at Hanford. More than $137 million, or 73 percent, went to Washington and Oregon businesses, and $123 million, or 65 percent, went to local businesses in the Tri-Cities region, where Hanford is located.  

   CHPRC relied heavily on local businesses for several projects. In May, the roof of a waste storage tunnel associated with the former Plutonium Uranium Extraction (PUREX) Plant partially collapsed. Workers with Intermech Inc., a local business, quickly stabilized the tunnel by filling it with engineered grout. 

Employees with local small business Intermech, Inc., played a key role in stabilizing a waste storage tunnel at the Hanford Site that had partially collapsed in May 2017.

   “Local businesses continue to play an important role in helping to mitigate risk and perform cleanup at the Hanford Site,” said Tracy Heidelberg, CHPRC chief financial officer. “And, they help keep the surrounding communities strong by supplying meaningful jobs.”

   Since the beginning of its contract in 2010, CHPRC has spent more than $2.6 billion on goods and services for Hanford work. About $2.1 billion of that went to Washington and Oregon businesses, and $1.8 billion went to local businesses in the Tri-Cities region.

   RL contractor Mission Support Alliance (MSA) subcontracted $155 million worth of work in FY17 to provide services such as road maintenance, utilities, and emergency response. Nearly 70 percent of that was spent in Washington and Oregon, and more than $86 million was spent in the Tri-Cities region.

   “We are proud to partner with the local businesses in the Tri-Cities and surrounding communities. These companies provide essential goods, services, and equipment needed to continue making cleanup progress at Hanford,” said Brad Edwards, MSA contracts director. 

   Since the company became Hanford’s site services provider in 2009, MSA has spent nearly $1.5 billion for goods and subcontracted services. 

Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant procurement team members speak with a vendor during a supply chain collaboration event as part of the project’s efforts to increase engagement with its supply chain.

   Hanford’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) procurements tallied $211 million in FY17. Of that total, $126 million, or nearly 60 percent, was spent in Washington and Oregon, with $94 million, or more than 45 percent, spent in the Tri-Cities.

   “Our successful procurement spending supported the positive progress made with continued construction and startup efforts for the Department of Energy’s Direct Feed Low-Activity Waste (DFLAW) vitrification approach,” said Frank Salaman, Bechtel National Inc.’s manager of procurement and subcontracts. “We purchased quality-driven equipment, supplies, and services throughout the U.S., while also increasing business with companies in Washington, Oregon, and here in the Tri-Cities.”

   Since the start of WTP construction, more than $4 billion in goods and services have been procured from companies across the U.S. Of that total, $1.94 billion was spent in Washington and Oregon, with $1.36 billion procured in the Tri-Cities.

Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) procurement representatives present to approximately 60 business representatives at a Meet the Buyer program in Pasco, Wash. Sponsored by WRPS through the local chamber of commerce, the quarterly business outreach program gives attendees an opportunity to learn about doing business with organizations in the region. In its seventh year, the Meet the Buyer program is one element of WRPS’s small business outreach efforts.

Washington River Protection Solutions provided $30,000 to the 2017 Small Business Incentive Grant Program, which awards up to $2,000 in individual grants to local small businesses with needs in training, equipment, and website development. Twenty-eight businesses received grants in 2017. Since its inception, the program has awarded $210,000 to more than 200 local businesses.

   Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS), Hanford’s tank operations contractor, spent $166 million on procurements from small businesses in FY17. More than $111 million of that went to businesses in the Tri-Cities.

   “Our procurement efforts continue to support small businesses, particularly local and regional businesses,” said Jose Legarreta, WRPS procurement manager. “WRPS exceeded the 58.2-percent small business goal and successfully awarded 72.5 percent for total goods and services from small businesses in FY17.”

EM’s diverse cleanup operations and capital projects in Oak Ridge provide opportunities to local companies.

Oak Ridge

   The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) spent $421 million on contracts with Tennessee-based companies in FY17. The in-state procurements, services, and subcontracts of OREM’s prime contractors in that period totaled $146 million.

   “Our mission is helping enhance the region on multiple fronts,” OREM Manager Jay Mullis said. “Environmental cleanup is improving safety, transforming the site, and removing barriers to economic development, while our funding through contracts and procurements is supporting employment and advancing the local and state economies in a significant way.”  

   A report by the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy further details the program’s annual economic benefits to Knox, Anderson, and Roane counties, and the state. Environmental cleanup in Oak Ridge directly funds 1,900 local jobs, and it creates an estimated 6,200 additional jobs in Tennessee.

   An updated economic impact report is expected later this year.

Nuclear Waste Partnership (NWP) President and Project Manager Bruce Covert talks with participants attending the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Industry Day who learned about doing business with EM’s Carlsbad Field Office and NWP.

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

   The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) reported procurements of approximately $70 million for FY17. Of that amount, $21 million, or nearly 30 percent, was spent in New Mexico, and $15 million, or roughly 21 percent, was spent on small businesses in the southeastern portion of the state where WIPP is located.   

   “The support from New Mexico businesses is essential to the success of fulfilling WIPP's mission,” said Ryan Williamson, Nuclear Waste Partnership, LLC’s (NWP) small business program manager. “The procurement team has a strong commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and responsiveness, and strives to follow good commercial practices in conducting business at WIPP.”

   WIPP’s procurement team strives to maintain good corporate citizenship and a well-defined socioeconomic program. For example, WIPP has placed awards with small local businesses and participated in several outreach events in New Mexico seeking to provide businesses within the state an opportunity to work with WIPP. 

   NWP manages and operates WIPP for EM’s Carlsbad Field Office. 

Nevada Program

   Procurements, grants and payments associated with the EM Nevada Program mission at the Nevada National Security Site totaled in excess of $49 million for the Nevada economy in FY17.  

   “EM Nevada spending supported ongoing remediation and disposal activities in support of Department of Energy’s national mission,” said Catherine Hampton the EM Nevada Program deputy program manager for operations support.

- Contributors: Missi Currier, Marc Klein, Kelly Rae, George Rangel, Rob Roxburgh, David Sheeley, Rochelle Twomey, Ben Williams

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EM Announces New Manager to Succeed Jack Craig at Savannah River Site

EM recently announced that Michael D. Budney will serve as the new manager for the Savannah River Operations Office.

AIKEN, S.C. – EM has named Michael D. Budney as the new manager for the Savannah River Operations Office. He succeeds Jack Craig, who is retiring after 32 years of federal service, including 29 years of leadership in the environmental cleanup program.

   Budney brings to the Savannah River Site (SRS) 20 years of senior leadership experience while serving in the U.S. Navy, the departments of Defense and Energy, the private sector. He retired from the military as a captain and served as an officer aboard four submarines and three ships over a 29-year military career. 

   “Mike is highly respected for his leadership,” said James Owendoff, EM Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary. “Through those skills, he is well positioned to lead the Savannah River team, run operations and manage the site.”

   In his major command, Budney spent two years as commanding officer of the USS Emory S. Land. In that post, he commanded 1,200 sailors and directed computer and communications systems, electrical, electronic, mechanical, propulsion plant and nuclear maintenance on Navy submarines and surface ships operating throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

   Budney also served 2 ½ years as commanding officer of the USS Pennsylvania, an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, where he was responsible for all aspects of ship and nuclear propulsion plant operations. The vessel was awarded Battle Efficiency “E” for superior operational performance. 

   Most recently, Budney was director of the Office of Business Operations in the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. He led the office’s workforce planning, information technology, and project management efforts, and coordinated support service contract and acquisition activities. 

Jack Craig is retiring after 32 years of federal service.

   Craig announced his retirement effective Feb. 28.

   “I tell people that the DOE manager position at SRS is the best job in DOE — and it is true,” he said. “SRS has important and challenging missions, a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, productive collaboration with our regulators, and an outstanding partnership with the community.”  

   Craig also served as acting Associate Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for EM at DOE headquarters; director of the EM Consolidated Business Center in Cincinnati; and deputy manager of the DOE Ohio Field Office, where he was responsible for the management, cleanup, and restoration of the Fernald, Mound, Battelle-Columbus and Ashtabula sites, and the West Valley Demonstration Project.  

   “It will be tough to see Jack go. Under his leadership, Savannah River has achieved impressive milestones, including closing of Tank 16, the completion of the 33-million gallon SDU (Saltstone Disposal Unit) 6 ahead of schedule and under budget, and the completed construction of the Salt Waste Processing Facility,” Owendoff said. “To Jack, I say we’ll miss you and a job well done.” 

- Contributor: Stephan Tetreault

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Preparations Underway for New Interim Surface Barriers at Hanford Tank Farms

Work is underway to install drain pipes in a large basin that will collect and evaporate water drained from interim surface barriers to be constructed over underground waste tanks at Hanford.

RICHLAND, Wash. – Field preparations have begun for the installation of two interim surface barriers in the SX Tank Farm at EM’s Hanford Site. 

   The barriers help prevent rain and snowmelt from intruding into underground storage tanks and percolating into the soil, driving existing contaminants closer to groundwater. The temporary structures are to be constructed under an agreement between the DOE, Washington Department of Ecology, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They will remain in place until a final closure decision is made for the tank farm.

   SX Tank Farm is one of 18 groups of tanks, or “tank farms,” at Hanford. The site has a total of 177 underground tanks containing about 56 million gallons of chemical and radioactive waste left over from plutonium production during World War II and the Cold War. 

   Crews are working on a lined evapotranspiration basin — slightly smaller than two football fields — to collect and evaporate water drained from the barriers.  

   “This has been a huge undertaking, and the team has done a great job in overcoming many obstacles, including the removal of underground utility pipes,” said Jan Bovier, tank closure program manager for EM’s Office of River Protection.

   The next phase will be construction of the two barriers, formed of a layer of gravel covered with a four-inch layer of high-density modified asphalt. Installation of the two barriers is planned to be completed during this fiscal year.  

   Several factors are considered during design and construction of the barriers. They include the weight of the barrier, which is tied to tank dome loading limits; working around in-place monitoring equipment, risers, and breather filters; and routing of the drain pipe from the barrier to the basin. 

   SX will be the third Hanford tank farm to have interim surface barriers. The others were constructed in T and TY farms in 2008 and 2010 respectively.

- Contributor: Rob Roxburgh

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SRNS Takes Innovative Approach to Upgrade Equipment Fleet Without Added Cost

The Portable Equipment Commodity Management Center equipment storage area at the Savannah River Site.

AIKEN, S.C. – The Savannah River Site (SRS) management and operations contractor has refurbished a fleet of more than 1,300 pieces of equipment without cost using novel solutions such as incorporating a “replenishment” fee into rental rates.

   To keep rental rates low, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) substantially downsized the fleet, eliminating older equipment with high maintenance costs. The newly refurbished fleet led to an increase in rentals, helping stabilize the fleet budget.   

   “We are looking for every opportunity to deliver infrastructure services to the site as efficiently and effectively as possible,” SRNS President and CEO Stuart MacVean said. “We are proud to be able to deliver a modern, reliable equipment fleet and look forward to implementing further efficiencies and innovation.”

   In 2013, pieces of equipment in the fleet numbered 1,348, with more than half of that total at or beyond life expectancy and more than 70 percent set to exceed life expectancy by 2016. Currently, 30 percent of the fleet is less than 3 years old. SRNS removed over 300 old items and added 164 new ones, including emergency response vehicles, cranes, bulldozers, forklifts, and generators. In fiscal year 2018, the contractor expects to purchase 21 pieces of equipment, including a new tow truck and fire pumper truck.

   “An important part of this initiative has been right-sizing the fleet,” said Bob Bonnett, cost accounts manager in the SRNS Portable Equipment Commodity Management Center. “We looked at which equipment was being used regularly and which pieces were not, allowing us to remove excess equipment from our inventory and focus on replenishment and replacement of equipment that is most in demand.”

   The use rate for the fleet is more than 88 percent, exceeding goals DOE set for SRNS. 

   SRNS is working to upgrade the site’s crane fleet.

   “We’re going to follow the same successful model we have with the rest of our equipment fleet, right-sizing the fleet based on usage and putting a fee in place to fund replenishment,” Bonnett said. “We are also looking at the possibility of exchanging several of our older, rarely used cranes for a single new one, without money changing hands.”

- Contributor: Martin Schneider

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Hanford Employee Receives Prestigious Leadership Award

(Back row, left to right) Mission Support Alliance employees Mike Wilson, Dru Butler, Bob Wilkinson, and Amy Basche congratulate Ann Shattuck (front) on her award during the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce 2018 Women in Business conference.

RICHLAND, Wash. – Ann Shattuck, an employee with EM’s Richland Operations Office contractor Mission Support Alliance (MSA), was presented with the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Leadership Award Jan. 31 at the 2018 Women in Business conference. 

   The ATHENA Award recognizes women for professional excellence, community service, and actively assisting other women in their attainment of leadership skills. 

   Shattuck, director of MSA’s Environmental Integration Services, has worked at the Hanford Site for more than 25 years, starting as an engineer before transitioning to project management and then to functional/group management. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Washington State University and is a professional engineer and a certified Project Manager Professional. 

   “As Ann’s supervisor, I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award. Ann is committed to both the safety and success of the Hanford cleanup mission and to our community,” said Mike Wilson, MSA Vice President of Environmental, Safety and Health. “Her drive and passion instills confidence in everyone who has the opportunity to work with her.” 

   An active participant in MSA’s volunteer programs, MSA Cares and the MSA Women’s Synergy Network, Shattuck said she enjoys giving her time and talent to local organizations that help those in need and that promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education to young women. She also serves on the board of directors for the Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin Counties. 

   “I was very surprised, honored, and humbled to receive this award,” Shattuck said. “We all have the opportunity to make a difference, both professionally and personally, and my goal is to inspire those around me to do so.” 

- Contributor: Renee Brooks

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