B&W Y-12 Archives - Oak Ridge Today

Parts of Y-12, Pantex contract protests upheld; GAO says procurement should be re-opened

April 29, 2013 By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has upheld parts of two protests filed over the January award of a five-year contract to manage and operate the Y-12 National Security Complex, pictured above, and Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas. (Submitted photo)

A federal agency has upheld parts of two protests challenging a five-year contract to manage two nuclear weapons plants in Tennessee and Texas.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office also recommended re-opening the contract procurement, raising questions about the status of the $22.8 billion contract awarded to Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, or CNS, in January. CNS was one of three bidding teams who competed for the contract to manage and operate the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas.

At the heart of the GAO decision, announced Monday, were questions about proposed savings. In particular, the agency seemed to question whether the National Nuclear Security Administration, which awarded the consolidated contract to CNS on Jan. 8, had properly evaluated the expected savings.

“NNSA failed to follow the publicly stated solicitation criteria, which provided that the agency would evaluate the feasibility and size of each offeror’s proposed cost savings resulting from the consolidation of the management and operation of these sites,” Ralph O. White, GAO managing associate general counsel for procurement law, said in a statement released Monday afternoon. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Federal, Government, National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: B&W Y-12, Babcock and Wilcox, Bechtel National Inc., CNS, consolidated contract, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, cost savings, Fluor, GAO, Integrated Nuclear Production Solutions LLC, Jacobs, Josh McConaha, Lockheed Martin Services Inc., National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, Nuclear Production Partners LLC, Pantex Plant, Ralph O. White, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Government Accountability Office, Y-12 National Security Complex

B&W Y-12 names Kevin Corbett as VP of quality assurance

April 25, 2013 By Y-12 National Security Complex Leave a Comment

Kevin Corbett

Kevin Corbett has been named B&W Y-12 vice president of quality assurance. He is replacing Janice Christman, who will be retiring from the Y-12 National Security Complex at the end of April.

With 32 years of experience, Corbett has managed quality programs on projects and installations for the U.S. Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Defense, and the Department of State, as well as commercial nuclear power facilities and large-scale infrastructure programs valued at more than $20 billion.

“The B&W Y-12 team certainly will benefit from Kevin’s broad range of experience,” said B&W Y-12 President and General Manager Chuck Spencer. “With quality being a key component of everything we do at Y-12, Kevin’s expertise will help us ensure quality is an integral part of our culture.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Top Stories, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: B&W Y-12, B&W Y-12 Vice President Quality Assurance, Bechtel, Chuck Spencer, Janice Christman, Kevin Corbett, National Nuclear Security Administration, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of State, vice president of quality assurance, Y-12 National Security Complex

United Way donations down after security breach, contractor changes

April 19, 2013 By John Huotari 8 Comments

Tom Hilton, 2012-2013 campaign chair, left, with outgoing United Way of Anderson County Board President Jimmy Stone, who accepted the No. 1 Company Campaign Award on behalf of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. (Photo courtesy of D. Ray Smith)

Donations to the United Way of Anderson County were down this year, and on Thursday, officials cited challenges in the federal contracting community, including the July 28 security breach at the Y-12 National Security Complex and the later departure of security contractor WSI.

There was also an end to federal stimulus money, a freeze in federal budgets and salaries, and a new consolidated contract to manage Y-12 and the Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas, which could result in the departure of B&W Y-12, said Rick Morrow, UWAC executive director.

The United Way of Anderson County had hoped to raise $1.4 million in the fiscal year that ended March 31, but volunteers and staff members fell short of that, collecting $1,277,771. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, Nonprofits, Top Stories Tagged With: B&W Y-12, budgets, Buzz Patrick, DOE, DOE contractors, donations, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Rick Morrow, Rober Kiger, security breach, Tom Hilton, U.S. Department of Energy, United Way, United Way of Anderson County, UT-Battelle, UWAC, WSI, Y-12 National Security Complex

Guest column: New fence was needed to improve Y-12 security

April 18, 2013 By Chuck Spencer Leave a Comment

Chuck Spencer

Much has been made of the decision at the Y-12 National Security Complex to improve security by extending one of our security fences. As the president and general manager of B&W Y-12, the management and operating contractor for the National Nuclear Security Administration, I believe it’s important that a few of the facts surrounding this change be understood.

In case you haven’t been following this matter, we moved the boundary fence (also known as the 229 boundary) closer to our main entrance. This was done in response to recent trespassing events at Y-12 in order to strengthen our security posture. The response to this decision has been overwhelmingly positive among the vast majority of the people who take interest in Y-12’s operations. We are gratified by that support. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Columns Tagged With: 229 boundary, B&W Y-12, Chuck Spencer, demonstrations, fence, National Nuclear Security Administration, security, trespassing, Y-12 National Security Complex

B&W Y-12 names Carl Strock as UPF project director

April 8, 2013 By Y-12 National Security Complex Leave a Comment

Carl Strock

Retired Lt. Gen Carl Strock has been named Uranium Processing Facility project director for B&W Y-12 at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

He reports to Jim Haynes, B&W Y-12 deputy general manager for projects.

Strock is Bechtel’s former manager of global construction. He joined Bechtel in 2007 after retiring as head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after serving in the U.S. Army for more than 36 years. [Read more...]

Filed Under: National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: B&W Y-12, Bechtel, Bridget Correll Waller, Carl Strock, Jim Haynes, John Eschenberg, National Nuclear Security Administration, U.S. Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, uranium processing facility, Y-12 National Security Complex

B&W Y-12 ‘pleased’ with union contract extension

April 7, 2013 By John Huotari Leave a Comment

B&W Y-12 released a short statement Saturday saying it was pleased with the contract extension approved by hourly union workers at the Y-12 National Security Complex on Friday.

The 14-month contract extension includes a 2.5 percent wage increase, and it was ratified by members of the Atomic Trades and Labor Council during voting at a union hall on Friday afternoon and evening. The ATLC represents 14 international unions.

“We look forward to continuing our productive relationship ensuring the missions of the National Nuclear Security Administration at Y-12,” B&W Y-12 said in the statement. [Read more...]

Filed Under: National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: ATLC, Atomic Trades and Labor Council, B&W Y-12, CNS, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, contract extension, union members, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 union workers approve contract extension, 2.5 percent raise

April 5, 2013 By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Y-12 Pipefitters and Electrical Workers at Union Contract Extension

Henry Campbell, left, of the Pipefitters Local 718, and Jim Cromwell and Tony Reach of the IBEW Local 760 at stations where they give out tickets to vote on Friday on a contract extension and wage increase for hourly union workers at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

Hourly union workers at the Y-12 National Security Complex have ratified a 14-month contract extension and 2.5 percent wage increase, an official said.

The extension goes into effect April 22 and lasts through June 20, 2014, said Steve Jones, president of the Atomic Trades and Labor Council, which represents 14 international unions.

The contract extension applies to roughly 1,100 union members at Y-12. It will not affect ATLC members at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Top Stories, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: ATLC, Atomic Trades and Labor Council, B&W Y-12, benefits, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, contract extension, Steve Jones, union workers, wage increase, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 union workers vote Friday on contract extension, 2.5 percent raise

April 4, 2013 By John Huotari Leave a Comment

About 1,200 hourly union workers at the Y-12 National Security Complex, pictured above, will vote Friday on a 14-month contract extension and a 2.5 percent wage increase. (Submitted photo)

Hourly union workers at the Y-12 National Security Complex will vote Friday on whether to accept a 14-month contract extension and a 2.5 percent wage increase, an official said.

There would be no changes to worker benefits, said Steve Jones, president of the Atomic Trades and Labor Council.

If approved, the 14-month contract extension would become effective April 22 and last through June 20, 2014. It would apply to roughly 1,200 union members at Y-12. It would not affect ATLC members at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Top Stories, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: ATLC, Atomic Trades and Labor Council, B&W Y-12, CNS, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, contract extension, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA Production Office, Pantex Plant, Steve Jones, Steven Wyatt, U.S. Government Accountability Office, union workers, wage increase, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 to install new fence to reduce trespassing

March 28, 2013 By John Huotari 3 Comments

OREPA Protest at Y-12 National Security Complex

A new fence at the Y-12 National Security Complex would enclose this field near the entrance at Bear Creek and Scarboro roads, and the nonprofit organization that organizes demonstrations and vigils here plans to challenge the fence.

After three trespassing incidents involving five people in the past year, the National Nuclear Security Administration announced plans on Thursday to extend the boundary fence at the Y-12 National Security Complex along Scarboro Road.

The new fence will be relatively close to the road, an NNSA spokesman said. A field traditionally used for protests near the Y-12 sign at the entrance on Bear Creek Road would be behind the fence. The new fence would run along Scarboro Road from Bear Creek Road to New Hope Road, and it would also enclose New Hope Center, which is often used for public events.

The new fence, which would run along the U.S. government property line, is expected to be in place by April 4, the NNSA said.

“Events of the past several months have shown that there is a greater threat of trespassing on the site, and the costs for responding to this threat are increasing,” the NNSA said in a Thursday afternoon press release. ”Y-12 is taking conservative and appropriate measures to make such illegal actions more difficult.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: National Nuclear Security Administration, Special Sections, Top Stories, Y-12 National Security Complex, Y-12 Security Breach Tagged With: B&W Y-12, boundary fence, fence, July 28 security breach, National Nuclear Security Administration, New Hope Center, NNSA, Scarboro Road, trespassing, Y-12 National Security Complex

Sequester scenarios: Y-12 officials no longer expect furloughs

March 25, 2013 By John Huotari 1 Comment

Earlier scenarios had called for possible furloughs at the Y-12 National Security Complex in response to automatic federal budget cuts that went into effect March 1—the so-called sequester—but plant officials said they no longer expect the temporary layoffs.

However, B&W Y-12, the plant’s managing and operating contractor, said it is implementing spending reductions, including in summer intern and educational assistance programs. The company is deferring employee award benefits for services, performance, and special recognition; and suspending upgrades to personal computers, wireless projects, and the information technology infrastructure. In addition, some discretionary travel, professional development training, and materials and supplies purchases will be significantly reduced, B&W Y-12 said in a statement. [Read more...]

Filed Under: National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: B&W Y-12, Budget Control Act of 2011, federal budget cuts, layoffs, National Nuclear Security Administration, sequester, Y-12 National Security Complex

After 13 years guarding federal facilities, WSI leaves Oak Ridge

March 25, 2013 By John Huotari 2 Comments

Friday was the last day for many employees at security company WSI Oak Ridge, which lost its contracts to protect federal facilities after the July 28 security breach at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

After 13 years of protecting federal facilities, WSI Oak Ridge has left the Secret City.

Friday was the last day for many employees at WSI, and the contract ended Sunday, spokeswoman Courtney Henry said.

Formerly known as Wackenhut Services Inc., the company once provided up to 1,000 security police officers and support staff at federal facilities that included East Tennessee Technology Park, the Joe L. Evins Federal Building, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Y-12 National Security Complex.

But WSI lost its contract to guard Y-12, a National Nuclear Security Administration site, after the July 28 security breach, and it did not win a separate contract to protect local U.S. Department of Energy sites, including ETTP, ORNL, the Federal Building, and the rest of the Oak Ridge Reservation. That contract was awarded to National Strategic Protective Services LLC, or NSPS. [Read more...]

Filed Under: East Tennessee Technology Park, National Nuclear Security Administration, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Office, Office of Scientific and Technical Information, Special Sections, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex, Y-12 Security Breach Tagged With: B&W Y-12, Courtney Henry, DOE, East Tennessee Technology Park, ETTP, G4S Government Solutions, Joe L. Evins Federal Building, National Nuclear Security Administration, National Strategic Protective Services LLC, NNSA, NSPS, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, protective force contract, security breach, security police officers, Steve Hafner, U.S. Department of Energy, Wackenhut Services Inc., WSI, WSI Oak Ridge, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 Construction team honored for safety milestones

March 13, 2013 By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Tom Morris, B&W Y-12 vice president of projects, presents construction safety awards to Monica Lewis, Y-12 craft safety lead representative, and Kevin Adkisson, Knoxville Building and Construction Trades Council president.
(Submitted photos)

A B&W Y-12 construction team was recently honored for two major safety achievements: working more than one million hours without a lost-time accident and having no recordable injuries in 2012, a press release said.

The B&W Y‑12 Direct-Hire Construction team achieved the one-million-hour milestone in June 2012. By January 2013, the team had reached 1.4 million hours (more than 800 days) without a lost-time accident, the press release said. The team’s last lost workday occurred in September 2010.

Jim Haynes, B&W Y-12 senior vice president and deputy general manager for projects, called it “a superb accomplishment.