WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking comments on a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for the competitive selection of a management and operating (M&O) contractor for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), a major DOE Office of Science research facility located in Berkeley, California.
LBNL is a multi-program laboratory, funded at approximately $469 million annually by the Office of Science, other DOE programs, and other government agencies and private industry. The University of California has operated the laboratory since 1943 for DOE and its predecessors. The laboratory’s missions include basic science and technology development, with no classified programs or facilities. Areas of research include the physical sciences, computing sciences, energy sciences, biosciences, and other areas.
LBNL’s unique research facilities, which attract scientists from all over the world, include the Advanced Light Source, Biomedical Isotope Facility, National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center and the National Center for Electron Microscopy. The Molecular Foundry, a national nanoscience research center, is currently under construction and expected to go into full operation in 2006.
The draft RFP includes provisions to facilitate competition, encourage superior science, and achieve excellent management performance. For example:
- DOE will assume responsibility for entering into any necessary facility use arrangements with the University of California that might be required to assure continued access to the LBNL facilities and sites under a new contract.
- The contract includes “Award Term” provisions 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.
- To retain LBNL’s world-class scientists and other workers, the selected offeror will be required to pay the transitioning workforce pay and benefits comparable to those being provided to laboratory employees under the current contract.
The draft RFP describes the criteria DOE will use in selecting a successful future contractor. Key criteria include the potential contractor’s management approach to achieving excellence in both world-class scientific research and development, as well as in operations and business management; key personnel, including the proposed laboratory director; experience and past performance in both science and business management; and a strategy for fulfilling DOE’s mission for the laboratory.
The draft RFP will be publicly available at the Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) on the DOE e-Commerce web site: http://e-center.doe.gov. In addition, an information library regarding the solicitation is available on the DOE Office of Science web site at http://RFPLBNL.sc.doe.gov. Comments on the draft RFP, suggested changes to draft contract provisions, and questions should be submitted to the “Submit Questions” feature on IIPS by November 15, 2004. Responses to questions and other information about the draft RFP will also be posted to this site.
During the comment period, DOE will conduct a comment workshop in the Berkeley, CA, area. The specific workshop date and location will be posted on the IIPS web site listed above. DOE will consider all comments received, either via the website or at the workshop, in issuing the final RFP, expected in December 2004.
DOE also plans to hold a pre-proposal conference and site tour for prospective offerors shortly after issuance of the final RFP. Proposals are expected to be due to DOE 45 days after the RFP is issued. Proposals will be reviewed by a Source Evaluation Board of DOE technical and business experts.
The current contract with the University of California expires on January 31, 2005. A short extension of the current agreement past that date will be required.
Media contacts:
Joe Davis, 202/586-4940
Jeff Sherwood, 202/586-5806
