NNSA is working on ways to improve its current contracting structure for the nuclear weapons complex, particularly at its production plants. NNSA officially posted a request for information (RFI) in September 2007, seeking input and comments from the contracting community and other interested parties.

Currently, NNSA oversees each of its eight nuclear weapons complex sites through eight different, separate management and operating contracts. NNSA is evaluating alternatives to this current contracting model and is seeking to identify a contract arrangement - especially at its Kansas City Plant, Y-12 National Security Complex and Pantex Plant, all of whose contracts expire in 2010 - that will help to improve performance, reduce cost and stimulate interest and competition within the contracting community.

In January 2008, NNSA released a second RFI which requested additional input on ways to improve its current contracting structure and identified nine potential contract options based on the responses received to the first RFI.  The second RFI again invited written comments, but also invited respondents to request one-on-one meetings with NNSA to discuss the potential options and address their perceived benefits and drawbacks in advancing NNSA's objectives. NNSA also sought input on whether the options would stimulate a robust competition for future contract awards. Based on the results of these discussions NNSA will develop its contracting strategy.

For more information, NNSA has established a website at www.doeal.gov/mocontracts/.