WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced today that it has selected three small businesses to perform up to $700 million in nuclear nonproliferation work at border crossings, airports, and seaports around the world in support of NNSA’s Second Line of Defense program. The Second Line of Defense program works with partner countries to provide radiation detection systems in order to deter, detect and interdict illicit trafficking of special nuclear and other radiological materials.

“There is a great deal of important nonproliferation work to be done overseas to secure ports, borders and airports and we are eager to continue this effort,” said William Tobey, head of NNSA’s nonproliferation programs. “Working together with the private sector and in particular these three small business teams, NNSA will be able efficiently and effectively to accomplish our mission around the globe.”

NNSA received 10 timely proposals for the nonproliferation work in response to the October 2006 solicitation for proposals from small businesses. Of the proposals, it was determined that the following small businesses provided the best value to NNSA and have been selected for contract award: Ahtna Government Services Corporation located in West Sacramento, CA; Randolph Construction Services, Inc. located in Pasco, WA; and SES-TECH Global Solutions located in Bellevue, WA.

Known as the Design, Integration, Construction, Communication, and Engineering (DICCE) acquisition, the contractors will install sustainable radiation detection equipment (portal monitors and hand-held devices) and the necessary, accompanying communication systems in over 30 foreign countries at up to 270 international land border crossings, seaports and airports.

Each contract is for a three-year term with two, two-year options for a total of seven years. Issuance of individual task orders will enable deployment of nonproliferation detection equipment and systems that are robust, cost-effective, easy to use, configure and maintain, and most importantly will not disrupt operations at any point of entry.

NNSA’s Second Line of Defense program works collaboratively with foreign partners to equip border crossings, airports and seaports with radiation detection equipment and to provide training so that the host government can assume operational responsibility for the equipment. To date, the program has equipped over 160 sites.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a separately organized agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the United States and abroad.

Media contact(s):
NNSA Public Affairs (202) 586-7371