WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), in conjunction with the United States Navy, announced today that Bechtel Marine Propulsion has been selected to be the management and operating contractor for the Bettis and KAPL laboratories in Pittsburgh, PA, and Schenectady, NY.

    Bechtel Marine Propulsion is a single-purpose entity dedicated to the management and operation of the Bettis and KAPL laboratories for the Naval Reactors Program and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bechtel National Incorporated.

    For more than 50 years, the Bettis and KAPL laboratories have been developing advanced naval nuclear propulsion technology and providing technical support to ensure the safe and reliable operation of our nation's submarine and aircraft carrier fleets. The laboratories are solely dedicated to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, which is a joint Navy-DOE program responsible for the research, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of U.S. nuclear-powered warships.

    This full and open competition consolidated two separate management and operating contracts into a single contract. While management and operations responsibilities have been consolidated under a single contract, the two laboratories will continue to operate with complete technical independence.

    The solicitation required a transition of the entire incumbent workforce at their current pay and benefits levels and will not result in a reduction in force. Operations will continue at both sites.

    Activities to transfer the management and operations of the Bettis and KAPL sites to the new contractor begin today. Bechtel Marine Propulsion will begin operations as the new management and operating contractor on February 1, 2009, at the conclusion of the planned transition period. The basic term of the contract is 5 years with an option for an additional 5 years.

    Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous 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