Doing Business

Inventors (and their bright ideas) receive awards.

Y‑12 expertise, initially developed for highly specialized national security purposes, now represents an invaluable resource available to agencies and businesses beyond Y‑12. Through a variety of contractual mechanisms such as Complementary Work for Others and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, Y‑12 does business with an exciting diversity of partners: commercial companies, colleges and universities, local and state governments, federal agencies, and foreign governments.

Avenues for working with us include:

• Partnerships — Many unique and highly specialized products and services not available in the private sector can be obtained through a partnering arrangement with one of our Y‑12 organizations. Partners working with us include universities and colleges, private-sector industries, the Nuclear Security Enterprise and national laboratories, and regional organizations such as the East Tennessee Nanotechnology Initiative. Y‑12 contact: Tom Berg (865.574.0907).
• Socioeconomic Programs — Y‑12 purchases a diverse range of goods and services providing opportunities for small, small disadvantaged, and woman-owned businesses, and minority institutions. Our Socioeconomic Programs Office and Procurement staff can help identify procurement and mentoring opportunities. Y‑12 contact: Lisa Copeland (865.576.2090).
• Technologies — Under the National Competitiveness Technology Transfer Act of 1989, Y‑12 is authorized to enter into technology transfer agreements with industry; much of the unclassified technology created at Y‑12 is available for commercial product development through patent and copyright licensing. Y‑12 contacts: For additional information, contact Office of Technology Commercialization and Partnerships toll-free [855-545-TECH (8324)].
• Y‑12/UT Collaborations — Y‑12 is expanding existing business collaborations and identifying new partnering opportunities with the University of Tennessee. Y‑12 contact: For additional information, contact Debbie Reed (865.241.8358).

Need Accounts Payable, Procurement, or Property Sales information?

• Accounts Payable — Services include authorization of payments to vendors and other third parties and provision of cost and commitment data to the SAP system. An especially useful service is the automated Vendor Account Status System (VASS), which provides vendors and other customers with status updates on payment activity. Y‑12 contact: Sharon Eason (865.574.1934).
• Procurement — Y‑12 operations involve the procurement of a wide range of products and services, offering diverse opportunities for individuals and organizations interested in providing acquired items and assistance. Y‑12 contact: Bill Thornton (865.241.3581).
• Property Sales — Because the Y‑12 Complex is managed for the National Nuclear Security Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Energy, use of government property is essential for us to effectively achieve our missions. When items are excess to Y‑12's needs, and after all other steps in the excess cycle have been completed, items are offered for sale to the general public. Innovative sales approaches and advertising media are used to assist in dispositioning our excess property. Y‑12 contacts: J.D. Huddleston (865.576.1451).

The Y‑12 Business Operations Calendar is an important resource for our partners, customers and vendors.