This is a special notice of intent to award a contract extension on a sole source basis in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements" to Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Pantex, LLC for the management and operation of Pantex Plant (PX) for a one-year base period, October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011. This contract extension is necessary while actions are completed for the follow-on competition resulting in a single contract award for the management of the Y-12 National Security Complex and the PX with an option for the phase-in of Tritium Operations performed at the Savannah River Site (DE-SOL-0001458). This extension also includes two three-month options which may be exercised if needed. The primary mission of PX is the assembly and disassembly of nuclear weapons and the manufacture of High Explosives (HE) components. Additionally, PX is also responsible to evaluate, retrofit, and repair weapons in support of the life extension programs and provide critical data required to certify the safety and reliability of the enduring nuclear weapons stockpile. Also, PX has been designated as the center of excellence for the development, testing, and fabrication of high explosive components. Finally, PX is responsible for providing interim storage and surveillance of plutonium pits. The current contract may be viewed at the following web site: http://www.doeal.gov/mocd/indext.aspx. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 561210. The extension is being sought to minimize any impacts to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Pantex mission while NNSA completes its follow-on competition. The critical aspects of assembly and disassembly will be a significant challenge to a stable, high performing contractor. Changing to a new contractor during this time would be disruptive and could possibly cause critical nuclear and non-nuclear production requirements to be missed and would impact deliverables to the Department of Defense that are vital to the nation's security. In addition, any disruption would severely impact PX's ability to support the life extension programs, provide critical data required to certify the safety and reliability of the enduring nuclear weapons stockpile, and to meet dismantlement commitments to Congress and the President. Further, uninterrupted continuity of performance is essential in the development, testing, and fabrication of high explosive components and interim storage and surveillance of plutonium pits. PX is also undergoing a transformation that will continue beyond the current 10-year maximum term of the contract (2010) to include: becoming the NNSA Center of Excellence for HE Pressing and Evaluation; significant reduction of PX footprint; aggressive evaluation of use of renewable energy resources (i.e. wind, solar); and the transfer of weapon component evaluation from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to PX. Several of these activities are very complex in nature and continuity is essential. This special notice of intent to award a contract extension on a sole source basis is neither a request for proposal nor a solicitation for offers. No contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice. All inquiries must be addressed in writing to NNSA Pantex Site Office, Attn: Sebastian Klein, PO Box 30030, Amarillo, TX 79120, or e-mail to
[email protected]. Responses to this notice must be submitted in writing no later than July 8, 2010, 4:00 pm Mountain Time. Interested sources may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. Response to this notice is not required.