Pre-Solicitation Conference for GWSB construction contract

The Department of Energy (DOE) Savannah River Operations Office (SR) is holding a pre-solicitation conference on May 22, 2003 in Augusta, GA to discuss the construction procurement for a Glass Waste Storage Building (GWSB). The purpose of the pre-solicitation conference is to provide potential offerors information on DOE?s proposed approach for procuring a construction contractor and for DOE to better understand industry concerns and issues. Information learned during this meeting will be considered in the development of the Request for Proposals. The pre-solicitation conference will be held at the Partridge Inn in Augusta, GA from 8:30 ? 12:00 followed by a tour of SRS from 1:00 ? 4:30. SR plans to set aside the procurement for small businesses in accordance with FAR 19.5. This acquisition is classified as North American Industry Classification (NAIC) #237990, Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction. The size standard under this NAIC is $28.5 million. Although the procurement will be set aside for small businesses, the successful firm may choose to subcontract up to 85% of the work. Therefore, firms interested in subcontracting opportunities are also encouraged to attend the pre-solicitation conference. The anticipated construction contract is in support of the DOE Environmental Management mission. High Level Waste (HLW) is currently stored in tank farms at the Savannah River Site (SRS). The Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) vitrifies the HLW, and seals it in stainless steel canisters. The canisters are then transported to the GWSB for interim storage until it can be permanently transferred to the Federal repository. The first GWSB is nearing capacity and a second GWSB is required to continue to meet DWPF?s storage requirements. The second GWSB will be a below-grade structure with a footprint of approximately 210? X 210?. It will consist of four vaults and store capacity of 2,340 canisters. The vault walls support the grade level floor. The floor must support the weight of the 235,000-pound Shielded Canister Transport (SCT) and large plugs that provide radiological shielding of the canisters. The SCT removes the plugs, inserts the canisters through the openings in the floor, and replaces the plugs. Each canister is expected to radiate 5,000 rem per hour and can generate 1,000 watts of heat that must be removed by a ventilation system. An above grade superstructure spans the entire width and length of the storage facility with no supporting columns except around the perimeter. This structure protects the vaults from adverse weather. The GWSB vaults and canister supports must be constructed to meet DOE nuclear design ?safety class? requirements. This is necessary to protect the public, the environment, and facility workers from unacceptable radiation exposure in the event of structurally significant natural phenomena such as tornadoes, earthquakes, etc. The above grade superstructure is not a safety-related structure. Among the items that will be discussed at the pre-solicitation conference are: Project overview, Procurement approach and schedule, Bonding requirements, Funding profiles, Working capital and cash flow, Construction schedule, and Labor issues. Attendees will also be given a tour of the GWSB #1 and the proposed site of GWSB #2. Attendance at the pre-solicitation conference is not mandatory. Companies not attending may request copies of the material presented and will remain eligible to receive the RFP and submit proposals. This is NOT a Request For Proposals. Potential offerors interested in attending this pre-solicitation conference must submit the following information no later than COB May 16, 2003: 1) Full name of attendee(s); 2) Company represented and address; 3) Social Security number, and 4) citizenship. Please note that due to security requirements, only U.S. citizens will be allowed to participate in the SRS tour. Space is limited. Companies are asked to limit participation to 2-3 representatives. Responses should be submitted electronically to contact@example.gov or faxed to +1 (555) 000-0000, ATTN: Donna Anderson.