Associated Press
LOS ALAMOS — Lockheed Martin Corp. and the University of Texas System have signed a formal agreement for their bid to manage Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The contract to run the nuclear weapons lab for the federal government has been held by the University of California since the lab's inception in 1943. But a series of security and fiscal lapses prompted the U.S. Department of Energy to put the contract out to bid.
UC intends to compete to keep the contract and has teamed up with Bechtel Corp., Washington Group International and BWX Technologies Inc. for a bid.
The University of California's contract was to have expired Sept. 30, but it was given a contract extension to May 31 to allow the government more time to chose a manager.
Lockheed Martin and the Texas system have other partners in their bid: Denver-based engineering and consulting firm CH2M Hill and Fluor Corp., a construction and engineering company based in Aliso Viejo, Calif. Lockheed Martin announced those members last month, but Wednesday's action formalizes the deal.
Bids are due to the DOE by July 1. A decision is expected by Dec. 1.
The head of Lockheed Martin's team, former Sandia National Laboratories president Paul Robinson, called the team "a best of the best.''
"This whole team we've assembled brings an enormous wealth of experience on how to operate a laboratory, and I believe that is what is called for,'' he said. "You can't make up your actions as you go along.''
The chancellor of the UT System, Mark Yudof, said the agreement "represents an opportunity for Los Alamos National Laboratory to return to a position of unquestioned technical pre-eminence among our national laboratories.''
Los Alamos lab, with about 8,000 UC employees and 3,000 contract workers, is one of the nation's three chief installations responsible for maintaining the nation's nuclear arsenal.
The impact of a potential new manager on employee benefits and pensions has been a large part of the debate.
Los Alamos employees have until May 31 to decide whether to stay with the lab under a potential new contractor and roll existing benefits into a new plan; retire with the possibility of seeking employment from the next contractor; or freeze their UC benefits and roll vacation time and sick leave into the new plan.
Robinson, who would become head of the lab if his team wins, was in Los Alamos on Tuesday meeting with civic groups and community colleges in the area. He said that if Lockheed Martin wins the contract, it intends to be a partner with residents in communities throughout northern New Mexico.
"Sooner or later, you will need community support,'' he said.
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