Department of Energy selects Battelle Savannah River Alliance for $3.8 billion contract to manage Savannah River National Laboratory with UofSC, other SC colleges
Posted on: December 22, 2020; Updated on: December 22, 2020
By Jeff Stensland, stenslan@mailbox.sc.edu
The Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BRSA) Team was selected by the Department of Energy to manage one of the country’s premier environmental, energy, and national security research facilities—the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL).
As part of the Alliance, the University of South Carolina will engage in critical workforce development activities from technical education to cutting-edge doctoral research. In addition, UofSC will recruit several faculty members who will have joint appointments with SRNL to pursue research in areas such as nuclear energy security.
Employing approximately 1,000 staff, SRNL conducts research and development for diverse federal agencies, providing practical, cost-effective solutions for the nation’s environmental, nuclear security, energy and manufacturing challenges. As the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Environmental Management Laboratory, SRNL provides strategic scientific and technological support for the nation’s $6 billion per year waste clean-up program.
BSRA is led by and wholly owned by Battelle, one of DOE’s leading laboratory management contractors. The BSRA Team includes five universities from the region—UofSC, Clemson University, Georgia Institute of Technology, South Carolina State University, University of Georgia—as well as small business partners, Longenecker & Associates and TechSource.
“The University of South Carolina is honored to be a part of this unique collaborative,” said UofSC President Bob Caslen. “Researchers and students on our Columbia and Aiken campuses are excited to engage with Battelle and our partner universities as we seek to make the Savannah River National Laboratory a source of great scientific discovery and industrial innovation for many years come.”
“This is a historic day for Clemson University and our partner universities,” said Clemson University President James P. Clements. “We are eager to build upon our relationships at the Savannah River National Laboratory, which will allow us to unlock unique new research and education opportunities for Clemson faculty and students while serving the state. I’d like to thank Battelle for its leadership and congratulate the entire team on the exciting pursuits to come.”
SC State University president James E. Clark said, “I would like the thank Battelle for this awesome opportunity; making this the first time a HBCU will be a key partner with the Savannah River National Laboratory. This relationship epitomizes our strategic undertaking of ‘transformation through collaboration’ and will transform the lives of individuals, bolster the economies of our communities and this state, as well as enhance the security of our nation.”
The contract includes a five-year base with five one-year options. The estimated value of the contract is $3.8 billion over the course of 10 years if all options are exercised.
“We are honored by DOE’s decision to award the Savannah River National Laboratory management and operations contract to our team,” said Battelle President and CEO Lou Von Thaer. “We have the lab management experience to make a difference and we’re committed to ensuring the success of this important national resource.”
“We’re honored and excited to have this opportunity,” said Ron Townsend, Battelle’s Executive Vice President for Global Laboratory Operations. “BSRA’s approach will ensure the delivery of high-impact science, technology and engineering solutions into the future through a significant expansion of SRNL’s core competencies. Our team offers an exciting, compelling vision for the future of SRNL and provides DOE a leadership team that will deliver with excellence.”
Battelle currently has a management role at seven DOE national labs including Pacific Northwest National Lab, Brookhaven National Lab, Oak Ridge National Lab, National Renewable Energy Lab, Idaho National Lab, Los Alamos National Lab and Lawrence Livermore National Lab. It also operates the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center for the Department of Homeland Security.
About Battelle
Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org, or contact Katy Delaney at (614) 424-7208 or delaneyk@battelle.org.
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