$5 billion contract awarded to manage and operate Nevada National Security Site

The largest supplier of jobs in the county is set to be run under new management.

A potential $5 billion contract was awarded to Nevada Site Science Support and Technologies Corporation (NVS3T) to oversee the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), formerly known as the Nevada Test Site.

The National Security Administration announced the transaction Friday, in which the current company contracted to manage and operate (M&O) NNSS, National Security Technologies LLC’s contract will be extended four months beyond its original Sept. 30 expiration date to ensure a smooth transfer of responsibilities, while providing stability for the workforce under contract at this time.

NVS3T is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Integrated Technology. Fluor Federal Services, Inc. and Longnecker and Associates, Inc. will aid NVS3T in the fulfillment of the contract.

After a thorough and open competition for the follow-up on the NNSS contract, the new contract was awarded to NVS3T because its proposal was deemed the best value to the government.

“The NNSS M&O contract generated an unprecedented level of interest from industry. Robust competition ensures that NNSA attracts world-class talent from the commercial sector in managing and operating NNSS,” said Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz (ret.), undersecretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA administrator. “The response to the competition also demonstrated that the improvements made to streamline NNSA’s acquisitions process are making a difference.”

The $5 billion awarded value is over 10 years and needs all options to be exercised to reach the maximum amount.

NNSS is a 1,360-square-mile experimental testing facility and training ground supporting an array of nuclear nonproliferation and advanced-technology missions vital to national security.

NNSS contributes to the safety, reliability and security of the nuclear weapons stockpile through scientific experiments supporting the science-based Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP). NNSS also provides radiological/nuclear emergency response capabilities and training and as a former nuclear test site, also serves as a major center for research and development advancing international nuclear monitoring and verification capabilities.

Nye County Planning Director Darrell Lacy explained the importance of NNSS and said the site has worked well with Nye County.

“The majority of the employees at the NNSS are employed by the M&O contractor, so they are the largest employer in Nye County with almost 2,000 employees,” Lacy said. “They occupy many buildings and as such they are a large taxpayer.

“Nye County has always maintained a good working relationship with NSTEC, the outgoing M&O contractor. This announcement is new and we don’t know the full impact on management and employees but we will be looking forward to meeting the new management team and will invite them to give a presentation at a county commission meeting in the near future.

Contact reporter Mick Akers at makers@pvtimes.com. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.