The University of Georgia is a member of the Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BSRA), a consortium of universities and private firms that has been 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).
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 DOE’s Environmental Management Laboratory, SRNL provides strategic scientific and technological support for the nation’s $6 billion per year waste cleanup program.
UGA’s contribution to management of the Savannah River National Lab will draw on the expertise of faculty from across UGA’s 17 colleges and schools and will encourage the growth of STEM areas as proposed in the university’s strategic plan.
“The University of Georgia has a 70-year history with the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site through our embedded Savannah River Ecology Lab,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “We look forward to new and expanded collaborations with the Department of Energy, Savannah River National Lab and our Battelle Savannah River Alliance partners.”
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—UGA, Clemson University, Georgia Institute of Technology, South Carolina State University and University of South Carolina—as well as small business partners, Longenecker & Associates and TechSource.
Work performed under the new contract will include operations and maintenance of SRNL’s nuclear and non-nuclear facilities and DOE mission roles focused in the following areas:
- Environmental management
- National security
- Science discovery
- Energy security
- Legacy management
“This M&O contract will position SRNL to maximize its potential as a national laboratory to benefit the Department, the American scientific discovery and innovation ecosystem, the local communities near the lab, and the American taxpayer at large,” said DOE Undersecretary for Science Paul Dabbar.
“This is a unique opportunity for UGA to assist DOE with its quest to expand the mission and impact of SRNL, nationally and regionally,” said David Lee, UGA Vice President for Research. This important initiative is in keeping with our land-grant mission and will provide many opportunities for our students.”
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.”
