URS-Led Team to Manage Sellafield UK Nuclear Complex

URS Corporation announced that an international team led by the company’s Washington Division has entered into a contractual arrangement with the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to become the new Parent Body Organization (PBO) responsible for the management and operations of the Sellafield sites in North West England. The consortium will manage a scope of work with a maximum annual value of approximately £1.3 billion, or approximately $2 billion, under a five-year base contract, with an option to extend the contract periodically for a total of 17 years. The contract also includes an associated fee of approximately £50 million, or approximately $75 million, per year, subject to achievement of a specified level of improved performance and efficiency of the Sellafield operations.

The consortium, Nuclear Management Partners, Ltd. (NMP), includes URS’ Washington Division, AREVA and AMEC plc. At the Sellafield sites, NMP will be responsible for management and operation services, including commercial operations, waste management, support services, decontamination and decommissioning and new construction projects. Sellafield is one of the largest and most complex nuclear sites in the United Kingdom, storing and treating nuclear waste from both the UK’s military and civil nuclear programs.

Martin M. Koffel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of URS commented: “We are very pleased to have finalized this contract with the NDA. This is a significant project for URS, and one which underscores our proven capabilities and leadership position in the nuclear power market. We look forward to utilizing our deep expertise and working with our consortium partners to safely and efficiently transition into the long-term management of operations and decommissioning work at the Sellafield sites.”

Under the contract, the consortium will manage and operate, on behalf of the NDA, the reprocessing and waste storage facilities at Sellafield, the former nuclear power stations Calder Hall and Windscale (all in West Cumbria), the Capenhurst nuclear site and an Engineering Design Center at Risley in Cheshire.