Nonprofit enlists UW, WSU to join in bidding to operate research lab

YAKIMA — Battelle Memorial Institute, a nonprofit that has operated the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory since its inception in 1965, plans to team up with Washington's two leading universities in bidding for the new operating contract.

Since the U.S. Department of Energy announced last year that it would open up the contract for bids, Battelle officials have maintained their intentions to compete for the contract to operate the laboratory, located in Richland.

Battelle announced Friday it will partner in the bid with the University of Washington, Washington State University and Babcock and Wilcox Technical Services Group Inc., an engineering company formerly known as BWXT Services Inc.

The arrangement will "greatly expand opportunities to collaborate on joint-research programs as well as further build staff and faculty exchanges," Battelle President and CEO Carl Kohrt said in a statement.

John Gardner, WSU's vice president for economic development and extension, said a successful bid would enhance the research and education opportunities throughout the state.

UW officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Babcock and Wilcox will work with Battelle to manage high-hazard facilities and operations.

The laboratory has an annual budget of more than $725 million. Its research areas include science and environment, energy, defense and national security.

Nearly 60 percent of the laboratory's research is for the Energy Department, with about 25 percent for the departments of Homeland Security and Defense. Private work accounts for about 10 percent of the laboratory's business.

Battelle, based in Columbus, Ohio, has operated the laboratory under a series of extended contracts since 1965.

The Energy Department's decision to put the lab contract out for bid for the first time in more than 40 years came after the laboratory was criticized for a high-profile research error involving cleanup of the highly contaminated Hanford nuclear reservation. Energy Department officials said the decision to seek bids was a prudent management decision not related to performance, and Battelle officials have said the problems have since been corrected.