Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), a Canadian federal Crown corporation responsible to drive nuclear innovation for Canada, will be launching a competitive procurement process to renew the contract to manage Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories has been managed since September of 2015 by Canadian National Energy Alliance, a consortium made up of three partner companies – SNC-Lavalin, Jacobs Engineering and Fluor Federal Services – under a contract that will expire in September of 2025.
A competitive process to continue the management of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories beyond that date will be launched this spring with the issuance of a Request for Pre-Qualification.
“AECL anticipates strong interest from industry resulting in a robust competition that will bring best value to Canada,” said Fred Dermarkar, AECL President and CEO. “AECL will be looking for a contractor with extensive experience in advancing nuclear science & technology, research and innovation, the management of nuclear laboratories, decommissioning and radioactive waste management, the delivery of large capital projects, and who can engage with stakeholders and Indigenous communities in the spirit of healing, reconciliation and collaboration”.
It is expected that the scope of work under this procurement will include the management of all of AECL’s sites and assets, including the Chalk River Laboratories and other satellite sites and associated responsibilities. Of particular importance will be to further advance AECL’s nuclear science & technology, research and innovation agenda in order to position the Chalk River Laboratories to leverage their capabilities to address the priorities of Canada, including climate change.
This procurement process will not affect ongoing work, projects and priorities of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. Canadian Nuclear Laboratories itself is not changing and continues to be responsible for operating AECL’s sites and assets.
In the coming months, AECL will issue a Request for Pre-Qualification and engage with local communities and Indigenous communities and Nations on its plans in order to gather input and help inform contractual requirements.
Briefing and Site Tour
To inform potential bidders of the scope of the contract and procurement process, AECL is conducting a briefing session and site tour of the Chalk River Laboratories which will take place on March 23, 2023.
For more information on the tour, including how to register, please visit www.aecl.ca/about-aecl/goco-contract-renewal.
About AECL
AECL drives nuclear innovation to deliver clean energy technologies and improve the quality of life of Canadians while caring for the land.
As a federal Crown corporation, AECL’s mandate is to enable nuclear science and technology, derive optimal value for Canada from AECL’s CANDU intellectual property and to protect the environment by fulfilling the Government of Canada’s radioactive waste and decommissioning responsibilities.
AECL delivers its mandate through a Government-owned, Contractor-operated model, whereby a private-sector organization, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, is responsible for managing and operating AECL’s sites.
Under the Government-owned, Contractor-operated model, AECL owns the sites, facilities, assets, intellectual property and responsibility for nuclear science and technology, environmental remediation and radioactive waste management. Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the sites.