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AECL Issuing a Request for Pre-Qualification as part of the Competitive Procurement Process to Renew the Contract for the Management of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

AECL Issuing a Request for Pre-Qualification as part of the Competitive Procurement Process to Renew the Contract for the Management of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), a Canadian federal Crown corporation responsible to drive nuclear innovation for Canada, issued a Request for Pre-Qualification as part of the competitive procurement process to renew the contract to manage Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.

This follows a briefing for interested bidders and site tour that took place on March 23, 2023.

As part of the Request for Pre-Qualification, interested bidders will be asked to demonstrate that they meet mandatory technical criteria, financial capability requirements, security requirements, and integrity criteria.

Qualified Respondents will be able to participate in detailed consultations and provide feedback on the draft Request for Proposal and draft contract.

In the coming months, AECL will also be engaging with local communities and Indigenous communities and Nations to gather input that could help inform contractual requirements.

It is expected that the scope of work under this procurement will include the management of all AECL’s sites and assets, including the Chalk River Laboratories and other satellite sites and associated responsibilities. Of particular importance will be the advancement of AECL’s nuclear science & technology, research, and innovation agendas in order to position the Chalk River Laboratories to use its 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.

For more information, 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.

AECL to Launch a Competitive Procurement Process and invites interested Bidders to Briefing

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.

AECL and CNL sign MOUs with Ontario Tech University and McMaster University to build research collaboration

AECL and CNL sign MOUs with Ontario Tech University and McMaster University to build research collaboration

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with Ontario Tech University and McMaster University that will advance collaborative research in health and environmental sciences, clean energy, and nuclear safety. This follows another MOU signed earlier this fall with the University of Ottawa and, together, create a strong framework for AECL and CNL to build closer and consistent relationships with Canada’s academic institutions.

These agreements will promote knowledge mobilization and spur innovation and the development of intellectual property. The MOUs will encourage academic institutions to work alongside AECL and CNL to conduct joint research programs, create the conditions to train a highly qualified workforce, and share access to specialized infrastructure.

Together, AECL, CNL and McMaster operate some of the most unique and advanced nuclear facilities and research laboratories, not just in Canada, but around the world. The McMaster Nuclear Reactor, which is used to conduct research and produce medical isotopes, is considered the most powerful research reactor at any Canadian university. Meanwhile, the Chalk River Laboratories, which is managed by CNL on behalf of AECL, is home to a wide range of advanced nuclear research facilities that enable nuclear fuel development and testing, biological research, analytical chemistry, thermalhydraulics and mechanical testing. AECL, CNL and McMaster University share a long history working together to advance Canadian nuclear science and technology, which laid the groundwork for this MOU.

Ontario Tech University is the only Canadian university with an accredited Nuclear Engineering undergraduate program, which is the third largest in North America. The university plays a critical role in training the next generation of nuclear scientists, engineers and operators. Together, the organizations will explore opportunities to develop undergraduate and graduate learning experiences in the form of co-op and internship placements; encourage mentorship and networking programs for students; establish employment mechanisms for graduates and alumni; and facilitate the development of research chairs and research teams.

Quotes:

“AECL is proud to announce these partnerships with Ontario Tech University and McMaster University,” says Dr. Amy Gottschling, AECL’s Vice President, Science, Technology & Commercial Oversight. “This is an exciting opportunity which helps fulfil our mandate at AECL – to enable nuclear science and technology in a strategic way with strong academic partners.”

“CNL has made it an organizational priority to work closer with Canada’s academic community,” said Dr. Jeff Griffin, CNL’s Vice-President of Science and Technology. “Working in partnership with Ontario Tech University and McMaster University allows us to pool our financial resources, accelerate early-stage research, facilitate the transfer of knowledge, and work together to address the needs of the nuclear industry and the federal government.”

“Ontario Tech University is excited to enter this agreement with both AECL and CNL in strategic areas that include small modular reactors, hydrogen, and integrated energy systems,” said Dr. Les Jacobs, Vice-President of Research and Innovation at Ontario Tech University. “Through our strong history of energy and nuclear research expertise and programming, Ontario Tech plays a unique energy industry role as a developer of future talent and business solutions creator.”