RICHLAND The contract to monitor the health of workers at the Hanford nuclear reservation will be rebid, the U.S. Department of Energy said Friday.
The non-profit Hanford Environmental Health Foundation has monitored the health of workers at the nation's most polluted nuclear weapons site for 30 years.
Putting the contract up for bid does not mean the DOE is dissatisfied with the work, Hanford Manager John Wagoner said.
But the new contract will be performance-based, meaning the contractor will earn fees based on the quality of work. Such contracts are an outgrowth of the Clinton administration's efforts to reform government operations.
"Clearly the trend across the DOE complex favors competition," said Wagoner. "This is a way for us to re-examine our needs and look closely at the taxpayer dollars we're spending."
The foundation received an "outstanding" rating from DOE in its last two evaluation periods, Wagoner noted.
The foundation has been the only bidder for the $13 million contract the last two times it was bid, DOE spokesman Guy Schein said. The foundation is expected to bid again, and it is unclear if others will bid, he said.
This spring, the DOE will prepare a request for proposals for the new contract.
The foundation was awarded an 18-month extension and will continue its work until June 30, 1997.
The foundation monitors the health of Hanford workers, including those exposed to radioactive and other hazardous materials. The foundation monitors radiation exposures and keeps extensive records on all workers at the 560-square-mile site.