UT, Texas A&M forge alliance to join team bidding on Y-12, Pantex contract
Big news came out yesterday about a partnership involving two university systems in the Southeastern Conference.
Top leaders of Texas A&M University and the University of Tennessee (UT) announced a strategic alliance Thursday that will facilitate joining a team to compete for the management-and-operations contract of the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, TX.
According to yesterday’s news release, “Both university systems bring extensive experience in understanding the missions of these plants and experience in working with the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which oversee Y-12 and Pantex. The Texas A&M System is part of Triad National Security, which has managed Los Alamos National Laboratory since 2018. The University of Tennessee System is a member of UT-Battelle, management contractor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory since 2000.
Additionally, West Texas A&M University and UT, Knoxville have been significant workforce development resources for Pantex and Y-12, respectively, and their roles would expand under this alliance.
“Partnering with Texas A&M to explore ways in which our university systems can further serve the U.S. Department of Energy at Y-12 and Pantex is a no-brainer,” UT System President Randy Boyd said. “Both institutions bring experience in M&O contracting, broad workforce and talent development programs, and a commitment to serve our students, states and the nation.”
NNSA released a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) two weeks ago for the management contract of Pantex and Y-12.
