[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 6, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21876]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 6, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Albuquerque Operations Office; Noncompetitive Financial
Assistance Award to the State of Texas
AGENCY: Department of Energy, Albuquerque Operations Office.
ACTION: Notice of Noncompetitive Financial Assistance Award.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), Albuquerque Operations Office
(AL) in accordance with 10 CFR 600.7(b)(2), gives notice of its plans
for award of a cooperative agreement to the State of Texas, on a
noncompetitive basis, in support of the establishment and management of
a National Resource Center for Plutonium (the Center) to be located in
the Amarillo, Texas area. The Center is envisioned to be the source for
primarily plutonium-related information for the public and especially
for the State of Texas. The Center will support the collection, review
and interpretation of technical literature, sponsoring and coordinating
additional studies and research, engaging in the study of the
environmental effects of plutonium, high explosives and other nuclear
or hazardous materials generated from nuclear weapons dismantlement,
and characterization of local environmental transport and accumulation
of plutonium, and public outreach. It will not engage in physical,
chemical, or metallurgical studies of plutonium.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Juan Williams, Contract Specialist, U.S. Department of Energy,
Albuquerque Operations Office, Contracts and Procurement Division, P.O.
Box 5400, Albuquerque, NM 87185-5400. Telephone: (505) 845-5865.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Energy has determined that
restriction to the State of Texas is appropriate based on the following
information:
The participant, the State of Texas, is the unit of government
having the direct responsibility and appropriate jurisdiction to
protect the welfare, health and safety of its citizens. No other
entity, other than the Federal Government, has the direct
responsibility to protect the environment and the health, safety and
welfare of the citizens of the State of Texas. Therefore, DOE in the
public interest will make a noncompetitive financial assistance award
to the State of Texas. Further, due to the fact that (1) Texas has the
primary and direct responsibility for the health, welfare, and safety
of its citizens, and (2) the Pantex Plant, is conducting nuclear
weapons dismantlement, which is an activity within Texas' jurisdiction,
DOE is therefore precluded from providing support to another entity.
This award will be in the best interests of the Government and the
public and is considered vital and timely with respect to the
continuing mission of nuclear weapons dismantlement at Pantex.
Accordingly, based upon the above, the award of a cooperative
agreement to the State of Texas, on a noncompetitive basis,
appropriately satisfies the criteria specified in Paragraphs (C) and
(H) of 10 CFR 600.7(b)(2)(i). DOE has determined that: (1) The
applicant is a unit of government and the activity supported is related
to performance of a governmental function within the subject
jurisdiction; and, (2) such award is in the public interest.
This initiative was contained in the President's FY 95 amended
Congressional budget request and will be supported by Surplus Fissile
Materials Control and Disposition funds. The cooperative agreement will
be awarded for an initial period of five (5) years. At maturity, the
total annual budget is estimated to be approximately $10 million for
the Center. The cooperative agreement will be administered by the
Albuquerque Operations Office. This agreement will not become effective
for at least 14 days after publication of this notice to allow for
public comment.
Issued in Albuquerque, NM on August 24, 1994.
Richard A. Marquez,
Assistant Manager for Management and Administration, Albuquerque
Operations Office.
[FR Doc. 94-21876 Filed 9-2-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M
