[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