U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office (DOE-ID), Cost Support

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Walla Walla District (CENWW) was tasked with providing Cost Engineering Support to DOE-ID for Baseline Documentation as follow-on work to Project EM-Idaho Settlement Agreement Review (ISAR) in accordance with Task 701.3 (700B), Master IAG #DE-AI01-92EW10372. Specific activities performed by the Corps of Engineers during the period of September 22, 1998 through January 31, 1999 included providing cost engineering support and assisting in the development of life cycle planning (LCP) package templates for the Spent Nuclear Fuel and the Infrastructure Programs. These LCP package templates provide a uniform format for incorporation of baseline documentation throughout the DOE-ID complex, and promote track-ability among the LCP package scopes, cost estimates, and Dekker Trakker ® summary reports. Additional tasks included providing cost engineering expertise to assist the cost account managers in LCP package scope development and cost estimate development using the templates, preparing a lessons learned report and out-brief and providing project-scheduling expertise and assistance to assist DOE-ID management in the development of integrated program schedules. This was a combined partnering effort between Walla Walla, Galveston and Seattle Districts. Total funding for this task was $344K. This task was completed the 2^nd quarter of FY99.

Additionally, DOE-ID requested assistance for revising the Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) Dry Storage Project independent government cost estimate for the DOE, Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). NWW prepared an independent cost estimate and a value engineering study in 1998 for the Spent Nuclear Dry Storage Facilities. This task in July 1999, involved providing a revised MCACES cost estimate and associated Economic Model Analysis that incorporated the known differences between the draft and actual Request for Proposal (RFP). A revised MCACES cost estimate and associated Economic Model Analysis was completed that incorporated the alternative of having a Modular Vault Dry Storage facility instead of horizontal storage as fuel storage location. This work was completed beginning of 4^th quarter FY99 and total budget was $70K.

U.S. Department of Energy, Richland (DOE-RL), Locke Island Erosion Control

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Walla Walla District (NWW) was asked by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to evaluate and recommend alternative solutions to temporarily stabilize the east bank of Locke Island. This is a large island in the Columbia River that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and is know as the "Locke Island Archaeological District". NWW prepared a feasibility report providing recommended alternatives with consideration to stabilizing the bank in a manner that would protect existing cultural resources and minimize adverse impacts to fisheries, wildlife, and their habitat. This task was completed under budget for less than $59K. The project began in 4^th quarter FY98 and was completed in December 1998. Follow-on meetings were conducted with DOE, NWW and the Tribes and currently there is no plan or request for additional work on this project. This project as with all DOE-RL work represents a partnering effort between NWW and NWS.

U.S. Department of Energy, Richland (DOE-RL), Environmental Restoration Project

An Independent review of the Richland Environmental Restoration Project was conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District for the U.S. Department of Energy, Richland Operations (DOE-RL) Office of the Assistant Manager for Environmental Restoration (AME). The revised FY99 Environmental Restoration Project Baseline (ER Project Baseline) was reviewed. The review was a combination of Critical Analyses and Check Estimates. The basis of the review is the December 1998, Richland Environmental Restoration Project Baseline - Multi-Year Work Plan, Volumes 1 through 3, (DOE-RL-96-105, Rev. 2), and supporting estimates, including the Richland Environmental Restoration Project Fiscal Year 1999-2001 Detailed Work Plan (DWP), Volumes 1 through 7 (DOE-RL-97-44, Rev. 1). A Corps lead team consisted of both corps and private industry personnel. Walla Walla used a virtual team configuration with team members from Walla Walla, Galveston and Virginia. The team reviewed documents and estimates and completed a final report, which identified potential problem areas to be corrected. Total budget was $73K and there is a potential to do more of this kind of work in the future.

U.S. Department of Energy, Richland (DOE-RL), TWRS-P

The Corps of Engineers is providing support to the DOE-RL Regulatory Unit's oversight of the Hanford Tank Waste Remediation System Privatization (TWRS-P) Contractor. Under the privatization concept, DOE intends to purchase waste processing services from a contractor-owned, contractor-operated facility through a fixed-price contract. CENWW is providing mechanical, electrical and structural support to the Regulatory Unit by attending Contractor design review meetings, writing and reviewing reports from the meetings and participating in selected monthly topical meetings. NWW is also providing seismic technical support from our Waterways Experiment Station (WES) by participating in topical meetings and reviewing of associated seismic documents prepared by the TWRS-P Contractor. FY99 expenditures for this work was $128K with an estimated $200K for FY00.

U.S. Department of Energy, Richland (DOE-RL), TWRS Bridge Baseline

The Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District (CENWW) provided support to the DOE-RL Office of River Protection by performing a critical analysis of the Tank Waste Remediation System Out years Bridge Baseline Change Request (BCR). Eight (8) BCRs were reviewed ranging from project management support to immobilized tank waste storage and disposal. FY99 expenditures were $137K and included four (4) scope modifications.

U.S. Department of Energy, Richland (DOE-RL), Plutonium Finishing Plant (PFP) Integrated Project Management Plan Review

Walla Walla District (CENWW) was tasked to provide an independent review of the Assistant Manager for Facility Transition (AMF) Plutonium Finishing Plant (PFP) Baseline Documentation for the U. S. Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office (RL). Specifically, this support was to provide a thorough review of the Integrated Project Management Plan (IPMP), Basis of Estimate (BOE) and Resource Loaded Schedule (RLS). NWW provided a thorough review of the scope, schedule, and cost baseline, and provided DOE-RL with the findings the end of Jun 1999. The budget for this task was approximately $33K.

U.S. Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Juvenile Fish Facility PIT Tag System Modification

The Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has provided finding to Walla Walla District (CENWW) to modify electrical and communication systems in the District’s juvenile fish facilities to support BPA’s regional change to a new frequency PIT tag. Plans and specifications for this work was completed in FY99 with construction taking place the 1^st quarter of FY00. Total budget for this work is $694K.

Department of Transportation, Washington DOT, US12 Environmental Analysis

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WA DOT) asked the Corps to perform environmental compliance activities for their project to expand a 13-mile section of US Highway 12 from two to four lanes. The project area extends from the Snake River Bridge near Pasco, Washington east to the US12/US730 intersection at Wallula Junction, 29 miles west of Walla Walla, Washington. This section of US12 traverses the McNary National Wildlife Refuge and has many significant environmental features within the project area. NWW has conducted a public scoping meeting and is preparing an environmental assessment for the project under the Planning Assistance to States Authority with a 50/50 cost share agreement. The WA DOT is the local sponsor for the project. NWW completed most of the coordination and technical analyses in FY99 and is currently drafting the text for the EA. The funding breakdown is shown below.

FY99 FY2000

Federal funding: $150,000 $22,450

Sponsor funding: $150,000 $22,450

There is potential to team with WA DOT on additional environmental compliance work for other transportation projects in the District if they are satisfied with the results of this cooperative effort.

Department of Transportation, Washington DOT, US12 Route Design Study

NWW is performing a Preliminary Route Design Study for WS DOT’s project to expand a 13-mile section of US Highway 12 from two to four lanes. The project area extends from the Snake River Bridge near Pasco, Washington east to the US12/US730 intersection at Wallula Junction, 29 miles west of Walla Walla, Washington. This study will evaluate different alternative configurations for placing the expanded roadway relative to the existing right-of-way and develop conceptual designs and construction costs for the selected configuration. WA DOT is funding 100% of this effort under the Corps’ reimbursable work for others program. The total cost for the study is $179,000 and it is nearing completion at this time.

WA DOT is also pursuing an expansion to this effort to provide conceptual designs for interchanges within the project area. This would also be funded 100% by WA DOT, but an agreement on the cost has not been reached at this time.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Headquarters and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, conducted a joint review of the cost-estimating procedures related to level-of-effort (LOE) work assignments. The review team members consisted of Superfund Acquisition program staff and Walla Walla District cost engineers and environmental project managers. The review began at EPA Headquarters on July 27 and 28, 1998, and reviews of individual EPA Regions were conducted between October 5, 1998, and January 15, 1999. Data Summaries for each of the Region reviews were previously published and distributed to the Region and EPA Headquarters. The data summaries contained observations about each of the individual Regions, but did not present recommendations. A Comprehensive IGCE Review report was prepared by Walla Walla District on April 27, 1999 to provide an overall summary of the Regions, identifies tools and procedures that may be useful to all Regions, and recommends solutions to problems that were repeated from one Region to the next. The Comprehensive IGCE Review Report is anticipated to be finalized in November 1999. The budget for FY99 was $259K with an estimated budget of $300K for FY00. The Walla Walla District will continue to provide support to EPA during FY00 in the preparation of a consolidated guidance document for IGCE preparation and implementation of other recommendations made in the Comprehensive IGCE Review Report.

Nez Perce Tribe Dam Design

The Nez Perce Tribe requested the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, to prepare conceptual designs for an earth embankment and roller compacted concrete dam for two potential dam sites. Final report was issued in April 1999 and total sponsor funding was $75K. Potential may exist in follow on work and for construction estimated at $5.3M to $6M.

dennis.j.cannon@usace.army.mil