21 January 2009 - 7:23U.S Department of Energy Awards New Contract for its Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the award of a new contract to Princeton University for the management and operation of DOE’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) in New Jersey. The contract is a cost-plus, award-fee contract for five years, with an award term provision under which Princeton can earn up to five additional years of contract term. The base performance period of the contract will be from April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2014. A 60-day transition period will begin in January 2009. Based on current funding, the five-year base term of the contract is valued at approximately $390 million. Under the agreement, Princeton University can earn an award fee of up to $1.8 million each year.

DOE issued a Request for Proposals July 3, 2008 to solicit proposals from entities interested in managing and operating the Laboratory, with proposals due on September 8, 2008. After evaluation by the Office of Science’s Source Evaluation Board, the Source Selection Official selected Princeton University to receive the contract award.

PPPL is the nation’s leading laboratory for research in plasma physics and magnetic confinement fusion. Research at PPPL primarily involves innovative experiments that use powerful magnets to confine and control high temperature plasmas. These plasmas can yield fusion energy in a process similar to that powering the Sun and stars. Fusion power systems have the potential to produce abundant energy without producing long-lived nuclear wastes or air pollution.

Further information can be found from the Office of Science, the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, or PPPL.

Media contact(s):
Jeff Sherwood, (202) 586-5896
Brian Quirke, (630) 252-2423