Oak Ridge, Tenn. – Senior officials from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) and URS | CH2M Oak Ridge, LLC (UCOR) met recently to renew their partnering agreement that clearly defines the working arrangement and expectations between the two organizations.

“Today’s signing is a reaffirmation of our commitment to maintain effective communication and collaboration,” said OREM Acting Manager Sue Cange. “We are extremely pleased with the partnership we have developed with UCOR since they arrived in Oak Ridge, and we want to continue this positive dynamic that has allowed us to successfully execute our scope.”

DOE and UCOR signed the original agreement in 2011, weeks prior to UCOR assuming environmental cleanup responsibilities on the Oak Ridge Reservation. UCOR is now entering the third of a five-year, $2.2 billion contract that also includes a four-year option period.

The agreement is part of an initiative launched across the DOE’s Environmental Management complex that significantly enhances communication and cooperation between contracting companies and the federal government.

The agreement emphasizes a collaborative approach to detect problems early and engage in a proactive resolution process that is performed at the lowest appropriate management level. The agreement also instructs DOE and UCOR to participate in periodic meetings to discuss progress, potential issues, and lessons learned.

UCOR’s contract includes cleanup of ETTP and EM missions such as facility surveillance and maintenance and various waste management operations at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 National Security Complex.