Energy Department extends contract for operator of Jefferson Lab

The Department of Energy announced Thursday that Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has approved a 12-month extension of the contract for Jefferson Science Associates to continue managing and operating the Jefferson Lab in Newport News.

Jefferson Science Associates is a limited liability company created by the Southeastern Universities Research Association. Its contract was initially set to expire May 31.

In February 2024, under President Joe Biden, the DOE initiated a competition for the selection of a management and operating contractor for the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, commonly known as Jefferson Lab, and issued requests for proposals in July 2024. According to an informational meeting presentation in March 2024, the Energy Department had hoped to award the contract earlier this month.

However, in February the DOE canceled its search for a new operator and manager of the facility, leading to questions about the federally funded lab’s future.

“The cancellation is necessary because key elements of the solicitation’s statement of work and evaluation criteria do not adequately reflect or align with the priorities of the current administration, as outlined in several executive orders issued by President Trump,” the notice read, without specifying which orders. Since taking office Jan. 20, the president has issued hundreds of executive orders, many of which roll back Biden’s priorities, including DEI and renewable energy initiatives.

The DOE previously indicated it hoped to rebid the contract, but provided few details as to when that might happen and if it would extend Jefferson Science Associates’ contract in the meantime.

On Thursday, an Energy Department spokesperson revealed that Jefferson Science Associates’ contract will be extended through May 31, 2026. A notice of intent was also published that same day.

“Jefferson Lab is a critical part of the DOE’s National Laboratory complex, contributing to scientific breakthroughs that strengthen our nation’s global competitiveness and is a critical part of the Department’s commitment to restoring America’s leadership in technology, energy, and innovation,” the spokesperson said. “This one-year extension of the current contract will ensure the seamless continuation of operations while the Department issues a new competitive solicitation to ensure long-term leadership of Jefferson Lab that aligns with our mission of maintaining America’s technological and scientific edge.”

The spokesperson said the new competition will ensure that Jefferson Lab “remains a pillar of innovation and economic growth for Newport News and the nation.”

The Energy Department said in its March 27 notice that it anticipates the contract competition will commence during the third quarter of FY 2025. The department says the pre-solicitation notice will be issued subsequent to the competition kickoff, and at that time interested sources can submit expressions of interest.

The DOE did not immediately respond to questions about what changes will be made in the new proposal.

Under the Biden administration, Jefferson Lab was awarded several significant projects. In 2023, the Energy Department announced it would lead a $300 million to $500 million data science computing hub, the High Performance Data Facility hub, that will make scientific data more accessible nationwide. The project was set to include the building of a data center that is expected to be operational by fiscal 2028. Also, researchers at the lab are working on a project to eliminate harmful chemicals — known as “forever chemicals” — in drinking water through 2026.