Uranium Enrichment Site Expansion Project
OVERVIEW
Uranium enrichment provider located in New Mexico, providing one-third of the US demand. They are focused on providing safe, cost-effective, and reliable uranium enrichment services within a high environmental, social responsibility, and corporate governance standards framework.
The Utilities Service Alliance (USA) introduced GSE to this customer in early 2023. The mutually beneficial relationship was clear, and discussions expanded to include putting in place a Master Services Agreement (MSA). The partnership developed in June when GSE expanded an existing agreement with USA as an Engineer of Choice (EOC) supplier. That newly expanded agreement now includes specialty engineering programs and workforce solutions, providing all USA members with more technical and financial benefits.
CHALLENGES
In 2022, the service provider’s customer base grew, and it faced site and capabilities expansion project challenges. Due to a shortage of in-house talent and engineering expertise, it needed help performing design development and executing installation drawings and specifications of required equipment. They also required assistance in maintaining regulatory compliance with licensing basis, design basis, and applicable codes critical to operational constructability and system functionality. It decided to outsource and supplement its workforce with specialized talent to support its existing operations and site expansion project.
In July 2023, GSE was awarded an initial combined-capabilities contract valued at approximately $1.5M for engineering and staffing support.
SOLUTIONS
Engineering Design Services – GSE was hired to provide engineering design services to resolve existing plant concerns and/or develop modification packages. Engineering products will be developed under GSE’s quality assurance program and formally transmitted to Urenco. To provide additional savings opportunities, most engineering activities will be performed remotely. However, GSE will travel to the customer location to facilitate walk-downs, team meetings, document research, and so on, as required.
The engineering designs will resolve plant concerns and/or develop modification packages. Delivery of engineering design services and modification packages in support of nuclear enrichment systems and equipment include:
- A description of GSE’s design approach
- Drawings suitable to understand the intended design
- A listing of design inputs and bounding technical requirements for the proposed design
- A listing of anticipated major equipment to be purchased to implement the design and a budgetary estimate of the material cost
- A listing of design documentation that will be developed to provide implementation details
As an EOC provider, GSE leverages specialized, high-value engineering design and implementation to create end-to-end solutions that reduce risk and optimize performance. We aim to focus on the right solution, lowering costs.
Workforce Solutions – GSE’s Workforce Solutions team was engaged to help the customer fill essential field personnel positions, including immediate needs for electrical and mechanical engineering roles and procedures support.
- Locate new field personnel to verify existing equipment
- Initial hires include electrical and senior mechanical personnel savvy with blueprints and specific verification processes with said apparatus
- Anticipated project support expansion Pos for assigned personnel with expected renewals going out three years
- Additional roles supporting engineering and construction will add to the contract value as the site expansion project continues
GSE empowers clients by delivering a combination of quality people and quality processes, producing quality procedures. We engage technical writers who are trained, experienced, and subject matter experts in their fields and arm them with processes that produce top-quality business results.
To support this customer’s change in business needs, GSE will support updating policies and procedures specifically for their modifications. GSE will support what is needed to run parallel to internal project progress.
