Laboratory Services For DOE

[Holloway3@aol.com]

A few days ago,  I mentioned that I have heard a complaint the procurement of 
laboratory services for the Department of Energy.  However, I didn't provide 
specific details about the exact program.  I was not talking about the DOELAP 
certification program.  The program that I am referring to is related to a 
more general type of laboratory analysis including radiochemisty. Apparently, 
a year or so ago, DOE was encouraging a program called ICPT (Integrated 
Contract Procurement Team) in which they would have a sample management 
office that would distribute samples to a list of approved laboratories.  
There is a list of approved laboratories, apparently, but those managing the 
program, including a DOE employeee at Idaho Falls, are not presently 
encouraging the addition of new laboratories to the list.  In addition, my 
source says that Bechtel has imposed a $10,000 fee for laboratories wishing 
to undergo the approval process, although as I mentioned, the managers are 
not showing much interest in adding to the list.  

 I can believe that there are sometimes those who, for whatever reason, want 
to discourage competition.   A couple of years ago, I had a bad experience 
with someone in a procurement office in Idaho Falls. I called and talked to 
an employee of a contractor who worked in procurement.  That particular 
employee was not interested in sending me a bid package on data validation, 
saying that I probably could not compete with the local company that 
currently had the contract.  I decided not to pursue the issue, since it 
seemed hopeless and I had other, more productive things to do.  But it caused 
me to be a little bit skeptical of the system.  Any comments are appreciated 
and if I have not understood the system or what is happening, feel free to 
provide corrections.  
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