AIKEN, S.C. – Five teams from the Savannah River Site (SRS) were recently honored with an Infrastructure Excellence Award by the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Office of Infrastructure (NA-90) for projects completed or reaching major milestones in calendar year 2024. The award-winning teams consisted of 72 members from the Site’s management and operations contractor, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), five members from NNSA’s Savannah River Field Office, and five subcontractors.
The NA-90 Infrastructure Excellence Awards, established in 2015, recognize teams that exceed expectations, build coalitions, anticipate challenges, create scalable solutions, and deliver timely results across the NNSA enterprise.
for exceeding expectations and delivering timely results in calendar year 2024.
During the virtual award ceremony, Nicole Nelson-Jean, NNSA Associate Administrator, Office of Infrastructure, commended the awardees for embodying the Build SMART Initiative—a strategic effort to improve planning, execution and delivery of infrastructure projects for national security missions. The initiative emphasizes Strategic Planning, Mission-Focused work, Agility, Risk-Informed Decision Making, and Timely Delivery.
“Each team exemplified the Build SMART Initiative, a pioneering endeavor aimed at strengthening our commitment to the NNSA Enterprise Blueprint by prioritizing rapid delivery of our capabilities,” said Nelson-Jean. “This initiative underscores our dedication to supporting the NNSA mission with precision and urgency. I’m honored to recognize the hard work and dedication of these project teams today.”
“As NNSA secures additional funding for future infrastructure-related projects, SRS must continue to excel in project management, modernize aging facilities, and ensure our infrastructure supports core mission areas,” said Jim Dawkins, SRNS Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. “This includes advancing the nation’s largest construction project, developing new capabilities in plutonium pit production, and maintaining our role as the sole provider of Tritium for the nation. We must be prepared to execute and deliver these projects when the time comes, and we need dedicated project teams like those in this room to elevate us to the next level.”
SRS teams recognized during the ceremony include:
Savannah River Tritium Enterprise (SRTE) 236-H Demolition Team
The SRTE team completed the demolition of Building 236-H safely, on schedule and under budget. The project, part of ongoing efforts to modernize the Tritium complex, was completed six months ahead of schedule and saved over $4 million. SRTE has helped maintain the U.S. nuclear stockpile by preparing the nation’s only tritium supply. In over 70 years of operations, SRTE has met 100% of its shipment commitments to the Department of War.
The demolition of Building 236-H at the Savannah River Site is part of ongoing efforts to address aging infrastructure
by modernizing and eliminating many of the Cold War-era facilities throughout the Tritium complex.
Combined Tritium Facilities Safety Basis Implementation
The SRTE team executed a 10-year effort to combine multiple safety basis documents into a single Documented Safety Analysis and Technical Safety Requirement. This initiative included 200 procedure/program document updates, 400 database modifications, and extensive training, thereby enhancing nuclear safety control and maintaining operational excellence.
“I am incredibly impressed by our team’s ability to take on challenging tasks,” said Nick Miller, Senior Vice President, NNSA Tritium Operations and Programs. “They fulfill our legacy by closing historic facilities and shape the future of our missions by implementing new, streamlined processes that ensure a safe operating posture for years to come. SRTE delivers innovation while continuing to meet our nation’s needs, executing challenging work safely and efficiently.”
Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts
First responders at SRS demonstrated exceptional commitment and coordination during the recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, safely restoring the Site to normal operations without injury. The multifaceted effort leveraged federal and contractor resources, establishing a Unified Command Room to prioritize and address emergencies. Responders cleared over 100 miles of primary roadways, responded to numerous emergency calls and maintained a five-day emergency status without compromising technical safety requirements. Personnel restored power infrastructure; filled 2,500 sandbags for storm prep; donated nearly 39,000 Meals Ready to Eat to the community; and provided 14,000 gallons of gasoline/diesel and 7,466 meals to essential personnel.
“In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destructive path, the collaborative efforts across this Site were nothing short of extraordinary,” said Randy Keenan, SRNS Director of Site Services. “Despite extensive damage to the Site’s infrastructure, our teams worked tirelessly to clear thousands of uprooted trees that obstructed roadways and downed power lines, restoring SRS to operational status in record time. Their preparedness and proactive emergency protocols ensured minimal disruption and a swift recovery.”
Opening of the Manufacturing Technology Center (MTC)
The Pit Production Operations and Programs (PPOP) team completed the MTC, reducing training time and developing critical machining skills in a repurposed facility. The MTC officially opened on August 13, 2024, after years of strategic planning, and is key to preparing production specialists with high-precision machining equipment skills for NNSA missions.
Opening of the Manufacturing Technology Center (MTC) at the Savannah River Site. The MTC teaches critical skills
and develops competency in various machining tool operations within an unclassified, non-nuclear training environment.
Patrick Schneider, PPOP Production Operations Director, said, “We are pleased to recognize this team for their efforts to bring the MTC online. Activities in the MTC are at the heart of our operations, where safety, productivity, engineering, and ingenuity converge to support the entire organization. We are proud of this tremendous achievement and the team’s commitment to making the world safer.”
SRS Road C Refurbishment Project
Spanning 310 square miles, SRS comprises an extensive network of roads that require significant maintenance efforts and funding. The SRS Road C Refurbishment Project improved the remaining 6.5 miles of Road C (11.5 miles total), enhancing durability, resilience and functionality. This critical infrastructure project also contributed to significant cost savings by allocating 13,000 tons of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement for community projects. The refurbished road will ensure safe transit for both materials and personnel for the next 12 to 15 years or more.
Each team was recognized for their dedication, innovation and efforts in maintaining national security and infrastructure resilience at SRS. Their achievements underscore the importance of preparedness, strategic planning and adaptability to ensure SRS is capable of meeting evolving needs of the U.S. nuclear security mission.
Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile; works to reduce the global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and militarily effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, a Fluor and HII partnership company, is responsible for the management and operations of the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site, located near Aiken, South Carolina.
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