ASE to manage, operate NREL

The cost-plus award-fee contract is valued at approximately $1.1 billion, subject to annual appropriations, over a five-year contract period. The contract includes an option to extend it for up to five additional years.

"While there is certainly no 'silver bullet' that will solve the world's energy problems, we know that renewable energy and efficiency technologies are an indispensable component of the solution," U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman said. "This contract commits NREL to work more closely with public- and private-sector entities to accelerate the commercialization and widespread adoption of the sustainable energy technologies that will improve our national energy security, economic competitiveness, and environmental quality."

ASE is a limited liability company consisting of Midwest Research Institute, which is the current NREL contract holder, and Battelle Memorial Institute. The transition to the new contractor will begin immediately and will be completed in no more than 60 days. ASE will assume management and operation of NREL under the new contract at the completion of the transition period.

The DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory is the nation's premier renewable energy and energy efficiency research, development, demonstration, and deployment institution. NREL is an integral part of the Department's efforts to develop and deploy renewable energy, energy efficiency, and related technologies and practices and employs 1,200 science and support personnel.

The laboratory's work spans the portfolio of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and is recognized worldwide for its photovoltaic, wind, and biomass research and development contributions.