A view of the uranium mill tailings pile at EM's Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project in Utah.

MOAB, Utah – Portage, Inc., the remedial action contractor for EM’s Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project, met the majority of its performance goals in fiscal year 2015, earning $1,255,640, or 84 percent, of a potential award fee amount of $1,494,810 and an overall weighted result of “very good.” 

   Each year, EM releases information relating to contractor fee payments — earned by completing the work called for in the contracts — to further transparency in its cleanup program.

   A rockslide in November 2014 caused significant delays and costs to the Moab project. The contractor worked expeditiously to respond to the rockslide and to progressively and safely return to full train shipments of uranium mill tailings for disposal. Although Portage faced numerous challenges and work adjustments due to the rockslide, the contractor safely shipped and disposed 600,725 tons of the tailings. Portage completed the award fee period with no Occupational Safety and Health Administration-recordable injuries or illnesses. 

   Portage implemented a new thermoluminescent dosimeter for its radiation workers that can detect radiation doses at lower values and with greater monitoring accuracy. This lower detection level allows the contractor to modify work locations for individuals, as needed, to reduce their doses.  

   Portage supported major assessments, surveillances, and safety walkthroughs, and generated 11 lessons-learned reports in this period. In particular, Portage led a full-scale, multi-agency emergency response drill at the Moab site that generated valuable emergency preparedness lessons learned for the participants and responders. 

   “In its fourth contract year, Portage has demonstrated the ability to manage its scope and operate safely despite challenges, like the major rockslide, that were posed during this award fee period,” Moab Federal Project Director Don Metzler said.

   Portage’s award fee ratings were as follows:

  • project management 10 percent – good
  • tailings excavation, haul, and disposal 60 percent – excellent
  • health and safety 30 percent – very good
  • overall weighted result – very good

   The award fee determination scorecard can be viewed here