By Eric Heinz
Southern California Edison, the majority owner of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, hosted a networking session with subcontractors on Monday at Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point.
More than 100 subcontractors arrived at the Marriot to meet with the three main contracting companies that have been selected by SCE for the deconstruction of the nuclear power plant.
Many of the subcontractors at the event spoke about their experience in environmental reclamation and transportation of materials.
Bechtel-Westinghouse, Q Energy Solutions and AECOM are the three main contractors selected for the deconstruction process that have teamed up with other larger contractors.
“We have to conduct a fair, equitable standard process,” said Doug Bauder, SCE vice president of operational services and chief procurement officer. “We ask from the prime vendors to make commitments to diverse business enterprise spending. The physical work doesn’t really start until 2017, so we’re out in front of that.”
One subcontractor, Bob Lawrence, president and CEO of MLM & Associates Engineering in Laguna Hills, has conducted multiyear water quality inspections, including projects with LAX and adjacent areas in regard to environmental aspects.
As a small business owner, Lawrence said the competition for the project is “awesome.”
“You’re going up against some very big companies here,” Lawrence said. “Everyone’s trying to get a piece of the work. When you’re a small business, you’re like a minnow in a big lake, and you’re just trying to see how close you can get to the big fish.”
The approval of the bid for the deconstruction portion of SONGS is expected to take place sometime in “the first quarter” of 2016. The bid process began Aug. 3. The duration of the deconstruction is expected to take eight to 10 years.—EH
Discussion about this post