Canada’s national nuclear laboratory invites proposals for design, engineering and construction of major nuclear research laboratory, the Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre
Chalk River, ON – March 19, 2018 – Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, announced today that it has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design and construction of its Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre (ANMRC), a $370 million modern laboratory research complex that will serve as the backbone of CNL’s research and development infrastructure and a major facility in the delivery of its nuclear science and technology programs. The RFP is now available for review on Merx, an online tendering service.
Scheduled to begin construction in 2019, CNL’s ANMRC will be one of the largest active research facilities ever to be constructed in Canada, and will enable world-class research in nuclear energy, public health, environmental stewardship and global security.
“The revitalization of the Chalk River Laboratories campus is designed to position CNL as a global leader in nuclear science and technology, transforming the site into a world-class and sustainable national nuclear laboratory,” commented Mark Lesinski, CNL’s President and CEO. “The ANMRC is at the centre of this transformation, and our vision for the future of the site and the nuclear industry in Canada. Once complete, the facility will serve as a state-of-the-art laboratory complex that will allow us to grow our research programs, penetrate new international markets, and add capabilities to better meet the needs of our federal, academic and commercial customers.”
As the largest single capital investment in the revitalization of the Chalk River campus, the ANMRC will consolidate key capabilities from a number of aging facilities that are scheduled for decommissioning. The ANMRC will feature new shielded facilities that will enable post-irradiation examination of small modular reactor (SMR) and next-generation nuclear fuels, and glovebox facilities to support the development of advanced fuel fabrication concepts. The complex will also include materials storage bays which will simplify the transportation of radioactive material on site, improving work efficiency at the Chalk River campus. Overall, services provided by the ANMRC will be critical to the life extension and long-term reliability of existing reactors, including Canada’s fleet of CANDU nuclear power reactors and other designs deployed around the world.
Construction of the ANMRC is part of a 10-year transformation of the Chalk River Laboratories site, funded through a $1.2 billion investment from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited on behalf of the Government of Canada, to modernize the campus. This includes the revitalization of essential site infrastructure, the decommissioning of aging buildings and a significant investment in new, world-class science facilities.
“This is an exciting time to work at the Chalk River Laboratories campus. We are in the midst of a major transformation process, which includes the construction of a number of new facilities that are critical to the future of the nuclear industry in Canada,” explained Ted Preisig, Vice-President of Capital Projects at CNL. “However, no building is more important than the AMNRC, which will play a central role in the delivery of all of our science and technology products and services. This facility will serve as the foundation of our research for decades to come.”
The release of the ANMRC RFP continues the strong momentum CNL is making under its capital program. Last month, CNL announced that it had launched the construction process for three new “enabling” facilities at its Chalk River campus, which represents more than $100 million in new infrastructure. Recently, CNL also cut the ribbon on a brand new $55 million hydrogen laboratory complex, opened a new $100 million materials research laboratory, the Harriet Brooks Building, and is in the final stages of commissioning its new $40 million Tritium Laboratory. Over $90 million is also being invested into important infrastructure improvements, including new domestic water and natural gas service to the campus, a modern sanitary sewage treatment facility, and a system to more effectively manage storm water on the site.
“The Government’s investment to renew infrastructure at the Chalk River nuclear laboratories will help deliver world-class nuclear science and technology,” said Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Jim Carr. “CNL’s revitalization plans will help shape our future nuclear successes and the industry’s role in our transition to a low-carbon economy.”
To learn more about CNL’s Long-Term Strategy and revitalization of the Chalk River Laboratories, please visit www.cnl.ca/vendors.
About CNL
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is a world leader in nuclear science and technology offering unique capabilities and solutions across a wide range of industries. Actively involved with industry-driven research and development in nuclear, transportation, clean technology, energy, defense, security and life sciences, we provide solutions to keep these sectors competitive internationally.
With ongoing investments in new facilities and a focused mandate, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is well positioned for the future. A new performance standard reinforced with a strong safety culture underscores every activity.
For more information on the complete range of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories services, please visit www.cnl.ca or contact communications@cnl.ca.
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Media Contacts:
Philip Kompass
Section Head, Corporate Communications
CNL, 1-866-886-2325
communications@cnl.ca
