The Department of Energy has awarded SURATech a $1.8 billion to manage and operate the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, or TJNAF, a federally funded research and development center located in Newport News, Virginia.
The agency said Tuesday that work on the contract will begin on June 1 and end on May 31, 2031, but the agreement includes performance-based options that could extend the contract for up to 20 years.
SURATech is a consortium led by the Southeastern Universities Research Association and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, with major subcontractors Honeywell International, Longenecker and Associates, Akima Support Operations, and AtkinsRealis.
How Will SURATech Support DOE’s Science Mission?
Under the contract, SURATech will partner with DOE to maintain and advance TJNAF’s capabilities in line with evolving national science priorities. The team will also lead workforce development efforts by recruiting, training, and retaining scientific and technical talent to support advanced research initiatives, according to a request for proposals issued in October.
In addition, SURATech will promote collaboration with domestic and international research communities to strengthen innovation and expand the laboratory’s capabilities.
What Is the Role of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility?
TJNAF is a single-purpose national laboratory focused on advancing nuclear physics and  accelerator science. The lab operates accelerator and detector systems to support the scientific community.
Spanning a 169-acre federal site, the facility employs more than 700 personnel and operates with an annual budget of approximately $238 million.
The laboratory is expected to expand into a multipurpose national laboratory under the DOE Office of Science’s High Performance Data Facility project, which aims to accelerate scientific discovery.
