KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Midwest Research Institute is a key contributor on two teams awarded separate contracts to support the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in advancing the clean and efficient use of fossil fuels and alternative energy. In the first award, MRI is a team member to prime contractor Booz Allen Hamilton's five-year, $98 million contract to provide DOE with strategic energy planning and analysis support as it relates to fossil fuels and alternative energy. In the second award, MRI is part of a team led by prime contractor URS Corporation in a 5-year, $322 million contract to provide research and engineering services to NETL.

NETL is the national laboratory for DOE's Office of Fossil Energy and supports the DOE mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States.

"MRI has a rich history in energy research, having managed DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory for 32 years," said Michael F. Helmstetter, Ph.D., MRI President and CEO. "Fossil fuels will continue to be an important component in our nation's energy portfolio and MRI is committed to the success of these NETL programs by providing our energy expertise and support to these two distinguished teams."

In the energy planning and analysis contract, MRI responsibilities will include leading the cost-benefit analysis, a role that includes opportunities for work in life-cycle assessment, strategic energy sector analysis, and other areas supporting energy infrastructure, including environmental assessment. Booz Allen Hamilton, the prime contractor for this award, has been at the forefront of strategy and technology consulting for 95 years.

For the research and energy services contract, MRI's role includes leading the research infrastructure support and integration to further develop new fossil fuel and clean coal energy initiatives to support energy independence. MRI will leverage its strengths to successfully develop, manage and transfer clean energy technologies to industry. URS Corporation, the prime contractor for this award, is a leading provider of engineering, construction, and technical services for public agencies and private sector companies around the world.

Between the two contracts, MRI will be responsible for approximately 10 full-time staff located at the NETL sites in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Morgantown, West Virginia. As additional expertise is required, MRI will also provide reachback support from the Institute's Research Operations. MRI's combined portion of the two contracts is valued at approx. $14 million.

About Midwest Research Institute

MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 2,400 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation's leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, food and agriculture, and transportation safety. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI is one of the two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

SOURCE Midwest Research Institute

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.mriresearch.org