[CPEO-MEF] Tanks built to hold waste may play vital role in VX disposal

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Indiana
TRIBUNE STAR
Tanks built to hold waste may play vital role in VX disposal
Army, contractor pursuing tank farm proposals
By Patricia L. Pastore/Tribune-Star
November 1, 2003

Tanks built to hold hydrolysate, the byproduct of nerve agent VX
neutralization, may play a vital role in a plan to destroy the deadly
chemical munition ahead of the 2007 deadline mandated by the Chemical
Weapons Convention.

Proposals for an on-site tank farm at Newport were received Oct. 24,
said Ginger Corado, a spokeswoman for Parsons Technology, Inc.

The Army contracted Parsons to build and run the Newport Chemical
Demilitarization Facility to destroy the deadly nerve agent VX.

"We have received responses from qualified vendors," she said. "We will
now evaluate the information received, negotiate and select the best
value for Parsons and for the government. Parsons is technically using
standard analysis and evaluation procedures to determine the best value.
Best value includes technical expertise and experience as well as
commercial criteria as well as price."

If Parsons and the Army decide to build a tank farm, Parsons expects to
award a contract by the end of the year, Corado said Friday.

"The tank farm is a prudent contingency measure that could provide
storage of the hydrolysate if, for any reason, we are unable to proceed
with hydrolysate treatment," she said.

This month's accelerated program's start date to begin neutralization of
more than 1,200 tons of nerve agent was delayed for safety and
environmental issues.

This article can be viewed at:
http://www.tribstar.com/articles/2003/11/03/news/news12.txt

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