AIKEN, S.C. – Four Savannah River Site (SRS) project teams were recently honored with an Infrastructure Excellence Award by the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Office of Infrastructure (NA-90) for projects completed or reaching major milestones in calendar year 2025. The award-winning teams included nine federal NNSA members and 184 members from the Site’s management and operations contractor, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), and its subcontractor partners.
Established in 2015, the award honors teams that deliver high‑impact results, strengthen collaboration, anticipate challenges and accelerate infrastructure improvements across the Nuclear Security Enterprise. NNSA leadership look for teams that demonstrate the core principles of the Build SMART Initiative — Strategic Planning, Mission-Focused Execution, Agility, Risk-Informed Decision Making and Timely Delivery.
“These teams demonstrate what it means to deliver with urgency, discipline, and a clear focus on the mission,” said Jessica Kunkle, NNSA’s Associate Administrator for the Office of Infrastructure. “Their accomplishments reflect the collaboration, agility, and technical expertise we need across the Nuclear Security Enterprise to modernize our infrastructure and ensure NNSA can meet the nation’s nuclear security requirements now and into the future.”
The following SRS teams were recognized:
Earned Value Management System (EVMS) Certification
SRNS achieved EVMS Certification, the first NNSA site approved under a new “self‑certification” model, following years of disciplined execution and continuous improvement. The dual‑path certification effort strengthened project controls across complex portfolios and set a replicable standard for future NNSA labs, plants and sites.
Savannah River Tritium Enterprise (SRTE) Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Outage
SRTE completed the year-long CY25 Outage, replacing Cold War-era equipment critical to sustaining the nation’s tritium supply. The team replaced chillers, compressors, hydride beds, and other major components, maneuvering large systems through restricted access points inside a radiological facility, while maintaining continuous operations. The outage delivered more than 560,000 work hours and modernized the H Area New Manufacturing facility, strengthening the nation’s nuclear deterrent.
High-Fidelity Training and Operations Center (HFTOC) Finalized Critical Decision (CD)-2/3 Package
The Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF) project team finalized the HFTOC CD-2/3 package in less than nine months, advancing the plutonium pit production mission through design completion of the specialized prototyping and training facility. By rapidly incorporating CD‑1R and External Independent Review recommendations, the team completed the design ahead of schedule while accelerating a portion of CD‑3X construction. Strategic glovebox conversions and supplier transitions reduced costs and improved long-term schedule performance for pit production.
Historic Valve Replacement
For the first time since 1952, SRNS replaced the 48‑inch, 15,000‑pound H7 main isolation valve on the River Water System. The team overcame significant technical and safety challenges to safely install the new valve, restoring full operability and protecting the system that supports cooling water distribution, modern site operations and backup water supply capabilities.
Each SRS team recognized this year exemplifies the resilience, technical expertise, and mission‑focused execution required to sustain and modernize infrastructure for the nation’s nuclear security mission. Their contributions strengthen the Site’s ability to meet evolving national defense needs with precision and reliability.
“Our teams continue to demonstrate what excellence looks like in modernizing critical infrastructure at SRS,” said Jeff Griffin, SRNS President and Chief Executive Officer. “Across the enterprise, success depends on innovation, collaboration and delivering projects with urgency. These projects show what is possible when federal and contractor teams work side by side to overcome complex challenges and reflect the skill and problem‑solving mindset required to support the nation’s most important missions.”
Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile; works to reduce the global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and militarily effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, a Fluor and HII partnership company, is responsible for the management and operations of the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site, located near Aiken, South Carolina.
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