The Norwegian Council of Ethics recommended that AECOM be taken off their list of nuclear weapon producers- it’s a logical move. Here’s why-
Since 2007, Aecom has been part of the managing consortium of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. That lab is involved in the US nuclear weapons arsenal. In particular, Livermore lab is responsible for the life extension of the W78/88-1 warhead (meant to be usable in both US Air Force and Navy nuclear weapons systems) and the W80 (the Air Force Long-Range Standoff missile) among other activities.[i]
However, in January 2020, Aecom completed the sale of it’s management services division to a new company called Amentum.[ii] Amentum will take over activities, including contracts with the National Nuclear Security Administration throughout 2020.
The nuclear weapon related contract in which Amentum is involved have an estimated total value of about $55 billion. The lab is operated through a contract with Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC. [iii] The Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC comprises Bechtel National, University of California, BWX Technologies, and AECOM’s Management Services division (now sold off to Amentum). The Texas A&M University System and Battelle Memorial Institute are also involved.[iv] The management and operation contract was originally awarded in May 2007. It currently extends until at least September 2026, and has a potential total value of over $55 billion.[v]
Last updated 13 May 2020
[i] Heller, A., Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, “Stockpile Stewardship at 20 years”, website LLNL (https://str.llnl.gov/july-2015/verdon), July 2015. Viewed February 2020.
[ii] “Management Services Sale.” AECOM. Accessed February 17, 2020. https://www.aecom.com/management-services-sale/.; “AECOM to Spin Off Government Contracting Branch – ExchangeMonitor | Page 1.” ExchangeMonitor, June 21, 2019. https://www.exchangemonitor.com/aecom-spin-off-government-contracting-branch-2/?printmode=1.
[iii] National Nuclear Security Administration, “Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory contract”, website NNSA (https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/lawrence-livermore-national-laboratory-contract), viewed February 2020.
[iv] Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC, “Team”, website Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC (http://www.llnsllc.com/index.html#prime), viewed February 2020.
[v] GovTribe, “Definitive Contract DEAC5207NA27344”, website GovTribe (https://govtribe.com/award/federal-contract-award/definitive-contract-deac5207na27344), viewed February 2020.