Ciiaiae
Mission -- To be a site for full-scale nuclear field tests as required to support AEC

weapons development and the atomic weapons utilization and defense programs of other

national agencies.

Las Vegas Field Office -- Was activated June 22, 1951, to maintain NPG, to support

test operations, and to administer various NPG contracts,

It now occupies leased office

space in Las Vegas during interim periods and at Camp Mercury during tests, Personnel
totaled 25 in mid-1953. The staff structure included: Field manager's office, 2; administrative, 7; communications, 3; operations, 7; and security, 6.
Physical Plant -- In addition to the leased space in Las Vegas, the plant includes
Camp Mercury, a Control Point and two technical areas—Yucca Basin and Frenchman
Flat-——at NPG.

There was only temporary construction for the Winter 1951 series,

Mini-

mum permanent construction began in mid-1951 and was largely completed early in 1952.

As of mid-1953, the permanent plant, exclusive of reusable "expendable" items, totaled
$9, 600, 000. . The plant totaled here is exclusive of NPG structures furnished by DOD, of the
Army's Camp Desert Rock, and of the USAF's Indian Springs AF Base.
Contracts -- Test construction, including preparation of estimates and cost reports,
is a major function of the field office. Such construction requires continuing administration

of engineering, architect, and construction contracts,

The principal operating and service

contracts follow:

Reynolds Electrical & EngineeringCo., Inc. -- Operates and maintains Proving
Groundsfacilities except feeding, housing, security, and permanent telephone plant; performs
construction of expendable test facilities for experimental projects; and provides scientific
program support to participating test agencies, Personnel requirements for this work in

mid~-1953 were 349. This contract was effective December 1, 1952, and expires on December
31, 1953, but provides for a year-to-year extension thereafter. It provides for full reimbursement of cost and a fee of approximately $100, 000 for services to be rendered during
the initial contract period,
Silas-Mason Company -- Provides architect-engineer services (engineering, design,

‘and field inspection) for all construction work, including both construction of expendable
test and permanent facilities; provides engineering support services during test operations;
conducts special studies of Proving Grounds operation; and furnishes safety and sanitary
services.

Personnel requirements in mid-1953 were 56.

The contract expired on June 30,

1953, but had an annual extension provision which was exercised.

It is a cost reimbursable

contract with a fee of $100, 000 for fiscal year 1953.

Universal Food Service, Inc, -- Operates feeding and housing facilities on a unit price
basis and Fire and Police Departments on a lump sum basis, with all concession-type services, such as post exchange, recreation hall, barber shop, laundry service, filling station,
snack bars, etc., operated on a percentage of gross sales, This was an advertised com-

petitive bid contract for one year, the expiration date being December 31, 1953, and the
contractor employed 113 people in mid-1953.

.

AL&3

Federal Services, Inc. -- Provides security services which include operation of the
Proving Grounds guard force and the pass and badge office. Forty-two personnel were em-

ployed in June 1953, This is a unit price per hour of security coverage contract, awarded
after competitive bidding, and covers a term of three years, expiring on December 1, 1955.

DOE/AUE

54

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