Northrop Withdraws as Los Alamos Race Opens

doi:10.1126/science.308.5727.1391b

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In an unexpected twist, there's now one less competitor for the 7-year contract to run Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Northrop Grumman surprised insiders by dropping out of the race last week, despite public assurances that it was serious about a bid (Science, 27 May, p. 1244). Northrop's decision came a day before the University of California's Board of Regents voted 11-1 to vie for the management contract, which UC has held since 1943. Congress forced the competition for the $2.2 billion laboratory after persistent management and safety scandals. Although Lockheed Martin and a combined UC-Bechtel team lead the pack, the National Nuclear Security Administration has not said whether other teams are in the hunt.