Idaho National Laboratory spends dollars at home: $1 billion spent in Idaho

Across the state of Idaho, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory http://www.inl.gov has purchased over $1 billon of lab equipment, office supplies, construction and other goods and services through subcontracts with Idaho businesses in the past decade. Since Battelle Energy Alliance began managing the lab in 2005, it has engaged in partnerships with hundreds of businesses throughout Idaho.

One of INL’s objectives is to target, shape and retain Idaho businesses as valued partners in supporting research happening at the lab. Each year, INL strives to spend at least 30 percent of the purchase of goods and services within the state of Idaho. INL has exceeded its 30 percent goal by spending 39 percent of the lab’s purchases in Idaho since 2005.

"We are proud to work with so many innovative Idaho businesses," said Juan Alvarez, deputy laboratory director for Management. "We are very fortunate to work with high-caliber businesses that can support our needs right here in Idaho."

As the third largest employer in the state, INL has a significant impact on the economy through its payroll and charitable contributions. Another large impact is made through the acquisition of goods and services within the state.

"I enjoy working with the Department of Energy and local Idaho businesses to find ways to leverage Idaho resources for national missions at INL," said Stacey Francis, INL’s Small Business Program manager. "Across the entire state, we have created some very successful relationships with valuable partners to achieve our missions."

INL is part of the DOE’s complex of national laboratories. The laboratory performs work in each of the strategic goal areas of DOE: energy, national security, science and environment. INL is the nation’s leading center for nuclear energy research and development. Day-to-day management and operation of the laboratory is the responsibility of Battelle Energy Alliance.

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