SIMCO

What SIMCO does

SIMCO (Salado Isolation Mining Contractors, LLC) is a single-purpose Management and Operating contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), the nation's only deep geologic repository for defense-related transuranic nuclear waste. Headquartered in Carlsbad, New Mexico with a workforce of 315, the company operates under a ten-year M&O contract originally awarded in November 2022 and extended in December 2025 to run through September 2029. WIPP disposes of TRU waste 2,150 feet underground in rooms mined from a 2,000-foot-thick Permian-era salt formation; the facility has received over 13,400 shipments from 22 DOE sites since beginning operations in 1999.

The company's underlying technology base centers on underground mining and repository operations, including the Safety Significant Confinement Ventilation System (the largest in the DOE complex), a 26-foot-diameter utility shaft reaching 2,275 feet, salt creep control through rock bolting, and a $15 million salt pocket infrastructure. SIMCO is a subsidiary of Bechtel National, Inc., with Los Alamos Technical Associates serving as a New Mexico-based small business teaming subcontractor. Revenue is generated exclusively through a performance-based M&O contract with DOE, with terms and pricing negotiated rather than publicly disclosed. Beyond the contract, the company runs community engagement programs including the Science Bowl, Teacher Mini-Grants, a Small Business Supplier Program, and an employee-driven Investment Advisory Committee Grant Fund focused on regional non-profits in Eddy and Lea Counties.

Name

SIMCO

Legal name

Salado Isolation Mining Contractors, LLC

Website

https://simco-llc.us

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

SIMCO (Salado Isolation Mining Contractors, LLC) is a Bechtel-led Management and Operating contractor that operates the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant for the U.S. Department of Energy — the nation's only deep geologic repository for defense-related transuranic nuclear waste — from Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nuclear Waste Management Services

NAICS

Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal (562211), Hazardous Waste Collection (562112), Waste Treatment and Disposal (56221)

SIC

Hazardous Waste Management (4955)

akta.pro primary industry

Repository operations & waste emplacement (handling systems, emplacement, ventilation) (EUAKAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nuclear Waste Management & Geological Disposal (EUACADAM), Repository design, engineering & construction (near-surface, deep geological; shafts, tunnels, barriers) (EUAKAGAG), Waste transportation & logistics (packaging, routing, carriers, transport operations) (EUAKAGAE)

Keywords

• Nuclear waste management
• Deep geologic repository
• Government M&O contracting
• Transuranic waste disposal
• Underground mining operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Carlsbad

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government M&O Contract: SIMCO operates under a Management and Operating contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage and operate the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). The contract consists of an initial four-year base period plus six one-year extension options, with DOE exercising three extensions through September 2029.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

SIMCO manages and operates the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) for the U.S. Department of Energy. WIPP is the nation's only deep geologic repository for defense-related transuranic (TRU) nuclear waste, located 2,150 feet underground in a salt bed formation near Carlsbad, New Mexico. Services include mining and underground construction, nuclear waste emplacement, infrastructure projects (SSCVS ventilation, utility shaft construction, salt pocket refurbishment), and regulatory compliance with EPA and NMED.

Product overview

SIMCO (Salado Isolation Mining Contractors, LLC) is a single-purpose management and operating contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. As a Bechtel-led company, SIMCO operates WIPP—the nation's only deep geologic repository for defense-related transuranic nuclear waste—safely disposing of waste 2,150 feet underground in rooms mined from a salt bed formation. The company's work is organized around two primary areas: WIPP facility management and operations (including infrastructure projects like the SSCVS ventilation system and utility shaft), and community commitment programs including education outreach (Science Bowl, Teacher Mini-Grants, STEM Buddy, Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation STEM Lab), small business development, scholarships, and employee-driven charitable giving through the Investment Advisory Committee Grant Fund.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Management and Operations SIMCO manages and operates the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) for the U.S. Department of Energy. WIPP is the nation's only deep geologic repository for defense-related transuranic (TRU) nuclear waste, located 2,150 feet underground in a salt bed formation near Carlsbad, New Mexico. The service includes mining, waste emplacement, safety operations, infrastructure maintenance, and regulatory compliance.
• WIPP Infrastructure Projects Major infrastructure construction and improvement services at the WIPP site, including the Safety Significant Confinement Ventilation System (SSCVS), utility shaft construction (26-foot diameter reaching 2,275 feet deep), and salt pocket refurbishment ($15 million project). These capital projects maintain and extend the operational capability of the deep geologic repository.

Quantifiable outcome

• Total Recordable Incident Rate of 0.21 vs DOE goal of 0.8
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Los Alamos Technical AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLos Alamos Technical Associates serves as SIMCO's New Mexico-based small business teaming subcontractor, providing local expertise and workforce for WIPP operations.
• U.S. Department of EnergycoreOthersDOE is the primary customer and contracting agency, having awarded SIMCO a contract modification for three additional years (October 2026 through September 2029) to manage and operate WIPP.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bechtel National, Inc. Parent company of SIMCO and one of the largest U.S. federal contractors, providing nuclear, environmental, and infrastructure services across DOE, DOD, and other agencies. Comparable as the broader entity behind SIMCO's contract wins and operational backing.
• BWX Technologies (BWXT): Major U.S. nuclear components and services contractor supporting DOE, DOD, and NNSA missions including naval nuclear propulsion and government nuclear operations. Comparable as an established federal nuclear services prime contractor.

Emerging players

• EnergySolutions: Provider of nuclear services including waste processing, decommissioning, and environmental remediation for commercial and government nuclear sites. Comparable in nuclear waste handling, radioactive material management, and federal nuclear services.

Direct peers

• Mission Support and Test Services (MSTS): M&O contractor for the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), another Bechtel-affiliated entity managing a major DOE nuclear site. Comparable contract structure, sole-customer federal model, and Bechtel parent backing.
• Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC): DOE M&O contractor at the Idaho National Laboratory Site focused on environmental cleanup and radioactive waste management. Direct peer in TRU/high-level waste disposition, environmental remediation, and federal contract operations.
• Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS): M&O contractor for the Y-12 National Security Complex and Pantex Plant under the National Nuclear Security Administration. Direct peer operating two federally-owned nuclear facilities under a similar performance-based M&O contract structure.
• Nuclear Waste Partnership (NWP): Previously operated WIPP before SIMCO took over the M&O contract in 2022. Most direct historical peer — same site, same mission, same customer, providing a direct comparison for contract transition and operational performance benchmarks.
• Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS): Bechtel-led M&O contractor for the Savannah River Site under DOE. Direct peer as a Bechtel-affiliated DOE M&O contractor managing a major nuclear/environmental cleanup complex with analogous contract structure, performance-based incentives, and federal customer dynamics.
• Triad National Security: Current M&O contractor for Los Alamos National Laboratory, operating under a similar NNSA performance-based contract. Comparable in contract structure, federal customer concentration, and nuclear/national-security mission scope.
• Los Alamos National Security (LANS): Former M&O contractor for Los Alamos National Laboratory, a Bechtel-led partnership operating a major DOE national security facility. Direct peer on M&O contract mechanics, performance evaluation, and federal customer management.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/simco-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SIMCO