GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
DOE and the Safety Board Should Collaborate to Develop a Written Agreement to Enhance Oversight
GAO Report | 10/29/2020
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board provides independent analysis, advice, and recommendations on health and safety protections for the Department of Energy's defense nuclear facilities. For example, its staff monitor activities involving nuclear explosives at the Pantex Plant in Texas.
We found that provisions of DOE’s 2018 order governing its interactions with the Board were inconsistent with the law and long-standing practices. For example, some restrictions on the Board's access to information were not found in law. DOE replaced this order in June 2020.
Recommendations:
- The Secretary of Energy, in collaboration with the Chairman of DNFSB, should develop a formal written agreement, such as a memorandum of understanding, that could be used to, among other things, establish a common understanding of how DOE will implement section 2286c(b) of DNFSB's enabling statute regarding denial of DNFSB staff access to information, and clarify procedures
for regular interactions between DOE and DNFSB related to each agency's responsibilities for ensuring the adequacy of public health and safety protections at DOE's defense nuclear facilities.
- The Chairman of DNFSB, in collaboration with the Secretary of Energy, should develop a formal written agreement, such as a memorandum of understanding, that could be used to, among other things, establish a common understanding of how DOE will implement section 2286c(b) of DNFSB's enabling statute regarding denial of DNFSB staff access to information, and clarify procedures
for regular interactions between DOE and DNFSB related to each agency's responsibilities for ensuring the adequacy of public health and safety protections at DOE's defense nuclear facilities.
- The Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Office of the Departmental Representative to DNFSB, should develop clearer and more robust training on Order 140.1A for DOE sites to ensure that DOE, NNSA, and contractor staff have a uniform understanding of the order and that those staff interacting with DNFSB implement the order more
consistently.
- The Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Office of the Departmental Representative to DNFSB, should develop clearer and more standardized guidance on how to respond to DNFSB document requests under Order 140.1A to ensure a more uniform and efficient document request process at DOE sites with defense nuclear facilities.
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ECA AND ECOS: ANALYZING THE 2020 ELECTION
November 12, 1:00PM - 3:00PM EST
On November 12, ECA and ECOS will discuss several post-election topics such as outlook on the federal budget, COVID relief legislation, and what the newly elected Congress will bring. The panelists will discuss the outcome of key congressional races as they impact everything from committee chairmanship to the national political landscape.
Registration is free but we do ask that you register prior to attending. Information about the meeting, and other ECA meetings, can be found on our event page: http://www.energyca.org/events
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
DOE Releases Final Request for Proposals for Carlsbad Field Office Technical Assistance Contract (CTAC) Acquisition
Office of EM | 10/29/2020
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Final Request for Proposals for the CTAC procurement. The primary objective of this contract is to provide technical assistance in the areas of quality assurance, project management, engineering and technical reviews and assessments, Capital Asset Projects oversight, nuclear safety, WIPP site oversight, administrative and business operations, environmental
compliance, industrial hygiene and industrial safety, TRU waste certification, Central Characterization Program, and scientific activities.
The CTAC contract is anticipated to be an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with an estimated contract ceiling of $100M over a 5-year ordering period, which includes the issuance of task orders that shall not exceed five years beyond the end of the contract ordering period. The new contract resulting from this acquisition will replace the current CTAC, held by North Wind Portage,
Inc., which is currently set to expire December 3, 2020. DOE expects to exercise an option extending the incumbent contract by up to six months.
NUCLEAR POWER PROJECT
WASTE SHIPMENT
Nov. 9 Understanding the Outlook for New, Advanced Nuclear Technologies and Fuels with Dr. Everett Redmond, NEI; Virtual [Closed to ECA Members Only]
Nov. 12 ECA and ECOS: Analyzing the 2020 Election; Virtual
Nov. 17-18 Annual Intergovernmental Meeting; Virtual [Closed to ECA Members Only]
Dec. 2020 New Nuclear Webinar; Virtual
Feb. 4 Annual ECA Meeting; Virtual
Sept. 8-10 National Cleanup Workshop 2021
Read about DOE's High Level Waste Interpretation
Have questions about DOE’s recent high-level waste (HLW) interpretation? Download ECA’s Key Points and FAQs on the issue to better understand what ECA believes are the potential benefits of implementation.
Interested in learning more? Read the ECA report “Making Informed Decisions on DOE's Proposed High Level Waste Definition” at www.energyca.org/publications
Stay Current on Activities in the DOE World
Read the latest edition of the ECA Bulletin, a regular newsletter providing a detailed brief of ECA activities, legislative news, and major events from across the DOE complex. Have suggestions for future editions? Email [email protected].
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Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles
ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's 13 active Environmental Management cleanup sites and national laboratories, highlighting their history, missions, and priorities. The profiles are a key source for media, stakeholders, and the public to learn more about DOE site activities, contractors, advisory boards, and their surrounding local
governments.
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