Audit Report: IG-0709

Dating back to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, the
Development Isotopes Department of Energy's (Department) predecessor
agency, the Atomic Energy Commission, was authorized to
distribute stable and radioactive isotopes at no charge to
assist and encourage research on peaceful uses of isotopes
involving medical therapy. More recently, the 1990 Energy
and Water Appropriations Act consolidated all isotope
production and distribution activities under one Department
Program and established a revolving fund for the Isotope
Program. Congress authorized this fund to, among other
things, produce isotopes for use in research and
development (R&D). Furthermore, the Isotope Program
established an internal goal to "provide a reliable supply of
quality products and services based on customers' needs."
One of the objectives to support this goal is to "maintain
the existing customer base and enhance customer
satisfaction."