August 6, 2019

Nuclear Material Control and Accountability at the Y-12 National Security Complex

The Department of Energy’s capability to deter, detect, and assist in the prevention of theft or diversion of nuclear material is critical for national security.  The National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) processes and stores uranium, and other nuclear materials, in support of the Nuclear Security Enterprise mission.  NNSA’s Office of Security Operations and Programmatic Planning’s Material Control and Accountability (MC&A) Program provides for the control and accountability of nuclear materials.  Y-12’s Management and Operating contract required the site to develop and maintain an MC&A Program consistent with the requirements of Department Order 474.2, Nuclear Material Control and Accountability.  Because of the importance of the MC&A Program to national security, we initiated this audit to determine whether Y-12’s MC&A Program had adequate controls for accountability and accessibility of nuclear material.  This report is one in a series of three reports at select NNSA sites.

We did not identify any instances of control weaknesses in Y-12’s MC&A Program over accountability and accessibility of nuclear material during our review.  Specifically, our review of the accounting system showed that it was capable of tracing material and included documentation supportive of transactions tested.  In addition, our observation of the physical inventory process showed proper implementation of site procedures.  Based on our audit work, we are not making any recommendations since nothing came to our attention that indicated Y-12 had not implemented an MC&A Program with adequate controls for accountability and accessibility of nuclear material.

Topic: National Security and Safety