The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration's NNSA stockpile surveillance program provides information on the status of the Nation's nuclear weapons stockpile. The scope, frequency and type of testing necessary to satisfy stockpile surveillance requirements are defined by the three nuclear weapons laboratories, while testing is carried out at seven sites in the weapons complex. Through a variety of tests, the stockpile surveillance program ensures that weapon systems function as expected and detects defects due to handling, aging, manufacturing or design.
Yucca Mountain Project Purchase Card Programs
Yucca Mountain Project (Project) is the Nation’s first proposed storage facility for spent
nuclear fuel and high-level nuclear waste. The Project is managed by the Department of
Energy’s (DOE) Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM). From
January 2007 to February 2009, Yucca Mountain Project’s cardholders procured
approximately $3.6 million in goods and service using purchase cards.
nuclear fuel and high-level nuclear waste. The Project is managed by the Department of
Energy’s (DOE) Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM). From
January 2007 to February 2009, Yucca Mountain Project’s cardholders procured
approximately $3.6 million in goods and service using purchase cards.
Allegations of Conflict of Interest Regarding Licensing of PROTECT by Argonne National Laboratory
In February 2009, the Office of Inspector General received a letter from Congressman
Mark Steven Kirk of Illinois, which included constituent allegations that an exclusive
technology licensing agreement by Argonne National Laboratory was tainted by
inadequate competition, conflicts of interest, and other improprieties. The technology in
question was for the Program for Response Options and Technology Enhancements for
Chemical/Biological Terrorism, commonly referred to as PROTECT. Because of the
importance of the Department of Energy's technology transfer program, especially as
implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act matures, we reviewed
selected aspects of the licensing process for PROTECT to determine whether the
allegations had merit. In summary, under the facts developed during our review, it was
understandable that interested parties concluded that there was a conflict of interest in
this matter and that Argonne may have provided the successful licensee with an unfair
advantage. In part, this was consistent with aspects of the complaint from Congressman
Kirk's constituent.
Mark Steven Kirk of Illinois, which included constituent allegations that an exclusive
technology licensing agreement by Argonne National Laboratory was tainted by
inadequate competition, conflicts of interest, and other improprieties. The technology in
question was for the Program for Response Options and Technology Enhancements for
Chemical/Biological Terrorism, commonly referred to as PROTECT. Because of the
importance of the Department of Energy's technology transfer program, especially as
implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act matures, we reviewed
selected aspects of the licensing process for PROTECT to determine whether the
allegations had merit. In summary, under the facts developed during our review, it was
understandable that interested parties concluded that there was a conflict of interest in
this matter and that Argonne may have provided the successful licensee with an unfair
advantage. In part, this was consistent with aspects of the complaint from Congressman
Kirk's constituent.
Protection of the Department of Energy's Unclassified Sensitive Electronic Information
The Department of Energy and its contractors store and process massive quantities of
sensitive information to accomplish national security, energy, science, and environmental
missions. Sensitive unclassified data, such as personally identifiable information (PII),
official use only, and unclassified controlled nuclear information require special handling
and protection to prevent misuse of the information for inappropriate purposes. Industry
experts have reported that more than 203 million personal privacy records have been lost
or stolen over the past three years, including information maintained by corporations,
educational institutions, and Federal agencies. The loss of personal and other sensitive
information can result in substantial financial harm, embarrassment, and inconvenience to
individuals and organizations. Therefore, strong protective measures, including data
encryption, help protect against the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information.
sensitive information to accomplish national security, energy, science, and environmental
missions. Sensitive unclassified data, such as personally identifiable information (PII),
official use only, and unclassified controlled nuclear information require special handling
and protection to prevent misuse of the information for inappropriate purposes. Industry
experts have reported that more than 203 million personal privacy records have been lost
or stolen over the past three years, including information maintained by corporations,
educational institutions, and Federal agencies. The loss of personal and other sensitive
information can result in substantial financial harm, embarrassment, and inconvenience to
individuals and organizations. Therefore, strong protective measures, including data
encryption, help protect against the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information.
U.S. Department of Energy Inspector General Gregory H. Friedman, Federal
Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Douglas, and San
Mateo County Sheriff Greg Munks announced today that a joint investigation has
led to the arrest of S...
Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Douglas, and San
Mateo County Sheriff Greg Munks announced today that a joint investigation has
led to the arrest of S...
U.S. Department of Energy Inspector General Gregory H. Friedman, Federal
Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Douglas, and San
Mateo County Sheriff Greg Munks announced today that a joint investigation has
led to the arrest of Silvya Oommachen, age 32, of Palo Alto, CA, in connection
with vandalism at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Early last week,
approximately 4,000 to 5,000 separate protein crystal samples were destroyed.
The damage occurred in the Joint Center for Structural Genomics (JCSG)
Laboratory at SLAC’s Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource. A JCSG
administrator estimates the value of the loss to be approximately $500,000. On
Monday, July 27, 2009, Ms. Oommachen, a former employee, was taken into
custody on suspicion of violating United States Code, Title 18, Section 1361,
“Committing Damage to Government Property or Contracts.” The IG is working
closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s
Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of
California. Department of En
Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Douglas, and San
Mateo County Sheriff Greg Munks announced today that a joint investigation has
led to the arrest of Silvya Oommachen, age 32, of Palo Alto, CA, in connection
with vandalism at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Early last week,
approximately 4,000 to 5,000 separate protein crystal samples were destroyed.
The damage occurred in the Joint Center for Structural Genomics (JCSG)
Laboratory at SLAC’s Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource. A JCSG
administrator estimates the value of the loss to be approximately $500,000. On
Monday, July 27, 2009, Ms. Oommachen, a former employee, was taken into
custody on suspicion of violating United States Code, Title 18, Section 1361,
“Committing Damage to Government Property or Contracts.” The IG is working
closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s
Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of
California. Department of En
Audit of Bonneville Power Administration Fish Hatchery Projects