The Procurement of Safety Class/Safety-Significant Items at the Savannah River Site
The Department of Energy operates several nuclear facilities at its Savannah River Site, and several additional facilities are under construction. This includes the National Nuclear Security Administration's Tritium Extraction Facility (TEF) which is designated to help maintain the reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile. The Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MOX Facility) is being constructed to manufacture commercial nuclear reactor fuel assemblies from weapon-grade plutonium oxide and depleted uranium. The Interim Salt Processing (ISP) project, managed by the Office of Environmental Management, will treat radioactive waste.
Letter Report on Department of Energy Funding of Tribal Colleges and Universities
The Department of Energy is required to submit annual reports describing the financial support it provides to minority serving institutions in each of three categories: Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). The reports are compiled for the Department by the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, based on input from departmental elements. In the case of TCUs, the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity submits the report to the Office of the White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities at the Department of Education.
The Office of Inspector General received an allegation that the FY 2007 TCU report contained a “gross unexplained error,” and the complainant believed that the data was intentionally falsified. Specifically, the report showed an increase in TCU financial support from $176,550 in FY 2006 to $5,203,886 in FY 2007 that the complainant did not believe was supportable. As a result, we initiated an inspection to examine the facts surrounding the allegation.
The Office of Inspector General received an allegation that the FY 2007 TCU report contained a “gross unexplained error,” and the complainant believed that the data was intentionally falsified. Specifically, the report showed an increase in TCU financial support from $176,550 in FY 2006 to $5,203,886 in FY 2007 that the complainant did not believe was supportable. As a result, we initiated an inspection to examine the facts surrounding the allegation.
Inspector General Semiannual Report to Congress, DOE/IG-0056
Recovery Act Monthly Reporting Spreadsheet
Monthly Update Report Data
The Department of Energy's Acquisition Workforce and its Impact on Implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Signed by the President on February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) seeks to strengthen the U.S. economy through the creation of new jobs, aiding State and local governments with budget shortfalls, and investing in the long-term health of the Nation's economic prosperity. Under the Recovery Act, the Department of Energy will receive approximately $40 billion for various energy, environmental, and science programs and initiatives. To have an immediate stimulative impact on the U.S. economy, the Department's stated goal is to ensure that these funds are spent as expeditiously as possible, without risking transparency and accountability. Given the Department's almost total reliance on the acquisition process (contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, etc.) to carry out its mission, enhanced focus on contract administration and, specifically, the work performed by Federal acquisition officials is of vital importance as the unprecedented flow of funds begins under the Recovery Act.
As the largest civilian contracting agency in the Federal government, sound contract administration policies as well as a stable, experienced acquisition workforce are essential components for the effective execution and performance of the Department's core missions. In recent years, the concern over the availability of acquisition professionals in sufficient numbers to provide effective contract administration has been recognized as one of the Department's most significant management challenges. The Department's enhanced responsibilities under the Recovery Act underscore the importance of this challenge.
As the largest civilian contracting agency in the Federal government, sound contract administration policies as well as a stable, experienced acquisition workforce are essential components for the effective execution and performance of the Department's core missions. In recent years, the concern over the availability of acquisition professionals in sufficient numbers to provide effective contract administration has been recognized as one of the Department's most significant management challenges. The Department's enhanced responsibilities under the Recovery Act underscore the importance of this challenge.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law on February 17, 2009, as a way to, among other things, jumpstart the U.S. economy, create or save millions of jobs, spur technological advances in science and health, and invest in environmental protection activities. The Recovery Act will require agencies to implement an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability that will permit the
American people to determine how and for what purpose their tax dollars are being spent. To assist Federal agencies with carrying out their Recovery Act responsibilities, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently issued guidance designed to meet crucial accountability objectives regarding the distribution of funds, transparency of agency efforts to the public, and achievement of program goals.
American people to determine how and for what purpose their tax dollars are being spent. To assist Federal agencies with carrying out their Recovery Act responsibilities, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently issued guidance designed to meet crucial accountability objectives regarding the distribution of funds, transparency of agency efforts to the public, and achievement of program goals.