Los Alamos National Laboratory (Los Alamos) and Sandia
Defense Related High National Laboratories (Sandia) had effective administrative
Risk Property controls in place over the accountability of firearms. These
controls included formal inventories, adequate
documentation, and proper segregation of duties. However,
we found that administrative controls over other defense
related high risk property such as firearm barrels, body
armor, and gas masks were not sufficient for providing
accountability. Specifically, we found that both Los
Alamos and Sandia did not maintain complete and accurate
inventories of firearm barrels, body armor, and gas masks.
Although in some cases, the sites listed these items on hand
written logs and spreadsheets, we found these lists to be
inaccurate. Additionally, Los Alamos and Sandia did not
always document the disposal of these items, as required by
both federal regulations and internal policies. Furthermore,
the sites did not always segregate duties for the acquisition,
inventory, and issuance of protective force equipment such
as body armor and gas masks.
Defense Related High National Laboratories (Sandia) had effective administrative
Risk Property controls in place over the accountability of firearms. These
controls included formal inventories, adequate
documentation, and proper segregation of duties. However,
we found that administrative controls over other defense
related high risk property such as firearm barrels, body
armor, and gas masks were not sufficient for providing
accountability. Specifically, we found that both Los
Alamos and Sandia did not maintain complete and accurate
inventories of firearm barrels, body armor, and gas masks.
Although in some cases, the sites listed these items on hand
written logs and spreadsheets, we found these lists to be
inaccurate. Additionally, Los Alamos and Sandia did not
always document the disposal of these items, as required by
both federal regulations and internal policies. Furthermore,
the sites did not always segregate duties for the acquisition,
inventory, and issuance of protective force equipment such
as body armor and gas masks.
Semiannual Report to Congress, October 1, 2007 - March 31, 2008
I am pleased to submit the Office of Inspector General's (OIG) Semiannual Report to
Congre.s.5. This report summarizes significant OIG activities and accomplishments during
thc \ix month period ending March 3 1, 2008.
This report retlects our continuing commitment to focus OIG efforts on the issues and
concerns most critical to you, the Administration, the Congress, and the taxpayer. In
particular, the report details OIG accomplishrnents in identifying the Department's most
significant management challenges.
We look lorward to working with you on matters of mutual interest.
Congre.s.5. This report summarizes significant OIG activities and accomplishments during
thc \ix month period ending March 3 1, 2008.
This report retlects our continuing commitment to focus OIG efforts on the issues and
concerns most critical to you, the Administration, the Congress, and the taxpayer. In
particular, the report details OIG accomplishrnents in identifying the Department's most
significant management challenges.
We look lorward to working with you on matters of mutual interest.
The Department's Unclassified Foreign Visits and Assignments Program
The Department of Energy's national laboratories and various Federal officials interact with thousands of foreign national visitors and assignees every year. Visits and assignments are for a variety of purposes, including research collaborations and access to scientific user facilities. While the Department reports that these interactions stimulate ideas and foster research, they also carry inherent security risks. The Office of Foreign Visits and Assignments and the Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence help the Department ensure that security risks are addressed while fostering collaboration with foreign nationals.
In our report on The Department's Unclassified Foreign Visits and Assignments Program (DOE/IG-0579, December 2002), we observed that the Department had not adequately controlled unclassified visits and assignments by foreign nationals. That audit identified issues such as admitting visitors prior to receiving required approvals, not completing background checks, and neglecting to enter appropriate and accurate information into the Department's Foreign Access Central Tracking System (FACTS). Management agreed to take corrective action and has since issued a new Department order to govern these activities. Due to the sensitivity of the program and the potential for harm, we initiated this review to determine whether the Department had improved the management of its
Foreign Visits and Assignments Program.
In our report on The Department's Unclassified Foreign Visits and Assignments Program (DOE/IG-0579, December 2002), we observed that the Department had not adequately controlled unclassified visits and assignments by foreign nationals. That audit identified issues such as admitting visitors prior to receiving required approvals, not completing background checks, and neglecting to enter appropriate and accurate information into the Department's Foreign Access Central Tracking System (FACTS). Management agreed to take corrective action and has since issued a new Department order to govern these activities. Due to the sensitivity of the program and the potential for harm, we initiated this review to determine whether the Department had improved the management of its
Foreign Visits and Assignments Program.
Accountability of Sensitive and High Risk Property at the Nevada Site Office
Office of Intelligence andCounterintelligence Internal Controls Over the Department of Energy’s Sensitive Compartmented InformationAccess Program
The Department of Energy (DOE) is 1 of the 16 members of the
AND OBJECTIVES U.S. Government’s Intelligence Community and serves as the
premier technical intelligence resource in the areas of nuclear
weapons, nonproliferation, energy, science, and technology and
emerging nuclear threats. In addition to providing intelligence
analyses, DOE offers specialized technology development and
operational support to both intelligence and law enforcement
agencies. DOE accomplishes its intelligence mission by drawing
from broad technical expertise located throughout the Department
complex, including the National Laboratories, and uses Sensitive
Compartmented Information (SCI) that is shared between members
of the Intelligence Community. SCI is a designation given to
classified information derived from intelligence sources, methods,
or analytical processes that requires formal access control systems.
AND OBJECTIVES U.S. Government’s Intelligence Community and serves as the
premier technical intelligence resource in the areas of nuclear
weapons, nonproliferation, energy, science, and technology and
emerging nuclear threats. In addition to providing intelligence
analyses, DOE offers specialized technology development and
operational support to both intelligence and law enforcement
agencies. DOE accomplishes its intelligence mission by drawing
from broad technical expertise located throughout the Department
complex, including the National Laboratories, and uses Sensitive
Compartmented Information (SCI) that is shared between members
of the Intelligence Community. SCI is a designation given to
classified information derived from intelligence sources, methods,
or analytical processes that requires formal access control systems.
Audit Report on Management of the Department's Publicly Accessible Websites
The Department of Energy and its prime contractors operate hundreds of publicly accessible websites. These sites provide a wide range of information about the Department's energy, science, defense and environmental missions. Ensuring that these websites are secure and that infonnation is current and readily accessible is vital to efforts to provide one-stop, on-line access to citizens; this includes the objectives in the arena established as part of a current Presidential initiative. In 2004, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memorandum detailing Federal website requirements, such as accessibility guidelines, set forth in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and specific website requirements outlined in the E-Government and Government Performance and
Results Acts.
Results Acts.