Voluntary Separation Program at the Idaho Cleanup Project
On May 1, 2005, CH2M Washington Group Idaho, LLC (CWI), assumed responsibility for
the management and operation of the Department of Energy's (Department) environmental
reniediation project at the Idaho National Laboratory site. In its contract proposal, CWI
included a strategy for workforce restructuring to optimize employment levels and obtain
the proper skills mix to safely address the project's objectives. The Department approved a
two-phased restructuring approach, permitting CWI to separate up to 700 employees by
offering a voluntary separation program in January 2006; and, if necessary, an involuntary
separation program in March 2007. As a result of this initiative, 291 CWI employees were
separated voluntarily at a cost to the Department of $14 million.
the management and operation of the Department of Energy's (Department) environmental
reniediation project at the Idaho National Laboratory site. In its contract proposal, CWI
included a strategy for workforce restructuring to optimize employment levels and obtain
the proper skills mix to safely address the project's objectives. The Department approved a
two-phased restructuring approach, permitting CWI to separate up to 700 employees by
offering a voluntary separation program in January 2006; and, if necessary, an involuntary
separation program in March 2007. As a result of this initiative, 291 CWI employees were
separated voluntarily at a cost to the Department of $14 million.
Quality Assurance Standards for the Integrated Control Network at theHanford Site's Waste Treatment Plant
In November 2001, Bechtel National issued a purchase order to
procure a control system for the integrated control network at the
Waste Treatment Plant (Plant). The integrated control network is
an automated system that monitors the quality and safety of
systems and processes of the Plant. The control system, which is a
critical component of the integrated control network, monitors the
status of pumps, mixers, and flow rates of the waste through the
treatment process. Bechtel National identified the integrated
control network as affecting the quality of immobilized high-level
radioactive waste.
Departmental Orders require the establishment of quality assurance
programs over systems and operations. Bechtel National, in
implementing the Department's quality assurance directives,
concluded that the control system needed to meet quality assurance
standards for nuclear facilities or equivalent because it affected the
quality of immobilized high-level waste.
procure a control system for the integrated control network at the
Waste Treatment Plant (Plant). The integrated control network is
an automated system that monitors the quality and safety of
systems and processes of the Plant. The control system, which is a
critical component of the integrated control network, monitors the
status of pumps, mixers, and flow rates of the waste through the
treatment process. Bechtel National identified the integrated
control network as affecting the quality of immobilized high-level
radioactive waste.
Departmental Orders require the establishment of quality assurance
programs over systems and operations. Bechtel National, in
implementing the Department's quality assurance directives,
concluded that the control system needed to meet quality assurance
standards for nuclear facilities or equivalent because it affected the
quality of immobilized high-level waste.
I am pleased to submit the Office of Inspector General's (OIG's) Senziannual Report to
Congress. This report summarizes significant OIG activities and accomplishments during
the six month period ending March 3 1,2007.
This report reflects 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 accomplishments in identifying the Department's most
significant management challenges.ÿÿ
Congress. This report summarizes significant OIG activities and accomplishments during
the six month period ending March 3 1,2007.
This report reflects 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 accomplishments in identifying the Department's most
significant management challenges.ÿÿ
Management Controls over Selected Facility Contractor Travel Expenses
The Department of Energy relies on contractors to manage and operate its major facilities. Management contractors' business-related travel, which includes domestic and international trips to and from field sites to attend meetings and conferences and to perform research, represents a significant cost to the Department. In Fiscal year (FY) 2006 contractors took over 192,000 trips and incurred total travel related costs of approximately $154 million.
Testimony on the concerns expressed in your April 5th letter regarding operations at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Statement of Gregory H. Friedman, Inspector General U.S. Department of Energy Subject: Operations at the Los Alamos National Laboratory
The Department of Energy's Community and Regulatory Support Funding at the Richland