The U.S. Department of Energy's Non-Nuclear Materials Inventory at the Kansas City Plant
The Department of Energy (Department) maintains the majority of non-nuclear components of nuclear
weapons at its Kansas City Plant. Allied Signal Federal Manufacturing and Technologies (Allied Signal)
manages and operates the plant, while the Albuquerque Operations Office and its Kansas City Area Office
are responsible for administering the contract with Allied Signal.
In recent years, the United States has significantly reduced the number of weapons maintained in the
stockpile. As a result, a large quantity of non-nuclear materials accumulated at the Kansas City Plant. The
value of the inventory, as of October 1998, was $575 million. The objective of this audit was to determine if
Department and contractor officials were identifying and disposing of non-nuclear materials inventory for
which there was no current or future designated need.
weapons at its Kansas City Plant. Allied Signal Federal Manufacturing and Technologies (Allied Signal)
manages and operates the plant, while the Albuquerque Operations Office and its Kansas City Area Office
are responsible for administering the contract with Allied Signal.
In recent years, the United States has significantly reduced the number of weapons maintained in the
stockpile. As a result, a large quantity of non-nuclear materials accumulated at the Kansas City Plant. The
value of the inventory, as of October 1998, was $575 million. The objective of this audit was to determine if
Department and contractor officials were identifying and disposing of non-nuclear materials inventory for
which there was no current or future designated need.
The Office of Defense Programs Robotics and Intelligent Machines Projects
Robotics and Intelligent Machines (RIM) are systems composed of machines, sensors, computers, and software capable of executing various tasks with minimal human intervention. They have wide range application for solving many operational challenges including nuclear waste cleanup and weapons manufacturing and dismantlement. RIM accelerates cleanup and reduces the amount of exposure humans experience from nuclear materials.
Review of the Status of the U.S. Department of Energy's Counterintelligence Implementation Plan
In February 1998 the President issued Presidential Decision Directive 61 (PDD-61) designed
to reorganize and improve the counterintelligence program of the U.S. Department of Energy
(Department). Subsequent to the release of PDD-61, the Department developed a
Counterintelligence Implementation Plan (CIP), which included 46 actions to achieve this
goal.
On May 26, 1999, the Under Secretary requested that the Office of Inspector General
evaluate the implementation status of the actions included in the CIP. In response to the
Department’s request, we conducted a review at Headquarters and the three largest national
laboratories to determine which of the recommendations in the CIP have been implemented.
to reorganize and improve the counterintelligence program of the U.S. Department of Energy
(Department). Subsequent to the release of PDD-61, the Department developed a
Counterintelligence Implementation Plan (CIP), which included 46 actions to achieve this
goal.
On May 26, 1999, the Under Secretary requested that the Office of Inspector General
evaluate the implementation status of the actions included in the CIP. In response to the
Department’s request, we conducted a review at Headquarters and the three largest national
laboratories to determine which of the recommendations in the CIP have been implemented.
Management of Laboratory Directed Research and Development at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The Department of Energy's (Department) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the only national laboratory dedicated to furthering the development and commercialization of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. NREL's mission is to lead the Nation toward a sustainable energy future by developing renewable energy technologies, improving energy efficiency, advancing related science and engineering, and facilitating commercialization. As part of its mission, NREL performs discretionary research and development, more commonly known as Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD). The objectives of the Department's LDRD program include maintaining the scientific and technical vitality of laboratories; fostering creativity and stimulating the exploration of forefront science and technology; and supporting high-risk, potentially high-value research and development. The objective of this
audit was to determine how NREL implemented its LDRD program in relation to Department requirements.
audit was to determine how NREL implemented its LDRD program in relation to Department requirements.