Fulfilling the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 has presented Federal
science agencies with the challenge of defining ways to quantify and evaluate the outcomes of research.
Measuring research program performance is particularly important for the Department of Energy because of
its substantial investment (approximately $7 billion in Fiscal Year 1996) in research and development
activities.
The Research Roundtable, in 1995, observed that the results of research could be evaluated using the
performance indicators of relevance, productivity, and quality. One method for doing so is formal, objective
evaluation by independent reviewers, or peer review. The objective of the audit was to determine whether
the Department had established and was managing a peer review process for evaluating scientific and
technical projects.bi
science agencies with the challenge of defining ways to quantify and evaluate the outcomes of research.
Measuring research program performance is particularly important for the Department of Energy because of
its substantial investment (approximately $7 billion in Fiscal Year 1996) in research and development
activities.
The Research Roundtable, in 1995, observed that the results of research could be evaluated using the
performance indicators of relevance, productivity, and quality. One method for doing so is formal, objective
evaluation by independent reviewers, or peer review. The objective of the audit was to determine whether
the Department had established and was managing a peer review process for evaluating scientific and
technical projects.bi
Report On Inspection Regarding Small Business Contracting Statistics Reporting And Presentation
During this inspection, we sought to determine if the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity: 1. Issued the annual “Report to Congress on the Small Business Program” for FY
1993, FY 1994, and FY 1995, as required by the Department of Energy Act of 1978--Civilian Applications, as amended by Public Law 96-470, and 2. Notified the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs that the Department’s small business prime contract goal in the FY 1995 Performance Agreement with the President needed to be revised. We also sought to determine if:
3. Visual aids prepared for Secretarial presentations contained incorrect information regarding the Department’s small business program.
1993, FY 1994, and FY 1995, as required by the Department of Energy Act of 1978--Civilian Applications, as amended by Public Law 96-470, and 2. Notified the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs that the Department’s small business prime contract goal in the FY 1995 Performance Agreement with the President needed to be revised. We also sought to determine if:
3. Visual aids prepared for Secretarial presentations contained incorrect information regarding the Department’s small business program.
Report on Inspection Regarding Small Business Contracting Statistics Reporting and Presentation
The U.S Department Of Energy's Management Of Associated Western Universities Grant Program
Fluor Daniel Fernald's Use of Temporary Service Subcontractors
The Department of Energy (Department) and Fluor Daniel Fernald (Fluor Daniel) implemented two work
force restructurings at the Fernald Environmental Management Project between Fiscal Years (FY) 1994 and
1996. During the restructurings, the Department's cost for temporary service subcontracts increased from
$2.8 million to $9.8 million annually. The objective of this audit was to determine whether Fluor Daniel
utilized temporary service agreements in an economical and efficient manner and in accordance with the
policy and goals of the Department's Work Force Restructuring Program.K
force restructurings at the Fernald Environmental Management Project between Fiscal Years (FY) 1994 and
1996. During the restructurings, the Department's cost for temporary service subcontracts increased from
$2.8 million to $9.8 million annually. The objective of this audit was to determine whether Fluor Daniel
utilized temporary service agreements in an economical and efficient manner and in accordance with the
policy and goals of the Department's Work Force Restructuring Program.K
Audit of Alternatives to Testing at the Tonopah Test Range
The Office of Inspector General has issued several recent reports concerning ways in
which the Department could reduce the size of the complex to reflect current and future
operating strategies. One report identified land that we believe the Department could
dispose of allowing it to focus on the mission of the Department rather than land
management (DOE/IG-0399). Another report identified leased administrative facilities, a
significant amount of which were vacant (DOE/IG-0402). Finally, we analyzed operations
at Mound and concluded that the remaining functions could be transferred to another
operational facility with significant cost savings (DOE/IG-0408). We began an audit of
operations at the Tonopah Test Range to determine if there were cost effective
alternatives to continued operations.
which the Department could reduce the size of the complex to reflect current and future
operating strategies. One report identified land that we believe the Department could
dispose of allowing it to focus on the mission of the Department rather than land
management (DOE/IG-0399). Another report identified leased administrative facilities, a
significant amount of which were vacant (DOE/IG-0402). Finally, we analyzed operations
at Mound and concluded that the remaining functions could be transferred to another
operational facility with significant cost savings (DOE/IG-0408). We began an audit of
operations at the Tonopah Test Range to determine if there were cost effective
alternatives to continued operations.
Audit of the Department of Energy's Management of Research and Development Integration