The National Nuclear Security Administration's Management of Support Service Contracts
The National Nuclear Security Administration's Management of Support Service Contracts

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 9

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear energy. To help fulfill its responsibilities, NNSA makes use of Support Service Contracts (SSCs). In March 2013, NNSA's Office of Defense Programs (Defense Programs) initiated a self-assessment on the use of non-Federal personnel. The Defense Programs self-assessment identified potential issues with the management of its SSCs related to the performance of personal services and inherently governmental functions, as well as potential issues with funding sources. Management generally concurred with the self-assessment's recommendations, including nine recommendations related to SSCs. According to NNSA procurement officials, the recommendations are being addressed and implemented on an NNSA-wide basis. Our limited review found no clear violations of the FAR or Department of Energy (Department) and NNSA guidance. Rather, the issues with NNSA's management of SSCs often hinge upon subtlety, nuance, and professional judgment. Given the complexity of SSCs, close and continuing attention is needed to ensure that Federal regulations are not violated. As previously noted, NNSA also self-identified these issues and, we were told, is taking corrective actions to address them. These actions, when fully implemented, should help correct the issues we identified as well.

National Nuclear Security Administration
National Nuclear Security Administration

Author: United States Government Accountability Office

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2017-10-05

Total Pages: 40

ISBN-13: 9781977960207

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

NNSA is responsible for the management and security of the nation's nuclear weapons programs and relies heavily on contractors to carry out this mission. In January 2013, NNSA awarded a $22 billion consolidated M&O contract for its Pantex and Y-12 sites, which NNSA stated will enhance mission performance and reduce costs. The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2013, as amended, requires NNSA to report to Congress on the costs and benefits of the contract competition following the award of an M&O contract. NNSA's report is to address the expected cost savings, competition costs, any disruption or delay in mission activities or deliverables, and any benefits to mission performance or operations resulting from the competition. The act also requires GAO to review and report on NNSA's report. This report assesses the extent to which NNSA's report addressed each required topic and the clarity and completeness of the information provided. GAO interviewed NNSA officials and reviewed NNSA's statutory reporting requirements, the agency's report and supporting documentation, and federal guides and standards relevant to presenting benefits and costs.

Nuclear Security Enterprise
Nuclear Security Enterprise

Author: United States. Government Accountability Office

Publisher:

Published: 2019

Total Pages: 8

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)—a separately organized agency within the Department of Energy (DOE)—is responsible for the management and security of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile as well as for U.S. nonproliferation efforts. To execute its missions, NNSA relies on seven management and operating (M&O) contractors to manage and operate eight NNSA sites—collectively known as the nuclear security enterprise.1 Effective performance of M&O contracts usually requires high levels of expertise and continuity of operations and personnel. An M&O contract is characterized by, among other things, the close relationship between the government and the contractor conducting work, either because of the nature of the work or because the work is to be performed in government facilities. The work performed by M&O contractors is generally long-term and continuing in nature. NNSA’s relationship with its M&O contractors has been a source of concern for years, including NNSA’s use of data calls. Generally, the purpose of data calls is to provide NNSA, DOE, and other entities with information to perform oversight of M&O contractors and support important programmatic work and management decisions, or to provide critical information to other parts of the department or the U.S. government. This report examines (1) what is known about data calls to NNSA’s M&O contractors, and the extent to which, if any, contractors currently identify data calls as burdensome; and (2) what actions NNSA has taken since 2015 to manage data calls to M&O contractors.

National Nuclear Security Administration
National Nuclear Security Administration

Author: David C. Trimble

Publisher:

Published: 2015-05-01

Total Pages: 39

ISBN-13: 9781457867729

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The National Nuclear Security Admin. (NNSA) is responsible for the management and security of the nation's nuclear weapons programs and relies heavily on contractors to carry out this mission. In Jan. 2013, NNSA awarded a $22 billion consolidated management and operating (M&O) contract for its Pantex and Y-12 sites, which NNSA stated will enhance mission performance and reduce costs. NNSA is required to report to Congress on the costs and benefits of the contract competition following the award of an M&O contract to address the expected cost savings, competition costs, any disruption or delay in mission activities or deliverables, and any benefits to mission performance or operations resulting from the competition. This report assesses the extent to which NNSA's report addressed each required topic and the completeness of the information provided. Tables and figures. This is a print on demand report.

Modernizing the Nuclear Security Enterprise
Modernizing the Nuclear Security Enterprise

Author: United States. Government Accountability Office

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 31

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a semiautonomous agency within the Department of Energy (DOE), proposed in March 2010 a new acquisition strategy that includes consolidating the management and operating (M & O) contracts for two of its eight sites, the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) in Tennessee and the Pantex Plant in Texas, and consolidating all construction projects for all of its sites under a single, enterprise-wide contract. NNSA anticipates that this strategy will reduce costs, enhance mission performance, and improve construction management. NNSA's sites are overseen by colocated federal site offices. GAO was asked to assess NNSA's preliminary proposals for (1) a consolidated M & O contract for Y-12 and Pantex and (2) an enterprise-wide construction contract. GAO reviewed analyses supporting NNSA's acquisition strategy; examined agency directives and guidance; and interviewed DOE, NNSA, and contractor officials. GAO recommends, among other things, that NNSA develop a plan for implementing the improved management practices identified by its analysis and assess the costs, risks, and benefits of the consolidated construction contract to better define and inform its acquisition strategy and to take appropriate future actions. NNSA generally agreed with GAO's findings and recommendations.

National Nuclear Security Administration
National Nuclear Security Administration

Author: United States Government Accountability Office

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2017-09-21

Total Pages: 26

ISBN-13: 9781977508546

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Effective management and oversight of contracts, projects, and programs are dependent upon the availability of reliable enterprise-wide financial management information. Such information is also needed by Congress to carry out its oversight responsibilities and make budgetary decisions. However, meaningful cost analysis of NNSA programs, including comparisons across programs, contractors, and sites, is not possible because NNSA's contractors use different methods of accounting for and tracking costs. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 required NNSA to develop and submit to Congress a plan to improve and integrate its financial management. An explanatory statement accompanying the act included a provision for GAO to review the adequacy of NNSA's plan. This report evaluates the extent to which NNSA's plan (1) addresses the objectives of the act and (2) follows leading practices for planning. GAO reviewed NNSA's plan and compared it with legislative requirements and leading practices for planning and interviewed NNSA officials.