Watchdog Groups Call for Major Fee Cut For Lab Contractor
NS&D Monitor
12/5/2014
Two weapons complex watchdog groups are asking Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz to slash the Fiscal Year 2014 performance fee for Los Alamos National Laboratory contractor Los Alamos National Security because of the lab’s alleged role in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant radiological release and problems with the lab’s Plutonium Facility. In a Dec. 3 letter to Moniz, the Project On Government Oversight and Nuclear Watch New Mexico said the lab’s performance in FY 2014 was “demonstrably worse than other years” and called on the National Nuclear Security Administration to cut the $40 million in available performance fee at least in half.
The lab contractor earned $41.9 million in FY 2013, including 82 percent of its at-risk fee ($34.1 million). “The Department of Energy’s cozy relationships with its contractors must end, given their repeated failures and massive cost overruns,” Nuclear Watch New Mexico Director Jay Coghlan said. “Substandard performance by the Los Alamos Lab contractor is costing the taxpayer dearly.”
The lab is believed to have used unapproved waste handling methods to pack waste for disposal at WIPP, and a drum containing the Los Alamos waste ruptured earlier this year, closing the disposal site. Major operations at the lab’s Plutonium Facility have also been largely shut down since June of 2013 because of concerns about nuclear criticality safety.
The NNSA is expected to release information about FY 2014 fee determinations for weapons complex contractors, including Los Alamos, later this month. “As a matter of good governance, proper federal oversight and contractor accountability, we again urge you to cut LANS’ possible incentive award fee for FY 2014 at least in half,” the groups wrote. “Moreover, given its major failures, you should seriously consider whether it is in the best interests of the American taxpayer to have LANS continue to operate the Los Alamos National Laboratory.” Los Alamos declined to comment on the letter.
Beard Leaving Los Alamos for URS Management Position
NS&D Monitor
12/5/2014
URS Executive Carl Beard is resigning as Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Principal Associate Director of Operations and Business to take a senior position at URS Nuclear & Environment. Beard has worked at Los Alamos for the last eight years, serving as associate director for Plutonium Science and Manufacturing and then later as the principal associate director for Operations and Business. He’ll serve as the Vice President of Operations with URS Nuclear & Environment, where he’ll report to Nuclear & Environment General Manager James Taylor.
URS was recently purchased by AECOM. “Carl has been instrumental in making a number of enduring operational changes that have improved nuclear safety, plutonium science and manufacturing, hazardous facility operations, and security across the Lab,” LANL Director Charlie McMillan said in a message to employees late last week. “His operational expertise, coupled with his engineering credentials and history with the Lab, have positioned him to provide strategic and sound counsel.” Mike Lansing will replace Beard in an acting capacity while a search is conducted for Beard’s replacement. McMillan also said Darryl Overbay will take over as the acting Associate Director for Security, Safeguards, and Emergency Response.
