LLNL - The True Story -

No. 2 US nuclear commander suspended amid probe of counterfeit gambling chips at Iowa casino The U.S. strategic Command, the military command in charge of all U.S. nuclear warfighting forces says it has suspended its No. 2 commander, Giardina, for unspecific reasons, and he is under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. By Associated Press, Published: September 28 WASHINGTON — The No. 2 officer at the military command in charge of all U.S. nuclear war-fighting forces is suspected in a case involving counterfeit gambling chips at a western Iowa casino and has been suspended from his duties, officials said. Navy Vice Adm. Tim Giardina has not been arrested or charged, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation special agent David Dales said Saturday. The state investigation is ongoing. Giardina, deputy commander at U.S. Strategic Command, was suspended on Sept. 3 and is under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, a Strat...

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/09/26/detroit-eyes-freezing-pensions-amid-probe-as-evidence-of-possible-fraud-come-to-light/ Let's try to have a unbiased (try!!) discussion if Democratic overspending will affect LLNS pensions in the distant future. Fact: Federal government took in the most tax revenue ever and is still running an annual deficit of $650B. Fact: Because of the bad economy people need food stamps, etc... more than ever and social programs ARE needed. Fact: Not even counting pension deficits California is by some estimates $160-320B in the hole. There was an annual surplus this past year but guess what....they spent it and did not apply it to the debt. When will it end and will it inevitably affect a LLNL pension is the question?

Coming soon to a laboratory near you! Layoffs are going to happen across all the energy and weapons laboratories. The budgets are not sustainable in the current economic climate and Oak Ridge is just the first. http://news.sciencemag.org/funding/2013/09/oak-ridge-national-laboratory-trim-staff-much-11

B-61 still in the news "The most important takeaway from the JASON report is this: Should schedule problems develop (as they invariably do), the NNSA must focus on what needs to be done, not on what might be desirable." "The more important point that JASON makes is that, to meet its schedule, the NNSA should focus on what has to be done, not what might be desired: “In implementing important and desirable, but not essential, elements in the 3B program, there should be a clear understanding of their cost and impact on the schedule. These elements should be prioritized in the event that unanticipated program delays or cost overruns are encountered that could threaten meeting the FPU [first production unit] deadline.” In other words, a significant portion of the work proposed for the B61 is not essential. It is someone’s wish list, either the NNSA’s or the DOD’s. Yet that wish list, the JASON report notes, could become the reason that the production schedule ends up slip...

NNSA Requests Another $55.9M For LANL, LLNL Retiree Pension Payment The National Nuclear Security Administration needs an extra $55.9 million to make a paymen tto the University of California Retirement Plan, according to a reprogramming request submitted to Congress Tuesday. The reprogramming request was coupled with an appeal to reprogram another $2.5 million to finish designing Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Low Level Waste building, a key part of the lab’s Radioactive Liquid Waste Treatment Facility (RLWTF) project that the Department of Energy said would have to be shut down without the extra funds. The additional money for Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory retiree pensions is on top of $22.8 million DOE already requested as part of a nonproliferation reprogramming request in August. The agency said the funds are needed because recently approved changes to the University of California’s defined benefit pension plan increased assumptions on how long people wi...

Thanks very much for your continued upkeep of the blog. I'm not one to post there myself but I thought our OpEd "Privatizing National Lab Management Misguided" might be of interest. http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/openforum/article/Privatizing-national-lab-management-misguided-4843513.php

Is it true managers get 5 to 50K bonuses on top of their % pay raise?

POGO: Watchdog Finds Flaws in DOE Contractor Responsibility Checks September 10, 2013 The Department of Energy’s (DOE) watchdog office just published a report finding weaknesses in the Department’s policies and procedures for keeping contracts out of the hands of disreputable companies and individuals. “The Department had developed internal controls designed to ensure that awards were made to responsible prospective contractors,” according to a Department of Energy Inspector General (DOE IG) audit report released last week. “Although procurement officials were familiar with the…requirements regarding responsibility determinations, we found that management did not ensure these requirements were consistently followed.” Anonymous said... September 20, 2013 at 8:21 AM Looks like sole sourcing is going to get a lot harder starting today. God help all those who want their good "yesterday" but don't want to spend the time doing their research fi...

Calling all bloggers! Get paid to blog for LANL. No, really. Scooby may not post it but here is the link if you are interested in applying for the job. http://www.comnetwork.org/2013/09/social-media-project-manager-los-alamos-national-laboratory/

UC Regents Visit Lawrence Livermore 9/20/2013 - LLNL Newsline In an effort to strengthen and showcase the long-standing relationship between Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the University of California (UC), the UC Board of Regents held a public meeting at the Laboratory. "This will be a great step in continuing the relationship between the [national] labs and the university," UC Regent Chairman Bruce Varner said at the Thursday morning meeting held at Livermore Valley Open Campus' High Performance Computing and Innovation Center. The University of California had been the sole operator of LLNL since it was founded in 1952 until 2007. Since then, the Lab has been operated by Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC, which is a consortium of government contractors and UC. UC Regent Norman Pattiz, who is the Chair of the UC Committee on the Oversight of Department of Energy (DOE) Laboratories as well as chair of the LLNS Board of Governors, said...

NNSA Nominee Klotz Pledges to Focus on Security and Safety Sept. 19, 2013 By Rachel Oswald Global Security Newswire WASHINGTON -- Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz on Thursday told a Senate panel he would focus on maintaining “security and safety” at the embattled National Nuclear Security Administration if confirmed as its director." He could turn out to be just what is needed if he is able to pull off this effort. A clear focus on the issues that are most important driven from the top leadership would be a good start. If he can also bring cost and schedule under control then he will have accomplished a second miracle.

In case anyone had any incorrect impressions about the top priority for NNSA, this is from Klotz's SASC testimony today. In your view, what are the major challenges confronting the Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the NNSA? The NNSA has a unique responsibility for pursuing two different, but complementary principles that have traditionally guided American nuclear weapons policy. The FIRST is that the United States must continue to lead international efforts to limit and reduce nuclear arsenals, prevent nuclear proliferation and terrorism, and secure nuclear materials across the globe. The SECOND is that appropriately-sized nuclear forces still play an essential role in protecting U.S. and allied security interests, even as the United States seeks to reduce the overall number and role of nuclear weapons in our national security policy.

Another story on NNSA cost and quality control The AP reporter hits many of the common themes that have been pointed out before in other reports. Seeing them all together highlights that while they are spread across the entire complex, Los Alamos is responsible for the majority of the total. The story was picked up and run in lots of local papers across the country, so it could factor in to the next round of contract awards. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_NUCLEAR_SPENDING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

More on the B-61 budget When Congress does not believe the NNSA budget numbers, this is what happens. Maybe the new Administrator can get some control over the budget process and run it tightly. With the Labs going direct to Congress for add on after add on, the only surprise is that the budget is not even more out of control. http://allthingsnuclear.org/congress-on-the-b61/

GAO responds on future Pu needs http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-533 From this you can conclude that there is not a pressing need for CMRR.

So when can we expect the last phase of SSVSP (200 remaining I believe) to be rolled out?

Here a link to an article by frank Munger: UPF review cites ‘chilled work environment,’ other causes for design failure; Y-12′s M&O contractor criticized: http://knoxblogs.com/atomiccity/2013/09/15/upf-review-cites-chilled-work-environment-causes-design-failure-y-12s-mo-contractor-criticized/ In it are jewels like these: – A coercive management style was encouraged by “the M&O contractor, UPF Project, and M&O Contractor corporate managers (at Babcock & Wilcox and Bechtel), and was tolerated by the National Nuclear Security Administration’s field office and Department of Energy headquarters. Among the contributing factors cited: “A ‘chilled work environment’ resulted in limited communications, hesitation to bring problems forward, organizational mistrust, and stifled innovation and problem solving.” The management directive to freeze the footprint early in the design process set the stage for project behavior, the report said. “The M&O contractor’s senior man...

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9eIrcyRIQxyMVVabXRaenA1TFU/edit?usp=sharing Health care at LLNL

TO: LANL-ALL From/MS: Charles F. McMillan, A100 Phone/Fax: 7-5101/Fax 7-2997 Date: September 13, 2013 SUBJECT: IMPORTANT CHANGES TO HEALTH CARE PLANS Because of key changes to the Laboratory’s health benefits offerings that will affect all of us in the coming year, I’d like to invite you to attend an all-employee meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17 in the NSSB Auditorium. We will explain the changes and the reasons for them, including our need to attract and retain highly skilled and productive employees while coping with the increasing healthcare costs nationally and in our own workforce. The changes will affect a number of areas including the types of plans offered, deductibles and co-payments. Each employee will need to make an active selection during the coming open enrollment period. Tuesday’s meeting will be the first of many opportunities to gather additional information, but I feel it’s important to start this process with you in person. Please join me on Tuesday...

Why is Akima around still? Seems like with all the policy changes with LLNS they could get rid of Akima. How much money is spent that goes right out the door to Akima shareholders?

Sorry Science! http://io9.com/how-is-the-sequester-affecting-science-in-america-1283470414

New report reviews science and engineering quality at national security laboratories Public release date: 10-Sep-2013 Contact: Molly Galvin National Academy of Sciences WASHINGTON — The science and engineering capabilities that underpin the nuclear weapons stockpile stewardship and nonproliferation missions at the nation's three national security laboratories are "healthy and vibrant," says a new report from the National Research Council. The committee that wrote the report found no problems with the quality of science and engineering that would prevent certification of the stockpile. However, the report identifies several issues that, if not addressed, have the potential to erode the ability to perform high-quality work at the laboratories. Congress asked the Research Council to review the quality of scientific research and engineering at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), whic...

Lake H. Barrett is a retired nuclear engineer and was the director of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Three Mile Island Cleanup Site Office from 1980 to 1984. His explanation of the water problem, and solution, at Fukushima has just been posted, and it's excellent. Best, Janice Fixing Fukushima's Water Problem: http://thebulletin.org/fixing-fukushima%E2%80%99s-water-problem -- Janice Sinclaire Internet Outreach Coordinator

LLNL Unveiled Here’s any idea to get you guys more coverage. For those who have facebook there a section for people to put their STATUS: employed retired etc. I put this in mine: The first twenty five years were the best. Mechanical Technicians / Scientist/ Janitor/ Admin, were, inventors, non-degreed engineers, machinist, designers, welders, UHV vacuum technicians, fabricators, etc, Then we lost LLNL to ( Bechtel / LLNS ) Here’s what the employees who work there have to say about this so called transition - http://llnlthetruestory.blogspot.com/ Word yours as you see fit.

YET Another NNSA HQ reorg? I heard the labs and plants now report directly to a new NA-3, kind of leaving the local Feds out of it. Sounds like lab management gains strength?

LLNL P.A due soon. Here is a sold response ******, I am reluctant to provide feedback for my performance appraisal. Fact remains in my 15 years of service here I have only managed to move up one rank group, and my largest raise was 2.5 percent. I do understand that salary packages have not been that great, but that is not the issue. Considering the level of responsibility I have, I should have been a 300 eight years ago. All of the PA inputs I have filled out, the inputs from others, the numerous awards I have received, the presentations I have done, none of this has made a difference. I have had ownership of this *** *** for a long time. I manage daily operations. I am responsible for the facility. I prioritize and schedule the work. I manage projects at the RI level. I put the process in place to move deliverables out the door in an efficient cost effective manner. I am quality control. I have developed a flexible work force to provide additional labor when needed. This program i...

To extend, or not to extend? The NNSA grades for LLNL and LANL are due by the end of the month, along with the local federal office recommendation for contract extension of another year. Last year, LANL was not recommended for extension, but the decision was overturned by Neile Miller at NNSA. New leadership is in place at NNSA this year and this first decision will be closely watched. LANL could find the going hard in light of the months long work stand down at TA 55 for crit safety. The grade this year might provide insight as to how NNSA values the Pu work.

By John Fleck September 3, 2013 Albuquerque Journal Energy boss says B61 nuclear bomb work could be delayed further New Mexico’s national labs face significant questions about funding for the coming year, newly appointed Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz told reporters during a visit to Sandia National Laboratories on Tuesday. “We’re all suffering under a lot of uncertainty on the budgets,” Moniz said at the end of a day of visits to Sandia and Los Alamos labs. Among the biggest unsettled questions are a proposed budget increase for the labs’ work refurbishing the nation’s B61 nuclear bombs and funding for upgrading the buildings at Los Alamos used to do the research and manufacturing work with plutonium, a radioactive metal used in nuclear bombs. With less than a month left in the current fiscal year, Congress has yet to act on its budget for the coming year, creating uncertainty about how much money will be available for critical programs beginning Oct. 1. It is a common problem. ...

Regarding employee contributions to TCP-1 being after-tax dollars: why is that? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think it makes any difference to the retirement system whether the contributions are pre- or post-tax. There must be some law somewhere that forces it to be after-tax money for LLNS, but lets it be before-tax money for UC. Can anybody out there provide an explanation (other than that Bechtel, Mother of All Evil, wants to screw us)? A pointer to the law would be especially nice.

Numbers please. Lots of pension contribution talk. Initially we were given a employee / employer formula. We know exactly what the employees put in. They did so immediately, and as the formula dictated. Why is it a mystery trying to get the employers exact contribution for 2012, 2013, and anticipated 2014?