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"But now, the National Nuclear Security Administration opted against extending Los Alamos National Security's contract to run Los Alamos National Laboratory because of repeated failures over the past four years to meet certain performance goals."
"Repeated failures over the past four years" is really just one single big failure, and many, many examples that came from it. Charlie was the failure as Director, and the saddest part of the saga is that all this was avoidable if UC had selected a more qualified person.
"Repeated failures over the past four years" is really just one single big failure, and many, many examples that came from it. Charlie was the failure as Director, and the saddest part of the saga is that all this was avoidable if UC had selected a more qualified person.
"Repeated failures over the past four years" is really just one single big failure, and many, many examples that came from it. Charlie was the failure as Director, and the saddest part of the saga is that all this was avoidable if UC had selected a more qualified person.
One theory going around is that many people on selection committee where PADS and ADS who wanted to pick a real softball guy demand and do little so that they would be secure in their positions. If so in the end in backfired on them as they will all be out after the new contract. For the next two years all their efforts will be in positioning themselves to part of writing the new contract or making sure they stay in and move up.
One theory going around is that many people on selection committee where PADS and ADS who wanted to pick a real softball guy demand and do little so that they would be secure in their positions. If so in the end in backfired on them as they will all be out after the new contract. For the next two years all their efforts will be in positioning themselves to part of writing the new contract or making sure they stay in and move up.
Maybe the SNL and LANL contracts can be combined into a single entity: NM, LLC.
It would certainly make life easier for the pols and the suits.
It would certainly make life easier for the pols and the suits.
Anonymous said...
Maybe the SNL and LANL contracts can be combined into a single entity: NM, LLC.
It would certainly make life easier for the pols and the suits.
January 1, 2016 at 11:40 AM
Sandia would eat LANL's lunch under such an arrangement.
Maybe the SNL and LANL contracts can be combined into a single entity: NM, LLC.
It would certainly make life easier for the pols and the suits.
January 1, 2016 at 11:40 AM
Sandia would eat LANL's lunch under such an arrangement.
Both are non compis menes. That's why they hide in a lethagic human wasteland. Talent migrates elsewhere to nice environs.
Its why CERN on Lake Geneva, SLAC and LBNL thrive. They can attract and retain talent and families. An isolated desolate place can't.
LLNL managers seconded to mesa isolation left their unwilling spouses home as Test Site and Test Range visitors did during the good ol days.
Its why CERN on Lake Geneva, SLAC and LBNL thrive. They can attract and retain talent and families. An isolated desolate place can't.
LLNL managers seconded to mesa isolation left their unwilling spouses home as Test Site and Test Range visitors did during the good ol days.
I hope people realize that the Jemez Daily Post is essentially a one-man Op Ed site. It isn't a real news source at all.
The LLNL Newsline. Now that is a real news source without company bias.
The economy in New Mexico has been horrible for the last few years.
NM has the worst state economy in America after West Virginia (coal country). I don't expect it will improve anytime soon.
NM has the worst state economy in America after West Virginia (coal country). I don't expect it will improve anytime soon.
What will happen to our region if funding for the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is cut. New Mexico is dependent on federal largesse for its economic survival, and our immediate area, Northern New Mexico, more than most parts of the state with the employment opportunities that LANL and the town of Los Alamos offer.
The state's economy is in dire straits, and a reduction of the country's taxpayers money pouring in would sink it even further. For the second year in a row New Mexico saw a decline in its population according to state population estimates released last Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. New Mexico's net population loss is startling when compared to neighboring states, all of which land in the top 10 for growth in the Census study.
Operations and construction at our neighboring nuclear weapons research laboratory account for millions of dollars in tax revenue for New Mexico and for the town of Los Alamos. But now, the National Nuclear Security Administration opted against extending Los Alamos National Security's contract to run Los Alamos National Laboratory because of repeated failures over the past four years to meet certain performance goals.
A recent review calls for docking the lab's manager $7.7 million in incentive fees for incidents that occurred at LANL and failure to provide for safe, secure, effective, efficient and economical management and operations of the laboratory. Most of the lab's failure came in meeting operational and infrastructure goals, while it made improvements in science and national security work.
Failing to meet performance goals could cost the for-profit consortium that runs the lab $2 billion, and the management of the operation be put out to bid. This consortium, it includes the University of California and the Bechtel Corporation, pays more than $100 million in gross receipts taxes to the state in most years. The community of Los Alamos also gets the majority of its revenues from lab operations.
The lab's management team missed an opportunity last year to earn a contract extension after it was held to account for errors that led to a radiation leak. The current contract expires in September 2017, but managers could continue through 2018 as part of a transition period. Spokespersons for the consortium put an optimistic spin on the latest review, saying that while improvements are needed in some areas the lab remains a world-class research institution.
Members of the United States congressional delegation stressed that LANL needs to be a responsible steward of federal funds and take action under the contract to ensure the safety of workers, the community and environment.
http://www.jemezdailypost.com/content/lanl-funds-get-docked
The spin is not to save LANL, but to save LANS or some idea of for profit entity running LANL. Saving LANS is good for a few companies, some high level managers, but has been a disaster for LANL and ultimately the United States.