UCRP vs TCP1

How do the current and projected assets/liabilities compare between UCRP and LLNS TCP1?

Speculations

Some talk that the plan for the new LANL contract is to get rid of the last of the TCP1 people and close out the pensions. They are also looking for ways to save money by reduced benefits or making the lab more of two-tired systems where large portions of the lab will be external contractors with their own benefits. It is all speculation but some people might be thinking that with the new contract that LANL could be the first NNSA lab to be truly brought into modern large businesses project management.

And the spin begins to "save LANL"

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

 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Let the beatings continue until morale improves.

December 30, 2015 at 7:39 AM

Anonymous said...

And the spin begins to "save LANL"


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.

December 30, 2015 at 11:03 AM

Who are Scooby and Doobydew?

Have you ever wondered if Scooby and Doobydew are people you know? Who is behind them?

To find out,  visit the website on 1/1/16!

Merry Christmas!

NM Tax structure depends on for profit LANL operation

Now that the local politicians have tasted tax riches, there is slim to no chance that the contract will be allowed to go to a nonprofit operator.


http://www.dchieftain.com/news/state/up-for-bid-nuke-lab-contract-could-affect-tax-revenues/article_4254145e-8273-5bc5-bbac-f3b1d48f6e04.html

LANL Reports More Safety Lapses at Waste Sites

By Rebecca Moss, The New Mexican

Thousands of mislabeled waste containers, missing safety equipment and a broken emergency alarm system were among the more than 400 hazardous waste permit violations that Los Alamos National Laboratory listed in a report to the state this week.

The report, submitted annually to the Waste Management Bureau of the New Mexico Environment Department, largely characterized the violations as “inconsistencies” in record-keeping and labeling. However, it is the latest in a series of reports revealing a culture of negligence and lax safety protocols at the lab and follows a February 2014 radiation leak that shut down the nuclear waste storage facility in Southern New Mexico after a mislabeled and mishandled LANL drum burst there.

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/lanl-reports-more-safety-lapses-at-waste-sites/article_d0cd5f20-c168-5e7d-b4f4-a69a7299d9a7.html

December 25, 2015 at 2:30 AM

COMMENT:

Anonymous:

"Culture". You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

LLNL's 2015 performance earns another contact award term

LLNL's 2015 performance earns another contact award term
12/18/2015

The Lab's ability to deliver on its science and technology missions has resulted in excellent marks in the fiscal year 2015 Performance Evaluation Plan.

The Livermore Field Office (LFO) recently released the assessment, which outlines six performance objectives for the period of Oct. 1, 2014 through Sept. 30, 2015.

The Laboratory received four ratings of "excellent" and two ratings of "very good," resulting in an award of more than 93 percent of the possible fee, or almost $38 million. The percentage total ranks among the highest performance since Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS) assumed management of the Laboratory for the Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration in 2007. In addition, LLNS received another one-year award term to manage the Laboratory for NNSA, which extends the current contract to Sept. 30, 2020.

"These ratings reflect the Lab's strong capabilities in applying science and technology to meet critical national security needs," said Director Bill Goldstein. "I'm very proud to see our work recognized by NNSA."

Among the accomplishments cited by LFO:

* Continued improvements to NIF, resulting in a significant increase in shots, including plutonium shots, and major contributions to high energy density science in support of stockpile stewardship.
* Completion of the W80-4 Life Extension Program's "Phase 6/1 Concept Assessment" and initiation of Phase 6.2.
* Advancements in additive manufacturing, including fabricating the first classified 3D multilayer demonstration object, synthesizing a new explosive molecule and completing the first ever manufacturing of 21-6-9 stainless steel.
* Supporting four key Russian nuclear security engagements, as well as nuclear security best practices engagement with China, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and North Africa.
* Supporting follow-on activities from the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty large-scale on-site inspection Integrated Field Exercise 2014.
* Performing high-quality analysis of sources for the uranium database project and preparing for and delivering verification training to IAEA inspectors.
* Receiving several awards for outstanding scientific and engineering research and expanding the number of scientific and technical publications.
* Developing an "uncrackable" code for nuclear weapons.
* Maintaining effective and efficient quality, security and environment, safety and health programs, as well as achieving an excellent record of safety for the fiscal year.
* Demonstrating strategic leadership through its participation and key role in numerous enterprise initiatives, councils, working groups and collaborations that addressed issues and led to performance improvements.

"These are tremendous accomplishments for our Laboratory, and I congratulate everyone here for the work they do every day to contribute to the nation's security and well-being," Goldstein said.