Modernizing The Nuclear Security Enterprise

MODERNIZING THE NUCLEAR SECURITY ENTERPRISE: Observations on DOE's and NNSA's Efforts to Enhance Oversight of Security, Safety, and Project and Contract Management

MODERNIZING THE NUCLEAR SECURITY ENTERPRISE: Observations on the National Nuclear Security Administration's Oversight of Safety, Security, and Project Management

"Nuclear weapons continue to be an essential part of the nation's defense strategy. The end of the cold war resulted in a shift from producing new nuclear weapons to maintaining the stockpile through refurbishment. Also, billions of dollars in scheduled maintenance for nuclear weapons infrastructure has been deferred. The 2010 Nuclear Posture Review identified long-term stockpile modernization goals for NNSA that include (1) sustaining a safe, secure, and effective nuclear arsenal and (2) investing in a modern infrastructure. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 included a provision for GAO to report annually on NNSA's nuclear security budget materials. This report (1) identifies changes in estimates to the 2015 budget materials from the prior year's materials, and (2) assesses the extent to which NNSA's 2015 budget estimates align with plans for major modernization efforts, and (3) addresses the agency's stated goal of stopping the growth of its deferred maintenance backlog"--Preliminary page.

MODERNIZING THE NUCLEAR SECURITY ENTERPRISE: Observations on the Organization and Management of the National Nuclear Security Administration

Nuclear weapons continue to be an essential part of the nation's defense strategy. The end of the cold war resulted in a shift from producing new nuclear weapons to maintaining the stockpile through refurbishment. Also, billions of dollars in scheduled maintenance for nuclear weapons infrastructure has been deferred. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has identified long-term stockpile modernization goals that include sustaining a safe, secure, and effective nuclear arsenal and investing in a modern infrastructure. This report (1) identifies changes in estimates to the 2015 budget materials from the prior year's materials; (2) assesses the extent to which NNSA's 2015 budget estimates align with plans for major modernization efforts; and (3) addresses NNSA's goal of stopping the growth of its deferred maintenance backlog. Tables and figures. This is a print on demand report.

Uranium is crucial to our nation's ability to maintain its nuclear weapons stockpile. NNSA processes uranium to meet this need. In 2004, NNSA began plans to build a new UPF that would consolidate capabilities currently housed in deteriorating buildings; by 2012, the project had a preliminary cost of $4.2 billion to $6.5 billion. To control rising costs, NNSA changed its approach in 2014 to reduce the scope of the new UPF and move uranium processing capabilities once intended for the UPF into existing buildings. The broader uranium program also includes the needed repairs and upgrades to these existing buildings. This is the fifth report and (1) describes the status of NNSA's efforts to develop a revised scope of work, cost estimate, and schedule for the UPF project, and (2) examines the extent to which NNSA has developed a complete scope of work, life-cycle cost estimate, and integrated master schedule for the overall uranium program. GAO recommends that NNSA set a time frame for completing the scope of work, life-cycle cost estimate, and integrated master schedule for the overall uranium program.

Modernizing The Nuclear Security Enterprise: NNSA's Budget Estimates Do Not Fully Align with Plans

Modernizing the Nuclear Security Enterprise: The National Nuclear Security Administration's Proposed Acquisition Strategy Needs Further Clarification and Assessment