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Site Details Other Information Basic Energy Sciences Directorate DOE/BES Nanoscale Science Research Centers 
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CFN Project StatusThe official opening of the CFN was celebrated on May 21, 2007. Details Major Milestones
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| CD-1 Approve Alternative Selection and Cost Range | 07/23/03 (A) |
| Start Title I - Preliminary Design | 08/01/03 (A) |
| Complete Title I - Preliminary Design | 02/20/04 (A) |
| Start Title II - Detail Design | 03/01/04 (A) |
| CD-2 Approve Performance Baseline | 05/21/04 (A) |
| Complete Title II - Detail Design | 12/10/04 (A) |
| CD-3 Approve Start of Construction | 08/05/05 (A) |
| Start Building Construction | 09/13/05 (A) |
| Complete Building Construction | 03/30/07 |
| Start Installation & Testing of Technical Equipment | 04/02/07 |
| CD-4a Approve Start of Initial Operations | 04/30/07 |
| Complete Installation & Testing of Technical Equipment | 03/31/08 |
| CD-4b Approve Start of Full Operations | 04/30/08 |
Critical Decisions, according to the Department of Energy, authorize a project to proceed and to use approved funds, one step at a time. Every DOE project worth over $5 million goes through a life cycle marked by five Critical Decisions:
CD0 is the conception of a project. It marks the decision that a project is necessary to address a certain question or issue. Projects proposing to answer the question submit a preliminary baseline, which includes cost and schedule estimates, basic technical descriptions, and identification of preliminary safety and environmental issues.
CD1 is the birth of a project; it marks the selection of one specific proposal. Once this decision is made, the baseline is refined, a preliminary design is devised and the cost and schedule parameters are narrowed.
CD2 is the beginning of childhood. To pass CD2, an External Independent Review checks that preliminary designs are in line with expectations. The Office of Engineering Construction Management that performs this review is part of the Department of Energy, but is external to the Office of Science and will often turn to expert consultants for reviews.
CD3 is the start of adolescence; it authorizes the start of a project's construction. Approval of CD3 also authorizes the use of construction funds requested after CD2. On average, it takes almost four years to get from CD0 to construction. For CD3 to be passed, all plans, budgets, designs, timetables and safety solutions must be finalized. To get CD3 approval, to start building, all the foreseeable issues must be addressed. Another External Independent Review is required to pass CD3. It ensures that the designs and schedules are realistic and meet expectations.
CD4 signifies that the project is entering adulthood. Construction has been completed and the DOE is approving the start of operations. Now, preparations complete, the science can begin.
Last Modified: January 31, 2008
Please forward all questions about this site to:
Stephen Giordano.
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