Highlights for May 2 - May 6, 2005

Office of Safeguards and Security Evaluations (OA-10)

Office of Secure Transportation (OST) Safeguards and Security Inspection: An initial planning and coordination trip and meeting has been scheduled with representatives from OST at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). Performance testing of convoy operations in conjunction with the OST inspection is scheduled.

Transportation of Classified Parts to the Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP) Special Review: A special review of the protection afforded classified parts shipped from DOE sites to WIPP located in Carlsbad, New Mexico, is scheduled. A planning meeting will be conducted at WIPP in August. A final report will be issued in December 2005.

Design Basis Threat (DBT) Site Assistance Visits (SAVs): A final report summarizing SAV activities to date is scheduled to be released in mid-May. Management review of the final report was conducted this week (May 5). The report is being revised based on the comments received from the review. Additional SAV activities are scheduled to be conducted at the Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico (SNL NM) and at the Hanford Site. The objective of the SAVs is to identify protection strategies and technologies to effectively implement the October 2004 Design Basis Threat (DBT).

Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) Safeguards and Security Comprehensive Inspection: Onsite planning and data collection activities were conducted at Y-12 this week (May 2-6). Two additional site visits are scheduled. Force-on-force performance testing is scheduled to be conducted during this inspection.

Sandia National Laboratories-New Mexico (SNL-NM) Safeguards and Security Comprehensive Inspection: Comments to the draft report are due to OA by the end of this week (May 6). This inspection was part of a combined OA-10, OA-20, and OA-30 inspection.

General Accounting Office (GAO) Evaluation of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA): The development of a chart was completed and presented to the GAO this week of all topic ratings from OA inspections in security, cyber security, emergency management, and safety from 1995 to 2005. The data was requested by the GAO in support of their evaluation of how well the NNSA is meeting its statutory objectives.

Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12 Implementation: The HSPD 12 Badge Re-design Working Group met again this week to discuss final comments on the latest iteration of badge design. The working group concluded with a pre-decisional design being forwarded for management comment and approval. HSPD 12 requires the issuance of this new badge starting October 5, 2005.

Safeguards and Security Lessons-Learned Report: The revision of the lessons learned report in response to management review continued. The report is expected to be completed by May 31. The report is based on past safeguard and security inspection results, and identifies positive attributes, areas needing improvement, and best practices. The final report is scheduled to be distributed to ESE and NNSA security managers by early June.

Safeguards and Security Policy Streamlining Process: The results of last weeks meeting between the Director, OA-10, and Director, Office of Safeguards and Security Policy and Classification (SO-10), stipulate that remaining concerns raised during the review process by OA-10 will be coordinated and resolved through the Quality Panel review board process.

Reciprocal Agreement to Share Classified Information: Representatives of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) requested authorization to observe a DOE sponsored force-on-force exercise in August. Observance of such an exercise has the potential to disclose Secret National Security Information. Initial coordination was initiated between SO and OA to facilitate the required memorandum of agreement for sharing nuclear security threat and vulnerability information between CNSC and DOE.

Composite Adversary Team (CAT) Training: The training is scheduled to be conducted at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Development of training materials continued. A planning trip to INL is scheduled. A second CAT training event is scheduled for December. The location for the December training has not been determined.

Office of Cyber Security Evaluations (OA-20)

Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) Classified Cyber Security Inspection: Preparations continued for the onsite planning activities scheduled to be conducted at Y 12. Onsite data collection activities are scheduled. The technical assessment protocol has been developed and will be discussed with the DAA prior to the planning visit. This is part of a combined inspection with OA 10.

Continuous Network Scanning Program: DOE sites identified during the perimeter scanning project are being added to the scanning program as points of contact are established and IP ranges are verified. Additional sites will be incorporated into the program over the next several months. This program is being conducted in support of the Secretary's Security Initiatives.

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Classified Cyber Security Inspection: Comments on the final draft report are due from SNL next week (May 9). The scope of the cyber inspection included SNL operations in New Mexico and California. This inspection was conducted as a part of a combined OA-10, OA-20, and OA-30 inspection.

South-Eastern Power Administration (SEPA) Cyber Security Inspection: The final report was published this week (May 5). An interim corrective action plan is now due from the site by mid-June.

Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) Cyber Security Inspection Corrective Action Plan (CAP): An interim CAP is expected t be received from WAPA in mid-May.

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) Cyber Security Inspection Corrective Action Plan (CAP): Review of the final CAP was completed. No additional comments were developed.

Department of Energy Architecture Repository (DEAR) Software Application Special Review Corrective Action Plan (CAP): The OCIO has indicated that the interim CAP will be delivered to OA by the end of this week (May 6). A security review of the DEAR software application, managed by the OCIO, was performed in response to concerns raised by the National Treasury Employee Union (NTEU).

Office of Emergency Management Oversight (OA-30)

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Emergency Management Inspection: Onsite inspection planning activities and onsite data collection activities are scheduled.

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Emergency Management Inspection: OA has agreed to a request by the Sandia Site Office for an extension of the 10-day comment period to the final report. Comments on the final draft report are expected to be provided by the site next week (May 10). This inspection was conducted as a part of a combined OA-10, OA-20, and OA-30 inspection.

Chemical and Biological (Chem/Bio) Agents Safeguards and Security and Emergency Management Special Review: The Director OA-30 participated in the Biosafety Officers Meeting this week (May 4) to discuss work with biological agents and related changes to DOE Orders and Guides. Upcoming inspections at ORNL, LANL, and LLNL are scheduled to include evaluation of the work control processes applied to biological "work for others."

National Response Assets Inspection Planning: Arrangements have been made for three OA-30 staff members to observe the Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) team training in Albuquerque, NM, the week of May 9. Arrangements are also being made to observe a national response exercise at a Department of Defense (DoD) facility in August.

Office of Environment, Safety, and Health (ES&H) Evaluations (OA-40)

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) ES&H Inspection: Discussions were held with the Office of Nuclear Energy and the Idaho Operations Office on the inspection scope and schedule. Onsite planning activities and onsite data collection activities scheduled.

Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) ES&H Inspection: Onsite data collection activities were completed this week (May 2-6). Report development will be initiated next week. Onsite validation and closeout activities are scheduled.

Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM) Special Review: Additional onsite data collection activities were conducted this week (May 2-6). On March 17, the Deputy Director, Office of Strategy and Program Development, OCRWM, requested an independent review of the concerns regarding alleged retaliation and discrimination within the OCRWM QA organization.

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Environment, Safety, and Health Management Inspection: The site is expected to provide comments on the draft final report by the end of this week (May 6).

Pantex Plant (Pantex) ES&H Inspection Corrective Action Plan (CAP): The site is required to provide a final CAP to OA for review and comment by mid-May.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) ES&H Inspection Corrective Action Plan (CAP): Review of the CAP provided by the Livermore Site Office continued.

ES&H Lessons Learned Reports: Development of the Unreviewed Safety Question Process lessons learned report continued. Six additional focus areas are being evaluated as part of the ES&H inspections being conducted during CY 2005.

National Training Center (NTC) Safety Professional Development Program: Continued to provide support to the NTC regarding the development of safety-related courses, including Safety Systems Oversight (SSO) and Contractor Oversight (CO). An Advanced Safety System Oversight course presented at NTC on April l1-15, will be repeated in July/August. The General Technical Base (GTB) course is scheduled for deployment by mid-June. Development of additional fast track courses, e.g. Senior Technical Safety Manager Course, to address acknowledged training needs of the Department is being pursued.

Draft Oversight Order 226.1: Continued to participate in meetings and conference calls to support the 2004-1 Implementation Plan working group. Most of the organizations have provided feedback to OA through the Directive POCs on the proposed responses.

Request from GAO to provide ratings for all NNSA reviews completed by OA-40 from 1995 to present: In conjunction with OA-1 developed matrix and provided copies of all ES&H reviews completed by ES&H to GAO as requested.

Coordination between OA and ME on Independent ES&H Audit and Appraisal Protocols: OA continued to share lessons-learned with ME on the development and implementation of ES&H.

DOE/NNSA Pollution Prevention Workshop: An OA-40 staff member attended the joint DOE/NNSA Pollution Prevention Workshop in Las Vegas, NV, this week (May 2 5).