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Sandia received excellent results in January 2007 for participation in the 2006 Diversity Maturity Model (DMM), resulting in a score of 3.3 (on a 5-point scale, 0.2 above the 3.1 target), up from the 2.2 score earned in 2005. The results were similarly improved across Lockheed Martin, with all business units exceeding their targets. The 2006 DMM Assessment Response Team received a Team Employee Recognition Award for its approach to the Diversity Maturity Model. (3500, 200, 3000, 3600, 9200, 10200, 12100) IES
Sandia/California’s Life Design Center Preventive Health Programs captured the 2007 California Fit Business Gold Award. Sponsored by the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness, the award was created by California State Senator Tom Torlakson’s office, with corporate and private sponsors. The Gold Award is the highest honor and is given to companies that demonstrate excellence and creativity in nutrition, fitness, and site culture. Staff from the Life Design Center Preventive Health Programs and Health, Benefits, & Employee Services received the award on Nov. 8, 2007. (8500) IES
Faced with escalating health care costs and declining care standards, Health, Benefits, and Employee Services (HBE) contained costs while providing exceptional healthcare for employees. HBE deploys a long-term cost control strategy that includes prevention, consumerism, health-risk modifications, and disease management. A blend of on-site and off-site services encourages a workplace culture of individual responsibility. Sandia went tobacco-free in March 2007, for example, and HBE’s smoking cessation program has helped employees quit smoking at success rates that are significantly higher than the national comparison rates. (3300) IES
The Video Services and Infrastructure Computing organizations implemented new video streaming functionality such as interactivity, single sign-on, and full-resolution graphics. The Sandia Restricted Network was multicast-enabled to reduce bandwidth consumption. Usability, quality, reliability, and convenience of receiving live and on-demand communications at the desktop have improved, with more than 100,000 streams in FY07. An industry return-on-investment study showed that streaming returns almost $4 in value for every $1 invested. (3600, 9300) IES
The Microsoft Project/Oracle Integration Tool, added to the Oracle Project Modules, has demonstrated favorable results during the FY08 budget call. The tool allows users to import data from Microsoft Project directly into Oracle Projects. A Nuclear Weapons business analyst uploaded almost 700 financial tasks from a project plan in less than one minute, saving many hours of manual keying. An International Programs business analyst set up an FY08 work breakdown structure for 65 projects in about an hour; this effort usually requires three to four days of data entry.
DOE/NNSA issued final approval to Sandia for an exemption from the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) that authorizes Sandia to use actual and reasonable costs instead of per diem allowances for travel expenses due to the demonstrated annual savings of approximately $750,000 over the past five years. This approval allows Sandians to continue saving taxpayer dollars by using their judgment when making spending decisions while on travel. (10500) IES
Sandia completed full second-year implementation of OMB Circular A-123, Appendix A, and provided reasonable assurance to DOE and NNSA that an adequate internal controls structure exists for financial reporting. The final assurance statement was delivered before the scheduled milestone date. Teams consisted of a site assessment team, a laboratory cross-functional group of more than 60 managers of various levels, financial process owners, and testing teams of approximately 20 lab staff members. The A-123 implementation team received a Turquoise President’s Quality Award in FY06. IES
The corporate tax function aggressively pursued tax credits based on tax questionnaires completed by program managers and financial analysts to reduce Sandia’s tax obligation. Over the past 12 years, Sandia has averaged a corporate tax rate of 3.11 percent. In FY07, the rate was 2.82 percent, representing a savings of $6.5 million over the historic average despite state and local tax increases in FY05, FY06, and FY07. (10500) IES
Sandia’s Employee Caring Program (ECP) celebrated 50 years of giving to the United Way of Central New Mexico in 2007. The campaign total was $3,576,000 this year. Since 1957 Sandians have donated more than $15 million to help address community needs. More than 73 percent of Sandia employees participated.