Highlights for May 16 - May 20, 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 was conducted this week (May 17-19) with representatives from OST and their contractors at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). Performance testing of convoy operations in conjunction with the OST inspection is scheduled at the NTS.

Transportation of Classified Parts to the Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP) Special Review: The development of an inspection plan to include lines of inquiry and inspection methodology continued this week. A special review of the protection afforded classified parts shipped from DOE sites to WIPP located in Carlsbad, NM, is scheduled to be conducted. A planning meeting will be conducted at WIPP in August. A final report will be issued in December 2005.

Nevada Test Site (NTS) Safeguards and Security Comprehensive Inspection: Preparation of the announcement letter and resource list for the combined OA-10 and -20 inspection continued. Onsite inspection planning, data collection, and performance testing, report writing, and close out activities are scheduled.

Design Basis Threat (DBT) Site Assistance Visits (SAVs): Additional SAV activities are scheduled to be conducted at the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) managed Tonopah Test Range (TTR); and at the Hanford Site. The objective of the SAVs is to identify protection strategies and technologies to effectively implement the revised DBT.

Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) Safeguards and Security Comprehensive Inspection: Onsite data collection activities were completed this week (May 16 20). Force-on-force performance testing, report writing, validation and close out activities are scheduled.

Sandia National Laboratories-New Mexico (SNL-NM) Safeguards and Security Comprehensive Inspection: A response to the site comments on the final report was dispatched this week. This inspection was part of a combined OA-10, OA-20, and OA-30 inspection.

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.

Reciprocal Agreement to Share Classified Information: Representatives of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) were invited to observe a DOE sponsored force-on-force exercise in August. A copy of the Bilateral Agreement between the U.S. and Canada has been formally requested from the Department of State (DOS). The agreement outlines the parameters for the sharing of classified nuclear security threat and vulnerability information between CNSC and DOE.

Composite Adversary Team (CAT) Training: Training support and planning activities have been completed. Instructional modules for scheduled training at the Idaho National Laboratory are being finalized. 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: Onsite planning activities were conducted at Y 12 this week (May 18-20). Onsite data collection activities are scheduled. The technical assessment protocol has been developed. 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-New Mexico (SNL-NM) Safeguards and Security Comprehensive Inspection: Comments on the final draft inspection report are under review. 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 ad distributed this week.

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

Department of Energy Architecture Repository (DEAR) Software Application Special Review Corrective Action Plan (CAP): The expected interim CAP from the CIO is now significantly overdue. 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 were conducted at LLNL this week (May 17 19). Onsite data collection activities are scheduled.

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Emergency Management Inspection: Comments on the final draft report were received and are in the process of being resolved. OA briefed the Office of Emergency Management (NA-40) on the results of the inspection. This inspection was conducted as a part of a combined OA-10, OA-20, and OA-30 inspection.

National Response Assets Inspection Planning: Arrangements continued to observe a national response exercise at a Department of Defense (DoD) facility in August. An inspection plan will be developed in coordination with the Office of Emergency Operations (NA-40) in support of the Radiological Assistance Program inspection.

Emergency Operations Training Academy (EOTA): The Director and staff met with the EOTA Director and staff on May 12. OA-30 provided feedback on training deficiencies identified through site inspections. Plans were outlined for providing inspection feedback; providing comments to exiting and proposed training courses; and having EOTA staff observe OA-30 inspections.

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

Y-12 National Security Complex ES&H Inspection: A weekly conference call was held with the site to discuss the upcoming scooping visit.

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) ES&H Inspection: Discussions continued with the Idaho Operations Office to coordinate activities for the upcoming planning visit. Onsite planning activities are scheduled in support of onsite data collection activities.

Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) ES&H Inspection: Onsite validation and closeout activities were conducted this week (May 18-20). The site and program office now have until June 3 to provide comments on the draft final report.

Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM) Special Review: Final report development continued. 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: Review of the comments provided by the site on the draft final report continued.

Pantex Plant (Pantex) ES&H Inspection Corrective Action Plan (CAP): The Pantex Site Office portion of the CAP was received this week. The contractor portion is expected during the first week of June.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) ES&H Inspection Corrective Action Plan (CAP): Review of the CAP was completed and a memorandum was developed with comments. The comments were also discussed with the Livermore Site Office management this week (May 16).

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: OA senior staff briefed the Federal Technical Capability Program members in Las Vegas, NV, this week (May 16) on the status of safety training program development.

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.

Worker Vapor Exposure and Occupational Medicine Allegations at the Hanford Site Follow-Up: Planning activities were initiated for a follow-up review of the April 2004 investigation. Onsite data collection activities are scheduled to begin on May 31; validation/closeout activities are scheduled for June 22-23. Discussions this week focused on site training requirements and logistics needed to access the tank farm work areas and specific documentation needed during the data collection visit.