Highlights for March 14 - March 18, 2005

Office of Safeguards and Security Evaluations (OA-10)

Sandia National Laboratories-New Mexico (SNL-NM) Safeguards and Security Comprehensive Inspection: This inspection is being conducted as a part of a combined OA-10, OA-20, and OA-30 inspection.

Site Assistance Visits (SAVs): The remaining scheduled SAV is scheduled to be conducted at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Executive summaries of completed SAVs were reviewed by the quality review board last week and were prepared for final management review this week. Additional SAV-like exercises are being considered at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico and the Hanford Site. The objective of the SAVs is to identify protection strategies and technologies to effectively implement the September 2004 design basis threat (DBT). A final report summarizing SAV activities is scheduled to be released in May.

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

Basic Security Police Officer Training Special Review: Revision of the report continued. The special review assessed the effectiveness of the Basic Security Policy Officer curriculum taught at the National Training Center (NTC) and at various DOE sites in preparing entry-level officers to defend against an adversary and performing routine duties.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing: Continued support of SP 1's testimony at the hearing scheduled for Friday this week (March 18). The Committee is interested in the results of safeguards and security inspections at Hanford, Y-12, the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and Sandia National Laboratories-New Mexico (SNL-NM). The Committee is also interested in the Department's progress in implementing the 2004 design basis threat (DBT) policy.

Office of Cyber Security Evaluations (OA-20)

Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) Classified Cyber Security Inspection: Planning activities were initiated this week in support of this inspection. A formal announcement memorandum has been prepared; and an inspection plan and data request are under development. This is part of a combined inspection with OA-10.

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Classified Cyber Security Inspection: The scope of the cyber inspection is scheduled to include SNL operations in New Mexico and California. This inspection is being conducted as a part of a combined OA 10, OA-20, and OA-30 inspection.

South-Eastern Power Administration (SEPA) Cyber Security Inspection: Development of the draft inspection report continued. Onsite validation and closeout activities are scheduled to be conducted at SEPA Headquarters in Elberton, GA.

Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) Cyber Security Inspection: Comments to the final draft report are due to OA by next week (March 22). A teleconference with the WAPA Administrator and Regional Managers to discuss inspection results is also scheduled to be conducted next week (March 25).

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) Cyber Security Inspection Corrective Action Plan (CAP): An interim CAP is required to be submitted to OA by March 18.

Department of Energy Architecture Repository (DEAR) Software Application Special Review Corrective Action Plan (CAP): An interim CAP is required to be submitted to OA by March 18. 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).

Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA) Unclassified Cyber Security Inspection Corrective Action Plan (CAP): A final CAP was received and is being reviewed.

Office of Emergency Management Oversight (OA-30)

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Emergency Management Inspection: In consultation with the Office of Emergency Operations (NA-40) and the Livermore Site Office, the inspection, postponed in January 2005, has now been rescheduled. Onsite planning and data collection activities are scheduled. Planning was initiated this week to observe a site training exercise.

The LLNL inspection replaces the Portsmouth Site Emergency Management Inspection originally scheduled for this time period. The Office of Environmental Management and the Portsmouth Site have been notified that the inspection is postponed until further notice.

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Emergency Management Inspection: Inspection activities will include integrating emergency management and security performance test objectives. This inspection is being conducted as a part of a combined OA-10, OA-20, and OA-30 inspection.

Argonne National Laboratory-West (ANL-W) Emergency Management Targeted Review Corrective Action Plan (CAP): Review of the final CAP indicates that the implementation of the identified actions will address the program weaknesses identified in the inspection. No further action by OA will be required.

Chemical and Biological (Chem/Bio) Agents Safeguards and Security and Emergency Management Special Review: Information gathering continued. A second request was issued to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for information on select agents and toxins stored or used at DOE laboratories and sites. Interviews are being scheduled with the Director of the NNSA Service Center and the Senior Technical Advisor for Bioscience to understand the current status of program activities. A separate request has been made to the Nevada Site Office to establish points of contact for discussion of any related activities and "work for others" practices.

National Response Plan Roll-out Workshop: The Director, OA-30, is scheduled to represent the Office of Security and Safety Performance Assurance (SSA) at the first National Response Plan workshop in Washington, D.C. This event is designed to highlight stakeholder partnerships and walk through some of the relationships of the multi-agency coordinating entities. The event will highlight Federal, State, local, tribal and private- sector partnerships.

Draft Classification Guidance on Malevolent Dispersal. Comments to the guidance developed by OA-30 and OA-10 were communicated to the associated Working Group.

National Response Assets Inspection Planning: Dialogue continues between OA-30 and the Office of Emergency Operations (NA-40) to explore inspection options. The Director, OA-30, will be meeting with the Region 2 Oak Ridge Office Radiological Assistance Program Team Leader to gather additional information.

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

Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) ES&H Inspection: Onsite planning and data collection activities are scheduled.

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Environment, Safety, and Health Management Inspection: Onsite close out activities are scheduled to be conducted in conjunction with the other OA offices conducting a combined inspection.

Pantex Plant (Pantex) ES&H Inspection: The final report was distributed this week. The site now has 60 days (mid-May) to submit a final corrective action plan to OA for review and comment.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) ES&H Inspection Corrective Action Plan (CAP): The CAP is scheduled to be provided to OA on April 4. Livermore Site Office indicated that development of the CAP has been delayed due to the extensive effort associated with evaluation of the extent of condition and compensatory measures for the Plutonium Facility.

Assistance to New Brunswick Laboratory (NBL): Development of a radiological technical basis and a Maintenance Implementation Plan for the laboratory continued.

ES&H Lessons Learned Reports: The Electrical Safety during Excavations and Penetrations was issued this week. 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 two courses, Safety Systems Oversight (SSO) and Contractor Oversight, selected for fast-track deployment in the March-April time frame. Also provided support in the development of an On-line General Technical Base course. On November 5, the Secretary of Energy designated the National Training Center (NTC) as the center of excellence in security and safety professional development. This initiative is in partnership with NNSA, EH, and other departmental organizations including the Federal Technical Capability Program. The Director, SSA, designated OA-40 senior staff to lead the safety professional development efforts.