August 3, 1999

The Honorable John T. Conway
Chairman
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
625 Indiana Avenue N.W., Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20004

Dear Mr. Chairman:

In the Revised Implementation Plan (IP) for Board Recommendation 93-3, Improving DOE Technical Capability in Defense Nuclear Facilities Programs, the Department commits to examine and revise Technical Leadership Development Program (TLDP) guidance to include methods that can be used by Department line organizations to address issues (e.g., downsizing effects on retention of interns) that have adversely affected the program.

As a deliverable pursuant to Commitment 5.3.3 of the IP, the enclosed document, the Technical Leadership Development Program Implementation Plan, was developed and approved by the Federal Technical Capability Panel. The revised TLDP retains the important developmental aspects of the original program while increasing local ownership and accountability.

The Secretary demonstrated the Department=s commitment to the TLDP in his July 15, 1999, memorandum endorsing the Panel=s Annual Report and recommendations. To support those directions, a coordinated nation-wide recruiting effort is being initiated so that the Department will be positioned to hire graduates into the TLDP next spring.

The Department has completed the actions identified under Commitment 5.3.3 and proposes closure of this commitment.

If you have any questions, please call or your staff me at (202) 426-1323.

Sincerely,

Enclosure

cc:

Chairman, Federal Technical Capability Panel
Panel Members
Mark B. Whitaker, Jr., S-3.1