National Laboratory Directors Council (NLDC)

Marty CongerFebruary 8, 2012

NLDC is made up of the Lab Directors from each of the DOE National Labs

The National Laboratory Directors Council (NLDC)

• VISION:▫ Collaborate with DOE on strategic issues and concerns of

broad interest▫ Provide a forum for discussing matters that impact effective

and efficient mission execution• STRUCTURE:

▫ Executive Committee represents all Lab Directors Thom Mason (ORNL), Chair Paul Alivisatos (LBNL) Paul Hommert (SNL) Eric Isaacs (ANL) Rosio Alvarez (LBNL), Coordinator

▫ Standing Working Groups – each with a structure and appropriate links to DOE: Chief Research Officers (CRO) Chief Operations Officers (COO) Chief Information Officers (CIO) Chief Financial Officers (CFO) General Counsels (GC) Communication Officers (CCO)

NLDC Meetings and Activities• NLDC Executive Committee meets quarterly with Secretary of Energy

▫ Identify, discuss and resolve issues on behalf of the NLDC ▫ At least once a year a face to face meeting with all lab directors ▫ Other interactions as needed (interim NLDC meetings, Working Group

tag ups, ad hoc calls with all Lab Directors, etc.)• Past and continuing issues (old issues never really die…)

▫ Nuclear energy – clarifying the technological roadmap▫ Branding the Labs as a national, strategic asset▫ Cost of Doing Business▫ ARRA

• Specific issues currently warranting NLDC attention:▫ Reform Initiative (Safety, Security, Cyber, Integrated Management

System) ▫ Programmatic initiatives/mission enablers (i.e., ARPA-E, Hubs)▫ Work for Others (WFO)▫ Working with Industry

Industry Forums (two held) Tech Transfer including Agreements for Commercializing Technology (ACT) Non-Federal WFO

▫ Sustianability ▫ Contractor Assurance (CAS)▫ OMB dislike of M&O contracts

Burdensome PoliciesA successful process initiated by NLDC

• Over 100 onerous areas of opportunity identified – culled down to top 20 via NLDC community vote▫ Initially a challenge by the Secretary - strong support &

visibility• Significant outcomes:

▫ Salary approvals (minimized & allow 10% contractor discretion)

▫ Buy American Act threshold raised from $100k to $500k▫ Ability to accept vendor T&Cs up to $100k▫ Class approval of Davis Bacon determinations ▫ Capitalization threshold raised from $50k to $500k▫ More participative process for Acquisition Letters (AL) ▫ AL guidance that reasonable error rates are an allowable

cost▫ Eliminated DOE approvals on foreign travel - data reporting

only▫ Launched Integrated Management System (IMS) effort

Burdensome Policies, cont.

• Work in Progress▫ Front loading of OMB quarterly apportionments ▫ Lab participation as a partner in response to federal

RFPs▫ Improvements to funds distribution (reduce 6-8 week

process to a matter of days)

Topics Discussed by NLCRO Group

Mission: S&T strategy and operational aspects that could impact R&D

▫ Chair: Steve Ashby (PNNL)• Specific issues have included:

▫ Future of the National Labs – transition paper▫ Energy White Paper▫ Workforce Development issues▫ Nanosafety – a model for developing directives collaboratively

• Specific Issues currently are:▫ International Strategy▫ Relationship with DHS and how science and the Labs can support

their mission▫ S&T basis for cross-cutting programs▫ Foreign Visits and Assignments▫ Accelerator Safety Order

Topics Discussed by NLCOO GroupMission: General Operational Issues

▫ Chair: Mike Schlender (PNNL)▫ Typically the interface to groups such as EFCOG (link to

broader DOE complex) as the overlap in interest is strongest▫ Chair serves on Directives Review Board (DRB)

• Specific issues currently are:▫ Safety and Security Reform (what vs. how)▫ Relying on the Contractor Assurance System (less DOE

oversight)▫ Project Management▫ Sustianability ▫ Infrastructure Investments▫ Implementing the Integrated Management System ▫ Other DOE Orders (ConOps, Radiation Protection of the

Environment and Public, Aviation Safety)

Topics Discussed by NLCIO Group

Mission: Cybersecurity and IT issues▫ Chair: Tom Harper (LANL)

• Specific issues currently are:▫ Cyber Security Reform

Implement risk-based approach▫ Engage beyond DOE on high value use of information to

enhance missions (e.g., with NIST)▫ Enhance collaboration capabilities and create communities of

interest Improve collaboration infrastructure of NLCIO Council as

first step▫ Foster multi-lab evaluation, development and test

deployment of new and innovative information technology to support mission, efficient operation and secure environments Cloud usage Evaluation of various technologies

Topics Discussed by NLCFO GroupMission: All things Financial

▫ Chair: Marty Conger (PNNL)▫ Routine interactions with DOE CFO

• Accomplishments:▫ Pension and Benefit metrics (visibility of cost issue and outliers)▫ Institutional Cost Reporting replacing Functional Cost▫ Consistent funding model for Safeguards and Security▫ GPP/IGPP threshold raised to $10M▫ Conference management order revisions (joint with CROs)▫ Resolved total time reporting not required for EVMS certification▫ Streamlined Alternative Financing guide/process (joint with

COOs, GC and OECM)

• Specific issues currently are:▫ Pensions and Benefits▫ Developing and Implementing ACT ▫ Cost of Doing Business ▫ OMB Quarterly apportionment

Topics Discussed by NLGC Group

Mission: Cross-cutting group that evaluates any issues with a legal aspect

▫Chair: Nicole Porter (ORNL)▫Interfacing directly and routinely with DOE GC

• Specific issues currently are:▫Contractor liability for legal cost

New Part 719 shifts more risk to contractors ▫Streamlining workforce restructuring approvals ▫ACT Implementation

Liability and indemnification under ACT Contracting processes

Topics Discussed by NLCCO Group

Mission: Develop, enhance and communicate a unified image and branding for the National Labs

▫ Chair: Matt Howard (ANL)▫ Newest working group, recently stood up

• Accomplishments:▫ Produced the publication “50 Breakthroughs from

America’s National Labs”• Specific issues currently are:

▫ Messaging to OMB and Congress on value of the National Labs and M&O model

▫ Relationship managemnt with OSTP▫ Other areas under development

Other NLDC Interactions and Activities• Field Management Council

▫Representatives from DOE Complex on Federal side▫Overlap in interests (reform, contracting, delegation of

authority, etc.)▫Mike Weis (PNSO) is the Chair

• Operations Management Council (OMC)▫Chaired by Deputy Secretary Poneman▫Decision-making on a number of operational issues

• Energy Facilities Contractors Group (EFCOG)▫Discussions routinely with their Executive Committee

• Secretary’s office to set agendas and handle issues “off-line”

So… Are we making any progress?•Lots of Evidence

▫Routine Interactions with HQ▫Reform of Safety Directives▫Safeguards and Security Summit (April 14)▫Pension and Benefits▫Individual Directives

•Slow and Steady…..•But don’t forget, the tortoise does win!

▫Maintain a steady presence▫Consistent, transparent, collaborative, etc.

What’s Next • Implement ACT

▫ Three year pilot program• Address OMB Concerns

▫ Develop comprehensive information to address lingering OMB and other external stakeholder concerns about the value and effectiveness of the National Labs and the M&O model

• Alternative Financing ▫ Work with the Secretary to develop acceptable parameters and

structure for lease/financing options to acquire Lab facilities ▫ Work OMB concurrence

• Safety Culture▫ Promote the role of the Labs in transforming safety in

Laboratory environments• Quadrennial Technology Review (QTR)

▫ Address the programmatic structural implications of this report and how does this impact budgets, etc.  

Questions?