Laboratory Earns Marks of Outstanding In Science, Operations and Management

For the first time ever, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has achieved an overall rating of "outstanding," as assessed by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The annual assessment, covering the period Oct. 1, 2000 to Sept. 30, 2001, includes appraisals of the Lab’s performance in three areas — institutional Laboratory management, science and technology (S&T) and operations and administration (O&A).

This comprehensive evaluation, along with annually negotiated performance standards, is defined in Appendix F of the UC contract with DOE.

Appendix F covers the annually required assessment of the Lab in these three areas. Performance expectations are negotiated annually between NNSA, the University of California and the Laboratory. The Lab can score up to 1,000 points under Appendix F: 100 for Lab management, 500 for S&T, and 400 for O&A. For fiscal year 2001, LLNL scored 91.1 points or 91.1 percent in Lab management; 469 or 93.8 percent in S&T, and 362 or 90.5 percent in O&A — for an overall rating of 922 points or 92.2 percent. A score over 90 points qualifies the Lab for an "outstanding" rating.

The performance-based management (PBM) process covered under Appendix F was first added to the UC/DOE contract in 1992. The UC labs were the first within the DOE complex to implement PBM with its focus on self-assessment, peer review and performance results rather than audit and compliance. PBM has since been embraced as a DOE-wide policy and is utilized throughout the contractor community.

The Lab management category is an overarching assessment of the Director’s Office that covers strategic planning, establishing and communicating performance expectations, internal and external communications, asset and infrastructure management, accountability and commitment, and community relations. The NNSA rating for Lab management increased from a high "excellent" last year to "outstanding" this year. The NNSA lauded LLNL management for the significant progress made on the National Ignition Facility, scientific accomplishments in support of NNSA missions, effective communications with NNSA/DOE, enhancements to safeguards and security operations, continued improvements in Integrated Safety Management, and an effective community relations programs.

Laboratory S&T received an overall rating of "outstanding," an increase from last year’s high "excellent." "This year’s scores reflect the critical role the Lab continues to play in the changing demands of national security," said Jeffrey Wadsworth, deputy director for Science & Technology. "We continue to prove ourselves as a world leader in science and technology, with the highest standards in operations and management as well. Every single employee contributed to these outcomes, and we can all be proud of what the Lab has achieved."

This NNSA "outstanding" performance rating under the annual Appendix F evaluation follows on the heels of a positive "pass" rating of Lawrence Livermore and Los Alamos national laboratories in the first of two annual reviews under Appendix O of the UC/DOE contract.

Appendix O was added to the contract with the January 2001 modification. It includes five new program performance initiatives that require UC to demonstrate improved management oversight of the Labs and for the Labs to improve performance in management accountability; safeguards and security; facilities safety; critical skills, knowledge and technical capabilities; and project management and construction project management.

Founded in 1952, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is a national nuclear security laboratory, with a mission to ensure national security and apply science and technology to the important issues of our time. The National Nuclear Security Administration's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is managed by the University of California.

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Laboratory news releases and photos are also available electronically on the World Wide Web of the Internet at URL http://www.llnl.gov/PAO and on UC Newswire.