The Board has been reviewing the Department of Energy's (DOE) current oversight and management of the contracts and contractors it relies upon to accomplish the mission assigned to DOE under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. We will focus on what impact, if any, DOE's new initiatives may have or might have had upon assuring adequate protection of the health and safety of the public and workers at DOE's defense nuclear facilities. The sixth public meeting will collect information needed to understand and address any health or safety concerns that may require Board action. This will include, but is not limited to, presentations by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to explain their contract management and oversight initiatives and possibly further presentations by Board staff.

The Board has identified several key areas that will be examined in public meetings. In the December 16th meeting, the Board will explore in more depth the field application of Federal management and oversight policies being developed by DOE and NNSA for defense nuclear facilities. The Board will hear from NNSA Site Managers and Contractor General Managers. The information gathered will explore Federal contract management and oversight experience and will provide relevant reference experience. The public hearing portion is independently authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 2286b.