1. National Laboratory Directors Council (NLDC)
Marty Conger
February 8, 2012

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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. Burdensome Policies A 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

6. 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)

8. 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

9. Topics Discussed by NLCOO Group
Mission: 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)

10. 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

11. Topics Discussed by NLCFO Group
Mission: 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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”

15. 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.

16. What’s Next Implement ACT Address OMB Concerns Alternative Financing
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.  

17. Questions?