Current Activities and Issues of the National Laboratory Directors’ Council (NLDC) Briefing for Energy Facilities Contractors Group (EFCOG) By Adam Cohen NLDC Liaison December 9, 2009

The National Laboratory Directors’ Council (NLDC) VISION: –Collaborate with DOE management on high-level, strategic issues and concerns of broad interest –Provide a forum for presenting consensus views on matters that affect the Labs’ effective and efficient mission execution STRUCTURE: –Executive Committee: 4 Directors (including Chair) & Chief of Staff –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)  Other Working Groups (e.g., Communications, ES&H, HR, etc.) as needed LOGISTICS: –Executive Committee meets routinely with Secretary of Energy to identify, discuss and resolve issues on behalf of the NLDC –Other interactions as needed 2

Topics Discussed by NLDC Executive Committee –Sam Aronson (BNL), Tom Hunter (SNL), Thom Mason (ORNL), Pier Oddone (FNAL), Adam Cohen (PPPL) Past issues have included (Conservation of Issues Law – old issues never really die……): –Nuclear energy – clarifying the technological roadmap –Branding – the Labs as a national, strategic asset –Cost of Doing Business –Transformational Energy Action Management (TEAM) –Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program Specific issues currently are: –Reform Initiative (safety, security, cybersecurity, and then…..) –Programmatic cross-cuts and enablers of the mission work, i.e.,  ARPA-E, Hubs, ARRA –Tech Transfer – enable this vital role to grow –Work for Others 3

Topics Discussed by CRO S&T strategy and operational aspects that could impact R&D –Doon Gibbs (BNL) 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 4

Topics Discussed by COO General Operational Issues –Steve Liedle (LLNL) –Typically the interface to EFCOG as the overlap in interest is strongest Specific issues currently are: –Safety and Security Reform (what vs. how) –Efficiency Metrics (with EFCOG!) and preparations for EO –Project Management –Infrastructure Investments –Other DOE Orders (ConOps, Radiation Protection of the Environment and Public, Aviation Safety) –Funding Model for Safeguards and Security 5

Topics Discussed by CIO Cybersecurity and IT issues –Art Hale (SNL) Specific issues currently are: –Cyber Security Reform  Implement risk-based approach  Help DOE implement the recommendations of the 60 day report –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 a 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 6

Topics Discussed by CFO All things Financial –Relatively new working group –Routine interactions with DOE CFO –Marty Conger (PNNL) Specific issues currently are: –Pensions and Benefits –Cost Accounting Standards issues  Total Time Reporting –Conference Management Order 7

Topics Discussed by GC Cross-cutting group that evaluates any issues with a legal aspect……. –Relatively new working group –Interfacing directly and routinely with DOE GC –Nicole Porter (ORNL) Specific issues currently are: –Organizational Conflicts of Interest (ARRA issue – provide experts to conduct some vital work and provide other experts to serve as reviewers….) –Several other issues notes above (e.g., potential changes in FV&A as it relates to export control) 8

Questions? 9