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Open Recommendations (142 total)

Nuclear Waste Cleanup: More Effective Oversight Is Needed to Help Ensure Better Project Outcomes

GAO-24-106716
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3 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Energy The Secretary of Energy should ensure that the Senior Advisor for the Office of Environmental Management evaluates how EM capital asset project officials develop and use lessons learned to determine if new lessons learned are being adequately documented and existing lessons learned are being adequately reviewed, analyzed, and applied, or if further guidance is needed. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Energy The Secretary of Energy should ensure that the Senior Advisor for the Office of Environmental Management develops or updates relevant guidance for conducting project reviews—including root cause analyses—for EM capital asset projects to include steps for analyzing federal management performance and oversight effectiveness. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Energy The Secretary of Energy should ensure that the Senior Advisor for the Office of Environmental Management works with the Director of the Office of Project Management to leverage existing mechanisms to hold applicable contractors accountable for maintaining a compliant EVMS, evaluate if additional mechanisms are needed to hold contractors accountable—such as withholding payment if an EVMS is not compliant—and, if necessary, request authority from Congress to use those mechanisms. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Nuclear Waste Cleanup: More Effective Oversight Is Needed to Help Ensure Better Project Outcomes

GAO-24-106716
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Energy The Senior Advisor for the Office of Environmental Management should ensure that the Director of EM's Office of Project Management develops a process to determine if EM capital asset projects that meet certain criteria—such as those that are particularly high risk or complex—need additional proactive federal oversight from the beginning of the project's lifecycle. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Nuclear Waste Cleanup: Changes Needed to Address Current and Growing Shortages in Mission-Critical Positions

GAO-24-106479
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2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Energy The Senior Advisor for EM should revise EM's workforce planning to align with leading practices, including being forward-looking, clearly documenting human capital performance targets and measures, and developing comprehensive succession plans, while also ensuring that internal and external planning documents align. (Recommendation 1)
Open
In a letter responding to our report, the Office of Environmental Management (EM) agreed with our recommendation. EM stated it will revise its Strategic Human Capital Plan to align with leading practices, incorporating forward-looking strategies and clearly define performance targets and measures, as well as develop comprehensive succession plans. EM estimated completing this action by December 2026.
Department of Energy The Senior Advisor for EM should update and distribute an EM-wide strategy for telework, including remote work that clarifies eligibility and the administrative process for remote work requests. (Recommendation 9)
Open
In a letter responding to our report, the Office of Environmental Management (EM) agreed with our recommendation. EM said that it will develop a strategy consistent with government-wide and DOE policies concerning telework by establishing transparent and standardized procedures. EM estimated completing this action by December 2025.

Nuclear Waste Cleanup: Changes Needed to Address Current and Growing Shortages in Mission-Critical Positions

GAO-24-106479
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4 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Energy The Senior Advisor for EM should work with the DOE Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer to request additional direct hire authorities from OPM to include EM's mission-critical job series, as well as positions where EM encounters a severe shortage of candidates. (Recommendation 6)
Open
In a letter responding to our report, the Office of Environmental Management (EM) agreed with our recommendation. EM stated that it will work with the Chief Human Capital Officer to request additional direct hire authorities from OPM focusing on mission critical job series and areas where EM has a severe shortage of qualified candidates. EM estimated completing this action by September 2025.
Department of Energy The Senior Advisor for EM should develop and implement a strategy for a multigenerational pipeline, which includes, where appropriate, reclassifying vacant EM positions to cover a broader range of GS levels and prioritizing the use of intern and fellowship programs that provide authority to convert such staff to permanent appointments. (Recommendation 4)
Open
In a letter responding to our report, the Office of Environmental Management (EM) agreed with our recommendation. EM stated that it will reclassify vacant positions to cover a broader range of General Schedule levels and recruit skilled personnel across different career stages, while prioritizing the use of intern and fellowship programs that provide authority to convert staff to permanent appointments. EM estimated completing this action by December 2026.
Department of Energy The Secretary of Energy should ensure the Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer and EM review and update their MOA to address key collaboration practices including reviewing and updating guidance, use and access of human capital data, and a regular feedback mechanism to identify and address problems continually as service needs change. (Recommendation 2)
Open
In a letter responding to our report, the Office of Environmental Management (EM) agreed with our recommendation. EM stated that it will collaborate with the Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer to review and update the MOA and engage in regular feedback. EM estimated completing this action by September 2025.
Department of Energy The Senior Advisor for EM should ensure that EM (1) establishes a training program for each occupation series and (2) collects training data and assesses training curricula, on a recurring basis, to ensure that training aligns with needed competencies. (Recommendation 7)
Open
In a letter responding to our report, the Office of Environmental Management (EM) agreed with our recommendation. EM stated that it will establish a comprehensive training program for mission critical occupations and other selected series to equip employees with the necessary skills and competencies and institute a process for collecting training data and assessing training curricula. EM estimated completing this action by December 2027.
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