GAO issues NNSA lithium activity recommendations

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued seven recommendations to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NSSA) regarding lithium activities.

The analysis and recommendations stem from NSSA facilities deteriorating and the agency proposing a new facility to meet lithium demand.

The GAO recommended management tools designed to aid the NNSA in maintaining its lithium supply via deteriorated facilities until the new facility is ready in the 2030s.

The GAO’s recommendations are as follows:

The Lithium Modernization Program Manager and the Federal Project Director for the LPF project should ensure that a TRA plan is documented; ensure that all key data are collected and assessed before completing future TRA assessments and achieving key project milestones;
complete and document management reviews of the TRA process following the completion of future TRAs; ensure the lithium modernization work breakdown structure captures the complete scope of work of lithium activities and should update the work breakdown structure in the event of future changes in scope; update its Defense Programs Program Execution Instruction to include the requirement that programs’ work breakdown structures use the NNSA-wide common work breakdown structure; align the program’s integrated master schedule and work breakdown structure and do so continuously, following best practices for managing and integrating program scope, schedule and cost; and develop a life-cycle cost estimate that aligns with the work breakdown structure and integrated master schedule, following best practices for managing and integrating program scope, schedule and cost.

According to the GAO, NNSA has agreed with five of the recommendations and agreed in principle with two of the guidelines.