November 16, 2016

Management Challenges at the Department of Energy – Fiscal Year 2017

The Department of Energy is responsible for some of the Nation’s most complex and technologically advanced missions. These include cutting edge work in basic and applied sciences, clean energy innovation, energy efficiency and conservation, environmental cleanup, nuclear weapons stewardship, and efforts to enhance national security. To execute this diverse portfolio, the Department receives an annual appropriation of approximately $30 billion, employs approximately 108,000 Federal and contractor personnel, and manages assets valued at $182.8 billion, including 17 national research and development laboratories. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) annually identifies what it considers to be the most significant management challenges facing the Department. The OIG’s goal is to focus attention on significant issues with the objective of working with Department managers to enhance the effectiveness of agency programs and operations.

While the fiscal year (FY) 2017 challenge areas remain largely consistent with those in previous years, based on the results of our work over the last year, we have made one notable change. As a result, the FY 2017 management challenges include Financial Assistance and Contract Management, Cybersecurity, Environmental Cleanup, Nuclear Waste Disposal, Safeguards and Security, Stockpile Stewardship, and Infrastructure Modernization.

The OIG also prepares an annual Watch List, which incorporates other issues that do not meet the threshold of a management challenge, yet, in our view, warrant special attention by Department officials. For FY 2017, the Watch List includes Human Capital Management, the Loan Guarantee Program, and Worker and Community Safety.

Topic: Management & Administration