NNSA Production Office (2020 Presidential transition)
The NNSA Production Office (NA-NPO) ensures the safe, secure, and cost-effective management and operations of the Pantex Plant (Pantex) in Amarillo, Texas; and the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Pantex handles nuclear weapons surveillance and life extension programs; weapons dismantlement; the development, testing, and fabrication of high explosive components; and storage and surveillance of plutonium pits.
Y-12 is responsible for uranium storage; processing and manufacturing operation; the production of uranium feedstock for the U.S. nuclear navy; and supports international nuclear nonproliferation programs.
NA-NPO administers the Management and Operating contract for the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (a government-owned, contractor operated dedicated production facility), and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas (a government owned, contractor-operated production facility).
Mission Statement
Execute effective contract management and oversight to safely and securely maintain the nuclear weapons stockpile for the nuclear security enterprise; provide enriched uranium for naval, research, and isotope production reactors; and support nonproliferation activities to reduce the global nuclear threat.
Budget
| Fiscal Year | Budget | NPO Budget |
|---|---|---|
| FY 2019 enacted | $2,700,000,000 | $2,200,000 |
| FY 2020 enacted | $2,800,000,000 | $2,300,000 |
| FY 2021 requested | $3,200,000,000 | $2,300,000 |
Human Resources
FY 2020 authorized full-time equivalents (FTEs): 134
History
NA-NPO was established in June 2012 when NNSA combined two independent NNSA site offices to report to a single Field Office Manager. This combination allowed NA-NPO to consolidate federal functions and operate under NA-NPO processes prior to the transition to the single consolidated contract on June 1, 2014.
Functions
- Vital factory oversight of high hazard nuclear & chemical operations
- Emergency Management Oversight
- Environment Management System Oversight
- Environmental Permit Approvals
- Fire Protection Program Oversight
- Human Reliability Program Certifications
- Interagency Memorandums of Understanding
- Nuclear Explosive Safety Oversight
- Federal Employee Occupational Safety & Health Occupational Safety & Health Oversight
- Occurrence Reporting Oversight
- Packaging & Transportation Oversight
- Price Anderson Amendment Act Program
- Program Oversight
- Quality Assurance Federal Implementation and Program Oversight
- Quality Assurance Issues Management
- Radiation Protection Oversight
- Safeguards & Security Oversight
- Safety Basis Oversight and Approvals
- Safety System Oversight Program Oversight
- Training & Qualifications
- Business, Legal, and Public Affairs
Recent Organization Accomplishments
- Completed the W76-2 Program of Record, one of NNSA’s top priorities, thus providing the U.S. Navy with a low-yield, sea-launched ballistic missile warhead capability.
- Completed the B61-12 Life Extension Program’s First Production Capability Unit.
- Completed the W88 Alt 370 First Production Capability Unit disassembly and inspection.
- Effectively managed nuclear weapons programs and strategic partnership project missions through the COVID-19 response.
- Completed successful Binary Vacuum Arc Re-melt (VAR) Secondary Electrode Melt in the Development VAR.
- Developed a corrective action plan that significantly improved the execution of the Pantex Safety Basis.
- Supported the development of the Zero Based Budget, which aligns the out-years funding requests with requirements.
- Ensured effective oversight with regard to the implementation of the Nuclear Quality Assurance for use in weapon and weapon related structures, systems, and components that serve a nuclear safety function.
- Maintained progress and achieved milestones on several key Y-12 projects including the West End Protected Area Reduction, Beta 2 concrete retrofits, and both the Fire Station and Emergency Operations Center construction projects.
- Completed 50-year sprinkler replacements at Y-12, thus ensuring those facilities continue to meet fire protection requirements.
- Continued to make significant progress in advancing Y-12’s Lithium Strategy including the development of lithium production technologies, processes, and equipment.
- Continued demolition and removal of older facilities at Pantex, thus further reducing the site footprint.
Leadership Challenges
- Pantex/Y-12 Contract competition and transition by September 30, 2021.
- Reconstituting full production capabilities for Binary at Y-12.
- Managing the fragility of Lithium processing facility and capabilities at Y-12.
- Costs and risks associated with the Uranium Processing Facility construction with interfaces through the contract and turnover to the future Management & Operating contractor.
- Fragility of High Explosive (HE) supply and HE modernization at Pantex.
- Executing the significant infrastructure investment portfolio at Pantex and Y-12.
Critical Events and Action Items
None.