DOE O 413.2A, Laboratory Directed Research and Development

DOE O 413.2A 01-08-01 THIS PAGE IS TO REMAIN WITH DOE O 413.2A. THE ONLY ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES THAT OCCURRED IN THIS REVISION WERE- TO BRING THIS DIRECTIVE INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE 1. NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (NNSA), AND 2. TO UPDATE ORGANIZATIONS TITLES. CANCELE D CANCELE D DISTRIBUTION: INITIATED BY: All Departmental Elements Office of Science DOE O 413.2A Approved: 01-08-01 Sunset Review: 01-08-03 Expires: 01-08-05 U.S. Department of Energy ORDER Washington, D.C. SUBJECT: LABORATORY DIRECTED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 1. OBJECTIVE. To establish the Department’s, including the NNSA’s, requirements for laboratory-directed research and development (LDRD) while providing the laboratory director broad flexibility for program implementation. The objectives of the LDRD program are to— C maintain scientific and technical vitality of the laboratories, C enhance the laboratories’ ability to address future DOE missions, C foster creativity and stimulate exploration of forefront science and technology, C serve as a proving ground for new research, and C support high-risk, potentially high-value R&D. 2. CANCELLATION. DOE 413.2, LABORATORY DIRECTED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, dated 3-5-97. 3. APPLICABILITY. The provisions of this Order apply to those DOE elements, including the NNSA, that direct, monitor, or use the Department’s laboratories (listed in Attachment 1) and to the contractors operating these laboratories (see Attachment 2, Contractor Requirements Document), as provided by law and/or contract, and as implemented by the appropriate contracting officer or authorized Department of Energy (DOE)/NNSA designee. 4. REQUIREMENTS. a. LDRD projects must be in the forefront areas of science and technology. Normally, LDRD projects normally will be relatively small and will also include one or more of the following characteristics: (1) advanced study of hypotheses, concepts, or innovative approaches to scientific or technical problems; (2) experiments and analyses directed towards “proof of principle” or early determination of the utility of new scientific ideas, technical concepts, or devices; and (3) conception and preliminary technical analyses of experimental facilities or devices. CANCELE D CANCELE D 2 DOE O 413.2A 01-08-01 b. Normally, LDRD projects normally will be limited to a maximum period of performance of 36 months. Exceptions may be granted by the Cognizant Secretarial Officer (CSO)/Deputy Administrator, NNSA, or authorized DOE/NNSA designee. c. The maximum funding level established for LDRD must not exceed 6 percent of the laboratory’s total operating budget, including non-DOE funded work, for the year, plus an amount of capital equipment funds not to exceed 6 percent of its total capital equipment budget for the year. The system for accrual of these funds shall, to the extent reasonable, provide for equitable pro rata contributions by all sources of operating and capital equipment funding. d. LDRD expenditures shall be considered an allowable cost in accordance with the terms and conditions of the laboratory operating contract and shall be identified in the laboratory accounting system. e. LDRD funds will not be used to— (1) substitute for or increase funding for any tasks for which a specific limitation has been established by Congress or the Department, or for any specific tasks that are funded by DOE or other users of the laboratory;

(2) fund projects that will require the addition of non-LDRD funds to accomplish the technical goals of the LDRD project; (3) fund construction design beyond the preliminary phase (e.g., conceptual design, Title I design work, or any similar or more advanced design effort) or to fund construction line-item projects, in whole or in part; (4) fund general purpose capital expenditures with the exception of acquisition of general purpose equipment that is clearly required for the project and is not otherwise readily available from the laboratory inventory. f. The LDRD program shall— (1) include all discretionary research and development activities other than those provided for in a DOE program or by specific designation in a DOE contract; (2) be consistent with all other applicable requirements. CANCELE D CANCELE D DOE O 413.2A 3 01-08-01 5. RESPONSIBILITIES. a. Director, Office of Science . (1) Performs periodic review of the LDRD Order and its implementation in cooperation with cognizant Departmental elements and recommends revisions, as required. (2) Ensures that the overall LDRD program is consistent with the institutional planning process, which includes the laboratory appraisal process. b. Cognizant Secretarial Officers/Deputy Administrators, NNSA. (1) Exercise general oversight of all activities related to LDRD at the laboratories for which they have cognizance, including establishing guidelines as required to fully and efficiently implement the requirements of this Order. (2) Annually approve the laboratories’ LDRD plans and allowable funding levels and grant exceptions as required under paragraph 4b. (3) Review each laboratory’s LDRD program with the assistance of the appropriate DOE/NNSA Operations Office Manager. c. Operations Offices Managers. (1) Assist the CSO/Deputy Administrator, NNSA, in providing oversight and review of the laboratory’s LDRD program. (2) Provide a recommendation on the laboratory’s proposed annual LDRD plan and funding level. (3) Annually review and certify in writing to the CSO/Deputy Administrator, NNSA, that the laboratory’s method for accumulating LDRD funds is consistent with paragraphs 4c and 4d of this Order. 6. REFERENCES. a. The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, Title 42 United States Code (U.S.C.) 2013, 2051, and 2053, which provides broad authority for research and development activities and their funding. b. The Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended, Public Law 193-438, 42 U.S.C. 5801(b), 5813, and 5817(a), which creates the Energy Research and Development CANCELE D CANCELE D 4 DOE O 413.2A 01-08-01 Administration (ERDA) to bring together and direct Federal activities relating to research and development on the various sources of energy and to carry out general basic research activities. c. The Department of Energy Organization Act, as amended, Public Law 95-91, 42 U.S.C. 7111(4) and 7112(5), which places the research and development activities formerly performed by the Atomic Energy Commission and ERDA under the Secretary of Energy, and directs the Department to carry out the planning, support, and management of a comprehensive energy research and development program. d. An Act to authorize appropriation to ERDA for Fiscal Year 1977, Public Law 95-39, which provides specific authority so that the Director of a Government-owned, contractor-operated laboratory may use a reasonable amount of the laboratory’s operating budget to fund employee-suggested projects up to the pilot stage of development, with the approval of the Secretary.

e. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991, Public Law 101-510, 42 U.S.C. 7257a and 3132, which authorizes Government-owned, contractor-operated laboratories that are funded out of funds available to DOE for national security programs (i.e., Atomic Energy Defense Activities) to carry out LDRD, not to exceed 6 percent of such funds, for the purpose of maintaining the vitality of the laboratory in defense-related scientific disciplines. f. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993, Public Law 102-484, 42 U.S.C., 7261b, 3135, which directs that funds authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Energy for Atomic Energy Defense Activities and made available for LDRD shall be made available for cooperative research and development agreements or other arrangements for technology transfer. 7. CONTACT. Questions covering this Order should be addressed to the Office of Laboratory Policy, Office of Science, (202)586-5447. BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY: T. J. GLAUTHIER Deputy Secretary CANCELE D CANCELE D DOE O 413.2A Attachment 1 01-08-01 Page 1-1 (and 1-2) APPLICABLE LABORATORIES Applicable Laboratories Cognizant Secretarial Officer and Deputy Administrator, NNSA Ames Laboratory Argonne National Laboratory Brookhaven National Laboratory Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Los Alamos National Laboratory Oak Ridge National Laboratory Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Sandia National Laboratories Science Science Science Environmental Management Science NNSA NNSA Science Science NNSA CANCELE D CANCELE D DOE O 413.2A Attachment 2 01-08-01 Page 2-1 (and 2-2) DOE O 413.2A, CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT Contractors must fulfill the following requirements. 1. Establish and maintain a management system to ensure that the laboratory-directed research and development (LDRD) program meets the requirements in paragraph 4 of DOE O 413.2A. 2. Establish criteria for selection of projects, using internal peer and/or scientific management review, that emphasize innovative scientific and technological excellence. A significant number of the projects selected should be those independently proposed by individual researchers or small multidisciplinary teams. 3. Submit an annual LDRD program plan for approval to the Cognizant Secretarial Officer (CSO)/Deputy Administrator, National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA), and the appropriate DOE/NNSA Operations Office Manager at least 45 days before the start of the fiscal year. The plan must provide a requested funding level, general description, and justification of the LDRD program; the plan must also explain how this program will meet laboratory needs, support the laboratory’s mission, and benefit the Department and the Nation. 4. Submit an annual written report on the laboratory’s LDRD activities to the CSO/Deputy Administrator, NNSA, and appropriate DOE/NNSA Operations Office Manager within 6 months after the end of the fiscal year. The annual report must include a technical and financial overview of the program as well as a short summary of each funded project. Additionally, each laboratory must provide a report on completed projects to the Office of Scientific and Technical Information. 5. Collect and provide data on LDRD projects as negotiated with the CSO/Deputy Administrator, NNSA. 6. Lead or participate in LDRD program reviews consisting of laboratory presentations on the program’s management system, program philosophy, program implementation, and performance measures, as well as the business and technical aspects of the program. 7. Submit requests for exceptions to the maximum 36-month performance period for an LDRD project to the CSO/Deputy Administrator, NNSA, or authorized DOE/NNSA designee. 8. Evaluate the quality of science and technology of the LDRD program. CANCELE D CANCELE D DOE O 413.2A 1. Objective 2. Cancellation 3. Applicability 4. Requirements 5. Responsibilities 6. References 7. Contact Attachment 1, Applicable Laboratories Attachment 2, Contractor Requirements Document