DOE O 413.2B Admin Chg 1, Laboratory Directed Research and Development
Functional areas: Administrative Change, Energy Research & Technology, Work Processes
The order establishes DOE requirements for laboratory directed research and development (LDRD) while providing the laboratory director broad flexibility for program implementation. Cancels DOE O 413.3A. Admin Chg 1, dated 1-31-11, cancels DOE O 413.2B. Certified 7-14-2011.
Supersedes:
DOE O 413.2B, Laboratory Directed Research and Development on Apr 19, 2006
Superseded By:
DOE O 413.2C, Laboratory Directed Research and Development on Oct 22, 2015
Version history and related documents
Superseded by
A newer version replaces this document.
- DOE O 413.2CLaboratory Directed Research and Development (Oct 22, 2015)
Supersedes
Earlier documents this one replaced.
- DOE O 413.2BLaboratory Directed Research and Development (Apr 19, 2006)
Document text
Text extracted from the attached file. Refer to the original document for the authoritative version.
Section 1
DOE O 413.2B Admin Chg 1
1-31-2011
ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE TO
DOE O 413.2B, LABORATORY DIRECTED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION OF CHANGES:
Page Paragraph Changed To
1 1., second
bullet
enhance the laboratories’ ability
to address future DOE/NNSA
missions;
enhance the laboratories’ ability
to address current and future
DOE/NNSA missions;
3 5.c.(4) Annually review and concur on
each laboratory LDRD project
before the project is started or
continued.
Annually concur on each
laboratory LDRD project before
the project is started or
continued.
4 5.c.(5) Annually review and certify in
writing to the CSO/Deputy
Administrator, NNSA, whether
the laboratory’s method for
accumulating LDRD funds is
consistent with paragraphs 4c
and 4d of this Order.
Annually review and certify in
writing to the CSO/Deputy
Administrator, NNSA, whether
the laboratory’s method for
accumulating LDRD funds is
consistent with paragraph 4c of
this Order.
5 7 Questions covering this Order
should be addressed to the
Office of Laboratory Policy and
Infrastructure, Office of Science,
202-586-5447.
Questions covering this Order
should be addressed to the
Office of Laboratory Policy and
Evaluation, Office of Science,
202-586-5447.
Attachment
2, Page 8
8 Evaluate the quality of science
and technology of the LDRD
program.
Evaluate the quality of science
and technology of the LDRD
projects.
U.S. Department of Energy ORDER
Washington, D.C. DOE O 413.2B .
Approved: 4-19-06
Admin Chg 1: 1-31-11
Certified: 71411
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: INITIATED BY:
www.directives.doe.gov Office of Science
SUBJECT: LABORATORY DIRECTED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
1. OBJECTIVE. To establish Department of Energy (DOE) 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—
maintain the scientific and technical vitality of the laboratories;
enhance the laboratories’ ability to address current and future DOE/NNSA
missions;
foster creativity and stimulate exploration of forefront science and technology;
serve as a proving ground for new concepts in research and development; and
support high-risk, potentially high-value research and development.
2. CANCELLATION. DOE O 413.2A, Laboratory Directed Research and Development,
dated 01-08-01. Cancellation of an Order does not, by itself, modify or otherwise affect
any contractual obligation to comply with the Order. Canceled Orders that are
incorporated by reference in a contract remain in effect until the contract is modified to
delete the references to the requirements in the canceled Orders.
3. APPLICABILITY.
a. DOE Elements. The provisions of this Order apply to all DOE elements that have
responsibility for laboratories with approved LDRD programs. (Attachment 1 is a
list of all DOE elements as of the approval date of this Order. This Order
automatically applies to DOE elements created after it is issued.)
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Administrator will assure
that NNSA employees and contractors comply with their respective
responsibilities under this Order.
b. DOE Contractors. The Contractor Requirements Document (CRD), Attachment 2,
sets forth requirements that are to be applied to contractors operating laboratories
that conduct LDRD programs approved by the appropriate cognizant Secretarial
Officer (CSO)/Deputy Administrator, NNSA.
Section 2
c. Exclusions. None.
2 DOE O 413.2B
4-19-06
4. REQUIREMENTS.
a. LDRD projects must be in the forefront areas of science and technology relevant
to DOE/NNSA missions. Normally LDRD projects 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.
b. Normally LDRD projects will be limited to a maximum period of performance of
36 months. Exceptions may be granted by the (CSO)/Deputy Administrator,
NNSA, or his/her authorized designee.
c. The maximum funding level established for LDRD must not exceed 8 percent of a
laboratory’s total operating and capital equipment budgets, including non-DOE
funded work, for the year. The system for accrual of these funds, to a reasonable
extent, must provide for equitable pro rata contributions by all sources of
operating and capital equipment funding.
d. LDRD expenditures are considered an allowable cost in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the laboratory operating contract and must 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/NNSA 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, except as provided
by legislation;
(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 fund line-item construction projects, in whole or in part; or
(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 laboratory inventory.
DOE O 413.2B 3
4-19-06
f. The LDRD program will—
(1) include all discretionary research and development activities other than
those provided for in a DOE/NNSA program or by specific designation in
a DOE contract and
(2) be consistent with all other applicable requirements for similar research
and development activities at the laboratory.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES.
a. Director, Office of Science. In cooperation with cognizant Departmental
elements—
(1) performs periodic reviews of this Order and its implementation and
recommends revisions, as required;
(2) establishes guidelines as required to implement the requirements of this
Order; and
(3) develops a set of LDRD program performance measures that are
consistent among DOE/NNSA laboratories.
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.
(2) Annually approve each laboratory’s LDRD plan and allowable funding
level and grant exceptions as required under paragraph 4b.
(3) Annually review each laboratory’s LDRD program with the assistance of
the responsible DOE/NNSA site office manager.
Section 3
(4) Prepare reports to Congress as required.
c. Site Office Managers.
(1) Assist the CSO/Deputy Administrator, NNSA, in providing oversight and
review of the laboratory’s LDRD program.
(2) Provide a recommendation to the CSO/Deputy Administrator, NNSA, on
the laboratory’s proposed annual LDRD plan and funding level.
(3) Formally authorize the annual LDRD program for the laboratory based on
CSO/Deputy Administrator, NNSA, written approval.
(4) Annually concur on each laboratory LDRD project before the project is
started or continued.
4 DOE O 413.2B
4-19-06
(5) Annually review and certify in writing to the CSO/Deputy Administrator,
NNSA, whether the laboratory’s method for accumulating LDRD funds is
consistent with paragraph 4c of this Order.
(6) Notify the responsible contracting officer that the CRD must be
incorporated into the contract to manage and operate the laboratory.
d. Contracting Officers. Once notified by site office managers, incorporate the CRD
into affected contracts as directed.
6. REFERENCES.
a. The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, sections 3, 31, and 33, 42 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 (P.L.) 93-438,
sections 2, 103, and 107, 42 U.S.C. 5801(b), 5813, and 5817(a), which creates the
Energy Research and Development 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, P.L. 95-91, sections
101 and 102, 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 for Authorizations and Appropriations for the Energy Research and
Development Administration for FY 1977, P.L. 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, P.L. 101-510,
Section 3132, 50 U.S.C. 2791, 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, P.L. 102-484,
section 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.
DOE O 413.2B 5 (and 6)
4-19-06
g. The National Nuclear Security Administration Act, Title XXXII of P.L. 106-65,
Section 4
as amended, which established a separately organized agency within DOE.
h. Homeland Security Act of 2002, P.L. 107-296, 6 U.S.C. 189(6)f, which directs
that funds authorized to be used for LDRD must benefit the homeland security
mission.
i. FY 2006 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, P.L 109-103,
Section 311, raises the maximum LDRD funding level to 8 percent and makes all
the DOE laboratories eligible for LDRD funding.
7. CONTACT. Questions covering this Order should be addressed to the Office of
Laboratory Policy and Evaluation, Office of Science, 202-586-5447.
BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY:
CLAY SELL
Deputy Secretary
DOE O 413.2B Attachment 1
4-19-06 Page 1 (and Page 2)
DEPARTMENTAL ELEMENTS TO WHICH DOE O 413.2B IS APPLICABLE
Office of the Secretary
Departmental Representative to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
Energy Information Administration
National Nuclear Security Administration
Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management
Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs
Office of Counterintelligence
Office of Economic Impact and Diversity
Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Office of Environment, Safety and Health
Office of Environmental Management
Office of Fossil Energy
Office of General Counsel
Office of Hearings and Appeals
Office of Human Capital Management
Office of Intelligence
Office of Legacy Management
Office of Management
Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology
Office of Policy and International Affairs
Office of Public Affairs
Office of Science
Office of Security and Safety Performance Assurance
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Office of the Inspector General
Secretary of Energy Advisory Board
Bonneville Power Administration
Southeastern Power Administration
Southwestern Power Administration
Western Area Power Administration
DOE O 413.2B Attachment 2
4-19-06 Page 1
CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT
DOE O 413.2B, Laboratory Directed Research and Development
Regardless of the performer of the work, the contractor is responsible for compliance with the
requirements of this Contractor Requirements Document (CRD). The contractor is responsible
for flowing down the requirements of this CRD to subcontractors at any tier to the extent
necessary to ensure the contractor’s compliance with the requirements and the safe performance
of work.
As directed by the contracting officer, the contractor must do the following.
1. Establish and maintain a management system to ensure that the laboratory directed
research and development (LDRD) program meets the following requirements.
a. LDRD projects must be in the forefront areas of science and technology relevant
to Department of Energy (DOE)/National Nuclear Security Administration
(NNSA) missions. Normally LDRD projects 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.
b. Normally LDRD projects will be limited to a maximum period of performance of
Section 5
36 months. Exceptions may be granted by the cognizant Secretarial Officer
(CSO)/Deputy Administrator, NNSA, or his/her authorized designee.
c. The maximum funding level established for LDRD must not exceed 8 percent of a
laboratory’s total operating and capital equipment budgets, including non-DOE
funded work, for the year. The system for accrual of these funds , to a reasonable
extent, must provide for equitable pro rata contributions by all sources of
operating and capital equipment funding.
d. LDRD expenditures are considered an allowable cost in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the laboratory operating contract and must 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
Attachment 2 DOE O 413.2B
Page 2 4-19-06
specific tasks that are funded by DOE/NNSA 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, except as provided
by legislation;
(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 fund line-item construction projects, in whole or in part; or
(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 will—
(1) include all discretionary research and development activities other than
those provided for in a DOE/NNSA program or by specific designation in
a DOE contract and
(2) be consistent with all other applicable requirements for similar research
and development activities at the laboratory.
2. Establish criteria that emphasize innovative scientific and technological excellence for
selection of projects using internal peer and/or technical management review. 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 CSO/Deputy Administrator,
NNSA, and the responsible DOE/NNSA site 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
DOE/NNSA and the nation.
4. Submit an annual written report on the laboratory’s LDRD activities to the CSO/Deputy
Administrator, NNSA, and the responsible DOE/NNSA site office manager within 6
months after the end of the fiscal year. The annual report must include an 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. Report annually on the standard LDRD program performance measures, and collect and
provide other data on the LDRD program as negotiated with the CSO/Deputy
Administrator, NNSA.
DOE O 413.2B Attachment 2
4-19-06 Page 3 (and Page 4)
6. Lead or participate in LDRD program reviews of the business and technical aspects of the
program.
7. Submit to the CSO/NNSA Deputy Administrator or his/her designee requests for
exceptions to the LDRD maximum 36-month performance period.
8. Evaluate the quality of science and technology of the LDRD projects.
9. Annually submit a project data sheet to the responsible DOE/NNSA site office manager
for each LDRD project.