DOE O 452.3A, Management of the Department of Energy Nuclear Security Enterprise

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: INITIATED BY: www.directives.doe.gov National Nuclear Security Administration U.S. Department of Energy ORDER Washington, D.C. Approved: 08-05-2026 SUBJECT: MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NUCLEAR SECURITY ENTERPRISE 1. OBJECTIVES. a. To establish the authorities and responsibilities of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for management of the Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE). b. To establish operational guidelines and administrative procedures for NNSA and contractor management of NSE capabilities and resources used to manage the nuclear weapons mission, DOE’s non-weapon responsibilities, and other programs of national interest. 2. CANCELLATION. DOE Order (O) 452.3, Management of the Department of Energy Nuclear Weapons Complex, dated June 8, 2005. 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. Except for the exclusion in paragraph 3c, this Order applies to NNSA employees and other DOE elements that are involved in or interact with management of the NSE. b. NSE Contractors. (1) Except for the exclusions in paragraph 3c, the Contractor Requirements Document (CRD), Attachment 1, sets forth requirements of this Order that will apply to contractors whose contracts of which involve the management, design, construction, operations, and decommissioning of defense nuclear facilities; or equipment or any activities involving the storage, handling, or use of special nuclear materials, radioactive materials, high explosives, and high-intensity lasers. (2) An affected contractor is responsible for flowing down requirements of this CRD to subcontractors at any tier to the extent necessary to ensure contractor compliance with the requirements. DOE O 452.3A 2 DOE O 452.3A 08-05-2026 c. Exclusions. (1) Activities conducted under the authority of the Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, pursuant to Executive Order 12344, as set forth in Public Law (P.L.) 98-525, Department of Energy National Security and Military Applications of Nuclear Energy Authorization Act of 1985, and P.L. 106-65, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000. (2) All DOE elements are excluded from this Order except for the Office of the Secretary; and the NNSA. 4. REQUIREMENTS. a. The Unites States (U.S.) nuclear weapons mission will be the highest priority in the planning, programming, budgeting, execution, and evaluation of NSE work. b. In accordance with P.L. 107-296, Homeland Security Act of 2002, and consistent with resources provided, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) projects will be prioritized on an equal basis with the nuclear weapons program and given higher priority status than strategic partnership projects (SPPs). Notwithstanding any other law governing the administration, mission, use, or operations of any of the Department of Energy national laboratories and sites, such laboratories and sites are authorized to accept and perform work for the Secretary, consistent with resources provided, and perform such work on an equal basis to other missions at the laboratory and not on a noninterference basis with other missions of such laboratory or site. [6 United States Code (U.S.C.) 189(a)(2)]

Situations in which conflicts arise between national security programs and the nuclear weapons program over competing priorities for limited technical resources will be brought to the attention of the NNSA Administrator through the Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs for coordination and resolution. The Office of the Secretary of Energy is briefed on the resolution. c. Requests for NSE capabilities and resources in support of non-weapon missions or other programs of national interest will be accepted and conducted in such a manner as to avoid adverse impact or impediments to the management of the U.S. nuclear weapons mission. d. NSE nuclear weapons mission requirements will be prioritized, taking into account the following objectives: (1) Maintain and enhance the existing nuclear weapons mission in accordance with Presidential Directives and the President’s annual Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Memorandum in accordance with: DOE O 452.3A 3 08-05-2026 (a) DOE O 452.1B, Nuclear Explosive and Weapons Surety Program; (b) DOE O 452.2B, Safety of Nuclear Explosive Operations; (c) DOE O 452.4A, Security and Control of Nuclear Explosives and Nuclear Weapons; and (d) DOE O 414.1B, Quality Assurance. (2) Enhance NSE research and development and infrastructure to support applied research, development, testing, and production capabilities necessary to maintain the nuclear weapons mission, to support the annual stockpile assessment, to address scientific and engineering issues pertinent to stockpile stewardship, and to develop options for the future nuclear deterrent working with the Department of War. (3) Meet the immediate needs of the nuclear weapons mission as directed by the production and planning directive: (a) Replacing limited-life components; (b) Repairing weapons; and (c) Providing safe, secure transport of warheads, components, and nuclear materials. (4) Conduct surveillance of the stockpile to assess the safety, security, and reliability of the warheads, including disassembly and inspection of weapons, conducting flight and laboratory tests, developing enhanced surveillance techniques, and supporting the annual stockpile assessment. (5) Develop and maintain the responsive infrastructure necessary to support nuclear weapons mission needs. (6) Develop and apply comprehensive assessment methodologies, plans, and experimental tools to advance the understanding of scientific and technical issues affecting the safety, reliability, or performance of nuclear weapons. (7) Store and dismantle nuclear weapons removed from the stockpile safely and securely. (8) Manage the monitored storage and disposition of legacy and newly generated waste within the NSE in compliance with applicable Federal laws and regulations pertaining to protecting the environment, safety, and health. 4 DOE O 452.3A 08-05-2026 (9) Use the established SPP administrative processes to confirm that projects requested by other Federal agencies through SPP channels will not interfere with nuclear weapons programs or create detrimental burdens on NNSA resources in the future. 5. RESPONSIBILITIES. a. Secretary of Energy. (1) Establish DOE policy and objectives in accordance with national law, Presidential Directives, and other national-level policy, as required to inform management of NSE capabilities and resources for management of the nuclear weapons stockpile, the non-weapons mission, and other national security needs. b. NNSA Administrator.

(1) Establish expectations and objectives for the prioritization and management of NSE capabilities and resources in accordance with 50 U.S.C. Chapter 41 § 2401, Establishment and mission, et seq. Presidential Directives, Secretarial Directives, and other national-level policy, which inform management of NSE capabilities and resources for management of the nuclear weapons mission, the non-weapons mission, and other national security needs. (2) Ensure that work performed for DHS at NNSA is performed on an equal basis with and not on a noninterference basis with other missions of such laboratory missions (in accordance with the Homeland Security Act, Section 309[a][2]; 6 U.S.C. §189[a][2]). (3) Ensure that priority consideration is given non-weapon work related to compelling national security concerns and sponsored by the Department of War, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or U.S. Intelligence Community. (4) Ensures administration of the NSE contracts that are for the management and operations of national security laboratories, nuclear weapons production facilities, and sites and that include the CRD for this Order. c. NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs. (1) Establish expectations and objectives for managing the capabilities needed to design, produce, test, and maintain weapons to meet national security requirements. (2) Report directly to the NNSA Administrator in a timely manner all matters pertaining to availability of NSE resources, constraints, capabilities, performance, mission, and actual or potential conflicts in priorities to meet national security requirements. DOE O 452.3A 5 08-05-2026 d. Contracting Officer. For all applicable contracts and upon notification that a site/facility management contract is affected by this Order, the Contracting Officer(s) shall incorporate the requirements into the affected contract(s) via the “Laws, Regulations, and DOE Directives” clause of the contract, or through negotiation and modification, as appropriate. 6. DEFINITIONS. a. Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE). Per 10 U.S.C. § 6101, Definitions, the NSE is the physical facilities, technology, and human capital of the national security laboratories and the nuclear weapons production facilities. Additionally, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Administrator of the NNSA and the Congress, may designate any facility of the Department of Energy a “nuclear weapons production facility.” [10 U.S.C. § 6101 (8)(F)]. The following make up the NSE: (1) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California; (2) Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico; (3) Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Livermore, California; (4) Pantex Plant, Amarillo, Texas; (5) Kansas City National Security Campus, Kansas City, Missouri; (6) Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, Tennessee; (7) Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina; and (8) Nevada National Security Site, Nevada. 7. REFERENCES. a. P.L. 106-65, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000, Title 32, National Nuclear Security Administration Act, as amended by: (1) P.L. 106-377, Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001; (2) P.L. 106-398, Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001; (3) P.L. 107-107, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002; 6 DOE O 452.3A 08-05-2026

(4) P.L. 108-136, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004; and (5) P.L. 108-375, Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. b. P.L. 72-212, Economy Act of 1932, as amended (31 U.S.C. § 1535), which authorizes an agency to place orders for goods and services with another government agency when in the best interest of the government. c. P.L. 83-703, Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 2011 et seq.), Sections 31, 32, and 33, which authorizes the conduct of research and development and certain training activities for non-DOE entities. d. P.L. 93-438, Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, Section 205 (42 U.S.C. § 5845), which requires Federal agencies to furnish to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, on a reimbursable basis, such research services deemed necessary. e. P.L. 107-296, Homeland Security Act of 2002, Section 309(6 U.S.C. § 189(a)(2) requirements relating to utilization of Department of Energy national laboratories and sites in support of Homeland Security activities. f. Memorandum of Agreement (EXEC-2003-002486) between Department of Energy and Department of Homeland Security (February 28, 2003), which allows work directly funded by DHS to be accepted, performed, and administered in accordance with the terms of the memorandum of agreement. g. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Subpart 17.5, “Interagency Acquisitions under the Economy Act.” h. FAR 35.017, “Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs).” i. NNSA Business Operating Plan (BOP) 006.001, “NNSA Program Management Policy,” dated August 12, 2004. j. DOE/NNSA Quality Criteria (QC) 1, “Weapon Quality Policy,” Rev. 10, February 10, 2004. k. DOE P 413.1, Program and Project Management Policy for the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Acquisition of Capital Assets, dated June 10, 2000, and Office of Management and Budget Circulars A-11, A-123, A-127, and A-130. l. DOE O 414.1B, Quality Assurance; DOE O 452.1B, Nuclear Explosive and Weapons Surety Program; DOE O 452.2B, Safety of Nuclear Explosive Operations; DOE O 452.4A, Security and Control of Nuclear Explosives and Nuclear Weapons; DOE O 470.1, Safeguards and Security Program; DOE N 481.1A, Reimbursable Work for Department of Homeland Security; DOE O 481.1C, Work-for-Others (Non-Department of Energy Funded Work); 10 CFR 830.121, “Quality Assurance Requirements.” DOE O 452.3A 7 08-05-2026 8. CONTACT. Questions concerning this Order should be addressed to the Office of the Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs. BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY: JAMES P. DANLY Deputy Secretary DOE O 452.3A Attachment 1 - CRD, Contractors Only 08-05-2026 Page 1-1 ATTACHMENT 1 CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT DOE O 452.3, MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NUCLEAR SECURITY ENTERPRISE This Contractor Requirements Document (CRD) establishes requirements for Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Contractors within the DOE Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE). Regardless of the performer of the work, the contractor is responsible for complying with the requirements of this CRD and for flowing down requirements to subcontractors at any tier to the extent necessary to ensure compliance. The contractor must not flow down requirements to subcontractors unnecessarily or imprudently and must incur only those costs that would be incurred by a prudent person in the conduct of competitive business.

1. Manage facilities and sites of NSE in accordance with DOE policies, priorities, and objectives set forth in the requirements section of DOE O 452.3. 2. Maintain the capabilities to design, produce, and test weapons to meet national security requirements in accordance with guidance and direction of the NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs. 3. Document plans and program functions and identify fiscal requirements for NSE missions to support DOE budget planning. 4. Submit to the NNSA site office long-range projections of work to be accomplished including strategic partnership projects (SPPs) to support DOE and NNSA institutional planning requirements. 5. Notify NNSA when there is actual or potential for adverse impact of SPP work on the ability to support the nuclear weapons program. 6. Support DOE’s non-weapon responsibilities or other programs of national interest as directed while ensuring that this work does not impact or impede management of the U.S. nuclear weapons mission. 7. Manage NSE facilities and programs in a manner consistent with the following national security mission requirements: a. Conduct stockpile surveillance to assess the safety, security, and reliability of the weapons including disassembly and inspection of weapons, conducting flight and laboratory tests, developing enhanced surveillance techniques, and supporting Annual Certification. b. Develop and apply comprehensive methodologies, plans, and tools for certification, including high-energy density physics experiments, simulations, hydrodynamic testing, engineering sciences, and materials science. c. Develop options for the future nuclear deterrent working with the Department of War. Attachment 1 - CRD, Contractors Only DOE O 452.3A Page 1-2 08-05-2026 d. Maintain and enhance the existing nuclear weapons stockpile in accordance with Presidential Directives, the President’s annual Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Memorandum, and Nuclear Weapons Council planning. e. Incorporate enhanced surety features in alignment with Presidential direction and Nuclear Weapons Council planning. f. Develop and restore required manufacturing capabilities for identified weapon priorities. g. Plan, complete, and operate required NSE capital projects required to meet U.S. nuclear weapons mission activities. h. Be ready to conduct nuclear tests. i. Maintain a flexible, responsive, robust infrastructure, including research and development, engineering, production, and testing required to support U.S. nuclear weapons mission activities. j. Store and dismantle safely and securely nuclear weapons that have been removed from the stockpile. 8. Conduct all NSE work consistent with the principles of protecting the environment and safeguarding the safety and health of the public and of the workforce.