Continuity of Operations (COOP) Plan

A documented plan that details how an individual organization will ensure it can continue to perform its essential functions during a wide range of events that affect normal operations. Some organizations call this a Continuity plan.

a. United States Department of Energy (DOE) Continuity Plan - The DOE Continuity Plan, serving as the “umbrella” Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan for the Department, provides the operational framework for implementing COOP and Devolution across the DOE Enterprise from Headquarters Offices down to the Field Elements, and sets forth the organization, structure, and concept of operations upon which all subordinate COOP plans are formulated. The DOE Continuity Plan is supported by COOP plans for offices reporting to the Office of the Deputy Secretary, Office of the Under Secretary, Office of the Under Secretary for Science, and Office of the Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration, which are implemented through Headquarters Office and Field Element COOP plans. 

b. Headquarters Office and Field Element COOP Plans - A type of Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan that each Headquarters Office and Field Element develops to implement their COOP program. These COOP plans work in concert with the DOE Continuity Plan and support the Headquarters Office/Field Element’s higher-echelon’s plan and provide guidance to subordinate COOP plans. The COOP plan provides planning information and direction to the specific office about what needs to be done in a continuity event.