'The military application of nuclear energy'

[bananas]

http://blogs.knoxnews.com/munger/2011/09/the-military-application-of-nu.html

'The military application of nuclear energy'

In an update posted Monday, the National Nuclear Security Administration proposed changes to the Statement of Work for the combined Y-12/Pantex management contract (with possible addition of the tritium work at Savannah River). The proposed language, the NNSA said, is to "amplify the work to be conducted for production integration within the Nuclear Security Enterprise (formerly called the nuclear weapons complex)."

Here's part of the proposed addition to the Statement of Work:

"A goal under this Contract is to ensure the enduring national security of the United States through the military application of nuclear energy. A specific objective is to obtain services to meet the production requirements derived from the nuclear weapons stockpile plan updated and released by the President of the United States annually. The Contractor shall function as the single integrating contractor for parts and material logistics within the NSE. The Contract shall provide a single management structure and interface to the Government for integrating production across the NSE.

"In the execution of this Contract, and particularly program integration, the Contractor shall meet rigorous quality and reliability standards essential for the U.S. nuclear deterrent; maintain sufficient production capacity and produce at rates defined in planning documents; and implement flexible production management and execution processes to accommodate a dynamic national security environment. The Contractor shall balance risk management and cost reducing initiatives to provide increased value to the Government. This applies both internally to this Contract and to improving the overall cost efficiency of the NSE."

Another proposed change reads:

"Effectively partner with other contractors within the NSE to manage the master schedule for all production activities and be responsible for the execution of uranium, high explosives, nuclear weapons."

Posted by Frank Munger on September 13, 2011 at 2:49 PM