The U.S. Energy Department's inspector general has expressed concerns about quality management efforts for nuclear warhead parts produced at the Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, the Associated Press reported Saturday (see GSN, Oct. 10).
The inspector general's office launched an investigation of Sandia's production processes after receiving an anonymous letter noting problems with an effort to produce parts for W-76 warheads used in Trident submarine-launched missile, according to a report summary published Friday.
In 2001, Sandia allowed companies to bid on a contract to produce warhead components, eliminating an experienced contractor and ultimately increasing costs, the summary states. In addition, the probe noted issues involving acquisition processes, management of contracts, and quality assurance.
"Taken together, these issues raise question about the overall effectiveness of Sandia's quality management system for nuclear weapon products," the summary states.
The National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the Sandia laboratories, responded: "We believe that the evaluation was fair and resulted in the selection of the best technically qualified and best value supplier."
"Several actions have been implemented in the spirit of overall continuous improvement, including clearer guidance in procurement procedures and an improved process to provide better quality assurance for the nuclear weapon program," says an NNSA statement released Friday (Sue Major Holmes, Associated Press, Nov. 22).