The National Nuclear Security Administration last Friday imposed a major fee reduction on the University of California for management failures at the Laboratory during the 2004 fiscal year.
The decision follows a year in which Laboratory operations were suspended to address serious safety and security problems, including a report that two classified computer disks could not be located at the New Mexico laboratory.
"Although multiple investigations have confirmed that the 'missing' disks never existed, the major weaknesses in controlling classified material revealed by this incident are absolutely unacceptable, and the University of California must be held accountable for them," said Linton Brooks, NNSA administrator, in announcing the penalty. "Of even greater concern are significant safety weaknesses which came to light at approximately the same time."
The university has managed the Laboratory since its establishment in 1943. Its contract to operate Los Alamos ends Sept. 30.
To read the NNSA news release, click here (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).