tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post2865918994291492918..comments2023-08-27T06:53:36.768-06:00Comments on LANL: The Rest of the Story: Frank Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134775226991383924noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-40616052941436309702009-02-11T11:26:00.000-07:002009-02-11T11:26:00.000-07:00Paul Robinson said during the contract competition...Paul Robinson said during the contract competition that Pete Nanos' 4 month lab stand down was a big mistake. After that utterance, it was clear to me that NNSA would find some means to make sure that LockMart and Robinson lost the lab competition.<BR/><BR/>Yes, LANL would be a better place if LockMart and Robinson had won. At least in the case of Robinson, you can see some integrity. LANS and Mike Anastasio have none. <BR/><BR/>I also don't see Lockheed management weenies being parked into key positions over at SNL. Here at LANL, we see Bechtel and BWXT managers slowly taking over the lab and killing off the science in favor of cleanup, plant engineering work, and production efforts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-76860923355528417442009-02-11T11:16:00.000-07:002009-02-11T11:16:00.000-07:00The head of NNSA's LASO office was at the last Cou...The head of NNSA's LASO office was at the last County Council meeting. <BR/><BR/>During his presentation, he was asked about how much stimulus bill money LANL might expect to see. He said LANL should expect to see some cleanup money. When asked whether LANL would be seeing any money for energy research (science!), he said that NREL out in Colorado will be seeing huge increases in energy research funding and perhaps LANL might see a "trickle down" effect if NREL scientists decided to partner with LANL and send over some money. Fat chance of that one!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-87970906494422609062009-02-10T22:55:00.000-07:002009-02-10T22:55:00.000-07:00some many wrong notions, so little space.UC owns o...some many wrong notions, so little space.<BR/><BR/>UC owns one-half of LANS, and always has the deciding vote on the Board, so since Chu is from UC, then he really needed to recuse himself from certain decisions. This is not a surprise or shocking. It is government procurement law 101.<BR/><BR/>All of the LANS key personnel are LANS employees. Sorry guys.<BR/><BR/>D'Agostino is a career, hard-working well meaning bureaucrat. He is not a visionary. I have seen him allow himself to get over-ruled by the other well-meaning etc. etc. below him, so he isn't a particularly strong manager either. Happens all the time to high-level DOE appointees.<BR/><BR/>I seriously doubt if the UT-Lockmart team would have been a lot different if they had won. Paul Robinson is a very capable fellow, but LockMart has been completely hands-off at Sandia, and I can't imagine what Texas would have brought to the table other than the fact that the sitting President was from the same state (although he didn't and doesn't particularly like UT).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-15612257364741793182009-02-10T22:28:00.000-07:002009-02-10T22:28:00.000-07:002/10/09 8:17 PM,There is no arguing with (C). Some...2/10/09 8:17 PM,<BR/>There is no arguing with (C). Something is very wrong with NNSA and D'Agostino hasn't fixed it. Maybe it's an impossible task. He'll walk away with his share of the blame.<BR/><BR/>It would be easier for me to be critical if I had the answer - the fix. I don't. At least not tonight. Two years ago I thought LANS was a good idea. I was wrong. So very wrong.Frank Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134775226991383924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-28563060239576485512009-02-10T22:24:00.000-07:002009-02-10T22:24:00.000-07:00"I saw D'Agostino in person in December at the Nuc..."I saw D'Agostino in person in December at the Nuclear Deterrence Summit. I'm still curious why he is considered by so many as "the problem". Somebody clue me in. And who do you propose to replace him with?<BR/><BR/>2/10/09 12:28 PM"<BR/><BR/>Answer: Anyone who can lead a Boy Scout Troop. D'Agostino left the navy after more than 20 years with rank of Captain. Translation: An 'F' in leadership. Heck, even Pete Nanos made flag rank.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-55941323307861693092009-02-10T20:17:00.000-07:002009-02-10T20:17:00.000-07:00'I saw D'Agostino in person in December at the Nuc...'I saw D'Agostino in person in December at the Nuclear Deterrence Summit. I'm still curious why he is considered by so many as "the problem".' (Frank)<BR/><BR/><BR/>I'll take a stab at that question.<BR/><BR/>(A) Tom D'Agostino was the sole person given the authority to decide the LANL contract. It wasn't a committee decision as you might expect with most government contracts. Even though the scoring system had Lockheed and LANS neck and neck, D'Agostino selected LANS. Many do not feel he was an honest broker. Some feel that the "fix was in" on the lab contract competition and LANL is now being run largely by the corporate types from Bechtel and BWXT. This is changing the whole flavor of the lab away from science and towards the Bechtel and BWXT desires for a "lab" that does mostly cleanup, construction and production work.<BR/><BR/>(B) Tom D'Agostino has been the champion of the NNSA Complex Transformation plan. This will cuts jobs (and likely reduce job benefits and salaries) and, again, tilt the labs away from science and toward engineering, cleanup and production work.<BR/><BR/>(C) Tom D'Agostino is the face of NNSA. The NNSA is widely regarded as being a failure. He runs it, so he takes the heat.<BR/><BR/>I could go on, but that's enough for now. As far as who he should be replaced with, I would suggest replacing the whole NNSA apparatus by either shifting LANL and LLNL back over to DOE or perhaps even DOD if (and that's a big *if*) the proper conditions for DOD management of LANL are carefully constructed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-76117295823495689692009-02-10T20:15:00.000-07:002009-02-10T20:15:00.000-07:00I have not yet read Chu's letter, but I have talke...I have not yet read Chu's letter, but I have talked to people who have read it.<BR/><BR/>The letter is apparently innocuous and will not affect Chu's ability to be a good Secretary of Energy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-19207315730454061732009-02-10T19:03:00.000-07:002009-02-10T19:03:00.000-07:00Tom D. picked Bechtel over a far superior team fro...Tom D. picked Bechtel over a far superior team from Lockheed. That makes him the enemy. It also demonstrated that he lacks any sort of integrity. I must admit, I'm beginning to expect that seriously lacking moral code from former Naval officers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-31286537428493125442009-02-10T12:28:00.000-07:002009-02-10T12:28:00.000-07:00I saw D'Agostino in person in December at the Nucl...I saw D'Agostino in person in December at the Nuclear Deterrence Summit. I'm still curious why he is considered by so many as "the problem". Somebody clue me in. And who do you propose to replace him with?Frank Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134775226991383924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-14459293122794172792009-02-10T12:13:00.000-07:002009-02-10T12:13:00.000-07:00How much longer until Tom D'Agostino finally gets ...How much longer until Tom D'Agostino finally gets replaced by Obama. I'm ready to celebrate on that day!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-31336766720122886932009-02-08T21:31:00.000-07:002009-02-08T21:31:00.000-07:00"And LANS/Bechtel employees remain Bechtel employe..."And LANS/Bechtel employees remain Bechtel employees and same thing with BWXT and Washington Group (now URS)." - 7:37 PM<BR/><BR/>And the long time LANL employees get to remain LANS employees when laid off. Wait a minute, that doesn't mean much in terms of a safety net, does it?<BR/><BR/>Before LANS, we would have been UC employees and had a much bigger safety net. Today, there is none. But, let me assure you, it's all "substantially equivalent". Somehow. Some way. In the aggregate. Kinda sorta.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-87481135821074855242009-02-08T21:05:00.000-07:002009-02-08T21:05:00.000-07:00Uh - what on earth are you talking about. UC owns ...Uh - what on earth are you talking about. UC owns at least half of LANS and LLNS. (5:13 PM)<BR/><BR/>This must be another one of those fools who were yelling "UC won!" after the decision of the NNSA competition was announced. <BR/><BR/>Most of the employees at LANL have learned that this is not true in any meaningful way. Bechtel and BWXT won, not UC. <BR/><BR/>Apparently at least one drooling village idiot is still about, roaming the halls at LANL. Either that, or it was a lame attempt at sarcasm. I'll hope for the latter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-22061143401781233382009-02-08T20:22:00.000-07:002009-02-08T20:22:00.000-07:00Get over it and get ready to take it up the ass. ...Get over it and get ready to take it up the ass. Chu is a smart man to distance himself from the toxic swamp that reaches from NNSA to the nuclear weapons labs. NNSA's administrators and Mikey can't wait to feel your pain. They hate you, and are sure lookin' forward to the 2000 or so of you that'll be laid off this spring.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-72034426314389482042009-02-08T20:15:00.000-07:002009-02-08T20:15:00.000-07:00"Oh yeah? Just exactly what are UC's interests the..."Oh yeah? Just exactly what are UC's interests then? A black Audi sportscar? First class travel? Junkets to France? A big fat bonus check? What? Come on, what???"<BR/><BR/>How are any of these in the interest of Bechtel? <BR/><BR/>UC's interests are a big fee and especially funding of its pet lab, LBNL. Neither of these require running an "efficient and productive [Los Alamos] National Laboratory." Both of these interests do require that they run LANL according to NNSA/DOE wishes (and don't kid yourself that NNSA and DOE are different). These wishes are primarily that LANL does not get involved in scandals, and to a much lesser extent, that it actually does some nuke work. And sorry, but science and the happiness of the scientists are not requirements.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-59464292975961587522009-02-08T19:46:00.000-07:002009-02-08T19:46:00.000-07:002/8/09 5:13 PM"On the contrary, UC is very willing...2/8/09 5:13 PM<BR/><BR/>"On the contrary, UC is very willing and able to stand up for its interests"<BR/><BR/>UC's interest is to name the Lab Director and split part of the fee. UC names one person and the other three partners name the remainder of the 21 PAD's/AD's. Why do you think we have all the corporate partners bringing their employees under ROSS arrangements. Who does UC bring in? Science is out the door and UC is happy just earning more fee than they did under the previous contract arrangements!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-49503797685650290262009-02-08T19:37:00.000-07:002009-02-08T19:37:00.000-07:002/8/09 9:56 AM "Did Mikey and any other LANS "immo...2/8/09 9:56 AM "Did Mikey and any other LANS "immortals" remain UC employees?<BR/>I've never been clear on this."<BR/><BR/>Yes, to your question. And LANS/Bechtel employees remain Bechtel employees and same thing with BWXT and Washington Group (now URS). When the Titanic, uh I mean LANL, goes down, these are the people that have their life boats waiting. Why do you think they are get bonuses?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-90013714537563218932009-02-08T18:32:00.000-07:002009-02-08T18:32:00.000-07:002/8/09 5:13 PM"On the contrary, UC is very willing...2/8/09 5:13 PM<BR/><BR/>"On the contrary, UC is very willing and able to stand up for its interests"<BR/><BR/>Oh yeah? Just exactly what are UC's interests then? A black Audi sportscar? First class travel? Junkets to France? A big fat bonus check? What? Come on, what???<BR/><BR/>UC must not have any interest in running an efficient and productive National Laboratory.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-87747150845496870152009-02-08T17:13:00.000-07:002009-02-08T17:13:00.000-07:00"...LLNL or LANL and I am pretty sure UC ain't run..."...LLNL or LANL and I am pretty sure UC ain't running the show at those labs."<BR/><BR/>Uh - what on earth are you talking about. UC owns at least half of LANS and LLNS. There is some odd concept out there that Bechtel is evil, and is steamrolling UC. On the contrary, UC is very willing and able to stand up for its interests.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-82441159119095650602009-02-08T12:56:00.000-07:002009-02-08T12:56:00.000-07:00A tidal wave of congressional disregard / disconte...A tidal wave of congressional disregard / discontent is about to hit both labs and like the Titanic there's not enough life boats on deck. Just enough for upper managers.<BR/><BR/>2/8/09 11:04 AM<BR/><BR/><BR/>You hit the nail on the head with that observation, 11:04 AM. Pay close attention, employees of LANL and LLNL. <BR/><BR/>In a few more months, the FY2010 fiscal budget will be rolled out. If there are any significant cuts for the labs in that budget (which seems likely) then layoffs will be inevitable and happen at a rapid rate. Our current NM political delegation are toothless dogs. They will not be able to offer much to counter any of these cuts.<BR/><BR/>A vibrant nuclear weapon research capability is the last thing on the mind of Congress at this moment in time. NNSA could become a sacrificial cow to the idea of fiscal budget discipline (what a joke!) immediately after the expensive stimulus bill is passed this month. The lab power vacuum caused by the loss of Domenici will become all too clear. All Bingamin, Udall and Lujan will be able to offer up is cheap talk and a few budgetary band-aids to help those who might be laid off.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-27074110216934916782009-02-08T11:04:00.000-07:002009-02-08T11:04:00.000-07:00The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is from ...The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is from the Navy. Did he recuse himself from making decisions involving the navy?<BR/><BR/>I could see Dr. Chu distancing himself from LBNL, UC is still running that and that is where he was employed. He didn't come from LLNL or LANL and I am pretty sure UC ain't running the show at those labs.<BR/><BR/>A tidal wave of congressional disregard / discontent is about to hit both labs and like the Titanic there's not enough life boats on deck. Just enough for upper managers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-82501538427062025702009-02-08T09:56:00.000-07:002009-02-08T09:56:00.000-07:00Did Mikey and any other LANS "immortals" remain UC...Did Mikey and any other LANS "immortals" remain UC employees?<BR/>I've never been clear on this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-88033989690951020782009-02-08T07:38:00.000-07:002009-02-08T07:38:00.000-07:00Can anyone post a copy of Dr. Chu's recusal letter...Can anyone post a copy of Dr. Chu's recusal letter?<BR/><BR/>The language of the letter would clear up a lot of things and allow comments to be more to the point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-90634281918659198412009-02-08T00:01:00.000-07:002009-02-08T00:01:00.000-07:0010:55 pm: "I can't remember the last time S-1 actu...10:55 pm: "I can't remember the last time S-1 actually made a contract award decision."<BR/><BR/>Oh, get over yourself. As if you were around the last time it happened and just "can't remember." Were you privy to all such decisions in the past. and just forgot? At least be honest enough to say "I don't know" instead of "I can't remember."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-7345630700532278882009-02-07T23:58:00.000-07:002009-02-07T23:58:00.000-07:0010:55 -- The article says Chu will recuse himself ...10:55 -- The article says Chu will recuse himself from "financial and certain work performance related decisions", not just contracts. Anyone have any input on what this means? Does this include budgets ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-48760092527614323972009-02-07T23:39:00.000-07:002009-02-07T23:39:00.000-07:00I think using recluse instead of recuse is kind of...I think using recluse instead of recuse is kind of amusing <BR/>mixup.... Speaks to truely unconnected management....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com