What GAO Found A Secretary of Energy memorandum directed revisions to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) construction order (known as 413.3B) to (1) allow increased delegation of approval authority for projects estimated to cost up to $300 million; and (2) limit independent reviews for projects estimated to cost between $300 million and $1 billion. As of January 2026, DOE and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) were managing 80 capital asset projects at laboratories and sites where daily operations are carried out by management and operating (M&O) contractors. The projects are collectively estimated to cost as much as $65.5 billion. Revisions could affect 66 of the ongoing projects and future ones. Figure 1: Locations of Relevant Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration Laboratories, Plants, and Sites As of March 2026, officials said revising the order was on hold. However, some DOE offices and NNSA have taken steps to implement the changes. DOE’s Office of Science (Science) delegated critical decision approval authority to national laboratory directors, who are M&O contractor employees, for 20 projects at nine laboratories. NNSA is developing guidance on changes to independent reviews. The changes are too recent to have yet demonstrated an effect. Science and…
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Department of Energy: Efforts to Streamline Project Management at National Laboratories and Nuclear Sites [Reissued with revisions on Jul. 17, 2026]
Source: US GAO Reports — US Government, Public Domain