Independent Assessment of Construction Quality at the Y-12 National Security Complex Uranium Processing Facility - December 2023

December 2023,

Independent Assessment of Construction Quality at the Y-12 National Security Complex Uranium Processing Facility

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Enterprise Assessments (EA) conducted an independent assessment of construction quality at the Y-12 National Security Complex Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) from August 28-31, 2023. Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) serves as the primary contractor for the UPF project and has subcontracted Bechtel National, Inc. (BNI) to manage and subcontract UPF design and construction activities. The National Nuclear Security Administration’s Y 12 Acquisition and Project Management Office (APMO) has overall Federal UPF project oversight responsibilities. The primary objective of the assessment was to evaluate the effectiveness of CNS and BNI quality assurance (QA) processes for the design, procurement, installation, and inspection of select UPF piping structures, systems, and components (SSCs) related to nuclear safety. Additionally, the assessment evaluated the effectiveness of APMO oversight of CNS and BNI construction quality activities. Direction for EA independent oversight of the construction of facilities classified as high-hazard nuclear facilities under 10 Part 830, Nuclear Safety Management, is detailed in Sec. 303 of annual appropriations acts.