Audit Report: IG-0441

March 16, 1999

Cost Sharing at Basic Energy Sciences' User Facilities

The Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) funds the construction and operation of 17 designated user facilities that are recognized as being critical to scientific research. BES provides the base-operating budget for its user facilities and generally makes the facilities available on a no-charge basis to all qualified researchers. The objective of the audit was to determine whether the Department could enhance scientific research at BES user facilities by seeking more opportunities for cost sharing.