NNSA Celebrates 100 Days of Achievement

NNSA is off to a strong start in 2021. From supporting new technologies to critical infrastructure projects, NNSA’s achievements between January and April of this year have advanced its vital national security mission. Concurrently, NNSA’s labs, plants, and sites have continued to ensure the effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear deterrent while also making significant and lasting economic impacts on their communities, their states, and ultimately, our Nation.

“NNSA has a saying: ‘Mission is our number one priority, and people are our number one asset,’ said DOE Acting Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator Dr. Charles Verdon. “These achievements would not be possible without our talented and dedicated workforce who, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, have continued to deliver results and exceed expectations.”

• Over the last three months, NNSA met all major Department of Defense requirements to maintain the safety, security, and effectiveness of the nuclear weapons stockpile and advance modernization of the warheads and infrastructure to sustain the stockpile in the future.
• In March 2021, DOE/NNSA awarded a $57.5 million Phase 1 contract to Nuclear Fuel Services for the design and pilot demonstration of highly enriched uranium conversion and purification services. This contract serves as a bridging strategy to enable Y-12 to develop and implement more modern technologies with improved efficiency and safety to carry out this mission for the long-term, and thereby enhance the nation’s security.
• Earlier this year, NNSA supported diplomatic efforts to successfully extend the New START nuclear arms control treaty with Russia before its February 5, 2021 expiration.
• In April, NNSA announced technology transfers from Sandia National Laboratories to private industry, academia, and other federal agencies that resulted in an economic impact of more than $95 billion from 2000 to 2020 and the support of about 21,000 jobs per year.

• More recently, NNSA celebrated the completion of the dispositioning of more than 100 facilities at the Y-12 National Security Site and Pantex Plant in Tennessee and Texas, respectively. This work benefits the environment, reduces risk, increases safety, and clears the way for the construction of critically needed new infrastructure for our Nation’s security, such as the Lithium Processing Facility.
• And thanks to two virtual job fairs, held in January and March, NNSA engaged with more than 3,000 registrants for the purpose of hiring highly skilled personnel across the Nuclear Security Enterprise. Two more are scheduled to take place this year.

But the accomplishments don’t stop there. NNSA also supported multiple major public events and made strides in addressing production challenges; improving cybersecurity; permanent risk reduction; modernizing capabilities and facilities; streamlining oversight and commercial practices; and more.

NNSA is proud of the achievements carried out by its programs and the broader Nuclear Security Enterprise over these past few months. NNSA understands its responsibility to support the Nation’s nuclear security missions. And through continued investments in human capital, research and development, and innovation, NNSA will ensure America has a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent.