About
With a staff of nine, the Office of Laboratory Policy provides advice, coordinates policy, and implements programs for the Office of Science (SC) in the following functional areas.
Conference Management
The Office of Laboratory Policy is responsible for coordinating the reporting, review, and approval of conference attendance for all of SC. The Office of Laboratory Policy also represents the Office of Science on working groups related to improving the ability of DOE to efficiently and effectively review and approve conference expenditures in compliance with OMB memorandum M-12-12.
Contractor Human Resource Management
The Office of Laboratory Policy develops Contractor Human Resource Management policies and procedures that facilitate the oversight of SC contracts and the implementation of broader DOE policies, applicable laws and regulations. As contractors’ human resources costs are a significant portion of the overall operating budget under the SC contracts, the Office of Laboratory Policy ensures that contractual requirements rooted in the Federal Acquisition Regulations exist consistently in all SC contracts for assurance that contractors’ costs are reviewed for reasonableness, cost impact, market comparison, and potential long term liabilities to the DOE. The Office of Laboratory Policy also works collaboratively with the Office of Management, General Counsel, and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer in the development of DOE policies, responses to stakeholders, and implementation of complex-wide initiatives, providing SC’s perspective to minimize burdensome requirements on contractors and maximize the contractors’ ability to support mission.
Laboratory Appraisal Process
Annually the Office of Laboratory Policy coordinates the collection of input from all programmatic and field managers with regards to the performance of the management and operations contractors of the ten SC national laboratories. The Office of Laboratory Policy consolidates and facilitates the normalization of feedback and also supports the approval of contract incentives. The Office of Laboratory Policy also aids in the closeout of the annual evaluation cycle, including congressional notifications.
Laboratory Planning Process
Each year SC engages its laboratories in a strategic planning activity that asked the laboratory leadership teams to define a long-range vision for the future of their respective institutions. This information provides the starting point for a discussion between the SC leadership and the laboratory about the laboratory’s future directions, strengths and weaknesses, immediate and long-range challenges, and resource needs. The Office of Laboratory Policy develops, manages, and coordinates implementation of the annual Laboratory strategic planning process on behalf of the Director of the Office of Science, including preparation of instructions and annual laboratory policy and institutional guidance.
Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD)
All Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories have the authority to conduct a limited amount of discretionary research known as Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD). The Office Of Laboratory Policy is responsible for overseeing LDRD programs at the SC laboratories and also acts as the Office of Primary Interest for the DOE directive O 413.2B, Laboratory Directed Research and Development, which sets the DOE requirements for implementation of an LDRD program. The Office of Laboratory Policy also chairs any working groups that meet to update either DOE O 413.2B or the associated roles and responsibilities documents that each program office uses to implemented LDRD requirements found in both law and in the directive.
Management and Operation (M&O) Contracts
The Office of Laboratory Policy develops, manages, and ensures the implementation of DOE procurement policies and procedures to strengthen the SC M&O contract system and to support comprehensive acquisition planning. The Office of Laboratory Policy supports the SC Head of Contracting Activity on all matters related to SC procurements. The Office of Laboratory Policy also supports the Deputy Director for Field Operations by providing subject matter expertise in all matters related to M&O contracts. Finally, the Office of Laboratory Policy serves as the Management System Owner within SCMS for the M&O Contracting Management System.
Technology Transfer
The Office of Laboratory Policy works closely with the Department’s Technology Transfer Coordinator and the Technology Transfer Policy board to ensure that the technology transfer program at the DOE laboratories meets the requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The Office of Laboratory Policy also represents SC in Technology Transfer working groups.
Strategic Partnership Projects (SPP)
The DOE national laboratories are available to conduct work for other Federal agencies and non-Federal customers on a 100% reimbursable basis. This work uses laboratory personnel and/or facilities; pertains to the mission of the laboratory; does not conflict or interfere with the achievement of DOE program objectives; does not place the laboratory in direct competition with the domestic private sector; and does not create a potential future burden on DOE resources. The Office of Laboratory Policy establishes and implements procedures for oversight and reporting of the SPP programs at the SC laboratories.
