Peer Review and Design Competition in the NNSA National Security Laboratories (2015)
Chapter: Appendix C: Authorizing Language for the Study
C
Authorizing Language for the Study
Public Law No: 112-239, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, Sec. 3144:
SEC. 3144. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES STUDY ON PEER REVIEW AND DESIGN COMPETITION RELATED TO NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator for Nuclear Security shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of peer review and design competition related to nuclear weapons.
(b) ELEMENTS.—The study required by subsection (a) shall include an assessment of—
(1) the quality and effectiveness of peer review of designs, development plans, engineering and scientific activities, and priorities related to both nuclear and non-nuclear aspects of nuclear weapons;
(2) incentives for effective peer review;
(3) the potential effectiveness, efficiency, and cost of alternative methods of conducting peer review and design competition related to both nuclear and non-nuclear aspects of nuclear weapons, as compared to current methods;
(4) the known instances where current peer review practices and design competition succeeded or failed to find problems or potential problems; and
(5) such other matters related to peer review and design competition related to nuclear weapons as the Administrator considers appropriate.
(c) COOPERATION AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND PERSONNEL.—
The Administrator shall ensure that the National Academy of Sciences receives full and timely cooperation, including full access to information and personnel, from the National Nuclear Security Administration and the management and operating contractors of the Administration for the purposes of conducting the study under subsection (a).
(d) REPORT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The National Academy of Sciences shall submit to the Administrator a report containing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a) and any recommendations resulting from the study.
(2) SUBMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—Not later than September 30, 2014, the Administrator shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate the report submitted under paragraph (1) and any comments or recommendations of the Administrator with respect to the report.
(3) FORM.—The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall be in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
Following the first meeting of the study, discussions regarding element (5) of the study charge led to it being replaced with the wording shown in Chapter 1: “how peer review practices related to both nuclear and non-nuclear aspects of nuclear weapons should be adjusted as the three NNSA laboratories transition to a broader national security mission.”
