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Audit of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board’s Review Agendas

Report Information

Date Issued
Report Number
OIG-DNFSB-25-A-04
Report Type
Audit
Description
The OIG found approximately half of the DNFSB’s planned Review Agendas for Fiscal Years 2019 through 2024 were carryovers from prior years.  Some of these carryover reviews were delayed, and in those cases, justifications for delays were not consistently recorded.  Moreover, the OIG found that the DNFSB does not have a structured Knowledge Management Program, and DNFSB Review Agenda guidance is not aligned with its current process. The report contains three recommendations to update and improve the agency’s Review Agenda process.  
Joint Report
No
Agency Wide
Yes (agency-wide)
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0
View report on Oversight.gov

Recommendations

The OIG recommends the DNFSB update the Review Agenda guidance to include a scheduling technique and a timeliness metric.

Agency Response Dated February 1, 2026: As stated in OIG-DNFSB-25-A-04, DNFSB published Technical Director’s Standing Order 2025-1, Timeliness in Work Execution, in December 2024. This standing order addresses the findings of the DNFSB’s 2023 self-assessment, which align with OIG’s recommendations on strengthening scheduling practices. DNFSB will review the effectiveness of these actions at the end of fiscal year 2025, make improvements, and institutionalize as part of planned updates to I-530, Execution of Technical Staff Reviews, and OP-530.1, Developing Agendas for<br />
Technical Staff Reviews. DNFSB will complete these updates by March 31, 2026. Status Update: After further review, OTD determined that revision is required of 4 separate directives (rather than 2).<br />
OIG Analysis: The OIG has reviewed and concurs with the agency’s proposed course of action. This recommendation will<br />
be closed upon publication and OIG review of the directives discussed above. This recommendation remains open and resolved.<br />
<br />
Agency Response Dated September 3, 2025: As stated in OIG-DNFSB-25-A-04, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) published Technical Director’s Standing Order 2025-1, Timeliness in Work Execution, in December 2024. This standing order addresses the findings of the DNFSB’s 2023 self-assessment, which align with OIG’s recommendations on strengthening scheduling practices. DNFSB will review the effectiveness of these actions at the end of fiscal year 2025, make improvements, and institutionalize as part of planned updates to I-530, Execution of Technical Staff Reviews, and OP-530.1, DNFSB will complete these updates by December 31, 2025.<br />
OIG Analysis: The DNFSB’s response meets the intent of the recommendation. The OIG will review the updated versions of I-530 and OP-530.1 upon completion at the end of December 2025. This recommendation is open and resolved.

The OIG recommends the DNFSB develop and implement a Knowledge Management program to systematically record Review Agenda knowledge in a centralized location, to strengthen the overall training program.

Agency Response Dated February 1, 2026: DNFSB will implement a knowledge management portal to provide its staff with a centralized location to find information from past safety reviews, discipline specific job aids, and process checklists by March 31, 2026. This milestone reflects initial implementation and content, since the portal is expected to be a living resource with future content expected. For example, a planned future improvement is to implement an artificial intelligence capability to learn from past agendas and site response.<br />
Status Update: After further review, OTD determined that revision is required of 4 separate directives (rather than 2).<br />
OIG Analysis: The OIG concurs with the agency’s proposed actions. This recommendation will be closed upon completion<br />
of the revised directives discussed above and OIG review.<br />
<br />
Agency Response Dated September 3, 2025: DNFSB will implement a knowledge management portal to provide its staff with a centralized location to find information from past safety reviews, discipline specific job aids, and process checklists by December 31, 2025. <br />
OIG Analysis: The DNFSB’s response meets the intent of the recommendation. The OIG will review the Knowledge<br />
Management portal upon its scheduled completion in December 2025 to verify the details described above. This<br />
recommendation is open and resolved.

The OIG recommends the DNFSB update Instruction-530.1, Execution of Technical Staff Reviews and the associated Operating Procedures to align with the current Review Agenda process and correct the deficiencies noted in the DNFSB’s self-assessment.

Agency Response Dated February 1, 2026: DNFSB will update I-530, Execution of Technical Staff Reviews, and OP-530.1, Developing Agendas for Technical Staff Reviews, by March 31, 2026. Status Update: After further review, OTD determined<br />
that revision is required of 4 separate directives (rather than 2).<br />
OIG Analysis: The OIG will close this recommendation upon completion of agency’s revision of the directives<br />
discussed above and OIG review of the directives. This recommendation remains open and resolved.<br />
<br />
Agency Response Dated September 3, 2025: DNFSB will update I-530, Execution of Technical Staff Reviews, and OP-530.1, Developing Agendas for Technical Staff Reviews, by December 31, 2025. <br />
OIG Analysis: The DNFSB’s response meets the intent of the recommendation. The OIG will review the updated I-530<br />
and OP-530.1 for the corrections made to the deficiencies identified in DNFSB’s self-assessment at the end of<br />
December 2025. This recommendation is open and resolved.