ENGINEERING

The U.S. Department of Energy concluded its competition for the management contract of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on April 19 by announcing its award of the contract to its current manager, the University of California. The decision assures that the six-decade affiliation of the three institutions will continue for at least the next five years. “Because of its outstanding work, including 10 Nobel Prizes won by its scientists, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory has helped ensure U.S. scientific leadership for more than 60 years,” Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman said. “This contract award will allow LBNL and its outstanding researchers and staff to seamlessly continue their work as they set new standards of scientific excellence.” UC President Robert Dynes said, “I am very pleased that the Department of Energy has chosen the University of California to continue our proud tradition of managing Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. For more than 60 years, since E.O. Lawrence pioneered this kind of collaboration, the University has partnered with the federal government to manage this important scientific and technological enterprise in the national interest. I am pleased for UC, and our country, that this partnership will continue into the future.” Full statement. Berkeley Lab Director Steve Chu was on international business travel when the announcement was released, but he provided the following statement: “I am extremely pleased and grateful to the Department of Energy for its contract management award to the University of California. From the very start of the process, we have felt that, based on our distinguished history of partnership and our impressive record of success, continuing management by the University was essential to maintaining the strength and quality of both institutions. From the shared facilities and programs of faculty and students at UC Berkeley, to the thousands of systemwide researchers who have benefited from the use of Berkeley Lab facilities over the years, our relationships have been numerous and productive. The announcement to extend that partnership promises more mutual rewards, and further advances in scientific exploration, in the future. “In both our scientific endeavors and in our operational support, we look forward to working with UC and the DOE to incorporate the very best practices that ensure the highest quality of effort within a safe, fiscally responsible, and ethical work environment. “And a special thanks to the management team and Laboratory employees who put so much time, energy and talent into the winning contract proposal. They deserve a large piece of the credit for solidifying the Lab’s future with the University and the DOE.” Laboratory Deputy Director Graham Fleming, who has responsibility to oversee the research functions of the Lab, said, “The new Department of Energy management contract with the University of California will offer unusually rich opportunities for innovative and groundbreaking research at Berkeley Lab. Under the University’s proven stewardship and the DOE’s careful oversight, the Laboratory promises to be a fertile environment for the growth of burgeoning new fields – visionary programs like those in nanotechnology, synthetic biology, carbon-neutral energy development, the search for the nature of 'dark energy,' and high-performance computing. Our continued affiliation with the University, in particular with its Berkeley campus and with UC San Franciso and other campuses, will enable the interdisciplinary exchanges and 'team science' necessary to address and solve the nation’s most challenging problems. “It ensures the continuation of a wonderful synergy between university and laboratory that prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers for success in their professions. “The new contract with the University of California will also assure that the considerable benefits and resources enjoyed by Laboratory employees will continue, and on their behalf, I can pledge continued excellence in the pursuit of our missions.” Associate Laboratory Director for Operations David McGraw, who shared the announcement with employees, added, “The welcomed new agreement between the Department of Energy, the University of California, and Berkeley Lab represents a revitalized commitment on our part to deliver world-class science, using state-of-the-art tools and facilities, and providing a first-rate operations staff working to rigorous standards and procedures. The initiatives and improvements envisioned in the contract proposal promise to insure that research excellence is delivered with maximum efficiency at the lowest possible cost. The UC partnership will also help us to ensure that workplace safety, sound financial management, facility construction and maintenance, and performance-based accountability are preserved and enhanced.”