A new federal office has been created to oversee nuclear production work at the Pantex Site in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge.
The new office is called the National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office. Its mission includes contract management and oversight of work to maintain the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, provide enriched uranium, and support activities that reduce the global nuclear threat, according to an NNSA press release.
A joint celebration was scheduled for today at Y-12 and Pantex as well as NNSA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The ceremony was also expected to recognize the achievements of the former Pantex and Y-12 site offices.
“This is a historic move for NNSA that puts us in a position to improve performance, reduce the cost of doing business, and operate as an integrated enterprise for years to come,” NNSA Administrator Thomas D’Agostino said. “I’m proud of the way the teams at Pantex and Y-12 have come together, and I am continually impressed by their dedication to our mission.”
The transition to the production office began in February 2012. Steven Erhart has been named manager of the new organization.
A new leadership team that is spread out across the country has been selected and is completing the merger of the two federal offices. The merger will be in place before the selection of the new contractor for the combined Pantex and Y-12 contract later this year, the press release said.
Pantex is responsible for nuclear weapons life extension programs; nuclear weapons dismantlement; the development, testing, and fabrication of high explosive components; and the interim storage and surveillance of plutonium pits.
Y-12 supports the nuclear security enterprise through uranium storage, processing, and manufacturing operations, the press release said.
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