Optimizing ND project management
Modernizing the nation’s nuclear deterrent takes strong project management. Sandia advanced its project management system in fiscal year 2023, creating a consistent framework that integrates technical and business teams and the myriad activities required for nuclear deterrence programs. The Labs also added comprehensive project management guidance for new programs, an independent cost and schedule review process, refined guidance for identifying knowledge points and gaps and a team focused on improving integrated project management across the nuclear security enterprise. • 10000
Estimating excellence
Sandia embarked on a multiyear effort to elevate its cost estimation approach, ensuring funding requests meet the needs of its national security mission. First-year improvements focused on enhancing competency and included streamlined institutional training and a more efficient cost-estimation process that reached more than 400 staff. Sandia also upgraded its independent cost estimation reviews for nuclear deterrence projects and added an outside reviewer for cost estimates on facilities projects, resulting in higher quality reviews consistent with best practice. • 10000
Sandia boosts regional, national economy
Sandia’s contributions to the economy topped $4.6 billion in fiscal year 2023, supporting individuals, families and businesses at an unprecedented level. The spending included labor, subcontracts, purchases and other expenditures. This was a new record, surpassing the Labs’ $4.2 billion in expenditures in fiscal year 2022. • 10000
Sandia strengthens supply chain
COVID-19, geopolitical events and more have rendered today’s supply chains far more fragile. In the face of these challenges, Sandia overhauled its supply chain strategy to increase resilience. The Labs developed a playbook for anticipating and addressing possible supply chain disruptions, added supply chain analysts to proactively address and manage supply chain risks for key programs and implemented targeted supply-base and spend strategies, including the largest targeted market survey in its history to identify new suppliers and expand its supplier base. • 10000
Bot cuts check processing time
Sandia began using robotic process automation for expense reimbursement checks. This drastically reduced the time it takes to process and mail checks. The bot’s automated processing of 1,265 checks takes about 36 minutes compared with the manual processing time of 63 hours and 15 minutes, a 99% improvement. Mailing checks takes about two minutes per week for the bot, compared to 10 hours of manual labor. • 10000
Small-business use garners awards
Sandia exceeded its small-business goals and was recognized by DOE’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization with three awards. For the second consecutive year, Sandia’s Mentor-Protégé Program was named Mentor of the Year. Sandia’s Supply Chain Subcontract Manager Sofia Delgadillo-Marrufo was awarded Facility Management Contracting Officer of the Year, and Santa Fe-based Sandia subcontractor Wildflower International Ltd. won HUBZone Small Business of the Year. • 10000
Revamp frees time for technical work
To support staff who do technical work as well as manage contracts for specialized equipment, materials and services needed for that work, Sandia revamped supply chain processes to save about 30% of their administrative time, which now can be devoted to difference-making technical work. • 10000
Delivering for Sandia’s mission
Sandia’s mission as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center dedicated to national security requires an astounding amount of equipment, materials and supplies. The Labs supply chain team’s role is to add qualified suppliers, procure what’s needed and get it where it needs to go. In fiscal year 2023, the organization processed 13,057 shipments, an all-time record, and set post-pandemic records by handling 28,000-plus purchase requisitions and receiving and delivering 166,000-plus packages. • 10000
Program develops future CFOs
Sandia built the Chief Financial Officer Position Rotational Program to develop a pipeline for CFO employees of the future. The three-year program rotates early career Sandians through three different finance and accounting positions. Participants benefit from supervision by talented managers, certified public accountants and expert staff and mentorship by senior members of the management team. The program drew overwhelming interest, with 99 applicants. • 10000
Strategic investments further mission
Through prudent financial management and reutilization of a financial credit, Sandia quickly deployed strategic investment funding. The funding led to enhanced capabilities and infrastructure sitewide with capital equipment, cross-functional software and other infrastructure that increased efficiency and effectiveness while addressing emergent national security needs. Deployment required rapid prioritization to identify investment opportunities, allocate resources, find sources for complex purchases and install hardware, software and capital items. The result was modernized information technology, mission computing and infrastructure. • 10000