Time savings in procurement processes
Supply Chain saved time for critical programs by challenging procurement requirements for time-sensitive subcontracts and partnering with NNSA to reduce bureaucratic red tape for the Enhanced Mission Delivery Initiative. The group moved away from overly rigorous requirements to encourage intelligent risk-taking. Sandia also launched the Simplified Purchasing Pilot, which streamlines pre-award practices for commercial purchases, reducing lead times. • 10000
Forum connects labs with small businesses
Sandia and the DOE hosted a Mentor-Protégé forum, a one-stop shop for connecting laboratories with procurement resources. This event brought together small-business protégés with every lab across the complex and offered opportunities to present their businesses and resources to all the sites. The result was that 67% of procurement dollars was subcontracted to Sandia small businesses, a new record. • 10000
Bots increase efficiency and reduce workload
Sandia expanded its Robotic Process Automation capability in Finance and Accounting, resulting in significant time savings. Several bots have been deployed, including the Sandia Pay Daily/Monthly bots, saving nearly 240 hours annually, and the Cost Revenue bot, saving 250 hours. The Accounts Payable Reclass bot automates data input into the Oracle system, saving around 500 hours annually. Additionally, C3PayO processes paper checks and reduces processing time by 80%. The team also deployed the first bot outside of the center — iBOT-IT — which benefits procurement by automating acceptance of Advanced Shipment Notices. • 10000
Developing solutions for staffing challenges
The Project Management Value Optimization and Opportunities Program, launched in fiscal year 2023, addresses staffing challenges linked to efficient processes and later-life programs while informing employees of new opportunities across the Labs. The Project Management Center of Excellence conducted a comprehensive retention study that gathered insights from over 60% of the center. The feedback collected is aligning Labs strategy to investments in staff and workplace culture. • 10000
Improvements to travel increase satisfaction by 24%
Changes to booking travel improved workforce satisfaction with travel processes by 24%, based on results from the Voice of the Traveler survey. Improvements included simplifying travel policies, relaunching SWABIZ as a direct booking channel for Southwest Airlines tickets and enabling optional use of personal credit cards. • 10000
Reapplication donates $2M in tech
In August, Property Management and Reapplication held a K-12 donation event benefiting nine schools across New Mexico. Participating schools received nearly $2 million in computers, laptops, tablets, keyboards and other equipment. • 10000
Enhancing accountability and cost management practices
Sandia introduced new financial metrics and revamped its variance-reporting process to ensure alignment across all management levels. Additionally, the newly launched Cost Management Resource Guide provides a comprehensive overview of cost management activities and directs employees to valuable learning resources. • 10000
Enhancing project management
The project management team established a standardized approach for cost estimates, ensuring accuracy for customers and sponsors. The Project Management Center of Excellence focuses on maximizing the value of cost estimates by simplifying reporting processes and clarifying roles, enhancing accountability in decision-making. The Cost Estimation Improvement Plan addresses past challenges by developing new standards and templates based on feedback. Additionally, the Nuclear Deterrent Component Reporting initiative introduces tools for use across programs, with implementation plans underway. • 10000
Simplified processes for efficiency across enterprise
Sandia led a team of members from each lab, plant, site and NNSA, aimed at enhancing project management through the Enhanced Mission Delivery Initiative. Improvements include eliminating earned-value reporting after the first-production unit and standardizing change-control processes to increase decision authority. Internally, Sandia teams are simplifying processes to meet federal requirements and enhance the value of our project management activities through a focused project reporting set, a top-down scheduling methodology and a product realization team template that reduces unnecessary detail. These changes will improve efficiency and the quality of information for decision-makers. • 10000
New financial management resources
Sandia completed the second year of a three-year strategic initiative to enhance financial management performance, reflecting cross-team collaboration across various business units. A key component of this initiative is the Critical Thinking Toolkit, which offers resources for developing soft skills in cost management. By emphasizing teamwork and offering job-specific training plans and ongoing how-to sessions, Sandia is equipping staff with the knowledge they need. • 10000