Our Vision for Continued Scientific Excellence
FermiForward is committed to ensuring the groundbreaking research of Fermilab remains a top priority and to enhancing Fermilab’s reputation as a scientific leader. FermiForward’s bold, forward looking vision for a new era of scientific discovery at Fermilab focuses squarely on some of the most fundamental and compelling questions facing science in the 21st century. Our science vision is founded on a set of strategic initiatives that includes field-defining initiatives that advance the frontiers of
Fermilab’s foundational research programs to push the limits of discovery into new and exciting domains; as well as new initiatives to accelerate Fermilab’s impact in emerging disciplines, like quantum science, AI and microelectronics. To achieve this vision, FermiForward understands sustained excellence is needed in many aspects of lab operations and is committed to making enhancements --- from an enhanced safety culture to more disciplined operations and proactive project management --- to ensure success. We look forward to providing you more information on our vision for Fermilab throughout the transition process.
Transition Continues With a Variety of Activities!
We are entering the third week of our contract transition period to be ready to fully assume responsibility for managing and operating Fermilab on Jan. 1, 2025. As you learned last week, the FermiForward leadership team is engaged in a variety of activities that will ensure the successful transition of the lab contract. With that stated, we are committed to completing these activities with as little impact as possible on employees, staff, users and the public.
This week’s transition highlights include:
Nearing 90% completion of facility walk-downs and 15% completion of conduct-of-operations assessments.
Briefing the Fermi Research Alliance (FRA) ES&H leadership and reviewing the transition schedule to prepare the team for future requests for information/documents.
Continuing secure data transfers between FermiForward and Fermi Research Alliance. Deliverables are being edited and submitted. Processes for DOE submissions and feedback are set. Blue sheeting and document storage systems are underway.
Get to Know a FermiForward Partner -- Longenecker & Associates
Longenecker & Associates (L&A) is an integrated subcontractor to FermiForward. As part of FermiForward, L&A brings best-in-class capabilities and 35 years of industry experience in contractor assurance, project management, and operations support to help ensure excellence in how Fermilab conducts transformational science. L&A is proud to be part of the management teams at Los Alamos, Sandia and Savannah River national laboratories, and to provide support at other national labs across the DOE complex.
Founded in 1989, L&A is a premier woman-owned small business supporting the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration. L&A is part of the management teams of Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories, and L&A leverages its experience throughout the nuclear security, national laboratory and cleanup enterprise to improve mission performance, deliver capital asset projects to schedule and budget, implement effective governance approaches and develop targeted business strategies for both large and small businesses.
Transition Terms --- What is “Blue Sheeting?”
“Blue Sheeting” is one of the most challenging and arduous tasks that take place during a contract transition. Thousands of procedures must be reviewed by the transition team to determine whether the procedure will be adopted as is, canceled, or changed. The process requires due diligence walk-downs for every group and department to determine if each procedure is ready for use by FermiForward on the first day of operations. The term “Blue Sheeting” refers to the blue cover sheet that is stapled to the hard copy of a procedure describing the analysis performed and any recommended changes.
Be Sure to Watch the FermiForward Website --- New Q&A Available
Interested in learning more about FermiForward? On this website, you can learn more about our scientific vision for Fermilab, our partners, our leadership team and news and updates. You can also find questions and answers that will be updated on a periodic basis. We encourage you to submit questions and feedback via the Contact Us section.