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Opening your find
26-107904 examines how the National Nuclear Security Administration plans for the science, technology, and engineering facilities and workforce that support stockpile stewardship and modernization.
These capabilities allow NNSA to assess and sustain the nuclear weapons stockpile without relying on nuclear explosive testing and also support other nuclear-security missions. GAO reports that NNSA's July 2024 Integrated ST&E Plan identified and prioritized 46 facility investments over a 20-year period.
The portfolio includes sustainment and enhancement of existing facilities as well as new construction. GAO found that NNSA collected initial workforce and programmatic investment estimates but did not fully assess those needs and had no plan to complete such an assessment at the time of the review. Cost maturity varies across the portfolio.
The fiscal year 2026 budget justification contained the most detailed information for seven high-mission-importance, near-term projects, while many other proposed investments remained in early planning or involved sustainment work. GAO also found that the integrated assessment had not been regularly updated even as priorities evolved.
It recommended analysis of workforce and programmatic needs and regular updates to the facility assessment; NNSA outlined planned actions addressing both recommendations. Highlights and Letter. These sections state the congressional mandate, principal findings, methodology, and recommendations.
The highlights page is an overview rather than a substitute for the supporting chapters. Background. The report maps the nuclear security enterprise, describes stockpile-stewardship ST&E areas, and explains the offices and acquisition processes relevant to facility planning. Facility, workforce, and programmatic planning.
GAO evaluates the 46-investment prioritization and identifies the difference between facility planning and the less-complete assessment of workforce and programmatic needs. Cost information. T
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