Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Workforce Development
Manage workforce development programs to help ensure a robust supply of STEM professionals to meet future science and technology needs. Manage competitive scholarship, fellowship, internship, and related programs that provide research and training experiences, including participation in collaborative research, for students and faculty at all educational levels. This includes:
- Provide recruiting and administrative support for all program aspects, including but not limited to travel, stipends, and appointments, and program evaluation. Recruiting activities will place emphasis on participant groups that are underrepresented in science and technical fields
- Conduct activities complementary to the development of a workforce to meet future science and technology needs as directed
- Conduct labor trends research; provide follow-up studies to current science education initiatives; and collect, compile, and disseminate data, as requested
Scientific and Technical Resource Integration (STRI)
Facilitate collaboration between academia and DOE to advance scientific research and education, focus research efforts, and promote quality of DOE-funded research. Specifically, the Contractor will:
- Coordinate and conduct peer and merit reviews, and other activities, related to Financial Assistance applications and proposals; evaluate ongoing research, as well as scientific and technical projects and programs; and other scientific and technical information including assessments, reports, and studies
- Identify experts within academic, private, and national laboratory communities to support peer and merit reviews
- Facilitate the Department’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Human Subjects Working Group (HSWG) activities by 1) facilitating communications to and among IRB and HSWG members, including arranging meetings and maintaining records and minutes; 2) providing education and resources to and for IRB and HSWG members and subject matter experts; and 3) supporting DOE’s selection of new IRB members and subject matter experts as needed
- Coordinate workshops, committee activities, program reviews, meetings, and reports specifically related to this scope element
- Collect and document comments and recommendations and develop reports as needed in support of the sponsor for each of the panels, workshops, committees, etc. as described in the paragraphs above
- Identify improvements to DOE peer review practices through lessons learned and experience with other science research-funding organizations
- Maintain, develop, establish, and/or improve Information Technology infrastructure and integrated application and review systems to support STRI and STEM Workforce Development, including on-line interface, information and user management, submission review, participant deliverables, and data retrieval capabilities as may be required
Human Subject Health and Protection Surveillance
Provide DOE and the scientific community with important information on the long-term health outcomes of current and former workers. This shall be conducted through surveillance of the health of current DOE workers and former DOE beryllium vendor employees through the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; maintenance of medical data and exposure information in the DOE Data Center; investigation of health effects by tracking the medical history of workers and analyzing the possible effects of exposure; and providing technical support to the DOE Human Subject Protection Program, and DOE Beryllium Registry (DOE-STD-1187-2007 Beryllium-Associated Worker Registry Data Collection and Management Guidance). Specific tasks include:
- Facilitate electronic reporting of data for the DOE Beryllium Registry by 1) collecting, checking, and reporting data condition, and 2) accepting, processing, and loading data
- Operate a beryllium testing laboratory for performance of Lymphocyte Proliferation Tests (DOE-SPEC-1142-2001, DOE Specification: Beryllium Lymphocyte Proliferation Testing) to screen individuals for beryllium sensitivity through 1) sample receipt, management, analysis, and disposal; 2) data management and process quality assurance; and 3) communication of results
- Facilitate DOE Human Subject Policy Implementation through 1) administrative assistance; 2) distribution of information and guidance; and 3) identification and acquisition of technical assistance resources
- Operate the Human Subject Research Database (HSRD), including 1) tracking data submission, requesting feedback, and conducting internet postings, 2) writing articles and giving presentations pertaining to the HSRD, and 3) coordinating research of ethical issues and new requirements for human subjects
- Operate the Radiation Exposure Monitoring System (REMS) and Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource (CEDR). This includes 1) data receipt, management, and quality assurance, the purpose of which is to enable epidemiology and other health studies such as those pursuant to 10 CFR 602.5, and 2) storage and maintenance of occupational exposure records in a facility meeting DOE’s requirements for fire safety, security, and confidentiality.
Independent Environmental Assessment and Verification
Provide expertise for and perform independent verification of radioactively contaminated site cleanup as requested. This includes providing expert advice and consultation on matters related to radioactive contamination at sites and assisting as required in resolving data discrepancies. Maintain organizational independence of the contractors performing the cleanup, including the appearance of organizational conflicts.
Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site
Support preparation and execution of DOE’s emergency response assets through management and conduct of programs, studies, research, exercises, and/or training in areas such as radiological/nuclear incident management (including expertise in the medical management of radiation accidents or incidents) and emergency preparedness and response both domestically and internationally. Provide expertise in the medical management of radiation accidents or incidents through operation of the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS), a dedicated DOE facility located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Specific tasks in support of this activity require:
- Provide technical assistance for medical care of radiation accident victims in support of attending physicians. Activities supporting this capability are:
- Conducting medical and radiation triage, decontamination chelation therapy, assessment of injuries, and dose assessments
- Providing a 24/7 capability to receive and respond to calls for assistance for medical care of radiation accident victims
- Maintaining equipment to provide medical education, advice, and assistance
- Providing technical continuing medical education (CME) courses inhouse and off site to medical, emergency planning/response, and health physics personnel and support international National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) training programs
- Participating in the planning and conduct of emergency preparedness in largescale national and international exercises and drills
- Evaluating new developments in chelation therapy
- Maintaining requirements as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness and Assistance Network (REMPAN) center and as an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Response and Assistance Network (RANET) member
- Providing a deployable, on-call capability, available 365 days a year, that is able to respond within 4 hours of notification to nuclear/radiological accidents or incidents domestically or internationally and providing expertise in the medical management of casualties
- Provide programmatic clinical expertise and resources to:
- Develop and implement techniques for clinical evaluation and treatment as well as dose assessments of radiation exposure
- Maintain and improve REAC/TS Radiation Accident Registries
- Maintain reporting to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Investigational New Drug Applications
- Participate in occupational medicine meetings and symposia
- Provide leadership and expertise in radiation medicine
- Operate NNSA’s Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory for assessments of radiation dose exposures with the capability of providing dose estimates for radiation exposure events including multi/mass casualty events, conducting collaborative research to improve the dose estimate methodology and its associated utility, and increasing the speed of analysis
