Richland lab operator earns over $12 million for high marks on annual report card

Battelle had another good year in Richland, topping the performance of the other contractors for the 10 Department of Energy Office of Science laboratories across the nation.

It earned almost $12.13 million in incentive pay for its work operating Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the Department of Energy in fiscal 2019.

The lab employs about 4,400 scientists, engineers and professional staff, most of them in Richland.

It was 97 percent of the maximum incentive pay, or fee, available of $12.5 million, the highest percentage at any of the 10 DOE Office of Science laboratories for the fiscal year that ended in September.

Battelle was graded on its performance in eight areas, receiving As in the key areas of mission accomplishment and science and technology project management.

In total it received two grades of A, four grades of A- and two grades of B+.

The grades exceeded DOE expectations, which are that labs operate at a B+ level at minimum.

“We appreciate DOE’s recognition of Battelle’s exceptional management of PNNL in 2019,” said Steve Ashby, director of PNNL in Richland.

It was a little better than the previous fiscal year, when Battelle earned $11.75 million, or 94 percent of the pay available.

Battelle praised for high quality science

Battelle, which has held the contract to manage PNNL since it opened in 1965, invests some of its award fee back into the Tri-Cities area through corporate contributions that support STEM education, the arts and human services organizations.

Battelle was commended for its compelling strategy, high-quality science and technology, expanding partnerships, and strong management and operations, Ashby told staff.

Its research strengths include chemistry, earth sciences and data analytics. Among projects are understanding climate change, modernizing the U.S. electric power grid and safeguarding ports worldwide from nuclear smuggling.

The DOE Office of Science prepared the annual report card with input from other agencies and DOE offices that fund PNNL’s annual budget of about $1 billion.

Other federal agencies include the Department of Homeland Security, the National institutes of Health and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Other DOE offices that sponsor research include the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Office of Electricity, the Office of Environmental Management and the Office of Nuclear Energy.

“Battelle continues to deliver solid performance in support of DOE and national objectives,” said Roger Snyder, manager for the DOE Pacific Northwest Site Office. “We value the partnership in stewarding PNNL.”