Department of Energy

The Department of Energy (DOE) spends billions of dollars on construction projects-those that maintain nuclear weapons, conduct research, and process nuclear waste-and projects that clean up nuclear and hazardous wastes at DOE's sites; these projects are largely executed by contractors. DOE has struggled to keep these projects within cost and schedule estimates. GAO was asked to assess (1) DOE's cost-estimating policies and guidance, (2) the extent to which selected projects' cost estimates reflect best practices compiled in GAO's cost-estimating guide, and (3) DOE's recent actions to improve cost estimating. GAO reviewed relevant documents, including support for cost estimates at three major construction projects-those costing $750 million or more-and one environmental cleanup project, and interviewed DOE officials.