Lockheed Martin Wins Kudos From Feds

The government’s primary contractor at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory maintained its evaluation rating during the fall and winter but earned kudos for initiatives that could pay off in a higher rating later this year.

The Energy Department graded Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Inc. “good” for its operation of INEL from last October through March, giving 90 out of a possible 100 points. That earned Lockheed Martin $10.4 million of the possible $17.4 million in profits for the six-month period.

But the 50-page evaluation report was laced with commendations for new management approaches that could yield a higher score next time.

With that work progressing, Lockheed Martin signed more than $20 million in cooperative research agreements with outside companies and agencies, ensuring new business for the INEL, according to the report, and the impact could show up in the next evaluation.

The latest score was held back, in part, by a failure to integrate safety and health programs, highlighted by the state’s finding that Lockheed Martin violated federal environmental regulations for storing and documenting several hazardous wastes.

The report also questions whether Lockheed Martin’s system for handling employee safety concerns is adequate.