This agreement, between the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven Group (BHG) and Brookhaven Science Associates for Brookhaven National Laboratory, was signed in May 1998.
Accompanying the agreement when it was distributed to BNLers on June 24, 1998 was a memo signed by BNL Director John Marburger. It read:
The attached "Partnering Agreement" was worked out at a joint DOE/BNL management retreat earlier this year and signed by Dean Helms and me last month. I am distributing it now as official Laboratory policy along with the following clarifying remarks.
Our policy is to make sure BNL is aware of DOE's ongoing needs, to respond effectively to DOE's direction, and to take advantage of DOE's guidance. Differences will inevitably arise regarding the best course of action in response to a particular situation, and ordinarily I expect BNL and DOE personnel to work together to resolve differences. Sometimes, however, the differences may not be resolvable, and it is those cases the following policy guidelines are intended to address.
BNL employees are fully accountable for their actions except when an action is specifically directed by their supervisor. Actions taken in response to DOE guidance are no exception to this rule. Employees uncomfortable about guidance received should contact their supervisor for direction. The chain of direction ends with me, and if I must act to resolve differences with DOE I would prefer to be involved without unnecessary delay. I am asking supervisors to make it easy for their employees to express any concerns they may have regarding direction or guidance from either BNL or DOE employees so issues can be resolved without delay.
On behalf of the American public, the Department of Energy has entrusted a national asset, the Brookhaven National Laboratory, to Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC, to serve the public interest in performing world-class science. BSA has committed to bring its considerable resources and talent to bear in managing and operating BNL for the conduct of scientific programs, and to exercise appropriate stewardship of laboratory assets. Prime contract No. DE-AC02-98CH10886 between DOE and BSA embody the overall commitments and responsibilities of the parties with respect to BNL, but the contract itself is but a manifestation of the legal obligations of the parties. The parties desire to go beyond the contract, and to develop a framework for cooperation based on shared values, objectives and goals.
To effectively serve the public interest, BHG and BSA agree to work in a partnering relationship to define common goals and objectives, improve communications, and foster a cooperative problem-solving attitude to promote mutually beneficial results in achieving the mission of Brookhaven National Laboratory.
BHG and BSA agree that these values are important and crucial to the partnering effort at BNL:
Teamwork - Partners each take an active role in achieving mission and resolving problems or challenges, withthe collective and cohesive team being more powerful than either of its parts.
Mutual Trust - Partners' actions are consistent and predictable. Trust is earned when actions are provento be consistent with words and commitments.
Respect - Partners understand and honor the other's authorities, boundaries, and honest differences.
Open Communication - Partners encourage communications at all levels, and share.
Honesty - Partners have the courage to confront and resolve conflict in an open and forthright manner.
Accountability - Partners recognize and accept commitments and choices, and are responsible to each other for meeting commitments.
Continuous Improvement - Partners recognize the value of change in the ways of doing business, which eliminates unnecessary processes and procedures that provide little benefit to either party.
In partnering, BHG and BSA agree on the following set of objectives:
1. BHG and BSA will jointly define and achieve objectives, which are defined as Critical Outcomes.
2. BSA will have full responsibility and accountability for management and operation of BNL, consistent with the contract, and will identify, propose and carry out agreed to work programs.
3. BHG will exercise ownership responsibilities, including the formulation of program definition, program planning, and the general direction of Laboratory mission. BHG will provide necessary resources consistent with applicable law.
4. BHG will provide oversight of program objectives, accomplishments and Laboratory management at a level commensurate with risk.
5. BHG and BSA will institute performance-based management assessment and apply best management practices and industry standards.
6. BHG and BSA will mutually respect each others' management structure and decision-making processes, while striving to solve problems at the lowest possible management level where appropriate.
