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About POGO's Federal Contractor Misconduct Database (FCMD)
The government awards contracts to companies with histories of misconduct such as contract fraud and environmental, ethics, and labor violations. In the absence of a centralized federal database listing instances of misconduct, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is providing such data. We believe that it will lead to improved contracting decisions and public access to information about how the government spends hundreds of billions of taxpayer money each year on goods and services. Report an instance of misconduct »
Ranking: 27
Battelle Memorial Institute
Battelle is a global leader in science and technology. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, it develops and commercializes technology and manages laboratories for customers. Battelle, with the national labs it manages or co-manages, oversees 19,000 staff members and conducts $3.4 billion in annual research and development. Battelle innovations include the development of the office copier machine (Xerox), pioneering work on compact disc technology, medical technology advancements, and fiber optic technologies.
Federal Contract $: $2148.9m
Total Number of Instances: 3
Total Misconduct dollar amount: $ 0.6m
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Instances of Misconduct
1. Laul v. Battelle Memorial (Improper Accounting)
Battelle Memorial Institute was accused of using improper accounting procedures for use of government equipment. A settlement was reached in which Battelle paid $330,000 to the federal government and J.C. Laul, a former employee. Laul filed suit under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act claiming that Department of Energy (DOE) equipment was being used by Battelle for non-governmental (commercial) uses without informing DOE and without paying DOE for the use of the equipment as required under its operating contract.... more»
2. Firearm Discharge at Volpentest HAMMER Training and Education Center
In August 2009, an accidental firearm discharge occurred in an occupied classroom during training led by Battelle at the Volpentest HAMMER Training and Education Center. The weapon discharge occurred during unsupervised student handling of a handgun. The Department of Energy’s evaluation of the incident disclosed a number of potential worker safety and health violations. According to DOE’s Office of Health, Safety and Security’s enforcement letter to Battelle, “Battelle performed a comprehensive causal analysis of the event and developed corrective actions that are traceable to the causal analysis findings and judgments of need. The corrective action plan appears to address the root and contributing causes of the accidental firearms discharge….In recognition of Battelle’s prompt, candid, and complete reporting of the event and deficiencies, and thorough causal analysis, DOE has determined that further enforcement investigation is not warranted at this time.”... more»
3. Price-Anderson Violations – Pacific Northwest National Lab
The Department of Energy issued a Preliminary Notice of Violation (PNOV) to the Battelle Memorial Institute for nuclear safety violations at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), of which Battelle is the managing and operating contractor. The PNOV cites a series of violations related to “two radiological events and a programmatic performance deficiency at the PNNL…The radiological events included: (1) the December 2006 airborne plutonium release at the Radiochemical Processing Laboratory (RPL); and (2) the June 2007 spread of contamination from a leaking sealed source. The programmatic performance deficiency involved the implementation of the Battelle Memorial Institute (Battelle) independent assessment program.” The DOE proposed a civil penalty of $288,750, but “[u]nder the Atomic Energy Act provisions applicable to contracts entered into prior to the enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Battelle is statutorily exempt from the civil penalties associated with nuclear safety enforcement at PNNL for violations occurring at the time of the events.”... more»
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