Office of Inspector General audit report on the Department of Energy`s peer review practices

Fulfilling the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 has presented Federal science agencies with the challenge of defining ways to quantify and evaluate the outcomes of research. Measuring research program performance is particularly important for the Department of Energy because of its substantial investment (approximately $7 billion in Fiscal Year 1996) in research and development activities. The Research Roundtable, in 1995, observed that the results of research could be evaluated using the performance indicators of relevance, productivity, and quality. One method for doing so is formal, objective evaluation by independent reviewers, or peer review. The objective of the audit was to determine whether the Department had established and was managing a peer review process for evaluating scientific and technical projects. It was found that peer reviews were conducted prior to competitive award of subcontracts, selection of projects from research proposals, and inclusion in scientific journals and/or conferences. In addition, the Department and the laboratories, in response to the government Performance and Results Act and performance-based contracting, had incorporated peer review into the laboratories` annual performance self-assessment process. The results of these reviews were used to determine program direction, obtain input on ongoing programs, and prioritize funding for laboratory and Departmental research activities. This report does not include any recommendations since the laboratories had established processes in accordance with Office of Management and Budget and Departmental peer review requirements