Ombudsman

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and B&W Y‑12 share a mutual objective to encourage programs that further departmental missions and transfer federally funded technologies into the marketplace for the benefit of the U.S. economy. We also share a strong interest in open lines of communication and the early identification of issues, complaints and disputes between the facilities and their existing or potential partners. The timely and effective resolution of technology partnership concerns and complaints at an appropriate level is a priority.

A recent report by DOE noted that although the system provides a variety of mechanisms for resolving complaints and disputes of our technology transfer partners, these mechanisms may not be widely known. Thus, DOE requested that each technology partnership facility appoint an ombudsman to whom the public, existing partners and potential future partners can voice concerns and seek resolution of disputes relating to technology partnership activities.

The American Bar Association Ombuds Committee defines an “ombuds” as those who:

receive complaints and questions from individuals concerning people within an entity or the functioning of an entity. They work for the resolution of particular issues and, where appropriate, make recommendations for the improvement of the general administration of the entities they serve. Ombuds protect: the legitimate interests and rights of individuals with respect to each other; individual rights against the excesses of public and private bureaucracies; and those who are affected by and those who work within these organizations.

At Y‑12 the ombudsman is a senior official who reports to senior contractor management and who is removed from the actual day-to-day negotiation of technology partnership arrangements. This individual serves as a focal point to industry and the public to assist in resolving technology transfer complaints and disputes and uses mediation to facilitate resolution when appropriate.

The ombudsman for Y‑12 is:

Willie J. Wilson
B&W Y‑12
P.O. Box 2009
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-8004
Office: 865-576-3456
Fax: 865-241-2138
Email: wilsonwj@y12.doe.gov