May 1, 2008:  DOE HQ Spectrum Team Hosts Idaho National Lab (INL) Wireless Manager   
 Mr. George Dudley, the Director, eGovernment & Standards Division (IM-22) hosted a meeting between Carl Kutsche, the Wireless Communications Department Manager from Idaho National Labs (INL) and the Spectrum Engineering and Analysis Division of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).  INL is one of DOE’s multi-program national laboratories. With 3,500 scientists, researchers and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to discover new science and develop technologies that underpin the nation's nuclear and renewable energy, national security and environmental missions. INL leverages its signature capabilities in wireless and communication systems, process control and cyber security, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle platforms and sensors, and explosives testing and detection along with its complex, secure and remote facilities to provide comprehensive critical infrastructure testing and technology development to government agencies and industrial partners.  The INL and NTIA session provided a great forum for discussing collaboration opportunities.

March 17-19, 2008

The Spectrum team (Bruce Washington, Mark Garcia, and Ron Temple) played an active role during the CIO’s Information Management Conference held in Atlanta, GA.  The team hosted presentations from the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).  WAPA presented their Geospatial Information System’s capabilities by providing a live demonstration of their current technologies.  NTIA’s Federal Spectrum Management System (FSMS) team presented the future integration and impact of FSMS on the spectrum community as a whole.  The team also engaged in discussion with several interested parties visiting the Spectrum team’s booth display.  The display provided information on the strategic vision of the spectrum initiative, as well as video showcasing DOE’s Spectrum Manager’s insights to the program.  (Bruce Washington and Mark Garcia of the DOE Headquarters’ Spectrum team stand in front of the spectrum display.) 

December 10-14, 2007

DOE and NNSA Host 2007 Technology Conference:
DOE’s Spectrum Team attended and presented at the Las Vegas, NV conference along with representatives from Bonneville Power Administration, Southwestern Power Administration, Western Area Power Administration, and the National Nuclear Security Administration.  With close to 100 attendees, the conference exceeded all expectations held from prior conferences. Challenges, lessons learned and future technology implications were topics of discussion. The team also received several high quality presentations from Harris, Motorola, Tyco Electronics, EF Johnson, Mobile Satellite Ventures, and others. Many members of the team have been in contact for years, but were meeting each other for the first time in person. To continue with this momentum, the team plans to make these conferences an annual event.

October 2, 2007

DOE visits Western Area Power Administration:  
Western Area Power Administration markets and delivers reliable, cost-based hydroelectric power and related    services within a 15-state region of the central and western U.S.  The Spectrum Team toured WAPA’s Rocky Mountain Region control area operations center in Loveland, CO. This facility serves customers in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and Kansas with hydroelectric power.  The team also toured the WAPA’s Bald Mountain Communications Site and the Ault Substation. {From left to right: Leo Torrezao, Bruce Washington, and Mark Garcia of DOE HQ.}

August 30, 2007

DOE visits Savannah River:
DOE is responsible for managing the agency’s spent nuclear fuel inventory and preparing for final disposition in a geologic repository the assemblies stored at the Savannah River Site.  The site, on the South Carolina side of the Savannah River, is circular with a 16-km radius. Spectrum dependent assets are an integral and critical part of mission support both on a daily basis and during emergencies. The headquarters team-building field mission was deemed by Bruce Washington as “extremely useful”.  “Statistical reports are no substitute for hands on experience to appreciate the work that our field personnel are responsible for”, he said.

August 21, 2007

DOE visits Bonneville Power Administration:
On August 21st, 2007, the DOE Spectrum Management Office made their first stop at Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) Field Location in Minnehaha, Washington.  The team’s intent was focused on making in-person introductions, covering the basics of on-site operations and sharing lessons learned with the BPA team.  {From Left to Right:  Jeff Frahler (BPA), John Vinson (BPA),  Debra Coleman (BPA), Creig Millen (BPA), Ron Temple (DOE HQ), Bruce Washington (DOE HQ), Mike Street (BPA), Megan O’Donohue (DOE HQ).}

The Spectrum Team toured BPA’s Ditmer Operations Site, traveled across the Columbia River Gorge to the Dalles Site, explored the Celilo Converter Station, the Chenoweth Site and finally up the mountain ridge to Haystack Rock.  The team had seen more than they bargained for and was heading home with invaluable insight and understanding into the BPA teams’ daily challenges and operations.  {A view from the roof of BPA’s Celilo Converter Station with Mount Hood behind us.  From left to right: Ron Temple, Megan O’Donohue, and Bruce Washington of DOE HQ.}

June 15, 2007
DOE visits Vehicle Rally:
The Department of Energy (DOE) Spectrum Management Team took advantage of a recent local event sponsored by the Federal Partnership for Interoperable Communications (FPIC) to enhance their technical knowledge and develop Team cohesiveness.  On June 15, the Team, which includes Bruce Washington, Ron Temple, Mark Garcia, Megan O’Donohue, Leo Torrezao, Alden Smith, and Carlos Segarra attended the 2007 Command, Control, and Communications Vehicle Rally held at the Fairfax County Police Department’s Driver Training Facility in Chantilly, Virginia.  The rally brought together the….more

May 25, 2007
Industry visit to DOE: 
Representatives from WFInet visited the DOE Spectrum team at DOE headquarters. Members of the teams exchanged ideas, analysis results, and future coordination efforts pertaining to the 1710-1755 relocation effort.

May 23, 2007
CTIA Meeting:
CTIA hosted a forum for Industry and government representatives from the 1710-1755 auction to present and discuss their plans and processes for future coordination efforts.  DOE introduced their website to the audience. To receive copies of the presentations, please contact spectrum.relocation@hq.doe.gov.

Every Wednesday
Weekly Industry Forum: 
Every Wednesday from 2-4pm EST, the DOE spectrum team will provide an open forum via telephone for all interested parties.  Email the team to add schedule your team to the agenda:  spectrum.relocation@hq.doe.gov.

Last Reviewed: 5/20/2008