Harkcon, Inc. EOTA Team Finds Success in DOE Program

Harkcon, Inc. supports the Department of Energy’s Emergency Operations Training Academy as the prime contractor and has been instrumental in moving the Academy to the forefront of the Department’s efforts to standardize emergency operations and radiological and nuclear detection training. Over the first two years of our five-year contract, Harkcon increased the Academy’s training development productivity by over 200% from the previous contractor, turning the Academy into the Department’s training provider of choice. As a result, Harkcon has received an Exceptional Contractor Performance Assessment Report System (CPARS) evaluation for our efforts over the past two years. How did Harkcon do it? Through a commitment to transforming the way the Academy conducts business, with a focus on improving outdated processes. Able to recognize areas that need improvement, Harkcon created a customized management tool and document repository for the Academy to increase effectiveness. As an example of these efficiencies, Harkcon staff reduced the duplication of training material and shared development and deployment costs through collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, enabling the Academy to meet short-term requirements, respond to emergencies or incidents, provide more resources with broader skills, and respond to surge activities with efficiency. Harkcon’s clear commitment to improved quality resulted in the Academy’s recertification as an ISO 9001:2008 compliant organization for the next three years. This three-year certification is a highly designation and is based on the Academy’s sustained compliance with ISO standards.