Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the extent to which the Department of Energy (DOE) considered environmental, safety, and health (ES&H) matters in its contract award fee determinations for the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons facility.

GAO found that the DOE award fee determinations: (1) downplayed a variety of significant ES&H problems through questionable classifications and omissions; (2) emphasized production over ES&H matters; and (3) did not require DOE headquarters review or approval.