The Office of Laboratory Policy and Evaluation (OLPE) develops uniform Office of Science-specific policies related to the management, operation, and overall well-being of the ten Office of Science (SC) laboratories and ensures their effective and consistent implementation across the Office of Science complex.   These issues affect all DOE National Laboratories, policies and procedures that contribute to the long-term health and vitality of these institutions.

Policy development includes laboratory management and operating (M&O) contracts; running a fair and rigorous annual Office of Science laboratory performance appraisal process; encouraging sensible laboratory business and strategic plans; and coordinating and overseeing, and reporting on various departmental programs, including Work for Others (WFO), Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) and Technology Transfer (TT) programs.

The OLPE supports the Office of Science mission to foster, formulate, and support forefront basic and applied research programs which advance the science and technology foundations necessary to accomplish DOE missions.

In addition, the OLPE assists the Under Secretary for Science in carrying out his/her responsibilities for the overall well-being and management of the DOE National Laboratories, both as individual institutions and as a collective science and technology resource for the nation.