Editing Fermilab (section)

===New Management in 2025 by the Fermi Forward Discovery Group, LLC===
In view of the many issues facing the laboratory, in January 2023, the DOE announced a two-year process to rebid the contract for the management of the laboratory<ref>{{cite web |title=Department of Energy Issues Request for Information and Launches New Website for the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Management and Operating Contract Competition |url=https://www.energy.gov/science/articles/department-energy-issues-request-information-and-launches-new-website-fermi |website=Department of Energy Office of Science |access-date=March 23, 2023}}</ref>  due to the performance issues.<ref name=chomarch23 />   The DOE announcement of the competition explained:  "the purpose of this contract competition is to solicit and award a new M&O contract that will result in improved contractor performance and efficiencies at FNAL. DOE expects that this competition will elicit new and innovative approaches for planning the Laboratory's future."<ref>{{cite web |title=M&O Contract Competitions |url=https://science.osti.gov/Acquisition-Management/M-and-O-Competitions |website=Office of Acquisition Management |date=December 6, 2022 |publisher=Department of Energy Office of Science |access-date=March 25, 2023}}</ref>  At an informational meeting for potential bidders on March 1, 2023, the presentation slides expanded upon issues under "Major Challenges/Risks" including highlighting the concern:  "The Laboratory continues to have challenges in Financial Management and Acquisition Management. Audits repeatedly highlight the same deficiencies and control failures year after year. Any corrective actions implemented have resulted in little to no progress. Significant procurement issues have hindered the laboratory's ability to successfully deliver efficient and effective business systems/resources to enable the Science Mission. Substantial concerns remain regarding the ability to expend Government funds in an effective, efficient, and compliant manner."<ref name=rebid>{{cite web |title=Informational Meeting |url=https://science.osti.gov/Acquisition-Management/M-and-O-Competitions/Procurement-Information/Informational-Meeting |website=Office of Acquisitions Management |date=March 7, 2023 |publisher=Department of Energy Office of Science |access-date=March 25, 2023 |ref=Presentation Slides, p.53}}</ref>
The myriad issues facing a new contractor were listed in January 2024 in the news section of the journal ''Nature''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Garisto |first1=Daniel |title=Leading US particle-physics lab faces uncertain future |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00150-4 |access-date=July 28, 2024 |publisher=Nature |date=January 24, 2024}}</ref>

On October 1, 2024, the Department of Energy awarded the contract to operate Fermi National Accelerator to the newly-formed Fermi Forward Discovery Group, LLC (FFDG).<ref>{{cite web |title=Energy Department Awards New Contract to Manage and Operate Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory |url=https://www.energy.gov/science/articles/energy-department-awards-new-contract-manage-and-operate-fermi-national |website=Office of Science |publisher=Department of Energy |access-date=1 October 2024}}</ref>   The FFDG represents an incremental change in management from the previous decade because the group includes the past management team for the laboratory, the FRA,<ref>{{cite web |title=Fermilab Research Alliance, LLC |url=https://fra-hq.org/ |website=Fermilab Research Alliance, LLC}}</ref> that consisted of the University of Chicago and the Universities Research Association (URA).  There are  two additions:  Amentum Environment & Energy, Inc., which specializes in advanced engineering, and Longenecker & Associates, which specializes in project management. <ref>{{cite news |last1=Cho |first1=Adrian |title=Fermilab's not-quite-new boss aims to end turmoil, boost performance |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/fermilab-s-not-quite-new-boss-aims-end-turmoil-boost-performance |access-date=19 November 2024 |agency=AAAS |issue=6718 |publisher=Science |date=4 October 2024}}</ref>   Thus, the selection left the scientific and human resources management unchanged, but did  strengthen expertise to deliver large projects. 

The FFDG assumed management of Fermilab operations on January 1, 2025, with a five-year contract.
On January 13, 2025, 
Director Lia Merminga resigned.<ref name=WTTWMerminaresigns /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gwynne |first1=Peter |title=Fermilab seeks new boss after Lia Merminga resigns as director |url=https://physicsworld.com/a/fermilab-seeks-new-boss-after-lia-merminga-resigns-as-director/ |access-date=14 January 2025 |agency=Physics World |publisher=IOP Publishing |date=14 January 2025}}</ref>  No reason was provided, however reporters from the American Institute of Physics (AIP) hypothesized<ref name=AIPmerm25>{{cite news |title=FYI Newsletter: WEEK OF JAN 20, 2025 : Fermilab director resigns |url=https://ww2.aip.org/fyi/week-of-jan-21-2025 |access-date=11 February 2025 |agency=AIP FYI |publisher=American Institute of Physics |date=20 January 2025}}</ref> the final straw was the failing 2024 "report card" from the Department of Energy<ref name=reportcard24>{{cite web |title=Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory FY 2024 Report Card |url=https://sc-drcds.osti.gov/lp/Laboratory-Appraisal-Process/FY-2024/FNAL |website=FY 2024 Report Cards: FNAL |publisher=Department of Energy |access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> publicly released just as the FFDG assumed management.  The AIP reported:  "[In 2024,] the Department of Energy gave the lab its lowest marks since the current lab appraisal process began in 2006. The lab failed to meet expectations in five out of eight categories, including two C+ grades in program management and contractor leadership and a C in business systems.  (The DOE Office of Science defines a B+ grade and above as meeting expectations.)"<ref name=AIPmerm25 /> 

Young-Kee Kim, Albert A. Michelson Distinguished Service Professor of Physics at the University of Chicago, is serving as Acting Director during the search for a replacement .<ref name=WTTWMerminaresigns />  Kim previously served as Deputy Director of Fermilab from 2006-2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Young-Kee Kim |url=https://history.fnal.gov/historical/people/kim_landing.html |website=HISTORICAL INFORMATION » PEOPLE |publisher=Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory |access-date=16 January 2025}}</ref>