ML19233A013
| ML19233A013 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/20/2019 |
| From: | Booma Venkataraman Special Projects and Process Branch |
| To: | |
| Venkataraman B | |
| References | |
| Download: ML19233A013 (15) | |
Text
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)
Division of Operating Reactor Licensing (DORL) 08.20.2019 Task Interface Agreement (TIA)
Program Revitalization Status Booma Venkataraman
TIA Program Revitalization Summary Risk-informing TIA Revitalization Modernized decision-making NRR/NRO Merger Stakeholder Engagement Status
- Major enhancements to the program identified
- Proposed rebranding of the TIA program
- Preliminary updated draft guidance completed
- Effort for merging NRR/NRO programs underway Low Safety Significant Issue Resolution (LSSIR) 2
3 Key Messages The TIA revitalization effort is intended to result in an efficient process that focuses resources on matters that are most important to safety, effectively utilizes modern technology, and meets the needs of stakeholders.
The revised TIA process is expected to be a fact-gathering exercise that informs other NRC processes like inspection, enforcement and backfit.
The TIA process rebranded as the Technical Assistance Request (TAR) will incorporate the concepts of the Low Safety Significant Issue Resolution (LSSIR) effort.
The project is being executed by an inclusive agency working group.
The WG received good alignment on the proposed revitalization concepts from staff, management and industry.
Public meetings with industry were held on March 19 and May 29, 2019.
TIA Program Revitalization 4
Project Execution Method Gather Stakeholder Feedback and Recommendations Analyze Data and Identify focus areas and possible solutions Integrate Perspectives and expectations Nurture Revitalized solutions (Align and reach finish line)
Transformational Drivers: Risk-informing and Modernized decision-making Sources of Insights TIA Program Operating Experience Diverse Staff Perspectives Industry Feedback Other Office Best Practices Driver: Holistically redesign the program with fresh inputs to fulfil agency mission LSSIR Effort Recommendations 4
TIA Program Challenges 1.
Timeliness
- 2. Effectiveness Effort on low safety significant issues Delayed hand-offs to other processes Issues outside the scope of the TIA Lack of early and/or inconsistent alignment Inconsistent licensee engagement 5
Industry Recommendations*
Increase Process Rigidity Greater Emphasis on Backfit Establish Exit Criteria for Low Safety Significance Issue Resolution Include an Appeal Process Eliminate Pre-decisional Consideration Enhance Communication Enhance TIA Coordinator Position
- - Inputs received in public meetings on Feb. 21, and March 19, 2019 6
Opportunities for Enhancement in the TIA Program
TIA Program in a New AvaTAR Proposed Solutions Graded approach commensurate with significance Enhanced screening for timely dispositioning or resolution of issue Enhanced rigor in framing acceptable questions Integrated Core Tiger teams Enhanced licensee engagement Streamlined tools and templates New Proposed Name: TAR-Technical Assistance Request 7
8 Basic Purpose is Unchanged: TIA (TAR) Supports Informed Decision-making TAR Process NRR OI COM-106 TAR response From routine processes
- Working in coordination with low safety significant issue resolution (LSSIR) effort.
Inform routine processes If effort NOT commensurate with significance Unresolved question Recommend to disposition Hand-off or referral
Routine Interactions Screening, &
Evaluation Phase 1 TAR response Revitalized pathway to address unresolved questions with agile, focused and collaborated effort New: Graded Approach to Effective and Efficient Scoping, Dispositioning, and Resolution Enhanced OI COM-106 9
In-depth Review Phase 2 Intake Phase 0 8
30 days 80 days Issues resolved or dispositioned Note: Days are in calendar days
10 Fact-gathering framework Characterization of issue/questions Licensee input Safety significance information Resolution/ Disposition possible!
Complete Intake template TAR Coordinator lead Staff/ BC level interactions Phase 0- Intake The Intake Phase
11 Phase 1-Screening & Evaluation The Screening & Evaluation Phase Requesting office/region division management approval to enter Integrated Tiger Team with specialized expertise Enhanced rigor in scoping and refining questions Screening for safety significance Integrate diverse views Issues resolved or dispositioned; OR referred to an appropriate process OR referred to TAR Phase 2 Exceptions for referring to Phase 2 with both office OD/RA approval Screening Template Safety Significance Determination Tool
12 Phase 2-In-depth Review The In-depth Review Phase Acceptance criteria met and well formulated questions from Phase 1 Enhanced licensee engagement Option to retain members of Tiger Team Enhanced collaboration with requestor, plant PM, tech staff and OGC Clear, concise and fact-based response TAR Coordinator lead Response template
13 Testing the Proposed Graded Approach:
Summary from WG Discussions Past TIA examples were considered in WG discussions to see how the mechanics of the revitalized process would have worked 7
May have been resolved in Phase 0 May have been dispositioned in Phase 1 1
May have been recommended for Phase 2 4
2 In a revitalized process, safety significance consideration would likely have resulted in dispositioning issues early.
Phase 0 issue Intake Phase 1 Screening &
Evaluation Phase 2 In-depth Review 14 Benefits of TIA Revitalization 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br /> 80 days 30 days Team!
Fact-based response!
Flexibility to resolve issue of low safety significance if effort is low!
Effort commensurate with significance Intake template Integrate diverse views early!
Effective collaboration from get go!
Systematic licensee engagement Screening Template and Tool Response template Integrated decision Enhanced rigor in issue scoping!
Streamlined documentation
Next Steps 15 Internal refinement of COM-106 draft and Conduct internal table-tops by Sept. 2019 Merged NRR COM-106 completion estimated by Jan. 2020 Industry engagement to share updates and test scenarios by early October 2019 THANK YOU!
Integrate NRO merge components in the draft by Nov. 2019