ML19308C122
| ML19308C122 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 07/24/1979 |
| From: | Benington H MITRE CORP. |
| To: | Hagan T NRC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION (ADM) |
| References | |
| TASK-TF, TASK-TMR D12-271, NUDOCS 8001210419 | |
| Download: ML19308C122 (2) | |
Text
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The MITIE Corporation Washington Center Ilcrbret D. Henington vire s'resakot 24 July 1979 D12-271 D12-Q0179
'Mr. Timothy F. llagan U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Room 286, 7915 Eastern Avenue Silver Spring, Maryland RS-RES-79-["liumanFactorsEvaluationof Subj ect:
Solicitation No.
Control Room Design and Operator Performance at TMI-2"
Dear Mr. llagan:
The Metrek Division of The MITRE Corporation respectfully declines to answer the subject solicitation. We are of the understanding that profit-making firms have been solicited and hence, under the terms of MITRE's policies and agreement with our major clients, we are prohibited f rom responding.
In looking over the RFP and in considering the seriousness of t.he accident at Three Mile Island, we can recognize the necessity for an in-depth investigation of the human.cngineering and design aspects of the control room involved in the accident.
It will be vital to learn whether control room layout and/or operator training contributed in any way to the severity of the accident.
If so, improvements in existing and future nuclear power plant control rooms and upgrading of operator training will be first priority item for attention by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Therefore, we are somewhat concerned that the time frame of the study appears to be mdch too short for the effort outlined. Recognizing the time pressure on the Special Study Commission, we suspect that the September 28 date is immovable. Therefore, we would suggest the solicitation be modified to incorporate a less ambitious study focusing on two major objectives:
- 1) Understand the control room design factors which may have significantly influenced the outcome of the accident.
- 2) Determine whether the problem is a result of the operato- : raining.
We question whether a mockup utilizing photographs will be adequate to l
answer these questions. We suggest using the actual control room or the control room in TMI-1 if at all possible.
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o.s Mr. Timothy F. Itagan 2
July 23, 1979 D12-271 D12-Q0179 We would recommend delaying portions of the studies such as comparison of the TMI-2 control room with other nuclear power plant control rooms and the comparison with control room design approaches taken by other agencies and organizations in the design of comparable complex man / machine systems.
These interesting aspects of control room design will be important in taking future corrective action, but are not necessary.to understand the accident itself.
We hope the above comments will be helpful in your evaluation of responses to the subject solicitation.
I should like to note that if, for any reason, private prof 1c-making firms do not answer the subject solicitation, the Metrek Division of The MITRE Corporation will be pleased to discuss the proposed study of TMI-2. control room at your earliest convenience.
- incerely, h
'e lierbert D. Benington llDB;jbr l
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