ML20034A208

Nominates IA Kirk for Interagency Committee on Info Resources Mgt Technical Excellence Award.Completed Nominations Form & Description of Accomplishments Encl

ML20034A208
Person / Time
Issue date:	03/30/1990
From:	Carr K NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	Wood H GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
References
NUDOCS 9004200432
Download: ML20034A208 (9)

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UNITED STATES o,,

i' NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 1

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i WASHINGTON, D. C. 20666

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l CHAIRMAN Ms. Helen M. Wood, Chairperson Interagency Committee on.Information Resources Management General Services Administration Information Resources Management Services 18th and F. Streets, N. W.

-Washington, D. C.

20405

Dear Ms. Wood:

I am pleased to nominate Mr.--IsaacLA. Kirk,. Chief of the_-

Plans and Analysis Section of the Nuclear Regulatory

' Commission's Office of Information Resources Management, for the' Interagency Committee'on-Information Resources Management's Technical Excellence Award.

Mr. Kirk has demonstrated-both technical and managerial excellence in applying microcomputer-based videoconferencing technology to the work of this agency.

I believe that his pioneering ~ work in-state-of-o the-art videoconferencing is. worthy of recognition by1the information resources management community.-

Sincerely, d.m.h.(L_

Kenneth M. Carr i

Enclosure:

Nomination statement 4

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1990 Awards Nomination Form Interagency Committee on Information Resources Management (IAC/IRM)

AWARD CATEGORY: (CHECK ONE)

Date Submitted:

03/05/90

(

) EXECUTIVE EXCELLENCE-(

X ) TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE

(

) MANAGEMENT / ADMINISTRATIVE EXCELLENCE NAME OF NOMkNEE:

Mr. Isaac A. Kirk Chief, Plans and Analysis Section' Division of Computes o

TITLE / ORGANIZATION:' and Telecommunications Services, Office of Information1 q

Resources-Management..

ADDRESS:

U.S. Nuclear Reo' ulatory-Commission. Washincton, DC 20555 TELEPHONE: ( 301 )

492-8054 i

.IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:-

Mr. Thomas B. Kellam Chief, Telecommunications Branch, Division of Computer.-

TITLE / ORGANIZATION:

and Telecommunications Services. Office of Information Resources Management ADDRESS:

U.S. Nucionr Reaulatorv Commission. Washinoton. DC 20555 TELEPHONE: ( 301) 492-8000 i

NAME OF NOMINATOR:

Ms. Joyce A. Amenta Director,. 0ffice of Information Resources Management TITLE / ORGANIZATION:

U.S. - Nuclear Regulatory Commission ADDRESS:

Washincton DC 20555 j

TELEPHONE: ( 301 )

492-7585 PROPOSED CITATION: (10 lines or less, suitable for. press)

L Mr. Isaac A. Kirk's highly innovative and beneficial-application of video-conferencino tn the nnpratione nf the U.S. Nucinar Reaulatory Commission j

demnnstrates excentional leadershin in advancino the state-of-the-art in 1

information technoloav. and a sianificant contribution to'the information resources manaaement communitv. as well as to the Commission. Mr.- Ki rk ' r j

i technical and manaaerial skills. combined with his initiative and Dioneerino-l soirit. have made it oossible for the Commission to tan the Datential for

- microcomputer-based. videoconferencino canabilities to enhance its reculatorv l

and safety orcarams. as well as imorove the efficiencv and economy coiiiiiunications activities.

of its SIX COPIES OF THE NOMINATION FORM SHOULD ~ BE SUBMITTED BY MARCH '30, 1990, TO:

Vivian Ronan 1

IRMS/ KAP (Room 2239)

General Services Administration 18th fx F Streets, NW Washington, DC 20405 Phone: (202) 566-0291 l*

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j 1990 IAC/IRM AWARD NOMINATION Nominee:

Isaac A. Kirk Agency: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission NOTE: Attach additional sheets or supporting documents as needed.

Description of Accomplishments (e.g., what was achieved, why it was-undertaken, what were the objectives, for whom was it done, where was it done,= what.was the nominee 's specific role,. etc. ).

i See-Attachment 1 i

Significance and Benefits of Accomplishment (quantitative' benefits where possible, secpe, community affected,simpact, long-range

. implications, why was it difficult to accomplish, etc.).

See-Attachment 2 Role of the Individual.

See Attachment 3-t f

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1 Description of Accomplishments In 1987 the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) began an evaluation of potential applications of videoconferer.cing to such NRC activities as the Emergency Operations Center, on-site inspections, and training programs at Headquarters and in the Regions.

NRC's videoconferencing program grew out of the determination to maximize the agency's ability to perform its safety-J mission on all fronts.at a substantial savings of money and time -- whether in

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day-to-day operations, emergency situations, information gathering, on-site inspections, training of its own personnel, or consulting with licensees.

Mr. Isaac Kirk, Office of Information Resources Management,'who had proposed the project, became its director and ably guided it to a successful conclusion.

During 1988 and 1989, Mr. Kirk completed the extremely complicated task of getting a videoconference network installed. He pursued a very cost-effective technology that featured the use of microcomputer-based videoconferencing equipment and ~Very Small Aperture Tenninals for satellite transmission, and could be integrated with ti-NRC's existing broadband network-to permit simultaneous transmission of Commission hearings; video comunication and two-way conferences; transmission and continuous display of documents, maps, and diagrams; and storage and' retrieval of such images among the NRC's Headquarters and Regional offices.

Mr. Kirk's innovative concept for the NRC's videoconferencing network was predicated on the long-term goal of integrating videoconferencing into NRC's microcomputer-based architecture.

Instead of the typical videoconferencing-operation that requires large conference rooms, wideband satellite comunica-tions networks, and major studies, NRC decided to adopt a more economical l

configuration which employed " compressed video"-technology.

The videoconferencing project was not only innovative but also complex, involving the purchase, installation, and testing of highly technical equipment across the nation and software development to support the integration of l

satellite operations and the videoconferencing system's capabilities.

For the l

project to succeed, Mr. Kirk had to obtain the close cooperation of five staff offices at NRC Headquarters and five Regional offices, integrate the activities

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of several vendors and contractors, and on at least one occasion, assist personally in the helicopter delivery of a satellite dish to.the' top of an Atlanta office building. To get the project under way and to gain the strong support of the many organizations involved, Mr. Kirk suggested the creation of a small working group to guide the early stages of the project and to identify potentially useful applications.

This approach proved very productive.

Through Mr. Kirk's creativity, skills, and leadership, the NRC Regional and Headquarters offices are now united in a compressed videoconferencing network.

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Significance and Benefits Microcomputer-based videoconferencing provides new ways in which the NRC's i

regulatory business can be conducted. The ability to have key personnel address important issues and the ability to open the comunications environment r

without incurring major travel expenses and time delays provides better channels for the transfer of safety information. With this mode of operation, there is a consistent and ' reliable flow of information. - The following-generic benefits are being derived through compressed videoconferencing:

J Reduces the lead time required for. Regional meetings; Permits meetings to include larger numbers of people at no additional Cost; c

Allows more key people-to be accessible-to address major questions at meetings, thus achieving an. improvement in the quality of information -

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3 Provides an alternative to travel and supports potential cost savings; Provides the ability to use' graphics, videotapes,-slides'and graphics' aids I

to support special tr;ining programs; and, Integrates microcomputer operations with videoconferencing capabilities.

One of the primary objr.ctives for videoconferencing was-to provide an opportu-nity to use videoconferencing as a component in program operations.

Under Mr.

Kirk's technical leadership, that objective has been achieved. NRC has used videoconferencing:

(1) to broadcast meetings of the Nuclear Regulatory Comission; (2) to conduct safety program reviews,-such as the Low Level Waste Conference; and (3) for seminars. Based on the experience gained over the last year, NRC has already begun to explore' future enhancements.

For example, the agency's current satellite comunications network has the capacity to support voice comunications along with videoconferencing. Using a digital multiplexer, both video and audio comunications can share the same network, thus reducing overall operational, maintenance, and installation costs.

Installing videoconferencing' capabilities at major contractor sites, such as the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, could reduce overall program operations cost and improve comunications, providing resident inspectors with the ability to record "as-found" conditions at nuclear plants and to quickly

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transmit the findings to the Regions and Headquarters.

Both of these rapid a

comunications capabilities would significantly enhance the agency's nuclear

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safety program.

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Role of Individual i

Mr. Kirk was the prime mover of NRC's videoconferencing program. He perceived the need for the project and took the initiative to develop an implementation strategy and get it approved by NRC management.

He identified the technological approach and designed the network structure, demonstrating his awareness not only of the state-of-the-art conmunications but also cost-effective structures.

1 Mr. Kirk managed all the diverse tasks within the program, including develop-ment specifications, contractor and vendor selection, Regional coordination, i

network and satellite installation, training, and high-level briefings to NRC management and other Federal agencies. Mr. Kirk is recognized as a pioneer in the area of microcomputer-based, compressed videoconferencing within the industry, as well as Government.

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a Interacency Committee on Information Resources Management lA Q oenere 5.rmes Aammistration information Resources Management Service 18th & F Streets. N.W.

Washmgton. 0.C. 2040$

December 18, 1989

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MEMORANDUM FOR:

INCENTIVE AWARDS ADMINISTRATORS

SUBJECT:

1990 Annual ~ Awards Program of the Interagency Committee en Information Resources Management

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(IAC/IRM)

The Interagency Committee on Information Resour.cas Management (IAC/IRM), made up of senior IRM officials in the Federal' agencies, conducts an annual awards-program to recognize those Federal employees (civilian and military) who have made significant contributions in the information resources area (ADP, telecommunications and records management)..

The awards material is being sent to you to ensure that it becomes an integral part of your agency's incentive awards program.

In addition to recognizing the winners at our annual awards luncheon in June, we would like to work with you on your annual program to ensure that the winners are recognized by their fellow workers.

The Rander hgene" officini for Information namnneram Managamant-and the IAC/IRM Principal Member from your agency have been notified and requested to help in identifying nominees.

They have been requested to coordinate their input with your office.

Nominations must be submitted in accordance with the attached instructions by March 30, 1990.

A copy of the criteria and nomination forms also are attached.

If you have any questions about the program, pleare call Lynn McNulty, our Awards Chairperson on (301) 975-3241.

I l ocit forward to your agsncies' participation in our awards program.

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f ELEN M. WOOD CHAIR."ERSON, IAC/IRM Attachments I

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IAC/IRM 1990 Awards Nomination The Interagency Committee on Information Resources Management (IAC/IRM) annually recognizes Federal Goverr, ment employees who have made significant contributions in the information resources management field during the past year.

There are three categories of awards:

CATEGORIES OF AWARD:

A.

EXECUTIVE EXCELLENCE

-- Sustained contribution over a period of year's in a senior managerial leadership role.

-- Significant professional achievement in the Federal information resources executive community, reaching beyond the nominee's agency or area of responsibility.

B.

TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE

-- Innovative uses of information technology.

-- Noteworthy application of technical skills.

C.

MANAGEMENT / ADMINISTRATIVE EXCELLENCE

-- Noteworthy achievements in acquisition of IRM systems.

-- Noteworthy achievements in operational project management.

-- Significant accomplishments in the support of information management projects or activities (e.g.,

training, procurement, policy, or legal).

There will be a single winner in the Executive Excellence category, I

with multiple awards possible in the other categories, depending upon the quality of nominations received.

CRITERIA The following are suggested areas of consideration.

Any one or a combination of these, as well as additional areas, may be used to support the nomination.

(See attached criteria which will be used by i

judges.

These forms will be completed by judges only.)

1.

Specific accomplishments as a senior manager in policy, planning, management, or utilization of information resources.

2.

Specific accomplishments resulting in the improved delivery of Government services through use of information technology, 3.

Specific accomplishments in meeting Federal program objectives through innovative and cost effective use of information technology.

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4.

Specific accomplishments resulting in significant cost savings to the Federal Government through use of information technology.

j 5.

Specific accomplishments resulting in innovative advancements in the state-of-the-art of information application.

6.

Substantial contributions over the long term (at least ten years in the field of information technology).

7.

Specific accomplishments in meeting Federal program objectives for reduced software maintenance cost through improved maintenance management and the adoption of new maintenance tech'niques.

8.

Specific accomplishments in the management and implementation of Federal agency information systems security programs, the development of computer security related standards or the innovative implementation of state-of-the-art technical security controls in agency information systems.

NOMINATING PROCEDURES Sixcopiesofthenominationsmustbereceivedby[harch30, 1990.)

Nominations must be submitted for a specific category using,the enclosed transmittal and format sheets.

The Committee reserves the right to consider nominees for IAC/IRM awards other than those specified in the nomination.

The final selection will be made by an Awards Selection Committee.

Send ell notainations to:

Vivian Ronen IRMS/ KAP (Room 2239)

General Services Administration 18th & F Streets, NW Washington, DC 20405 Phone:

(202) 566-0291 If you need,further assistance, you may call Lynn McNulty, IAC/IRM Awards Chairperson on (301) 975-3241.

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