ML24054A368

Recommended Modifications to the NIST Confirmatory Order

ML24054A368
Person / Time
Site:	National Bureau of Standards Reactor
Issue date:	02/22/2024
From:	Adams J US Dept of Commerce, National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST)
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Document Control Desk
References
Download: ML24054A368 (2)

Text

February 22, 2024

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 2055-0001

Subject Recommended Modifications to the NIST Confirmatory Order

Ref: NBSR Facility License TR-5, Docket 50-184

Dear Sir or Madam:

This letter is to recommend two modifications to the NIST Confirmatory Order (CO): one modification to the CO proper and a second modification to the attachment to the CO entitled National Institute of Standards and Technology, Supplemental Inspection s. NCNR believes additional assessments and inspections would be better served if rescheduled.

CO Section V.2.a.vii states: Within 12 months of completing the initial assessment, the consultant will perform a second assessment to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the corrective actions within the identified areas. Within 30 days of receiving the report, NCNR will submit a copy of the second assessment report to the NRC.

NCNR recommends conducting the second Independent Nuclear Safety Culture Assessment (INSCA) between the 3rd and 4th quarter of CY24. Allowing additional progress toward implementing corrective and improvement actions to address the initial assessment findings will make the second assessment a more valuable and productive exercise that will result in a better representation of the state of safety culture at the NCNR.

NIST Supplemental Inspection Table, Corrective Actions Activity states: Evaluate the adequacy of corrective actions for re-evaluated root cause analysis performed with emphasis on nuclear safety culture.

Activity Pre-CO Procedure Inspector Start End Startup Item Evaluate the adequacy of corrective Pending completion of actions for re-evaluated root cause analysis No Section IP 92702 Kevin independent third-party TBD performed with emphasis on nuclear safety V 2.b Roche assessments culture

NCNR recommends that the Corrective Action follow -up inspection be held in mid-3rd quarter of CY24, allowing completion of the Event Root Cause Re-analysis and the IPIP.

An updated timeline projection with recommended timing for INSCA #2 and follow-up inspection is presented in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Timeline Projection with recommended timing for INSCA #2 and follow up inspection

Please contact Dr. Thomas H. Newton with any questions regarding the information presented herein. Dr. Newton may be contacted at 301-975-6260 or Thomas.newton@nist.gov.

Sincerely,

Dr. James M. Adams Director NIST Center for Neutron Research