ML25016A330
| ML25016A330 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/30/2025 |
| From: | Andrea Veil Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Virkar H NRC/OIG/AIGA |
| Tate T | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML25016A332 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML25016A330 (1) | |
Text
Enclosure Status of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissions Implementation of Recommendations in the Office of the Inspector Generals Audit Report on Safety Inspections of Class II Research and Test Reactors The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff identified a list of planned actions intended to be implemented by June 30, 2025, in response to the Office of Inspector Generals (OIGs) audit of the safety inspections of Class II research and test reactors (RTRs)
(OIG-24-A-07). The implementation status is provided below for each of the seven OIG recommendations.
Recommendation 1.1: Update and implement guidance applicable to the NRCs current timekeeping system.
NRC Staff Action: Update Management Directive (MD) 10.43, Time and Labor Reporting, to reflect the changes to the new Human Capital Management Cloud System. Target: 6/30/2025.
Status: In progress. The staff has revised the schedule for completing the update to MD 10.43 from June 30, 2025, to September 30, 2025. The update of MD 10.43 is on track for completion by the revised date.
Point of Contact for Recommendation 1.1:
Erikka LeGrand, OCFO/DOC/FSOB 301-415-7748 Recommendation 1.2: Establish guidance and training for recording and approving the RTR inspection hours to specific CACs [cost activity codes].
NRC Staff Action: Enhance relevant guidance to further clarify the process for creating, recording, and approving inspection hours in the RPS (Reactor Program System). Target:
12/31/2024.
Status: Complete. RPS training videos and a desktop user guide is available in the RPS system under the How Do I? tab. Additionally, the Non-power Production and Utilization Facility (NPUF) Oversight Branchs RPS Training Material - How to Guide? (UNPO RPS How To-Training.docx) provides supplemental instruction to NPUF inspectors and is maintained in the NPUF Licensing and Oversight SharePoint site. The staff enhanced the instructions for creating, recording, and approving inspection hours and completed the revisions to the guide on July 2, 2024.
Point of Contact for Recommendation 1.2:
Tony Brown, NRR/DANU/UNPO 301-415-7499 Recommendation 2.1: Update the RTR training guidance to include specific courses and hours for refresher training.
Recommendation 2.2: Track post-qualification and refresher training.
NRC Staff Action: Enhance the RTR inspector training program to ensure the recording and tracking of required training, including the tracking of post-qualification and refresher training.
Target: 12/31/2024.
Status: Partially complete. The staff completed a review of the training program and identified post-qualification and refresher training enhancements for implementation. The staff is coordinating these training enhancements along with the improvements to inspector training and inspection procedures identified in a separate NRC response related to the OIGs special inquiry into the NRCs oversight of RTRs (OIG Case No. I2100162). The enhancements being made to the RTR inspector training include revising Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 1245 Appendix C5, Research and Test Reactor Technical Proficiency Training and Qualification Journal, to include computer-based training from the basic class for safety culture assessors as required post-qualification and refresher training. Additionally, the RTR inspectors are being included in site access refresher training in the NRCs Talent Management System (TMS). Finally, relevant topic-specific training is conducted annually during a joint meeting between the NPUF Licensing and Oversight Branches. That training is documented and attendance is tracked. RTR inspectors completed annual event response training and training on the NPUF rule during December 10-11, 2024. Revisions to IMC 1245 Appendix C5 to reflect the enhancements and the tracking within TMS efforts are in progress. The staff has revised the schedule to complete implementation of these enhancements, including the tracking of post-qualification and refresher training from December 31, 2024, to September 30, 2025.
Point of Contact for Recommendations 2.1, 2.2: Tony Brown, NRR/DANU/UNPO 301-415-7499 Recommendation 2.3: Periodically review the RTR training program to ensure consistency, effectiveness, and relevance.
NRC Staff Action: Periodically revise the RTR training program to reflect new training needs of the RTR staff. Target: 12/31/2024.
Status: Complete. The NRC staff is identifying training needs and documenting the review of the RTR training program as part of the annual joint branch meeting.
Point of Contact for Recommendation 2.3:
Tony Brown, NRR/DANU/UNPO 301-415-7499 Recommendation 3.1: Establish a plan and milestones to fully implement the use of the RPS to support oversight of the RTR inspection program.
NRC Staff Action: Update the plans and schedule to complete the transition of the RTR inspection program into the RPS. Target: 12/31/2024.
Status: Complete. The staff updated the project plan with updated milestones for the RPS Utilization Initiative to reflect the latest status of completed items as of October 1, 2024. The project plan indicates the remaining actions to fully implement use of RPS will be completed by September 30, 2025. The project plan is maintained in the NPUF Licensing and Oversight SharePoint Site.
Point of Contact for Recommendation 3.1:
Tony Brown, NRR/DANU/UNPO 301-415-7499 Recommendation 4.1: Periodically review and update the RTR inspection guidance in accordance with IMC 0040.
NRC Staff Action: Enhance guidance for performing a periodic review of inspection guidance for RTRs. Target: 12/31/2024.
Status: Partially complete. The RTR inspection program will follow the guidance in IMC 0040, Preparation, Revision, Issuance, and Ongoing Oversight of NRC Inspection Manual Documents, for the periodic review and update of RTR inspection guidance. In the NRCs response to OIGs special inquiry into the NRCs oversight of RTRs (OIG Case No. I2100162),
the agency stated that it would enhance RTR inspection guidance. The staff completed a review of inspection guidance and identified the following guidance and procedures for revision:
IMC 2545, Research and Test Reactor Inspection Program Inspection Procedure (IP) 69007, Class I Research and Test Reactor Review and Audit and Design Change Functions IP 69001, Class II Research and Test Reactors, with regard to committees, audits, and reviews; procedures; and fuel handling IP 69002, Class III Research and Test Reactors, with regard to staffing and audits IP 69008, Class I Research and Test Reactor Procedures IP 69009, Class I Research and Test Reactor Fuel Movement The staff expects to complete the revisions by September 30, 2025.
Point of Contact for Recommendation 4.1:
Tony Brown, NRR/DANU/UNPO 301-415-7499