ML25183A268
| ML25183A268 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/04/2025 |
| From: | David Wright NRC/Chairman |
| To: | Mark King NRC/EDO |
| Shared Package | |
| ML25183A138 | List: |
| References | |
| OEDO-14-000434, M-17-08, M-12-12 | |
| Download: ML25183A268 (1) | |
Text
Approval of Estimated Conference Spending to Exceed $500,000 for a Single Conference in Accordance with Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-17-08, "Amending 0MB Memorandum M-12-12, Promoting Efficient Spending to Support Agency Operations" I hereby approve the potential expenditure to exceed $500,000 for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC's) 2026 Regulatory Information Conference (RIC). The NRC is planning to hold the next annual RIC in March 2026.
Based on the considerations detailed below, I have determined that exceptional circumstances exist and that spending more than $500,000 on hosting the 2026 RIC represents the most cost-effective means of achieving a compelling and mission-aligned objective.
The NRC's mission is to protect public health and safety and advance the Nation's common defense and security by enabling the safe and secure use and deployment of civilian nuclear energy technologies and radioactive materials through efficient and reliable licensing, oversight, and regulation for the benefit of society and the environment. The Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act, signed into law in July 2024, offers the NRC an opportunity to bolster its mission's goals for the future of nuclear energy by focusing on streamlining the agency's processes and on leveraging new and emerging technologies to ensure nuclear safety. These goals were reemphasized and strengthened in Executive Order (EO) 14300, "Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,"
dated May 23, 2025.
The RIC aligns with the ADVANCE Act and EO 14300 objectives and represents the most cost effective means of (1) fostering open dialogue among interested parties, including industry, government, the international nuclear community, and the public, on the safety and security of new, operating, and decommissioned reactors and materials licensees; (2) providing open and transparent communication about NRC actions, planned or in progress, related to emergent issues; (3) offering a valuable and unique forum to share different perspectives on technical processes and procedures and other matters facing the nuclear industry; and (4) promoting in-depth discussions of safety and security issues being addressed through NRG-sponsored research. The RIC demonstrates the NRC's commitment to conduct work openly and transparently. It provides a unique forum that brings together diverse groups of stakeholders to inform them of significant and timely policy decisions and regulatory oversight activities, as well as ways that the NRC continues to become a more modern, risk-informed regulator. This engagement is particularly important given the numerous reform and transformational activities currently under way.
Since its inception in 1987, the RIC has evolved into one of the world's premier events in its field. Using modern technology, it typically attracts over 3,000 participants from over 40 countries. Attenc;iees include members of the public; officials from the Federal, State, and local governments; international nuclear safety regulators; national laboratory experts; advocacy organizations; media representatives; licensees; and other key stakeholders. The technical program showcases subject matter experts from across the NRC, as well as distinguished speakers from other government entities, industry, academia, public interest groups, and the international community. As conducted previously during 2024 and 2025, the NRC plans to conduct the 2026 RIC as a hybrid event. The 2025 hybrid RIC had over 3,460 attendees from 53 countries. About 55 percent of the attendees participated in-person, with 40 percent attending only Enclosure
2 in-person and 15 percent attending both in-person and virtually. The remaining 45 percent attended virtually only.
The NRG and its external stakeholders greatly value the RIC for its high-quality technical and educational content. It offers a unique platform for attendees to hear directly from each member of the Commission and from NRG leadership on emerging regulatory issues and policy developments. Additionally, the RIC fosters a supportive environment for global safety advances, facilitates the formation of new partnerships, and strengthens relationships both domestically and internationally. The NRG staff and stakeholders rely on this forum to share critical information, exchange diverse perspectives, address complex policy challenges, and promote best practices in safety and security across the nuclear community.
As the agency continues to learn from recent developments within the nuclear arena, this conference remains an essential component in advancing its mission.
Successfully executing such a large and complex conference requires extensive coordination and effective resource management. The Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) and the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) co-sponsor the RIC; both offices are firmly committed to the agency's principles of responsible fiscal stewardship and are continually identifying ways to reduce conference costs. Both NRR and RES consistently seek opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining the quality and integrity of the conference. As the lead office, NRR plays a central role in overseeing all aspects of planning, logistics, and execution. NRR diligently scrutinizes expenditures and ensures that appropriated funds are used with maximum cost effectiveness and efficiency.
In alignment with the NRC's broader goals to modernize and transform its operations, the RIC, recognized as a premier annual public event, must also adapt and evolve. Embracing best value practices and modern hybrid formats fosters a dynamic environment for stakeholder engagement and enhances long-term returns on investment. To support this effort, planning is already underway for the March 2026 RIC.
The objectives and work requirements of the RIC cannot be accomplished successfully under any one of the NRC's other existing contracts. Therefore, NRR leverages two contracts to assist in executing the RIC: (1) one for planning and logistical support, covering web development, registration, audiovisual support, and onsite logistics, and (2) one for providing the meeting space. The total amount expended for these two contracts in support of the 2025 hybrid RIC was approximately $1.35 million.
In addition to these two contracts, when possible, the NRG uses existing contracts in support offices for RIC assistance and services such as the following:
Registration system security, web hosting, and web streaming (Office of the Chief Information Officer).
Captioning, videography, photography, technical editing, onsite physical security, and shipping and delivery activities (Office of Administration).
Transcription services (Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel).
Reasonable accommodations (Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer).
Limited English Proficiency services (Office of Small Business and Civil Rights).
3 The total cost for these services to support the 2025 hybrid RIC was approximately
$0.18 million.
As a hybrid event, the RIC will offer both in-person attendance and a virtual platform to support remote participation. In parallel, the NRC staff are actively researching past practices from conferences worldwide and engaging with stakeholders to evaluate the necessary contract support. These efforts are intended to identify strategies that mitigate contract risk for both the NRC and its contractors, particularly in cases where unforeseen adjustments to the program format could lead to additional costs.
The agency remains committed to using innovative, cost-effective approaches to leverage new and emerging technologies and deliver a high-value, engaging experience for all participants.
This commitment ensures continued access, collaboration, and a meaningful conference experience for every attendee. A preliminary cost estimate for future hybrid RI Cs (in-person with virtual participation capability) is projected to be approximately $1.5 million for planning, logistics, audiovisual, and information technology support.
Based on the reasons stated above, in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-17-08, "Amending 0MB Memorandum M-12-12, Promoting Efficient Spending to Support Agency Operations," dated November 25, 2016, I hereby approve NRC expenditures exceeding $500,000 for a single conference for the 2026 RIC. My approval of conference spending for the RIC, which achieves a compelling and mission-aligned objective, is also consistent with the goals set forth in EO 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative," dated February 26, 2025, which requires justification of Federal contract spending.
David A. Wright, NRC Chairman Date 1
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