ML25337A367
| ML25337A367 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/14/2025 |
| From: | Tony Brown NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPO |
| To: | Virkar H NRC/OIG |
| Brown T | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML25337A366 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML25337A367 (3) | |
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. In the January 30, 2025, letter, the staff revised the schedule for completing the update to MD 10.43 from June 30, 2025, to September 30, 2025. Due to additional system upgrades and other changes that need to be incorporated into the MD, the staff has revised the schedule to complete the update to MD 10.43 from September 30, 2025, to June 30, 2026. 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.
2 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: 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. The staff revised IMC 1245 Appendix D1, Maintaining Qualifications in June 2025 to include site access refresher training and safety culture training as a refresher training requirement, among other enhancements. Additionally, the staff decided to make significant updates to the IMC 1245 Appendix C5 to improve the qualification program for new inspectors. The revision to IMC 1245 Appendix C5 was completed in September 2025 and both appendices are available for use by new inspectors.
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. All actions necessary to use RPS for RTR oversight have been completed. One optional action remains to create an automatic report generator. However, since templates have already been developed to streamline inspection reports, this action is not considered necessary and will be completed as RPS contractor and staff resources are available.
3 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. Since that response, Congress passed the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act of 2024 and the President issued Executive Order (EO) 14300, Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. EO 13400, Section 5(g), directed the NRC to revise the Reactor Oversight Process and reactor security rules and requirements to reduce unnecessary burdens and be responsive to credible risks. Section 507 of the ADVANCE Act directed the NRC to identify specific improvements to the nuclear reactor and materials oversight and inspection programs carried out pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) that the Commission may implement to maximize the efficiency of such programs through, where appropriate, the use of risk-informed, performance-based procedures, expanded incorporation of information technologies, and staff training. In response to those directives, the staff is reassessing the oversight program for RTRs. This initiative seeks to streamline and update existing inspection procedures, integrate best practices and tools to disposition low-safety significance issues, and implement efficiencies within the inspection process to optimize time and resource allocation without compromising safety. The staff plans to complete and implement the revised inspection program guidance by June 30, 2026.
Point of Contact for Recommendation 4.1:
Tony Brown, NRR/DANU/UNPO 301-415-7499