ML24144A100

Submittal of Leadership Accountability, Sec Charter Update Response

ML24144A100
Person / Time
Site:	National Bureau of Standards Reactor
Issue date:	05/21/2024
From:	Adams J US Dept of Commerce, National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST)
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Document Control Desk
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ML24144A099	List: ML24144A100 ML24144A101
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Download: ML24144A100 (1)

Text

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Institute of Standards and Technology Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-6100

May 21, 2024

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

Subject:

Leadership Accountability, SEC Charter Update Response

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

This submission addresses section V.7.a of the NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, CENTER FOR NEUTRON RESEARCH CONFIRMATORY ORDER (CO), EA 21-148, August 1, 2022, and other Safety Evaluation Committee (SEC) related updates.

V.7.a. Leadership Accountability - Requirement Within 12 months of consultant contract award, NCNR will provide the NRC with docum entation of any revisions to the Safety Evaluation Committee charter as informed by the nuclear consultant(s) selected under item 2.b.

SEC Chairperson

Irene Michelle Dudley has been appointed the new NCNR Safety Evaluation Committee Chairperson, effective April 26, 2024. The previous Chairperson will be retiring at the end of June 2024.

The newly appointed SEC Chair plans to enhance communications, audit quality, and overall oversight rigor, in addition to addressing the SAC/SEC oversight assessment findings. As these ideas develop, they will be incorporated into the Charter, pending the input and approval of the SEC voting membership.

SEC Charter and Renewal Cycle

Enclosed is a copy of the approved Safety Evaluation Committee (SEC) Charter, NBSR -0001-CH -

08, dated 02 August 2022. This charter follows a two-year renewal cycle and will be updated by the end of this fiscal year. The renewed SEC Charter will be submitted to NRC in FY25Q1.

SAC/SEC Oversight Assessment Findings

The SAC/SEC Oversight Assessment resulted in eight findings: three Areas for Improvement (AFI) and five Areas Needing Attention (ANA). In consultation with the contractor, these findings were collectively evaluated, risk-ranked, prioritized, grouped into initiative areas, and categorized relative to those assessed as not needing immediate attention. The findings will be addressed as part of the Integrated Performance Improvement P lan (IPIP) development process. For additional details on the initiative areas and the IPIP development process, please refer to the letter

submitted to NRC on January 23, 2024,

Subject:

Nuclear Program Assessments Response and Leadership Accountability Letter.

As the findings are addressed with the assistance of the Independent Nuclear Consultants, any necessary changes or additions to the SEC practices will be documented in addenda to the SEC Charter, which will be incorporated into the body of the c harter during the subsequent renewal cycle.

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

Attachment:

• NCNR Reactor Safety Evaluation Committee (SEC) Charter, NBSR-0001-CH -08, dated 02 August 2022.