ML19233A013
| ML19233A013 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/20/2019 |
| From: | Booma Venkataraman Special Projects and Process Branch |
| To: | |
| Venkataraman B | |
| References | |
| Download: ML19233A013 (15) | |
Text
Task Interface Agreement (TIA)
Program Revitalization Status Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)
Division of Operating Reactor Licensing (DORL) 08.20.2019 Booma Venkataraman
TIA Program Revitalization Summary TIA Revitalization Risk-informing Modernized decision-making NRR/NRO Merger Stakeholder Engagement Low Safety Significant Issue Resolution (LSSIR)
Status
- Major enhancements to the program identified
- Proposed rebranding of the TIA program
- Preliminary updated draft guidance completed
- Effort for merging NRR/NRO programs underway 2
Key Messages The TIA revitalization effort is intended to result in an efficient process that focuses resources on matters that are most important to safety, effectively utilizes modern technology, and meets the needs of stakeholders.
The revised TIA process is expected to be a fact-gathering exercise that informs other NRC processes like inspection, enforcement and backfit.
The TIA process rebranded as the Technical Assistance Request (TAR) will incorporate the concepts of the Low Safety Significant Issue Resolution (LSSIR) effort.
The project is being executed by an inclusive agency working group.
The WG received good alignment on the proposed revitalization concepts from staff, management and industry.
Public meetings with industry were held on March 19 and May 29, 2019.
3
4 TIA Program Revitalization Transformational Drivers: Risk-informing and Modernized decision-making Project Execution Method Gather Analyze Integrate Nurture Stakeholder Feedback and Data and Identify focus Perspectives and Revitalized solutions Recommendations areas and possible expectations (Align and reach finish solutions line)
Sources of Insights Driver: Holistically redesign the program with fresh inputs to fulfil agency mission TIA Program Operating Experience Industry Feedback Diverse Staff Perspectives Other Office Best Practices LSSIR Effort Recommendations 4
TIA Program Challenges
- 1. Timeliness
- 2. Effectiveness Effort on low safety significant issues Delayed hand-offs to other processes Issues outside the scope of the TIA Inconsistent licensee engagement Lack of early and/or inconsistent alignment 5
6 Industry Recommendations*
Opportunities for Enhancement in the TIA Program Increase Process Rigidity Greater Emphasis on Backfit Establish Exit Criteria for Low Safety Significance Issue Resolution Include an Appeal Process Eliminate Pre-decisional Consideration Enhance Communication Enhance TIA Coordinator Position
- - Inputs received in public meetings on Feb. 21, and March 19, 2019
TIA Program in a New AvaTAR Proposed Solutions Graded approach commensurate Enhanced rigor in framing with significance acceptable questions Enhanced screening for timely Integrated Core Tiger teams dispositioning or resolution of issue Enhanced licensee engagement Streamlined tools and templates New Proposed Name: TAR- Technical Assistance Request 7
Basic Purpose is Unchanged: TIA (TAR) Supports Informed Decision-making From routine processes Unresolved question TAR Process NRR OI COM-106
- If effort NOT commensurate with significance Hand-off or referral TAR response Recommend to disposition Inform routine processes
- Working in coordination with low safety significant issue resolution (LSSIR) effort.
8
New: Graded Approach to Effective and Efficient Scoping, Dispositioning, and Resolution Enhanced OI COM-106 Routine Interactions Screening, &
Intake In-depth Review Phase 0 Evaluation Phase 2 Phase 1 8
30 days 80 days TAR response Issues resolved or dispositioned Note: Days are in calendar days Revitalized pathway to address unresolved questions with agile, focused and collaborated effort 9
The Intake Phase Phase 0- Intake TAR Coordinator lead Staff/ BC level interactions
- Fact-gathering framework
- Characterization of issue/questions
- Licensee input
- Safety significance information
- Resolution/ Disposition possible!
Complete Intake template 10
The Screening & Evaluation Phase Phase 1- Screening & Evaluation
- Requesting office/region division management approval to enter
- Integrated Tiger Team with specialized expertise Safety Significance
- Enhanced rigor in scoping and refining questions Determination
- Screening for safety significance Tool
- Integrate diverse views
- Exceptions for referring to Phase 2 with both office OD/RA approval Screening Template 11
The In-depth Review Phase Phase 2- In-depth Review
- Enhanced licensee engagement
- Option to retain members of Tiger Team
- Clear, concise and fact-based response Response template 12
Testing the Proposed Graded Approach:
Summary from WG Discussions Past TIA examples were considered in WG discussions to see how the 7 mechanics of the revitalized process would have worked 1 May have been resolved in Phase 0 4 May have been dispositioned in Phase 1 2 May have been recommended for Phase 2 In a revitalized process, safety significance consideration would likely have resulted in dispositioning issues early.
13
Benefits of TIA Revitalization Effort commensurate with significance Streamlined documentation Integrate diverse views early!
Effective collaboration from get go! 80 days Systematic licensee engagement Phase 2 In-depth Review Fact-based response!
30 days Response template Phase 1 Screening &
Evaluation 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br /> Screening Template and Tool Phase 0 issue Intake Team! Integrated decision Intake template Enhanced rigor in issue scoping!
Flexibility to resolve issue of low safety significance if effort is low!
14
Next Steps Internal refinement of COM-106 draft and Conduct internal table-tops by Sept. 2019 Industry engagement to share updates and test scenarios by early October 2019 Integrate NRO merge components in the draft by Nov. 2019 Merged NRR COM-106 completion estimated by Jan. 2020 THANK YOU!
15