Relationship of Facility Representative with Operating Contractor

DOE-STD-1063-2000

Managers should document responsibilities and expectations in the

contract between DOE and the facility operating contractor. Facility

Representatives occupy a unique position in the transmission of

information between DOE and its contractors. Facility Representatives

should be able to communicate effectively with all levels of the contractor

organization. They should be familiar with the contractor chain of

command for facility operations. The Facility Representative should

always strive to work constructively and effectively with contractor

personnel to meet the shared goals of productive and safe facility

operations, in accordance with relevant DOE and contractual expectations.

Facility Representatives should represent DOE to the contractor and

ensure the contractor carries out DOE operational safety policies in a

manner consistent with DOE Program Office and Field Element

expectations, relevant contract requirements, and the contractor's

Integrated Safety Management System description. In defining the

relationship between a Facility Representative and contractor, the

following points are emphasized:

a. The Facility Representative functions as a part of DOE line

management, and therefore should exercise authority consistent with

specific program and management guidance established by the field

element.

b. The contractor is responsible for the safety and efficient operation of

the facility. The contractor is accountable to DOE to perform its

operations in a manner that ensures the safety and health of personnel

and protection of the environment. No Facility Representative activity

or inactivity can diminish the contractor's responsibility.

c. The Facility Representative is responsible for determining that the

contractor is operating the facility in a safe manner, consistent with

the established safety expectations and requirements. Facility

Representatives fulfill this responsibility by assessing the contractor's

performance and discussing identified deficiencies and corrective

action with contractor management.

d. Although the Facility Representative identifies deficiencies, the ultimate

responsibility for identifying and correcting deficiencies rests with the

operating contractor. Field Element Managers should ensure that the

contractor does not rely solely on the Facility Representative to identify

or correct deficiencies.

e. Minor events or problems are frequently clues that indicate more

general problems in the contractor's organization, management,

personnel abilities, or practices. Therefore, attention to detail in the