Frequently Asked Questions cont'd

DOE-HDBK-1148-2002

management will review the contractor's ISM plan and selected work plans and the

contractor's implementation of those plans. Under ISM principles the Department

depends on aggressive self-assessment by the contractor in combination with its own

management reviews and independent oversight assessments. Performance incentives

encourage effective self-assessment and self-improvement but if these are

unsuccessful, the Department will expand its own line management and independent

oversight.

Q17

What has to be in the authorization agreement called for in the ISM DEAR clause?

A17

An authorization agreement establishes the conditions for the authorization of work. The

details of a specific agreement are locally tailored to factors such as agency risk

exposure, threat to mission completion or safety performance trends that might impede

that standards-based work plan. It should define limiting conditions of normal

operations, approval conditions that may not be changed without prior Department

approval, and conditions that may be acceptably changed by the contractor with only

subsequent notice to the Department.

Q18

How do DOE and the contractor come to agreement called for by the ISM DEAR clause?

A18

There are many ways for the Department and the contractor to come to agreement.

Each time a contract or a work authorization is signed, an agreement has been reached.

The N&S Closure Process is used by the Department and contractor line management

as a mechanism to focus on the work and hazards and on planning as the basis for

achieving adequate protection. The agreements called for in the ISM DEAR clause are

considered to be anchored in the Annual Program and Budget guidance process and

therefore include both relatively fixed (e.g., infrastructure standards) and dynamic

components.

Q19

How long will it take to develop a set of standards?

A19

Clearly, there is not a definitive answer to this question, because applications of the

Process will vary widely in scope and complexity. The level of effort required for contract

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