Purpose - std117220030009

DOE-STD-1172-2003

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

FUNCTIONAL AREA QUALIFICATION STANDARD

Safety Software Quality Assurance

PURPOSE

DOE M 426.1-1, Federal Technical Capability Manual, commits the Department to continuously

strive for technical excellence. The Technical Qualification Program, along with the supporting

Technical Qualification Standards, complements the personnel processes that support the

Department's drive for technical excellence. In support of this goal, the competency

requirements defined in the Technical Qualification Standards should be aligned with and

integrated into the recruitment and staffing processes for technical positions. The Technical

Qualification Standards should form the primary basis for developing vacancy announcements,

qualification requirements, crediting plans, interviewing questions, and other criteria associated

with the recruitment, selection, and internal placement of technical personnel. Office of

Personnel Management minimum qualifications standards will be greatly enhanced by

application of appropriate materials from the technical Functional Area Qualification Standards.

The Technical Qualification Standards are not intended to replace the OPM Qualifications

Standards nor other Departmental personnel standards, rules, plans, or processes. The

primary purpose of the Technical Qualification Program is to ensure that employees have the

requisite technical competency to support the mission of the Department. The Technical

Qualification Program forms the basis for the development and assignment of DOE personnel

responsible for ensuring the safe operation of defense nuclear facilities.

APPLICABILITY

The Safety Software Quality Assurance Functional Area Qualification Standard establishes

common functional area competency requirements for Department of Energy personnel who

provide assistance, direction, guidance, oversight, or evaluation of safety software that includes,

but is not limited to safety software used for consequence analysis for potential accidents and

design basis events, design for structures, systems and components, instrumentation and

controls (I&C), and also other types of software, such as databases used for safety

management functions. For ease of transportability of qualifications between DOE elements,

Program and Field offices are expected to use this technical Functional Area Qualification

Standard without modification or additions. Needed additional office/site/facility specific

technical competencies should be handled separately. Satisfactory and documented attainment

of the competency requirements contained in this technical Functional Area Qualification

Standard ensures that personnel possess the requisite competence to fulfill their functional area

duties and responsibilities. Office/Facility-Specific Qualification Standards supplement this

technical Functional Area Qualification Standard and establish unique operational competency

requirements at the Headquarters or Field element, site, or facility level.