Conduct of the DOE Operational Readiness Review

DOE-STD-3006-2000

Each DOE ORR consists of systematic reviews of readiness activities as defined by the criteria and

review approaches to assess whether operations could be conducted safely if allowed to start or resume.

In most cases, the systematic review should start with the record of the contractor ORR. In addition, the

ORR team evaluates the operators' performance in conducting ongoing activities, such as equipment

operability checks and dry runs, and the simulated operations requested by the Team Leader. In many

cases, it is appropriate to observe an exercise of the operational personnel in unusual or upset conditions

and the related abnormal or emergency responses.

The foundation for readiness of the nuclear facility is an approved safety basis as defined in approved

facility safety documentation, approved environmental documentation, satisfactory safe working

environment, and compliance with DOE Orders and requirements. The ORR must verify that the

necessary approved requirements documentation is in place and that procedures, personnel, and

equipment and systems support the approved requirements. It is not a requirement that the ORR process

approve the foundation documentation--only to verify that it is complete, approved, and implemented as

required by the core requirements of DOE O 425.1B. Critical to the establishment of operational

requirements are formal agreements between the operating contractor and DOE delineating these

requirements (e.g., S/RIDs, WSS, List of DOE Orders). These are generally in the form of a contract

standards, which are required by the DOE Acquisition Regulations (DEAR) for nuclear facilities, listing.

The content includes requirements that govern the safe operations of the facility. A systematic review of

the facility's conformance to these requirements should be performed. In many situations, a recent

verification of implementation of the contracts standards into site manuals of practice will be available.

In those situations, it is only necessary for the ORR team to verify implementation of the site manuals of

practice in facility or activity being evaluated by the ORR. These requirements should be verified by the

operating entity to have been implemented in the facility, or DOE approved compensatory measures put

in place during the period of implementation. DOE should approve the compensatory measures and the

implementation period if needed.

The DOE ORR should include assessment of the technical and managerial qualifications of those in the

DOE field organization who have been assigned responsibilities for direction and guidance to the

contractor, including the Facility Representative. A similar review should be made of the qualifications

of contractor personnel responsible for facility operations.