[DOE
LETTERHEAD]
The Honorable John T. Conway
Chairman
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
Dear Mr. Chairman:
UPDATED LISTING OF DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL
SERVING AS SUBJECT
MATTER EXPERTS FOR SAFETY SYSTEM OVERSIGHT
In March 2003, the Department committed to
provide the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) with an updated
status on the progress toward filling positions as subject matter experts (SME)
at the 5 Offices where gaps remained. Since March, the Offices have made significant
progress in addressing the remaining identified SME needs. Attachment 1 provides a summary of the actions
taken and the compensatory measures that remain in effect. I will provide you with an update on the
Department’s efforts to till remaining SME gaps at the briefing anticipated for
December 2003 to respond to your
The Department remains committed to safety
system oversight. A revision to the
Federal Technical Capability Panel (FTCP) Manual (DOE M 426.l-l) is now out for
Department-wide review and addresses safety system oversight by defining safety
system oversight responsibilities and competencies, and provides a basis for a
more uniform implementation of safety system oversight throughout the
Department. This agreed-upon approach
for revising the Technical Qualification Program requirements refines the
previously agreed-to approach presented in Commitment #19 of the Department’s
DNFSB Recommendation 2000-2 Implementation Plan. The revised Manual is expected to be approved
in calendar year 2004.
The personnel requirements for safety system
oversight are dynamic given the nature of work in the Department of Energy. Each Office is committed to having effective
safety system oversight processes and the appropriate SMEs
to implement them. The FTCP will
continue to monitor critical staffing needs across DOE, including safety system
oversight at all Offices.
If you have questions, please do not
hesitate to contact me at (509) 376-6677.
Sincerely,
Roy J. Schepens,
Chairman
Federal Technical Capability Panel
cc:
K. McSlarrow, S-2
J. H. Roberson, EM-l
T. Przybylek, NA-2
M. B. Whitaker, DR-1