Audit of NRC’s Management of Agreements with Department of Energy Laboratories
Report Information
Recommendations
Revise MD 11.7 to require NRC offices to consider the use of commercial sources through market research (e.g., sources-sought announcements, procurement history, expert knowledge) as part of the decision making process in choosing to use a lab, and fully document the results/conclusions in the agreement files.
Clarify MD 11.7 to emphasize the requirement to fully document the rationale and basis for using a DOE lab.
Revise MD 11.7 to require independent review of justifications by DC personnel to ensure that commercial sources were fully considered.
Issue interim guidance to address recommendations 1 through 3 pending revision of MD 11.7.
Direct DC to work with agency program and support offices to develop and implement milestones for more robust market research requirements prior to awarding DOE lab agreements.