U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Audit of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Processes for Deploying Reactive Inspection Teams

Report Information

Date Issued
Report Number
OIG-23-A-06
Report Type
Audit
Joint Report
Yes
Participating OIG
Nuclear Regulatory Commission OIG
Agency Wide
Yes (agency-wide)
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0
View report on Oversight.gov

Recommendations

Update agency policies to require that staff provide complete information on screening evaluation forms, correctly profile evaluation forms in ADAMS, and publicly share non-sensitive reactive inspection screening decision-making, whenever possible

Update agency policies so that they provide a well-defined incident screening process with examples for screening reactor safety and security events

Periodically assess the effectiveness of MD 8.3 and IMC 0309 implementation

Agency Response Dated December 13, 2024: On November 14, 2024, the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR) issued DPR-300, “Periodic Effectiveness Assessment For Management Directive 8.3, “NRC’s Incident Investigation Program”. This office procedure provides direction and guidance on conducting a timely periodic effectiveness assessment of MD 8.3 by: (1) establishing a review cycle every 5 years to commence in January 2025;<br />
(2) coordinating the review and assessment of reactor and materials events; (3) defining the assessment criteria to include reactive inspection decisions were consistent with applicable guidance in inspection manual chapters (IMCs) and inspection procedures (e.g., IMC 0309); and (4) outlining the contents of the assessment report.<br />
OIG Analysis: The OIG reviewed and verified the staff development and issuance of DPR-300, “Periodic Effectiveness Assessment for Management Directive 8.3,” for conducting timely periodic effectiveness reviews of Management Directive 8.3, “NRC Incident Investigation Program,” and its consistency with the implementation of IMC 0309, “Reactive Inspection Decision Basis for Reactors.<br />
<br />
”Status: Open: Resolved. The staff continues to develop and document its procedures for conducting periodic effectiveness reviews of: (1) Management Directive 8.3, “NRC Incident Investigation Program;” and (2) the implementation of IMC 0309. The procedures are on target to be completed by November 2024.