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Self- Assessment Certification is an initiative to certify contractor self-assessment programs. This certification process validates that contractors have a robust and effective self-assessment program in place. The Office of Environment, Safety, and Health (EH) took the lead in this area and established a working group to develop both the criteria for self-assessment programs and the process to achieve certification. The criteria and the process are based on successful programs developed by the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) for the commercial nuclear power industry.
The Deputy Secretary tasked EH to coordinate the development of an integrated plan that defined the actions necessary to improve the implementation of quality assurance, and provide the necessary leadership during the execution of these actions. EH worked closely with the Office of Environmental Management (EM) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to develop a Quality Assurance Improvement Plan (QAIP). This Plan was approved by the Secretary in November 2002 and is currently being implemented throughout the complex. The Plan includes goals and specific action items that focus on both site-specific weaknesses and corrective actions. It also addresses long-term improvements in the QA program.
DOE is also developing and implementing a response to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board Recommendation regarding safety-related software quality assurance (SQA). This Implementation Plan, and the supporting actions, will result in improving the infrastructure within the Department to ensure the quality and reliability of safety related software. The actions, which EH will either facilitate or accomplish, include identifying roles and responsibilities for SQA, establishing SQA requirements consistent with industry standards, assessing the status of safety-related software in DOE defense nuclear facilities, establishing a central registry to control safety-related software, and interfacing with outside groups that have related interest in SQA.
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