Departmental Representative to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

INTRODUCTION

The DR is the primary liaison between the Department and the DNFSB. DOE O 140.1A includes a responsibility for Heads of Departmental Elements to “Designate a point of contact (Program Interface) within their respective organizations, to represent their organizations and coordinate with the Departmental Representative and his/her staff on DNFSB-related matters” (Ref. 5.d.(3)). The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the Office of Environmental Management (EM), and the Office of Science (SC) have assigned Points of Contact (Program Interface). To foster effective internal DOE communication, the DR holds a weekly conference call with the designated Program Interface staff, including staff from the DOE Office of Enterprise Assessment (EA). Additionally, the DR holds a monthly call with the Program Interface staff and Departmental Site Liaisons.

In addition to assigning designated Headquarters Program Interface representatives, experience has demonstrated the importance and benefit to also assigning designated Federal and primary contractor Departmental Site Liaisons. DOE O 140.1A contains a responsibility for Heads of Field Elements to “designate a point of contact to serve as liaison with the Departmental Representative and his/her staff on DNFSB-related matters” (ref. 5.f. (1)). Similarly, DOE O 140.1A requires DOE/NNSA contractors to “Assign contractor DNFSB liaisons or designees to ensure adequate interface with their Departmental Site Liaison on DNFSB-related matters” (ref. O 140.1A, Attachment 1 – Contractor Requirements Document). The Departmental Site Liaisons and contractor DNFSB liaisons serve a vital role in coordinating DNFSB requests for information, site visits and site-specific correspondence including reviewing draft and final recommendations, and coordinating with the Responsible Manager for any actions required by the Field. For both the Headquarters and Field personnel, this desk reference provides suggestions on how DOE/NNSA and contractor personnel should cooperate with the DNFSB.

This desk reference is updated as necessary to provide relevant and timely information to personnel that routinely interfaces with the DNFSB.