Discussion of lessons to be learned when transferring areas between contractors.
For the last few years, a D&D activity was performed by an EM contractor in a defined and
separately controlled D&D area located within an operating facility managed by an NE
contractor (both contractors are Prime to DOE-ID.) The scope of the D&D work included
decontamination and decommissioning (demolition and complete removal) of highly
contaminate reactors, confinement buildings and support structures.
After completion of D&D work in February, the D&D area was vacated and turned over to the
Facility operated by NE.
Subsequently, some radiologically contaminated debris or soil has been found in areas within or
near the previously managed D&D area.
Inter-contractor interface issues surfaced regarding adequacy of radiological cleanup, surveys
and coordination of turnover of the work-site from the D&D contractor to the Facility contractor.
Some of the deficiencies or problems that have been identified:
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The Interface Agreement for the D&D did not contain any details about transfer of the
D&D area back to the facility operating contractor
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Coordination between contractors could have been improved:
o Informal agreement was reached to have the contractor assuming responsibility
perform detailed radiological surveys with vacating contractor observing
o Receiving contractor performed limited radiological surveys prior to assuming
responsibility for the area
o A formal turnover meeting was held but the receiving contractor didn’t attend
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Surveys performed by the contractor assuming responsibility, beginning about a month
following transfer, discovered numerous radiological particles and contaminated debris in
and around the transferred area
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Difficulty obtaining support from the vacating contractor following the transfer due to
project completion and no funding available
Recommendations for future activities:
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More detailed information in the Interface Agreement on transferring responsibility back
to the facility operating contractor
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Formal transfer agreement between contractors, including a process similar to a readiness
review
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Assuming contractor needs to be more fully engaged in verification of conditions prior to
assuming control.