Department of Energy FY 2012 Congressional ... - The FIRE Place

Review Team (IRT), comprised of subject matter experts from across the Enterprise, concurred with the
overall conclusion and recommended combining the two projects.
On November 22, 2009, the Department approved exploring the combination of NNSA’s PDCF and
EM’s PuP projects into a single project to be located in the K-Area Reactor Facility at the SRS and
managed by the NNSA. The project team developed a conceptual design report, including NEPA and
other documentation to support Critical Decision (CD) -1 (Approve Alternative Selection and Cost
Range), in accordance with DOE Order 413.3B. The single project will be renamed the “Pit
Disassembly and Conversion (PDC) Project.” CD-1 is expected to be approved in the 2 nd quarter of
FY 2011. As part of the preliminary execution strategy, the PDC project has been divided into four subprojects
that align with the scope and schedule associated with the program requirements. The PDC
sub-projects are: 1) stabilization and packaging (S&P) line, 2) material storage (MS), 3) infrastructure,
and 4) pit processing. Establishing these sub-projects will enhance NNSA’s ability to manage smaller,
stand-alone scopes-of-work, while still managing the interface between the sub-projects.
The current conceptual integrated project plan maximizes the combined project’s ability to support the
program requirements. One of the most significant risks associated with the current conceptual plan is
associated with receipt of the full budget requirements to support construction readiness and long-lead
procurements, associated with S&P, MS, infrastructure, and support facilities, which could further delay
the sub-projects’ start-up and operation and increase the overall program/projects risks associated with
supplying plutonium feedstock for steady-state MOX fuel fabrication. Other high risks identified are
primarily associated with the sufficiency of skilled engineering, construction resources, and NQA-1
suppliers for all sub-projects as well as technology maturity for pit processing sub-project and
construction within a secure operating facility. For each of these risks, the project has identified and is
managing risk mitigation strategies.
An integrated conceptual project execution plan has been developed. The funding profile for future
years will be updated when the estimates are validated and a baseline has been approved as part of the
critical decision process. As a result, all funding estimates shown in this PDS are unvalidated. As the
project design continues to mature in FY 2011, and upon approval of CD-1, construction funds may be
needed in FY 2012 to support MS and S&P activities such as long-lead procurements and demolition
and removal.
Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation/
Fissile Materials Disposition/
99-D-141-01, Pit Disassembly and
Conversion FY 2012 Congressional Budget
Page 412