The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission intends to issue a follow-on contract for support in finalizing the emergency preparedness portion of its ongoing decommissioning rulemaking.
ICF Incorporated LLC would receive a two-year noncompetitive award for “Completion of Emergency Preparedness Decommissioning Rulemaking and Guidance,” according to a Dec. 5 procurement notice from the NRC.
Agency staff in May 2018 provided the commission with a package of proposed updates for regulations covering nuclear power plants and other production and utilization facilities making the transition from operations to decommissioning. The rulemaking addresses 14 technical areas, including emergency preparedness.
On emergency preparedness, along with other power plant operational areas, the new rules would provide a graded approach for reducing requirements as decommissioning proceeds.
The commission has not yet taken action on the rules proposal, either approval the document or directing changes by agency staff. There is no set date for a decision.
ICF is a global professional services consultant for government and commercial clients. The company has been working on the rulemaking’s emergency preparedness segment since March 2016, the procurement notice says. The company would support agency staff in updating the regulatory proposal in line with any orders from the commission.
“The contractor will assist in the organization, review, and adjudication of public comments received during the public comment period in a highly effective manner consistent with approach used for the public comments received on the Draft Regulatory Basis,” according to the notice. “The contractor shall revise the proposed rule based on adjudicated public comments and develop the final rule. Guidance and inspection procedures shall be finalized.”
The agency did not say by deadline Thursday when it expects to issue the new contract or how much it is worth.
