Vit Plant Supplier Quality

At the Vit Plant, quality is a common topic. We must produce a high-quality Vit Plant. But what does high-quality really mean on a unique project like this?

One major component of quality deals with requirements. Requirements come from multiple sources, including the contract with the Department of Energy (DOE), our authorization basis documents, codes, and standards.

For each product, the correct requirements must first be identified and then the design must meet them. Those requirements must then be communicated to all our suppliers and their sub-suppliers, and included in procurement documents for each product we need.

The resulting products will be verified by a Vit Plant Supplier Quality representative upon receipt, stored, maintained, installed and eventually, started-up properly.

The project records must show that the correct requirements were used to design, procure, construct, and commission each component of the plant. Records must show that procedures were followed in all phases of the plant’s development. Records will play a major role in receiving approval to start commissioning. If the paperwork is not right, the plant will not be allowed to run, regardless of how well it is built.

Resources:

** DO NOT REMOVE. This supplier training module was developed and posted in accordance with MIP-60, Supplier Package Preparation Training. Reference: Noncompliance Tracking System (NTS) commitment NTS-ORP-BNRP-RRPWTP-2012-0003, Seq #23; 24590-WTP-PIER-MGT-12-0598-A, Action 36.

Quality Assurance Programs

The Vit Plant is building facilities which process or will process nuclear and chemical materials. As a nuclear facility, equipment and services provided must comply with quality assurance program requirements commensurate with the applicable level of safety. The quality assurance program requirements range from nuclear programs (ASME NQA-1 2000 including supplements, NQA-2a part 2.7, DOE-RW-0333P QARD Rev 10 and DOE O 414.1C) to industrial programs (ISO-9000 and ASME Section VIII) and commercial quality practices. The philosophy is to specify technical requirements and applicable quality criteria based on the safety classification and operational reliability needs. Specific requirements will be detailed in each solicitation.

Procurements are categorized as Safety Related or Q-List (QL), Non-Safety Related (CM), and when necessary, Commercial Dedicated (CD). Safety Related (QL) procurements require quality assurance programs that are implemented, functioning, and verifiable. NQA-1 2000 is the baseline for QL procurements. For Non-Safety Related (CM) items, where equipment operational reliability is important, appropriate "industry standard" quality systems may be necessary. DOE O 414.1C is the baseline for CM procurements.

Suppliers of equipment and services will be evaluated and qualified based in part on the order applicable quality program requirements. Where needed, quality program documentation will be requested, evaluated, and verified. For QL procurements, onsite program audits and monitoring will likely be performed prior to and/or during the period of the procurement.

Click to view the Vit Plant general specifications for:

ASME NQA-1-2000, Quality Assurance Program Requirements for Nuclear Facilities, is still in print and copies may be ordered directly from the ASME website or toll free number below. Copyright information is available on the ASME website.

Implementing NQA-1 programs

The guide below is a reference tool to aid the supplier in implementing their NQA-1 programs. It's intended to be used by primary chain functions, to include supplier's general management, contract administration, engineering, procurement, production, and quality assurance. This guide provides current information and significant Vit Plant lessons learned through interaction with the Vit Plant supply chain, including frequently asked questions (FAQs) and good practice examples on the subject of nuclear quality assurance.

24590-WTP-GPG-AS-0023, Effective Supplier Nuclear QA Practices

Procurement Suspect/Counterfeit Item Programs

Bechtel is committed to effective controls for the prevention, detection, and disposition of Suspect/Counterfeit Items (S/CI) to mitigate any potential safety threat in the operating complex.

The underlying principle in procurement is that suppliers demonstrate they are capable of delivering items conforming to specified requirements.

Suppliers are required to assure that suspect or counterfeit materials are not provided as part of the material or product for delivery under any agreement pertaining to the Vit Plant.

Bechtel will inspect material for attributes common to S/CI by personnel who are trained to recognize S/CI. All S/CI discovered are the supplier's responsibility and must be replaced with items free from any suspect or counterfeit condition.

Please familiarize yourself with the information found on the Suspect/Counterfeit Items webpage.

Supplier Quality Contacts

Supplier Quality Programs: Don Whelan - dkwhelan@bechtel.com

Quality Assurance Programs: Duane Ripplinger - odrippli@bechtel.com

Suspect/Counterfeit Items: Dan Hart - dchart@bechtel.com