OVERVIEW OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY MASTER SAFEGUARDS AND SECURITY AGREEMENT PROGRAM

The Master Safeguards and Security Agreement establishes a contract between the U.S. Department of Energy-Headquarters and a U.S. Department of Energy regional Operations Office regarding pro- tection strategies, protection system performance, and acceptability of risks for U.S. Department of Energy Safeguards and Security interests at a facility or site. An approved Master Safeguards and Security Agreement defines the protection system performance baseline for evaluations, inspections, and audits, and can introduce exceptions to U.S. Department of Energy orders. Responsibilities and authorities for development and approval of a Master Safeguards and Security Agreement are outlined in U.S. Department of Energy Order 5630.13, \"Master Safeguards and Security Agreement\" and U.S. Department of Energy Order 5630.xx, \"Safeguards and Security Planning Program\" (draft). To date, 14 Master Safeguards and Security Agreements have been approved by the U.S. Department of Energy-Headquarters and about 34 are in preparation or review. A total of approxi- mately 50 are anticipated before completion of the program. The Master Safeguards and Security Agreement program has been positively received by both the U.S. Department of Energy-Headquarters and the U.S. Department of Energy Operations Offices, because it provides visibility as to the effective- ness of Safeguards and Security protection systems and affords a sensible foundation for security planning based on risk.