Programmatic Value Determination Process for Accountable Nuclear Materials

US DOE is responsible for lifecycle management of special and accountable nuclear materials used and held at sites throughout the complex. Disposition of such materials is often complex and must be preceded by a thorough process to identify that final disposition is the best option. The Programmatic Value Determination (PVD) process is a roadmap for disposition of accountable nuclear material as outlined by DOE Order 410.2, Management of Nuclear Materials [1], and DOE Order 474.2, Nuclear Material Control and Accountability [2]. As described in the Orders, the Nuclear Materials Integration Division (NMID) within the DOE Office of Safety, Infrastructure, and Operations is responsible for nuclear materials management policy, guidance, and integration of special and accountable nuclear material, including consolidation and/or disposition of nuclear materials. NMID works with site-level subject matter experts, such as the Y-12 National Security Complex Central Scrap Management Office (CSMO), to effectively manage US DOE’s inventory of nuclear materials. US DOE sites that have identified nuclear material that is not actively being used by a US DOE program and is not being held for future programmatic use (i.e., “No Defined Use”) are to evaluate viable disposition pathways and coordinate with their Program Office and NMID as needed. Available disposition pathways for nuclear materials fall into the following broad categories: use at another US DOE site or by a non-US DOE government agency; retention for future use; sale or other authorized transfer; or disposal as waste, perhaps at a different location. NMID coordinates this process via the PVD process. The PVD process allows US DOE to evaluate available materials in light of US DOE mission needs. NMID, Program Offices, and site subject matter experts, such as CSMO, often work together to determine whether the material may be used for other ongoing mission-related activities. The PVD process is designed to formalize coordination between NMID, the US DOE sites, and Program Offices to ensure nuclear materials of value are not prematurely dispositioned permanently as waste, ultimately capitalizing on cost savings and enhanced mission effectiveness for US DOE.