Nuclear Material Accountancy and Control - procurement of equipment 1st part

The overall objective of the project was to strengthen non-proliferation regime by enhancing the Safeguards system and in particular the Nuclear Material Accountancy and Control (NMAC).
It was a continuation of the activities initiated and financed from TACIS Nuclear Safety APs 2005 aimed at intensifying fight against illicit trafficking, while sustaining the NMAC of important nuclear materials flows in the civil fuel cycle, including spent fuels from Navy (submarines and icebreakers).

The purpose of this particular Administrative Arrangement signed on 16/09/2008 with JRC was to assure the procurement of the 1st batch of equipment identified under the Administrative Arrangement 116780 for the following tasks:

• TASK B, project “TEMPEST”: Establishment of testing laboratory for the VNIIA (Russian Scientific Research Institute of Automatics) for certification of NMAC instruments.
• TASK C, project “TID”: Development and introduction of modern sealing devices at Rosatom’s enterprises, Russia.
• TASK D, project “BOCHVAR”: Analytical and metrological support on NMAC to Bochvar, Russia.
• TASK E, project “ANDREAVA BAY”: NMAC applied to naval spent fuel in Andreava Bay, North West Russia.

In assuming the role of contracting authority, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) will be responsible of the implementation of horizontal activities necessary for:

• Preparation of tendering procedures and documents;
• Evaluation and contracting;
• Follow-up of commitments and payments;
• Management and overall reporting.

• The JRC supported VNIIA to request the accreditation for the test laboratory, capable of certifying NMAC instruments;
• The creation of three branch laboratories in VNIINM;
• Modern TID (Tampering Indicator Devices) system applications were developed, to be used at Rosatom's enterprises, improving NMAC system;
• Solutions for processing and management of naval spent nuclear fuel in North West Russia were developed.