Advanced Nuclear Power Plant Operations Overview Training for Regulators

1.0 Introduction

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has a requirement to train CNSC staff on a more advanced level of systems knowledge and integrated CANDU reactor operations during normal, abnormal and emergency plant conditions. The training needs to cover the common systems in multi-unit CANDU Nuclear Power Plants. The proposed vendor has an off-the-shelf training course entitled “Advanced NPP Operations Overview for Regulators” that can readily and quickly be delivered remotely.

The purpose of this advance contract award notice (ACAN) is to signal the CNSC’s intention to award a contract for these services to:

Ontario Tech University
Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science
2000 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, Ontario
Canada, L1H 7K4

The estimated value of the contract is $270,000.00 (applicable taxes are extra) for the period covering January 1^st, 2021 to April 30^th 2021. Additionally, CNSC intends to include 4 additional option years at an estimated value of $600,000 (applicable taxes extra) per option year.

Before awarding a contract, however, the CNSC would like to provide other suppliers with the opportunity to demonstrate that they are capable of satisfying the requirements set out in this ACAN, by submitting a statement of capabilities within the posting period for this ACAN, which is a minimum of 15 calendar days. 

If, during the posting period, other potential suppliers submit a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in this ACAN, the CNSC may proceed to a full tendering process via the Government Electronic Tendering Service or by inviting bids directly from suppliers.

If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a statement of capabilities meeting the requirements set out in the ACAN, a contract will be awarded to the above-noted supplier.

2.0 Background

Current in-house training provides only a basic level of NPP systems knowledge, which is insufficient to train newer employees to adequately perform the duties in several divisions who have NPP responsibilities. The CNSC has reviewed the training needs of each area.

Therefore training is required that covers a more advanced level of systems knowledge and integrated plant operations during normal, abnormal and emergency plant conditions. To ensure training is successful, the provision and use of CANDU desk-top simulator software specific to Darlington NGS is essential. Given the current pandemic, the CNSC also requires that the training be conducted using remote-learning technology.

3.0 Objectives

This contract will provide for the delivery of eight, training modules of “Advanced NPP Operations Overview Training for Regulators”, spread over the months of January 2021 to April 2021. This training will provide advanced NPP operational training that will enable CNSC staff to confidently perform their duties as they relate to their CNSC responsibilities in oversight of NPP certification examinations or other CNSC responsibilities. This training will provide real-time simulated NPP integrated plant operations experience for CNSC trainees during normal, abnormal and emergency plant conditions. Ontario Tech University can provide the necessary NPP desk-top simulation software which will provide for the required practice using real-time simulated CANDU plant operations during normal, abnormal and emergency plant conditions. The contractor must also provide this training using proven on-line training systems.

4.0 Scope of Work

The training would consist of the delivery of eight, training modules providing the training (a subset of the existing training from Ontario Tech University’s “Advanced Operations Overview for Managers”), on an as and when requested basis. Ontario Tech University has a roster of uniquely qualified instructors that are previously certified CANDU NPP Shift Managers and the provision and use of CANDU desk-top simulator (specific to Darlington NGS) software. This training will follow the same course objectives as the previous training delivered to CNSC staff in the period 2017-2019.

5.0 Tasks and Deliverables

The proposed contractor will deliver the following eight modules in a virtual classroom environment, and in a real classroom environment once conditions permit:

5.1 Deliver CANDU Steam Supply Systems Training

• 5 days virtual classroom lecture, exercises, tests delivery
• On-line virtual delivery
• Candidates - approximately 25 CNSC staff
• Utilizing a virtual classroom environment, providing Ontario Tech University’s desk-top simulation computer program, course material, overheads, lesson plans and tests
• The training deliveries would consist of lectures, demonstrations, exercises, quizzes and tests
• Record class attendance for each day of each delivery
• Grade the tests and provide results to the project authority within one month of the end of each module.
• Assess the effectiveness of the training –course feedback forms, class pass/failure rate

5.2 Deliver CANDU Steam Utilization Systems training

• 5 days virtual classroom lecture, exercises, tests delivery
• On-line virtual delivery
• Candidates - approximately 25 CNSC staff
• Utilizing a virtual classroom environment, providing Ontario Tech University’s desk-top simulation computer program, course material, overheads, lesson plans and tests
• The training deliveries would consist of lectures, demonstrations, exercises, quizzes and tests
• Record class attendance for each day of each delivery
• Grade the tests and provide results to the project authority within one month of the end of each module
• Assess the effectiveness of the training – course feedback forms, class pass/failure rate

5.3 Deliver CANDU Control Systems training

• 5 days virtual classroom lecture, exercises, tests delivery
• On-line virtual delivery 
• Candidates - approximately 25 CNSC staff
• Utilizing a virtual classroom environment, providing Ontario Tech University’s desk-top simulation computer program, course material, overheads, lesson plans and tests
• The training deliveries would consist of lectures, demonstrations, exercises, quizzes and tests
• Record class attendance for each day of each delivery
• Grade the tests and provide results to the project authority within one month of the end of each module
• Assess the effectiveness of the training –course feedback forms, class pass/failure rate

5.4 Deliver CANDU Safety Systems Training

• 5 days virtual classroom lecture, exercises, tests delivery
• On-line virtual delivery
• Candidates - approximately 25 CNSC staff
• Utilizing a virtual classroom environment, providing Ontario Tech University’s desk-top simulation computer program, course material, overheads, lesson plans and tests
• The training deliveries would consist of lectures, demonstrations, exercises, quizzes and tests
• Record class attendance for each day of each delivery
• Grade the tests and provide results to the project authority within one month of the end of each module
• Assess the effectiveness of the training –course feedback forms, class pass/failure rate

5.5 Deliver CANDU Electric and Auxiliary Systems Training

• 5 days virtual classroom lecture, exercises, tests delivery
• On-line virtual delivery
• Candidates - approximately 25 CNSC staff,
• Utilizing a virtual classroom environment, providing Ontario Tech University’s desk-top simulation computer program, course material, overheads, lesson plans and tests
• The training deliveries would consist of lectures, demonstrations, exercises, quizzes and tests
• Record class attendance for each day of each delivery
• Grade the tests and provide results to the project authority within one month of the end of each module
• Assess the effectiveness of the training –course feedback forms, class pass/failure rate

5.6 Deliver CANDU Systems and Integrated Unit Operation Training

• 5 days virtual classroom lecture, exercises, tests delivery
• On-line virtual delivery
• Candidates - approximately 25 CNSC staff
• Utilizing a virtual classroom environment, providing Ontario Tech University’s desk-top simulation computer program, course material, overheads, lesson plans and tests
• The training deliveries would consist of lectures, demonstrations, exercises, quizzes and tests
• Record class attendance for each day of each delivery
• Grade the tests and provide results to the project authority within one month of the end of each module
• Assess the effectiveness of the training –course feedback forms, class pass/failure rate

5.7 Deliver CANDU Operational Safety and Abnormal Events Training

• 5 days virtual classroom lecture, exercises, tests delivery
• On-line virtual delivery
• Candidates - approximately 25 CNSC staff
• Utilizing a virtual classroom environment, providing Ontario Tech University’s desk-top simulation computer program, course material, overheads, lesson plans and tests
• The training deliveries would consist of lectures, demonstrations, exercises, quizzes and tests
• Record class attendance for each day of each delivery
• Grade the tests and provide results to the project authority within one month of the end of each module
• Assess the effectiveness of the training –course feedback forms, class pass/failure rate

5.8 Deliver CANDU Design Processes and Techniques Training

• 5 days virtual classroom lecture, exercises, tests delivery
• On-line virtual delivery
• Candidates - approximately 25 CNSC staff
• Utilizing a virtual classroom environment, providing Ontario Tech University’s desk-top simulation computer program, course material, overheads, lesson plans and tests
• The training deliveries would consist of lectures, demonstrations, exercises, quizzes and tests
• Record class attendance for each day of each delivery
• Grade the tests and provide results to the project authority within one month of the end of each module
• Assess the effectiveness of the training –course feedback forms, class pass/failure rate

6.0 Minimum Mandatory Requirements

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets the following requirements:

• The training program design and lesson plans provided by the contractor requires the provision and use of Darlington NGS specific CANDU desk-top simulator software. The software must be used during the courses to render real-time simulation of normal, abnormal and emergency plant conditions to enhance classroom training and provide for trainee exercises.
• Instructors require significant expertise (2 years or more) in the use of Darlington NGS specific CANDU desk-top simulator software.
• Instructors need to be previously certified Reactor Operators, Control Room Shift Supervisors or Shift Managers at a CANDU nuclear power plant (NPP).
• Instructors require a minimum of 15 years’ Operating experience at a CANDU nuclear power plant with a minimum of 10 years in main control room operations and must possess the knowledge considered essential for NPP integrated plant operations and plant emergency operations.
• Instructors must have at least 3 years’ experience in instructing advanced Nuclear Power Plant operations training for a CANDU power plant.
• When a virtual classroom requirement is needed, lectures, exercises and tests must be delivered to CNSC employees located in Ottawa and elsewhere in Ontario using distance learning technologies in place and functional within fifteen days of contract award.

7.0 Justification for the Pre-selected Supplier

Ontario Tech University has the training material (a subset of the training objectives from the University’s “Advanced Operations Overview for Managers” training that they currently deliver on campus to licensee personnel) and the qualified instructors (previously certified NPP Shift Managers). Ontario Tech University can provide the necessary NPP desk-top simulation software which will provide for the required practice using real-time simulated Darlington NGS specific CANDU plant operations during normal, abnormal and emergency plant conditions. Ontario Tech University has a legal agreement with the owner of the training material and simulator software that allows them use for education and training purposes. Ontario Tech University delivers this training on a routine basis, and has the distance learning infrastructure allowing them to move quickly to set-up an on-line version of previous in-class training. For these reasons, Ontario Tech University is in a unique position to provide this training.

8.0 Intellectual Property

No intellectual property is expected to be generated as a result of this contract.

9.0 Statement of Capabilities

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to meet the specified requirements may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the contracting authority identified in this notice on or before the closing date of this notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is December 18, 2020 at 2:00 pm (EST).

10.0 Contact Information

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed in writing to:

cnsc.solicitation-demandedesoumission.ccsn@canada.ca

11.0 Policy Information

Government Contracts Regulations: section 6(d): “only one person is capable of performing the contract.”