VXI Integrated Fuel Monitor System Training for IAEA Inspectors

1.0 Introduction

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has a requirement to facilitate training sessions for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors on the VXI Integrated Fuel Monitor (VIFM) systems currently implemented in CANDU reactors in Canada and around the world. The purpose of this advance contract award notice (ACAN) is to signal the CNSC’s intention to award a contract for these services to:

Eton Systems
15 Pinepoint Drive
Nepean, Ontario
K2H 6B1

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 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

The mandate of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is to regulate the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment, and to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Pursuant to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Government of Canada has entered into a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol (hereafter, the safeguards agreements) with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The objective of the Canada/IAEA safeguards agreements is for the IAEA to provide annual assurance to Canada and to the international community that all declared nuclear material is in peaceful, non-explosive uses and that there is no indication of undeclared material or activities. In the IAEA safeguards system, the CNSC is the State Regulatory Authority that implements these safeguards agreements on behalf of the Government of Canada.

The Canadian Safeguards Support Program (CSSP) is one mechanism used by the CNSC to fulfil its mandate on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy pursuant to the NPT. Via different projects, the CSSP provides support for the implementation of Canada’s safeguards obligations and provides resources and assistance to the IAEA in order to ensure the successful application of safeguards in Canada and the peaceful use of Canadian-exported nuclear material, technology, and equipment.

The VXI Integrated Fuel Monitor (VIFM) system was developed by the CNSC through the CSSP and consists of a series of radiation monitoring devices that support safeguards applications in CANDU reactors. As a part of the commitment to the IAEA, which has deployed these systems around the world, the CSSP provides training on their use. Besides monitoring fuelling operations, VIFM equipment is also being used to monitor spent fuel transfers to dry storage. The course material will be presented at the VIFM training course that will be delivered one to two times per year, at IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, from fiscal year 22/23 through fiscal year 24/25. As a result of the training sessions, the IAEA participants should be sufficiently trained to use the VIFM safeguards equipment installed at CANDU reactor facilities.

The VIFM course was fully designed by Canadian experts. VIFM review software with the Data Analysis Extension was used for the interpretation of VIFM signatures which is essential for the implementation of Safeguards at CANDU facilities. The IAEA has approved and implemented new software (IRAP) for the interpretation of VIFM signatures and redesign of a training material for VIFM course is required.

Support from Canadian experts for the redesign and a selection of training material and as lecturers for some specific topics during the training courses is requested due to their wide knowledge and expertise in CANDU facilities and pedagogical content knowledge.

3.0 Objectives

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has the requirement for a service provider to facilitate training sessions, twice a year for four years, for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors on the VXI Integrated Fuel Management (VIFM) system. The VIFM system consists of a series of radiation monitoring devices that support safeguards applications in CANDU reactors, in Canada and around the world. As a result of the training sessions, the IAEA participants should be sufficiently trained to use the VIFM safeguards equipment installed at CANDU reactor facilities. Through this course inspectors should get enhanced understanding of processes in CANDU facilities and safeguards measures necessary for performing their tasks.

4.0 Scope of Work

The Contractor shall, in consultation with VIFM training stakeholders from the IAEA and CNSC, update and refine as necessary, existing course material on VIFM systems installed at CANDU reactors. The Contractor shall deliver training courses to the IAEA on an annual or bi-annual basis from fiscal year 22/23 through fiscal year 24/25, as required by the IAEA.

Updating and refining course material to include:

- Revision and redesign of the presentation on CANDU Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) design, plan layout and main design features, reactor building and essential equipment, fuel handling and spent fuel transfer and storage solutions.

- Revision and redesign of presentations on VIFM, Next Generation ADAM (NGAM), VIFM detectors and their signatures.

- Incorporation of sanitized data collected by the IAEA for the workshop, to be analyzed by participants using IRAP software. IRAP software and sanitized data may be accessed by the Contractor via removable media transfer from the IAEA in Canada.

- Development of well-structured workshop to meet the objective of this course.

5.0 Tasks to be Performed

The Contractor must:

1. Consult via telephone and/or email with VIFM training course stakeholders from the IAEA and CNSC to determine delivery dates, obtain access to facilities, exercise data, and exercise-specific software, make room and training material reservations, and any other necessary arrangements.
2. Attend the two-day introductory CANDU training course which is delivered to IAEA inspectors in the days preceding the VIFM course. The Contractor must be familiar with the most current CANDU course agenda and material and be aware of any procedural or equipment changes that may affect the VIFM course.
3. Amend/modify existing VIFM course material and practical exercises as required, for example due to deployment of next generation components and software.
4. Prepare the training facility classroom in advance of course delivery by preloading the computers with the analysis software, participant materials, and data sets, and ensuring all VIFM training course demonstrations and hands-on exercises function as required.
5. Deliver the VIFM training course over three days.
6. Provide, following course completion, a trip report including recommendations for improvements to future training courses, and an electronic copy of the delivered VIFM training material.
7. Provide all services and materials in English

6.0 Deliverables

Deliverable
Start-up Meeting
Associated Schedule
No less than eight weeks prior to course delivery.
Purpose: To discuss and clarify the proposed approach, course concept, work plan and schedule to ensure achievement of the contract objectives.
Location
Via teleconference

Deliverable
Progress Meetings
Associated Schedule
To occur every three weeks after start-up meeting, unless otherwise agreed.
Purpose:
To assess the degree to which the agreed project objectives are being achieved as planned and thus to facilitate timely adjustments (if necessary) to ensure project success.
Location
Via teleconference

Deliverable
Updated Course Schedule and Course Outline
Associated Schedule
Six weeks prior to course delivery.
Format and Style Requirements:
The Contractor will consult with the IAEA training officer to determine the training session format, including but not limited to the overall daily schedule, lecture duration, training material content and hands-on exercise format. The course schedule and outline will describe in detail the topics to be covered in each module and the course overall.
Location
One electronic copy via email to Project Authority

Deliverable
Updated Workshop Material
Associated Schedule
Four weeks prior to course delivery.
Format and Style Requirements: The Contractor, IAEA and the Project Authority will agree upon workshop contents and format. Contractor will consult (via teleconference) with IAEA to make sure training material is up to date. The material will include, but is not limited to presentation decks (MS PowerPoint format), course manuals (electronic in MS Word), and handouts (electronic in MS Word).
Location
One electronic copy via email/DVD to Project Authority

Deliverable
Final Workshop (including CANDU course review, VIFM training course set-up and preparation of exercises using IAEA provided data, functionality testing, and course delivery).
Associated Schedule
FY 2022/23 – September 2022 with one additional later date possible*
FY 2023/24 – date(s) to be determined*
FY 2024/25 – date(s) to be determined*
*course offering subject to IAEA requirement
Purpose:
The Contractor will schedule one additional week in Vienna, prior to each VIFM course, to:

• Review current CANDU course agenda and material.
• In consultation with the IAEA training officer, set-up for the VIFM training course and review functionality of demonstrations, data sets and exercises.

Location
IAEA Headquarters, Vienna, Austria

Deliverable
Draft Final Report
Associated Schedule
Two weeks after final workshop delivery.
Format and Style Requirements:
As specified for final report.
Location
One electronic copy via email to Project Authority

Deliverable
Final Report and Final Course Material
Associated Schedule
Four weeks after workshop delivery
Format and Style Requirements:
The Contractor will provide a final report documenting the course, including but not limited to successes, difficulties encountered, and recommendations. Contractor will solicit IAEA input on report and submit to CNSC for review and approval. Upon review and acceptance of report by the CNSC, the Contractor is to provide an electronic copy of final report and final course material (including presentation decks, data, examples, course handouts, etc.) via DVD.

Electronic copies must be provided in a format readable by Microsoft Word with minor formatting changes. Any electronic files that cannot be read or require major formatting changes when opened are not acceptable and may be returned to the Contractor for correction. The CNSC reserves the right, at its own discretion, to have the final report printed under CNSC cover, and to distribute it publicly. Translation, CNSC report covers and the publication number will be provided by the CNSC.
Location
One electronic copy of the final report and final course material via DVD to Project Authority.

7.0 Contract Value

The estimated value of the contract is $210,000.00 CAD over three fiscal years. Applicable taxes are extra.

8.0 Minimum Mandatory Requirements

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

• Minimum of 15 years’ experience in the application and configuration of the various VIFM system components used in CANDU reactors, along with knowledge and understanding of CANDU reactor fuel transfer operations that would come from such experience
• Minimum 5 years’ experience designing and delivering training material for a technical audience, including experience training an international audience
• Undergraduate degree in the field of science or engineering or a related discipline
• Must meet all mandatory travel and indoor gathering requirements related to COVID-19 in order to safely travel internationally to IAEA Headquarters in Vienna, Austria, and deliver in-person training. At the time of preparing this ACAN, requirements include the following (subject to change according to Canadian and international requirements):
  • Fully vaccinated status for domestic and international travel departing from Canada.
  • Completion of electronic Pre-Travel Clearance form with proof of either vaccination within previous 270 calendar days prior to entry to Austria, recovery from positive case within previous 180 calendar days prior to entry to Austria, a negative PCR test result within previous 72 hours prior to entry to Austria, or negative antigen test result within previous 24 hours prior to entry to Austria.
  • Donning of FFP2 mask, or equivalent, and adhering to social distancing in various public indoor spaces in Vienna.

9.0 Justification for the Pre-selected Supplier

Eton Systems, the company that designed the original VIFM system training material, possesses advanced knowledge of the various VIFM components used in CANDU reactors including the spent fuel bundle counter, core discharge monitor, yes/no monitor, underwater bundle counter, mobile unit for neutron detection, silo entry gamma monitor and data acquisition/analysis software. The company also possesses expertise on the various component configurations utilized at CANDU reactors both within and outside Canada. Additionally, Eton Systems has extensive experience updating the associated training material as next generation components and software have been deployed, including updating the practical exercises that comprise data from the various components. Finally, the selected company has significant experience delivering VIFM training to IAEA inspectors who will utilize the associated equipment in the field in support of safeguards implementation. In summary, Eton Systems has been deemed the only supplier with the requisite background and combination of knowledge and experience necessary to fulfil the requirements of this contract.

10.0 Intellectual Property

Canada intends to retain ownership of all intellectual property arising out of the proposed contract on the basis that the main purpose of the contract is to produce a training program that will be used for the current training course and as the basis for all future training courses.

11.0 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 May 13, 2022, at 2:00 pm EDT.

12.0 Contact Information

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

solicitation-demandedesoumission@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca 

13.0 Policy Information

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