DOE/NNSA Order 414.1D

DOE O 414.1D, Quality Assurance Standards & Methods

Are you in compliance?

Ensuring Quality and Service

                One of the goals we have here at K.L. Security is to make sure you understand different laws, standards, orders and government regulations that might impact you and your business. . As part of our own QMS (being an ISO9001:2008 certified company) we continually improve our service and knowledge to help our clients meet their goals. A new DOE/NNSA order titled 414.1D could have a massive effect on any contract you have with either the DOE or the NNSA

                The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its agency; the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) issued Order 414.1D: Quality Assurance on 04-25-2011. The purpose of this order is to ensure that DOE and NNSA products and services meet or exceed customers’ requirements and expectations.  The quality will be achieved with the following principles; all the work defined by this order will be conducted through an integrated effective management system, the management support with include; planning, organization, resources, direction and control that is essential to quality assurance (QA).  Performance and quality improvement will require through, rigorous assessments and effective corrective actions.  All personal are responsible for achieving and maintaining quality and risks and adverse mission impacts associated are minimized while maximizing reliability and work performances of work products.

                To establish additional process-specific quality requirements will be implemented under a quality assurance program (QAP) for the control of suspect or counterfeit items and nuclear safety software.

                This order also cancels the previous implemented 414.1C, the cancellation of which does not, by itself, modify or otherwise affect any contractual or regulatory obligation. There are several improvements that the new order has over the old. Such as; the 10 quality assurance has been streamlined to eliminate inefficiency and redundancy.  The requirements for the Corrective Action Management Program (CAMP) have been removed to streamline and to give the field more flexibility for implementing corrective action programs. The new order also provides exemption to activities and facilities subject to regulation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from the requirements that overlap or are duplicated.

                The new order also clarifies that the training requirement for federal personnel responsible for QA and software QA oversight of defense nuclear facilities includes qualification in accordance with DOE Standard 1150-2002 and 1172-2011. It also clarifies that the new responsibilities and requirements will include all levels any organization. The order also adds definitions for the following; Corrective Action, Critical Decision 1, Design Authority, Hazard, Independent Assessment, Management Assessment, Non Reactor Nuclear Facility and Testing and the definitions for Validation and Verification have been enhanced.

                One part of the new order you should pay attention to is the Contractors Requirement Document (CRD). Vendors, contractors and sub-contractors will be evaluated in the new QA programs. That means if you sell or buy a product to or for the DOE/NNSA they will be subject to the revised regulations. You’ll have to submit a QAP to the DOE for approval within 90 days of winning a DOE contract and then implement the QAP as approved by the DOE. There are many different criterions for the new QA.  Criterions 6 and 7 are very important. They concern performance/design and performance/procurement.  Items have to be designed using sound engineering/scientific principles and appropriate standards and the use and implementation of these items must be approved and validated. Processes must be established to ensure that approved suppliers continue to provide acceptable items and services.

                A full review of DOE Order 414.1D can be found at the links provided above.

                As an ISO9001:2008 certified company; this is what we’re doing at www.klsecurity.com and www.safeandvault.com. Ensuring that all our products and services are aligned with the new order; if your company needs DOE/NNSA approved products, consider ours made to order.

We specialize in helping clients meet requirements of NQA, DOE and NNSA with data, document storage, retention and destruction with GSA Approved containers, safe, paper shredders and ioSafe hard drives where applicable.

When it comes to the storage and security of sensitive and compartmentalized documents, the Department of Energy (DOE), including National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is focused on ensuring that all products and services meet or exceed customers’ requirements and expectations.