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PURPOSE

The purpose of the Test and Commissioning Sub-Group (T&CSG) is to promote excellence in Department of Energy (DOE) Test and Commissioning programs through sharing information, resources, knowledge, talents, applying lessons learned, and providing integrated recommendations to Department of Energy officials.

The T&CSG is a working committee whose intent is to facilitate the objectives of the Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG) as it relates to area of facility and process system Test and Commissioning Practices. The T&CSG will serve as a sub-group to Engineering Practices Working Group (EPWOG).

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the T&CSG are to:

• Operate within the EFCOG Charter and the Guidelines for Sub-Groups of EFCOG,

• Provide planning and actions necessary to ensure that the overall objectives of EFCOG are met,

• Promote, coordinate, and facilitate the active exchange of successful, i.e., effective and cost efficient, Test and Commissioning programs.

• Share practices, procedures, and lessons learned, for application to Test and other pertinent information of common interest to Test and Commissioning professionals,

• Standardize the definitions for various different phases of Test to be addressed, such as: proof of principle, vendor/factory, construction, preoperational, acceptance as well as startup,  

• Develop guidelines for application of a “graded approach” as relates to test activities,

• Provide suggestions for clarification of DOE orders and rules that interface with Test and Commissioning,

• Provide assistance, as requested, to promote the highest levels of excellence in Test and Commissioning within the DOE complex.

SCOPE

·         The Test & Commissioning subgroup will facilitate interaction with outside agencies and organizations regarding application of test and commissioning requirements, programs, methods and practices within the DOE complex.

·         The Test & Commissioning subgroup will communicate with other EFCOG groups to ensure that no duplicative work occurs.

·         The Test & Commissioning subgroup facilitate the exchange of information through workshops, working groups, written materials, and other media in order to share best practices and lessons learned.    

·         The Test & Commissioning subgroup will not lobby, advocate independent positions or try to change DOE policy.  However, best practices of test and commissioning will be discussed and suggestions for improvement will be made to the DOE as well as other M & O contractors.

ORGANIZATION

• Membership in the T&CSG is open to DOE contractors who are current EFCOG members or associate members and one or more DOE sponsor representatives.

• The Chair's term of office will be one year. Successive chairpersons will be elected by the Sub-Group. At the Sub-Groups discretion a Vice-Chairman may be elected. If for any reason the Chair is required to end this assignment prior to the designated time, the Sub-Group shall elect a new Chair.

• Membership in the T&CSG will strive to maintain a balanced membership of DOE contractor representatives for all key missions from across the DOE complex.

• A single T&CSG contact will be identified for each participating contractor to facilitate communication.

The duties of the T&CSG Chairperson include, but are not limited to, the items identified below:

• Direct the overall actions of the working group,

• Call meetings and establish teams, as needed, to carry out the objectives of the working group,

• Serve as the single point of contact for official EFCOG/EPWOG communication (This is not intended to restrict other informal communications)

• Maintain an up to date membership roster,

• Provide meeting minutes to each member of the Test & Commissioning sub-group,

PROCESS

• The T&CSG will evaluate various outside entities, such as INPO, NRC, ASME or IEEE to stay abreast of the changes and best practices of Test being used in the commercial industry, nuclear and non-nuclear, in order to better understand and communicate test programs and ideas with the subgroup.

• The T&CSG chairman and vice chairman will communicate with other EFCOG groups to ensure that no duplicative work occurs.

• The T&CSG will facilitate the exchange of information through workshops, working groups, written material, etc.

• T&CSG meetings/workshops will be held every 6 months and telephone conferences each quarter to share ongoing improvements in work management, emerging issues, best practices, quality, and regulatory concerns.

• Generally, the cost of workshop activities will be covered by the hosting contractor/facility.

• If needed, a workshop committee is authorized to assess an activity fee to cover the cost of workshop activities. 

• The goals, objectives, and the cost/benefits of the T&CSG shall be reviewed annually by the T&CSG Chair and documented in the T&CSG Annual Report to the EPWOG.

• A change to this charter requires approval from a simple majority of the active sub group membership.

 DELIVERABLES

The set of T&CSG deliverables will be as follows:

• Minutes from the workshops to be put out within one month of the workshop.

• Develop best practices related to test programs in the areas of:

  • Performance indicators

  • Human factors/resources

  • Organization

  • Management

  • Safety ISMS core functions

  • Conduct of Test

  • Qualification & Training of test personnel

• A report of key accomplishments and critical issues affecting excellence in Test & Commissioning from across the DOE complex. The report will be completed in the third quarter of the calendar year reflecting a fiscal year calendar and shall include:

  • Results of the prior year’s activities

  • Benefits derived from T&CSG activities

  • Current year goals and objectivities

  • Potential safety, quality, cost, and schedule enhancements if quantifiable.

DURATION AND COST/BENEFITS

• The T&CSG duration will continue as long as the cost/benefits and sufficient interest are shown to exist.

• At the time of formation, it is anticipated that the cost of supporting the T&CSG will be minimal.