Programmatic Value Determination (PVD) Process for Accountable Nuclear Material

The Programmatic Value Determination (PVD) process is a roadmap for disposition of accountable nuclear material as outlined the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Order 410.2, Management of Nuclear Materials, and DOE Order 474.2, Nuclear Material Control and Accountability. As described in the Orders, the Office of Nuclear Materials Integration (ONMI), within the U.S. DOE is responsible for nuclear materials management policy, guidance and integration of accountable nuclear material, including consolidation and/or disposition of nuclear materials. ONMI works with site-level experts, such as the Y-12 Central Scrap Management Office (CSMO), to effectively manage the Department’s inventory of nuclear materials. DOE sites that have identified nuclear material as No Defined Use are to evaluate disposition and coordinate with their Program Office and ONMI as needed. ONMI, Program Offices, and site subject matter experts, such as CSMO, often work together to determine whether the material may be used for other ongoing mission-related activities. Available disposition pathways for nuclear materials fall into the following broad categories: use at another DOE site or by a non-DOE government agency; retention for future use; sale or other authorized transfer; or disposal as waste, perhaps at a different location. ONMI coordinates this process via the PVD process. The PVD process allows DOE to evaluate available materials in light of Department mission needs. Working with the site and program material managers, ONMI regularly reviews nuclear materials with no defined use, and on multiple occasions has identified a reuse of the material. The PVD process is designed to formalize coordination between ONMI, the DOE sites, and Program Offices to ensure nuclear materials of value are not prematurely dispositioned permanently as waste; ultimately capitalizing on cost savings and enhanced mission effectiveness for the Department.