COMMERCIAL PERSPECTIVES: 10 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE USSP

Of the various roles fulfilled by the US Support Program (USSP), one of the most important has been to ensure that products meet the IAEA's stated needs. In this role, the USSP has served to promote protection of IAEA users with respect to the safety, quality, durability, performance, effectiveness, and cost of goods and services supplied for Safeguards purposes. Since 1989, Aquila and other commercial entities have worked with the USSP to (1) engage in large scale production and technology transfer projects; (2) provide factory support and consulting services; and (3) competently address product development and field testing issues as they transpire. Essentially, the IAEA has been assured consumer choice and a competitive market through the efforts of the USSP. Citing examples from ten years of working experience with the USSP, this paper will illustrate how the USSP can be used as a model for integrating country resources to provide the best possible service to the IAEA.