Material Control and Accountability


Nuclear Material Measurements 
GEM has highly qualified staff with years of material control and accountability (MC&A) policy development, as well as first hand assessment and implementation experience in the area of nuclear material measurements.  This experience base includes the review and analysis of nuclear material measurement programs with focus on nuclear material receipts, shipments, and nuclear materials in inventory.  We provide technical assistance and assessment of measurement control programs including statistical models, propagation of error, measurement control programs, inventory differences and shipper/receiver differences, and the performance of measurement systems.  GEM has demonstrated experience in monitoring, analyzing, collecting, documenting, reporting, and recommending solutions to inventory differences, discard limits, and normal operating losses.

GEM provides administrative and technical support to its customers in the assessment and surveillances of nuclear material measurements programs, as well as the material control and accountability portions of MC&A. This includes development of policy and local procedures for nuclear materials management, inventory frequency, and accountability methods/procedures, as well as making recommendations to the customer for improvement. GEM has developed contractor MC&A Plans and specific implementing procedures to ensure compliance with MC&A requirements.


Material Control
GEM, with its extensive experience in the conduct of oversight reviews and assessments, can assure that appropriate material access, containment, and surveillance requirements are effectively implemented. We have developed and followed nuclear material procedures and material balance area plans in assuring appropriate control of nuclear materials in storage, in use or process, and during material transfers.

The GEM staff has experience in the investigation and resolution of nuclear material alarms.  We assess the effectiveness of planned and in-place Tamper Indicating Devices and Daily Administrative Checks, material surveillance (two person rule, etc.), and material transfer programs. GEM is well versed in the implementation, maintenance, and assessment of containment and surveillance systems to include their design, testing, and maintenance.


International Programs
GEM has been actively involved in the international safeguards of nuclear materials, participating in preparations for, and implementation of, international treaties and protocols for nuclear nonproliferation.  Our support has required us to work closely with representatives from Federal agencies, state and local law enforcement, management and operations contractors, and foreign national representatives.  This has included first hand experience with International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards requirements, Trilateral Initiative and Cutoff agreements, and other assistance to the Russian Material Protection and Accountability (MPC&A) program.

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