National Nuclear Security Administration - GTRI - Overview

U.S. Department of Energy – National Nuclear Security Administration – Global Threat Reduction Initiative Overview: The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) International Radiological Threat Reduction (IRTR) Program is responsible for reducing the risk of radiological terrorism through international efforts to improve the control and security of radiological materials that could be used by a terrorist in a radiological dispersal device (RDD). Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the IRTR Program was launched to enhance security and control of radioactive materials globally to reduce the risk of terrorists acquiring the materials that could be utilized in an RDD device (or a “dirty bomb”). A terrorist attack using an RDD could result in high costs – both in potential human casualties, negative economic impacts, and in the clean-up efforts that would be required.

The IRTR Program is now undertaking a comprehensive plan to reduce the risk of an RDD terrorist attack by implementing the following activities:

• Enhancing security and control of RDD materials at sites in the highest risk location.
• Improving the regulatory infrastructure of countries with RDD materials.
• Working with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international community to establish international norms and standards for control and security of RDD materials.
• Locate, consolidate, secure and dispose of orphan or unwanted radioactive materials in national or regional locations.

MELE’s SBA-approved protégé, YFH provides program management support and technical consulting support from subject matter experts (SMEs) who are extremely familiar with the IRTR program projects, policies, functions, strategies, and internal workings as well as excellent historical familiarity of DOE nonproliferation programs. The YFH SME supports a number of program management and implementation activities including support for strategic planning development and implementation and project implementation support in the following areas:

• Development of performance measures and tracking system.
• Review IRTR Program project management business practices to identify improvements.
• Participate in IRTR project reviews and develop recommendations for project acceleration and improvements.
• Development of a program communications and outreach strategy.
• Identify project technical implementation best practices and recommend innovative technical approaches for IRTR projects.
• Development of an IRTR program regional consolidation strategy.
• Development of coordination strategies with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the U.S. Government agencies that undertake RDD thereat reduction activities.
• Development and implementation of a strategic plan.
• Review and analysis of relevant reports, articles, conference proceedings, and studies related to global RDD threat reduction.
• Technical and subject matter expertise for Interpol project.
• Technical expertise including system analysis and engineering support.

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