[DOE LETTERHEAD]

 

National Nuclear Security Administration

 

April 28, 2003

 

The Honorable John T. Conway

Chairman

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

625 Indiana Avenue, N.W.

Suite 700

Washington, D.C. 20004

 

Dear Mr. Chairman:

 

In your letter of March 25, 2003, to the Administrator, you expressed concern about certain Software Quality Assurance (SQA) deficiencies at the Pantex site.� We understand and concur with your position.� You further requested that within 30 days of your letter, the National Nuclear Security Administration provide you a report addressing the actions being taken to improve the SQA for the Integrated Electronic Procedures and the actions being taken to improve software quality for the Move-Right system, including independent verification and validation efforts.

 

This is a complex issue and recent problems have been encountered related to the Move-Right process.� The contractor and site office require additional time to ensure your concerns are adequately addressed.� We will provide you a response by May 27, 2003.

 

If you have any questions, please contact me or have your staff contact Jeff Underwood at (301) 903-8303 or Steve Erhart at (806) 477-6150.

 

Sincerely,

 

Everet H. Beckner

Deputy Administrator

for Defense Programs

 

cc:

J. McConnell, DNFSB

W. Andrews, DNFSB

M. Whitaker, S-3.1

D. Glenn, PXSO