Vendor Performance/Obsolescence/Future Supply Chain Opportunities

Vendor Performance: This session will be a dual moderated utility/supplier open dialog addressing the various contributing factors that lead to sites being unhappy with parts quality, delivery, and other issues adverse to the supply of quality materials to nuclear facilities. Reductions in overall purchases of safety-related parts, reductions in Appendix B suppliers and a greater reliance on Commercial Grade Dedication, overseas manufacturing, and other factors all contribute to what is perceived as poor vendor performance. We need to acknowledge that improvement in this area will take work by both the utility and the supplier. In addition, given that several vendors have effectively dropped out of the nuclear supply field, to include those with Appendix B quality programs in response to demands for higher quality, a more cooperative solution must be found. Obsolescence: This session will delve into the big picture of parts obsolescence and its true impact on the nuclear industry. Is it underappreciated or maybe just overrated/ overreacted to (i.e., are we too proactive)? In other words, is it the big boogey man that many have made it out to be, or do we need to have a more realistic view of obsolescence in general? The format of the session will be panel led audience discussions regarding parts, equipment, and technology obsolescence from a broader perspective than is normally considered at other more focused conferences; and, this time the discussion will include the suppliers. Obsolescence cannot be prevented in any practical sense and must be dealt with using the various tools such as reverse engineering, re-engineering, commercial grade dedication, and design changes. But these solution paths often impact maintenance, operations, budgets, and other areas beyond the engineers proposing the solution. In short, this session will look at the bigger picture of “are we attacking obsolescence wrong?”, what does it mean to us, and what is the next path. Future Supply Chain Opportunities: This session will look at how the current industry can support our key suppliers (i.e., those that are in nuclear for the long-haul) bridge the gap in business opportunities until “carbon neutrality” and other environmental issues awaken the country to the need for more base load nuclear plants, and most likely Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This is a working session with a panel to help focus the participants at arriving at tangible proposed actions to be taken to the NSCSL (Supply Chain leadership) for additional input and broader audience. Areas to be included in these discussions are how to fill the gap during the next 10+ years before significant SMR production could begin; the role of diverse suppliers; do we need a large supplier base or should we acknowledge significant future consolidations are not only inevitable but beneficial; and, maybe even technology advancements such as 3-D printing that could positively impact current and potential vendors’ ability to provide safety related parts and equipment to nuclear utilities.

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