1.     Task Proposal
        1.1  Task Proposal ID:    08/SAL-003                                        Date received in SPA:        2008-02-15
        1.2  Task Title:                Expert (P5) -   SAL Scanning Electron Microscopy - X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy
        1.3   Requester/Division/Section:        Donohue / NAAL / SAL
        1.4   Is this a CFE task?        Yes
        1.5   Task Category:              A
        1.6   Is this a joint task for MSSPs?        No
        1.7   Is multiple acceptance required?     No
                If 1.6 or 1.7 is yes, indicate the reason:

2.     Project:
        2.1  Project ID:                SGIM-007                                            Project Type:
        2.2  Project Title:             Environmental Sampling for Safeguards
        2.3  Project Manager/ Division / Section:            Fuhr Jr / SGIM / IDS

3.     Safeguards Requirement Identification

        3.1    What is needed, why and when:

Scanning electron microscopy combined with X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (SEM-XRF) is one of the most powerful and sophisticated analytical tools used in SC environmental analysis for the measurement of the morphology and elemental composition of uranium and plutonium-containing particles taken from environmental samples.  The Safeguards Analytical Laboratory (SAL) is replacing its 12-year old SEM-XRF instrument with a new one and requires assistance in the set-up, installation and validation of the new instrument.  The expert should perform the following activities; (1) to supervise the installation and validation of the new SEM-XRF system, (2) to further develop methods of sample preparation, (3) to optimize measurement parameters and provide guidelines for judging the quality of results and trouble-shooting instrumental problems, and (4) to develop data reduction methods to calculate, evaluate and report analytical results of routine and QC samples.

        3.2   How will the task results be used and by whom?

The task results will directly affect the quality and timeliness of SAL analytical services delivered to the department of SG and to SGIM/IDA in particular.

        3.3   Consequences if task is not performed:

Poor utilization of the new instrument costing € 600K, incomplete analysis of important samples and faulty Safeguards conclusions in case of inaccurate or imprecise data or failure to detect evidence of undeclared nuclear activities.

4.     IAEA Proposed Work Outline:

        4.1 Major task stages with timing:
        It should start as soon as possible (desirably March 2008).

1. Review of SEM specifications and IAEA requirements.  1 month
2. Measurement of test and inspection samples to understand challenges. 5 months
3. Development of procedures for improved accuracy and precision. 6 months
4. Testing and improvement of developed procedures. 9 months
5. Documentation and training of SAL personnel. 3 months

   4.2 Support Division(s) / Section(s):         NAAL / SAL                                                                            

          4.3 End User Division(s) / Section(s):       SGOA / OAC
                                                                              SGOB / OBC
                                                                              SGOC / OCC                                                                                                                                             

          4.4 Estimated duration in months:            24

5.     Safeguards Approval Process - not displayed

6.     Acceptance by MSSP(s) - under review
        6.1  MSSP(s) to which task is proposed:                Date accepted:                    Agency Task ID:
                                                                    FRA
                                                                    GER
                                                                    JPN
                                                                    UK
                                                                    USA