1.     Task Proposal
        1.1  Task Proposal ID:    08/SAL-002                                        Date received in SPA:        2008-02-15
        1.2  Task Title:                Expert (P5) -   Preparation for Ultra-High Sensitivity SIMS at SAL
        1.3   Requester/Division/Section:        Poths / 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:             Environemental 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:

The secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) is one of the most powerful and sophisticated analytical tools used in SG for the measurement of the uranium isotopic composition of particles.  The new technology of Ultra-High-Sensitivity (UHS) SIMS is viewed as an important capability for the Agency to acquire.  UHS-SIMS delivers data quality on par with the most advanced particle analysis techniques currently in the NWAL, and as such will provide the Agency with a dedicated instrument for making the most sensitive safeguards conclusions.  Because particle analysis by UHS-SIMS is a very specialized application, significant effort is needed during planning procurement, and set up to ensure optimal long-term instrument performance.  SAL seeks to augment its existing SIMS resources with an expert to work on specifications, preparation of laboratory space, acceptance testing, installation and training associated with a new UHS-SIMS.  The goal of this task is to enable SAL to place an order and oversee construction of laboratory space for delivery of a UHS-SIMS by July 2010.

The expert shall play the following roles:  (1) Participation in preparation of the bid package, including specifications and design of acceptance tests.  (2) Issue requirements for design of new UHS-SIMS laboratory space and oversee the construction, (3) Perform acceptance tests at the factory and at delivery, (4) Identify and manage software modifications to provide capability equivalent to P-search, (5) Visit established laboratories to perform UHS-SIMS analysis on particle samples in order to modify existing analytical procedures at SAL for this new equipment, software, and approach. (6) Training of the staff.  In addition, there shall be interaction with the existing SAL SIMS operation to promote clear understanding of the analytical challenges involved in analysis of particle samples for Safeguards.

This task should start in the 3rd quarter of 2008, for a term of thirty months.

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

Successful conclusion of this task would generate in-house, rapid turn-around (UHS-SIMS analyses for the Department of Safeguards that are equivalent in quality to the best fission track/thermal ionization mass spectrometry data, and be sustainable for the next 20 years.

        3.3   Consequences if task is not performed:

Delay in implementation of a UHS-SIMS in SAL will hamper the Agency's efforts to improve its own particle analysis capability, which is a priority for the Department of Safeguards.  In addition, lack of NWAL capacity to generate data of equivalent quality to FT/TIMS will continue to result in delays in receiving data for particle analyses on environmental samples.  At the same time, throughput of current SIMS measurements from SAL will decrease with time due to aging electronics, vacuum and other hardware-related components.  This reduction will also aversely affect the timeliness of environmental sample analysis and evaluation.

4.     IAEA Proposed Work Outline:

        4.1 Major task stages with timing:

1. Arrival of CFE at SAL - July 2008 - July to October 2008 - Internal IAEA interactions on particle analysis techniques using P-Search software and detailed requirements of SG customer.  Start modification of detailed specifications (supplied by NIST).
2. Novermber 2008 to February 2009 - Finish detailed specifications and acceptance test plan and begin purchasing process.  Visit to NWAL lab to get latest experience with new CAMECA SIMS instrument and software.
3. March 2009 - Place purchase order for SIMS.
4. April 2009 to July 2010 -  Planning and oversight for preparation of instrument location.  Visits to other laboratories with 1280 instruments for the purpose of test particle analyses, development of robust procedure for particle analysis and data reporting; development of detailed validation plan.  Preparation of standards for acceptance testing.
5. July 2010 - Factory Acceptance Tests
6. August to December 2010 - Instrument installation, instrument validation, training of end users.

   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:            30

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:
                                                                    JPN
                                                                    SWE
                                                                    USA