NQA-1 Experience

Baker has developed and managed quality programs for more than 20 years. The NQA-1 program is the latest evolution of that quality improvement, and the short history below details that development. As a result of Baker’s successful work on projects at the Savannah River Site and the National Enrichment Facility, Baker has earned the recognition from the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Those agencies consider Baker a viable construction firm with the capability to engage NQA-1 level contracts.

Quality Program History:

The foundation of the Baker quality story can be traced back to the very beginning of the company. While programs were not structured in the early years, the company’s commitment to quality has always been strong and it has long been considered a core value. At its inception, quality was managed through a process of mentoring and coaching, and through the passionate attention to detail as displayed by the company’s founder.

Baker’s experience in the nuclear industry began a decade ago. The initial contract working under the NQA-1 quality standard was for the Mixed Oxide Fuel Facility (MOX) at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Baker’s work on this project was under the Shaw Areva NQA-1 program. Working to this quality standard proved to be very successful for Baker.

Armed with an operating knowledge and project experience with NQA-1, Baker’s senior management authorized the development of an NQA-1 Program in July of 2008. The initial NQA-1 Manual was authorized in December of 2008 and revised with all the Quality Assurance Procedures in March of 2009.

In April of 2009, Baker hired Longenecker and Associates to conduct the comprehensive program audit. This was a very rigorous audit and all audit findings/observations were successfully resolved prior to the close of the audit.

Shortly after that time, Baker was awarded a project contract where Baker was fully responsible for the project’s NQA-1 requirements. The project was the first implementation of Baker’s NQA-1 Program that began under a Compensatory Action Plan (CAP). Baker successfully completed the development of all project specific quality procedures and work instructions required by the CAP agreement. This included a specific Quality Assurance Project Document, Project Procedures, Work Instructions, Quality Control Plans, Receiving Inspection Plans, and other detailed procedural documents.

As of October of 2010, Baker has met the requirements of the CAP agreement, and is now authorized to fully implement its NQA-1 program without the need for additional CAP oversight.