Waiver of $500,000 Single Conference Limitation 

Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-12-12

Promoting Efficient Spending to Support Agency Operations

As Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I hereby waive the $500,000 

limitation on conference expenses prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 

Memorandum M-12-12, “Promoting Efficient Spending to Support Agency Operations,” dated 

May 11, 2012, with respect to the NRC’s annual Regulatory Information Conference (RIC), 

which is anticipated to be held in March 2014. For the reasons detailed below, I have 

determined that exceptional circumstances exist whereby spending in excess of $500,000 on 

hosting the 2014 RIC is the most cost-effective option to achieve a compelling purpose. 

The NRC’s mission is to “license and regulate the Nation’s civilian use of byproduct, source, and 

special nuclear materials to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety, promote the 

common defense and security, and protect the environment.” To support this mission and the 

NRC’s commitment to conduct its work openly and transparently, the RIC provides a unique 

forum that brings together diverse groups of stakeholders to inform them of significant policy 

decisions and regulatory oversight activities. Additionally, the RIC offers an environment in 

which NRC staff and stakeholders share relevant information, exchange views and 

perspectives, and raise concerns about the important safety, security, and policy issues before 

the agency. As we continue to learn from recent events and natural disasters, this forum is 

crucial to the mission of the agency. 

Since its inception in 1987, the RIC has grown to become one of the premier nuclear 

conferences of its kind in the world. It is widely attended, bringing together approximately 3,000 

participants from nearly 30 countries. Participants include members of the public, Federal, 

State, and local government officials; nuclear safety regulators from other nations; experts from 

the national laboratories; advocacy groups; media representatives; licensees; vendors; and 

other interested stakeholders. The technical program features nuclear experts from across the 

agency, as well as external speakers from industry, academia, public interest groups, and the 

international community. This educational conference also provides an exceptional opportunity 

for attendees to hear firsthand the views of each member of the Commission related to 

emerging regulatory issues and policy matters affecting the agency and the stakeholders. 

The face-to-face interaction with members of industry, private interest groups, and other 

stakeholders is vital and provides a breadth of opportunity to network, share ideas, search for 

solutions, and establish relationships with colleagues from around the world. The RIC is highly 

valued by both the agency and the stakeholders for its technical and educational content, and 

its continuation is strongly supported by industry as reflected in Nuclear Energy Institute’s letter 

to the NRC dated June 1, 2012 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System 

Accession No. ML12153A358). 

To successfully execute a conference with the magnitude of the RIC requires meticulous 

coordination and effective management of resources. As part of our fiscal stewardship, every 

aspect of the planning, logistics, and implementation is carefully scrutinized and monitored to 

ensure all monies are spent in the most cost effective and efficient manner. Typically, the RIC 
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contract expenses are approximately $700,000 each year which includes the conference facility, 

registration, audio visual, and onsite logistical support. The NRC also uses in-house resources 

to support the planning and logistics aspects of the conference. These support areas include: 

technical program development, Web support, design and production of conference materials, 

pre-registration, and onsite staffing. 

To obtain the best value for the Government, the NRC will hold a full and open competition for 

the RIC 2014 conference location. The statement of work requires that the location be near the 

NRC and within walking distance of the Metro line in order to greatly reduce travel and per diem 

costs for most Federal conference attendees. Additionally, the geographic location requirements 

identified in the statement of work greatly reduces travel costs for planners during the 

conference preparation phase. Being located near the NRC on the Metro line also enables 

NRC staff to attend only the conference portions that are valuable to them and to return to their 

workplaces for the remainder of each day. 

Furthermore, a location near the NRC on the Metro line allows the NRC to use its own 

headquarters facility for some of the needed additional meeting space and enables NRC staff 

and our international counterparts to take that opportunity to conduct non-conference business 

that would otherwise necessitate international travel, further reducing annual travel costs to the 

NRC. 

__X__ Approved _____ Not Approve _______ /RA/_____ 06/12/2013__

 Chairman Macfarlane Date