Minutes of the NCSX-DOE IPT Meeting on January 15, 2003

On the teleconference: Warren Marton (DOE-OFES), Greg Pitonak (DOE-PG),

Chuck Finfgeld (DOE-OFES), Gene Nardella (DOE-OFES), Jim Lyon (ORNL), John

Schmidt (PPPL), Hutch Neilson (PPPL), Wayne Reiersen (PPPL), Ron Strykowsky,

and Bob Simmons (PPPL).

Topics of Discussion:

(1) DOE Status - Warren Marton and Greg Pitonak

(a) The CR has been extended to the end of January. No firm projections on

what will happen then. For planning purposes, the Project continues to

assume a March 1st Project Start. The current "baseline" is the $73.5M total

cost/June 2007 schedule. The baseline will be updated for the PDR/EIR to

incorporated the effects of the Continuing Resolution, accounting changes

(e.g., safeguards and security costs at PPPL) and any technical changes

resulting from design and R&D activities. Generally, the Project has

continued to optimize the conceptual design, including some new concepts and

evaluation of some additional details. The value of these efforts to the

Project is a confirmation of performance improvements, refinement of risks,

and greater visibility of costs.

(b) The guidance for the FWP from DOE should be issued within the next

several weeks. PPPL should update the overall funding project profile (as

compared to that in the AEP) => less MIE project funds in FY2003 due to CR

and more funds needed in FY2004 and out years?

(c) Warren questioned whether there were sufficient funds remaining in the

PPPL and ORNL contracts in light of the extension of the CR. Both Hutch and

Jim indicated that they believed that there were sufficient funds to last

through February, but would confirm this. ACTION: Ron Strykowsky and Jim

Lyon confirm adequacy of funding and get back to Warren.

(2) Project Status - Hutch Neilson

(a) Technical progress - Hutch indicated that the design update is

proceeding based on the M50 coil design adopted just before the holidays.

He confirmed that the M50 design would be the basis for the PDR. The

advanced conceptual design is progressing well with internal project reviews

of key issue areas (e.g., poloidal break, Cu cladding, tolerances, etc.)

scheduled within the next several weeks.

(b) Prototype Contracts - The proposals for the modular coils winding form

prototype have been received - a total of 5 proposals were received and a

great deal of evaluation and interaction with the bidders has occurred. It

is anticipated that the two modular coil contracts will ready to be placed

in late January. The vacuum vessel proposals are due in late January. DOE

has requested an issue paper from the Project indicating the need to award

these prototype contracts before the end of the CR. It is anticipated that

a draft will be provided later this week.

(3) NCSX Review Discussions - Warren Marton, Hutch Neilson, and Greg Pitonak

(a) PDR - Hutch has coordinated the dates of the PDR to be the week of June

23rd - nominally June 24-27. Warren has discussed with Dan Lehman whether

his group wants to take the lead in organizing this review and Dan has

indicated that he would not become actively involved until such time that

the Project is ready to start construction. Accordingly, OFES organize the

review charter and members in consultation with the Project and PG like we

did for the PVR. John reminded all that the internal PPPL requirements for

PDRs will also have to be satisfied and that this will have to be taken into

account in the makeup and conduct of the PDR. While the PDR will

technically focus on the VV and modular coils, the entire updated cost and

schedule estimates will also be addressed in preparation for the EIR.

(b) EIR and CD-2 - The Project is tentatively planning for the EIR in July

and CD-2 in August. Due to the continuing CR, the OECM schedule for EIRs

may be slipping. ACTION: Greg and Warren interact with OECM to ensure

that a summer EIR date is scheduled.

(c) PCS Review - Greg is coordinating with DOE and other potential

reviewers. Current thinking is sometime in late February or early March

(work around FWP schedule).

The next IPT meeting will be Tuesday, February 11th, at 11:00 am.

If you have any corrections, please contact me.

Bob S.