Background
The Russian Federation decided to transform and reinforce its State System of Accountancy and Control (SSAC) of nuclear materials. The kernel of this improvement was the implementation of modern SSAC approaches based on international experience.
At the basis of the new system, following the example of other national or regional systems, it was planned to have an institutional framework of laboratories giving reference and traceability to national and international measurement standards. Methodological support and training were also planned as part of the NMA&C system.
One of the areas identified as a primary need for co-operative assistance was 'Education and Training', which was, at the time, considered a very important component for the future implementation of the new approach to nuclear safeguards in Russia. Considering the large number of nuclear plants in the RF and their large size, it was expected that several hundreds of nuclear material accountancy personnel and safeguards inspectors would need to become familiar with the application of the new concepts, regulations, techniques and procedures.
The Russian methodology and training centre (RMTC) had been established to provide education and training in NMA&C for a major part of the Russian fuel cycle. It was intended that this training and education should reflect and support the objectives of the Russian system.
Contract 25661 was the fourth phase of a project to establish the RMTC. One of its objectives was to identify equipment and tools needed for the training centre and to prepare the Technical Specifications for the equipment procurement. The equipment was then procured by the EC under TACIS funding. The equipment and instruments identified by the Consultant of contract 25661 for the RMTC were:
Lot 1: Uranium Waste Drum Monitor – Segmented Gamma Spectrometer.

• One complete gamma radiation scanner system for measuring non-destructively 235U quantities of 2 - 500 g in 100 litre waste drums (400 mm diameter, 750 mm height) or plastic bags of comparable size filled with technological waste;
• PC + software for controlling the measurement and data evaluation;
• Laser printer;
• Uninterruptible Power Supply;
• Documentation, operating and maintenance manuals;
• Training of IPPE staff at Obninsk.

Lot 2: Calorimeter System for Plutonium.

• One complete calorimeter system suitable for measuring plutonium quantities in the effective power range of 0.5 to 50 W, in samples contained in canisters not less than 195 mm diameter by 345 mm high, and comprising all the necessary facilities and tools to measure, store, evaluate, analyse and print data;
• Uninterruptible Power Supply;
• Documentation, drawings, calculations, operating and maintenance manuals;
• Training of IPPE staff at Obninsk.

Objective
The equipment was contracted through competitive tendering. The call for tender was launched during August 2002 and tender evaluation was completed during the autumn of 2002. Contract negotiations led to the signature of contracts for both lots, with two separate suppliers, which were placed in August 2003.
This contract was for Lot 1.
Results
The contract was signed 12 August 2003. The equipment was delivered and installed and the Provisional Acceptance Certificate was signed on 10 May 2006. The Final Acceptance Certificate was signed on 29 November 2006.