While the Utilities Service Alliance (USA) has instituted several changes related to its Governance, Oversight, Support and Perform (GOSP) model, its core business to improve plant safety and performance, and drive economic benefit remains strong.

“We have communicated much about the ways our new GOSP model has changed the focus of USA’s operational improvement efforts and the way the alliance will drive improvement,” says John Christensen, USA Vice President of Operational Improvement. “But it’s equally important to remember the myriad benefits, services and initiatives at the core of our business which will continue into 2017 and beyond.”

• Though not comprehensive, here is a list of USA membership benefits, services and initiatives that will continue into 2017:

• USA Gap Focus and Sustainability Efforts
• KPI Entry to support the Gap Focus and Sustainability Areas (16 KPIs total)
• Aggressive Use of our Supply Chain Services and Tools including:
o Supply Chain Agreements
o Supplier Performance Monitoring (SPM) Tools
o Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Savings Reporting
o Process for adding new agreements (Initiative Proposal Summary (IPS) Review and Support
• USA Annual Executive Summit
• USA Annual Winter Supply Chain Conference
• USA Nuclear Safety Culture Assessments
• USA Mid-Cycle Assessment Support
• Shared Personnel for Outages and other key activities
• Shared Tools and Equipment
• USA Key Project Support
o Decay Heat Removal
o Cyber-Security
• USA Support of Stations in INPO Elevate, Escalate, or Recovery
• Regulatory Affairs Training and Qualification Program
• USA Valve Team support
• USA Networking Team Monthly Calls
• USA Jump-Up calls for emergent work use
• USA Board of Directors calls and meetings
• USA Site Leadership Team calls and meetings
• Monthly Fleet Performance Summary Scorecard
• USA Business Plan and Actions
• USA Communication Team Calls and Support

“The new GOSP model does not preclude individuals from reaching out and asking for help or support, either to USA or to other members of the fleet,” Christensen says. “Even though USA may not coordinate or administratively control these items, support is always available.”