Overview
NAVFAC relies on information management systems to manage, track, and report on the progress made by the Environmental Restoration Program (ERP).
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Process
NAVFAC’s information management systems track ERP progress, manage site-specific data and documents, and forecast project budgets and schedules. These systems work together to ensure that ERP can adequately and efficiently store, access, track, and report its data. They serve as the authoritative source of information for the work accomplished, as well as documenting future needs and funding required to accomplish programmatic goals.
Naval Installation Restoration Information Solution (NIRIS)
NIRIS is a centralized information management system to store, manage, analyze, and visualize Department of the Navy (DON) ERP data. NIRIS includes sampling and analytical results, munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) data, radiological data, land use control (LUC) inspection records, spatial data, and more. All ERP analytical data are required to be submitted to NIRIS following the Naval Environmental Data Deliverable (NEDD) standard. Various tools are available within NIRIS for Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) to query and track site data and to support overall project management. NIRIS also provides the capability to manage CERCLA Administrative Record (AR) files and other site files required for archiving documents. The NIRIS Document Review Tool was designed to streamline the process of submitting documents for internal review per Navy’s Quality Document Review (QDR) and other applicable policies. The required steps to request access to NIRIS can be found in the NIRIS Access Quick Reference Guide.
Administrative Record
Legal and regulatory requirements under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) include the establishment, documentation and management of CERCLA AR Files, Post-Decision Files (PF), Site Files (SF), and Information Repositories. The AR file for each ERP site includes key documents that form the basis for the selection of response actions and supports public participation via document review and comments. The NAVFAC Environmental Restoration Program Recordkeeping Manual provides information about documenting CERCLA cleanup efforts. The online AR files can be accessed here for ERP sites at active installations and here for Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) sites nationwide.
Normalization of Data (NORM)
NORM was established to provide financial transparency in reporting metrics and schedules to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and Congress. NORM is a web-based computer system that performs environmental site registration, cradle-to-grave tracking, relative risk ranking, cost-estimating, budgeting, and reporting functions for the DON ERP. NORM integrates and centrally maintains the information necessary to manage the program including site and activity data, site risk ranking and prioritization, and site costs. Through NORM, individual budget requirements for each ERP site are incorporated into the overall Field Engineering Command (FEC) program budget and ultimately into the total NAVFAC budget. Access to NORM is limited to DON personnel working on ERP sites.
Audit Readiness
DON ERP financial reporting is based on cost-to-complete (CTC) estimates for each ERP site as developed by DON RPMs and documented in NORM. CTC estimates must be retrievable and defensible to comply with existing legislation and to provide assurance to the public that an accurate picture is being presented in financial statements. NAVFAC must produce ERP financial information on a timely basis to facilitate annual financial reporting requirements to DON, Department of Defense (DoD), and Congress. Audits of DON ERP continue periodically and require that CTC estimates and supporting documentation be complete, accurate, properly referenced, and retrievable.
For more information, Chapter 15 of the DON Environmental Restoration Program Manual summarizes records, reporting, and information management systems.