Nuclear supplier audits require validation against multiple layers of requirements—NRC regulations, utility standards, and site-specific criteria. An AI platform that only understands generic NRC requirements can't handle this complexity.

AuditLens AI was built to cover the full regulatory framework guiding your audit program. Here's how to create a custom regulatory knowledge base that reflects your actual requirements.

Starting Point: Pre-Loaded NRC Foundation

AuditLens AI comes configured with core nuclear regulations out of the box:

10 CFR 50 Appendix B: All 18 quality assurance criteria that establish the regulatory foundation for nuclear supplier audits.

Key Regulatory Guides: RG 1.28 (Quality Assurance Program Requirements), RG 1.33 (Quality Assurance Program Requirements for Operating Plants), and other pertinent guides.

NUREG Documents: Selected sections from NUREG-0800 (Standard Review Plan) and other NRC guidance materials.

This pre-loaded content offers immediate value. Auditors can start using the platform to verify supplier compliance with NRC requirements without any setup. But the true strength comes from customization.

Layer 1: Utility-Specific Procedures

Every utility has internal QA procedures that supplement NRC requirements. These procedures establish your organization's approach to implementing quality assurance criteria.

What to Upload:

• QA manual and implementing procedures

• Document control procedures

• Training and qualification procedures

• Corrective action program procedures

• Procurement and supplier oversight procedures

Why It Matters: When the AI understands your internal procedures, it can verify if supplier practices match both NRC requirements and your utility's approach. This helps close gaps between supplier performance and your expectations.

Example Use Case: Your utility requires suppliers to submit design changes for review before implementation—something that exceeds the NRC baseline. With your procedures stored in the knowledge base, the AI can verify whether supplier design control processes include this notification step.

Layer 2: Procurement Requirements

Your procurement team sets supplier qualification standards, performance goals, and contract terms.

What to Upload:

• Supplier qualification procedures

• Approved supplier list criteria

• Purchase order standard terms and conditions

• Supplier performance evaluation procedures

• Quality surveillance requirements

Why It Matters: Procurement requirements often specify "must-have" criteria that suppliers must meet to stay qualified. The AI can verify if supplier documentation shows compliance with these specific standards.

Example Use Case: Your procurement procedures require annual supplier self-assessments. The AI can verify whether the supplier has completed recent self-assessments and identify any corrective actions taken.

Layer 3: Site-Specific Requirements

Multi-site utilities often have specific requirements based on plant licensing, operational history, or corrective action commitments.

What to Upload:

• Site-specific QA program documents

• Plant licensing basis requirements affecting suppliers

• Site corrective action program requirements

• Unique inspection or testing criteria

• Local regulatory commitments

Why It Matters: Components designated for specific sites must satisfy those sites' individual requirements. The AI can verify adherence to site-specific criteria along with corporate and NRC requirements.

Example Use Case: One of your plants has a license condition requiring improved material traceability for certain components. The AI can verify whether suppliers providing those components have sufficient material identification and traceability processes.

Layer 4: Component Codes and Standards

Different component types require specific codes and standards beyond NRC regulations.

What to Upload:

• ASME Section III for pressure boundary components

• AWS welding codes and procedures

• ASTM material specifications

• IEEE electrical standards

• ANSI/ANS nuclear standards

• Industry consensus standards (where applicable)

Why It Matters: Component-specific requirements determine whether a supplier's capabilities match the technical scope they're qualified to provide. The AI can validate whether supplier procedures and qualifications align with applicable codes.

Example Use Case: A supplier manufactures ASME Section III pressure vessels. The AI can verify whether their quality program meets all relevant ASME QA requirements, including NCA-3800 provisions.

Managing and Maintaining Your Knowledge Base

Building the initial knowledge base is important, but keeping it updated over time is equally essential.

Regular Reviews:

• Quarterly reviews of uploaded documents for accuracy

• Annual comprehensive reviews of the entire knowledge base

• Immediate updates when procedures are revised or regulations change

Version Control:

• Track the version of each document in the knowledge base

• Keep a history of updates and changes

• Document the reasons for additions or removals

Approval Process:

• Define who can upload new requirements

• Require review before syncing updates to the AI model

• Approve documents for changes in the regulatory knowledge base

Verification:

• Periodically verify that the AI references correct requirements.

• Export parts of the knowledge base for quality checks.

• Test AI responses against known requirements to ensure accuracy.

Syncing Updates to the AI Model

Adding documents to the knowledge base doesn't instantly alter how the AI responds. Updates need to be synchronized with the AI model—a controlled process that maintains quality.

The Sync Process:

1. Upload new or updated regulatory documents to Regulation Sources.

2. Platform automatically segments documents into searchable sections.

3. Review the segmented content in the Regulation Hierarchy view.

4. Approve the updates when ready.

5. Sync the approved regulations to update the AI model.

6. Verify that the AI now correctly references the new requirements.

This controlled method prevents early updates and preserves the integrity of the knowledge base.

Practical Considerations

Start Small: Begin with NRC baseline and your most critical internal procedures. Add additional layers as you become comfortable with the platform.

Prioritize by impact: Focus first on requirements that affect the most audits. Site-specific criteria for rarely used components can be added later.

Document Clearly: Keep a master list of what's in your knowledge base, when it was added, and who approved it. This documentation supports audit defensibility.

Train Your Team: Make sure all auditors understand what's in the knowledge base and how to verify AI responses against source requirements.

Iterate and Improve: As you use the platform, you'll find gaps or opportunities to add more requirements. View knowledge base development as a continuous process, not a one-time setup.

The Result: AI That Understands Your Audit Program

A well-structured regulatory knowledge base turns AuditLens AI from a simple tool into a platform that recognizes your unique audit needs.

Benefits:

• Validations aligned with your specific regulatory framework, not generic interpretations

• Consistent application of requirements across all audit teams

• Reduced false positives from irrelevant generic criteria

• Improved communication with suppliers about specific expectations

• Complete traceability showing which requirements apply and why

Getting Started

AuditLens AI pilot participants get dedicated support to build their custom regulatory knowledge base.

• One-on-one configuration sessions

• Guidance on document selection and prioritization

• Training on the Regulation Sources module

• Support for initial uploads and synchronization process

• Ongoing assistance as you expand the knowledge base

The goal isn't to achieve perfection on day one—it's to build a knowledge base that becomes more valuable as your team uses the platform.

Join the Pilot Program

AuditLens AI was developed by a team that understands nuclear quality assurance requirements. We have worked with nuclear utilities for over 35 years, helping them modernize their technology infrastructure while ensuring regulatory compliance.

We are now using that same expertise for nuclear supplier audits.

If you're a NUPIC auditor, a utility audit team member, or a quality assurance professional looking to change how you verify supplier compliance, we invite you to join the AuditLens AI pilot program. Limited spots are available for auditors eager to shape the future of AI-assisted nuclear auditing.

Learn more and book a demo: https://www.ethany.com/auditlens_ai