[Eicatjlab_all_personnel] [EXTERNAL] EIC Planning Update

[Yeck, Jim]

Dear EIC Project Team Members,

We are developing plans for transitioning the EIC facility into the final design and construction phase.  A key element of our strategy for delivering the EIC Line-Item Construction Project is to start construction of the Accelerator Storage Rings (ASR) by the end of next year.  The EIC Line-Item Construction Project includes subprojects:  ASR, Detector (ePIC), Interaction Region, Electron Injector, Full Capability, plus the Global project management and services.  The subprojects, added together, deliver the full scope required to meet the EIC mission, approved by DOE (see Document EIC-ORG-RPT-001).

The highest-level recommendations from the DOE 25 Independent Project Review (IPR) in January:

  *   Proceed to CD-3B
Path to baseline

  *   In advance of the next IPR, document the scope of the EIC project and gain alignment with the Program Office on mission need achievement.
  *   Develop details for the subproject strategy and work with the Program Office and FPD to conduct a focused IPR in 6 months.

There is progress to report against these recommendations.  We continue to award the CD-3A contracts as planned.  This is excellent progress.  The DOE approval of CD-3B is still pending, but hopefully will be secured within a few months.  There are ongoing productive discussions with the DOE Office of Nuclear Physics (ONP) on mission need achievement.  This involves working together to develop both a common interpretation of the mission need and the performance enabled by the EIC facility design.  The "focused" DOE IPR is scheduled for August 5-7, 2025, with a clear charge.

Preparation for the August IPR includes a "Red Team Review" to evaluate the subproject strategy on May 20-21, 2025.  The ad hoc Red Team is comprised of our standing Project Advisory Committee and two additional experts.  It is an internal review and is intended to identify strengths and weakness in our strategy and project implementation plans.   This is not a dry run for the DOE review in August, and participation is limited to the speakers and the executive management team.

Each of the subprojects will assess baseline readiness by the end of this year.  These technical, cost, schedule, and management reviews will clarify the status of the subprojects and the timeline for preparing a CD-2 quality baseline for each subproject.   Site clearing for new buildings will begin at the end of this year, supported by New York State.  Removal and Repurposing (R&R) of RHIC equipment will begin following the conclusion of RHIC operations.  ONP scheduled a review of RHIC operations and the R&R project in September 2025.  The BNL Collider-Accelerator Department will continue to maintain and upgrade the existing RHIC infrastructure and equipment required for the EIC facility.

Moving into to construction in late 2026 will increase project momentum, further engage partners, mitigate schedule, cost, and technical risks, and enhance our ability to navigate funding uncertainties.  The Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the Federal Government was extended to the end of FY2025.  We need to remain flexible and continue to demonstrate that the EIC project is worthy of the annual funding increases we continue to request.

Sincerely,
Jim Yeck
EIC Project Director
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