RSICC CODE PACKAGE PSR-384

1. NAME AND TITLE

FORECAST V3.0: Forecast Regulatory Effects Cost Analysis Program.

2. CONTRIBUTORS

Science and Engineering Associates, Inc., Albuquerque, NM through the Energy Science and Technology Software Center, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

3. CODING LANGUAGE AND COMPUTER

C; IBM PC/AT (P00384IBMPC00).

4. NATURE OF PROBLEM SOLVED

The FORECAST program was developed to facilitate the use of the generic costing methodology. This PC program integrates the major cost considerations that may be required because of a regulatory change. FORECAST automates much of the calculations typically needed in an Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) and thus reduces the time and labor required to perform these analyses. More importantly, its integrated and consistent treatment of the different cost elements should help assure comprehensiveness, uniformity, and accuracy in the preparation of needed cost estimates.

5. METHOD OF SOLUTION

Over the past several years the NRC has developed a generic cost methodology for the quantification of cost/economic impacts associated with a wide range of new or revised regulatory requirements. This methodology has been developed to aid the NRC in preparing RIAs. These generic costing methods can be useful in quantifying impacts both to industry and to the NRC.

6. RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS

FORECAST makes several basic assumptions about data being input to the program. All costs entered are assumed to be in 1989 dollars. It is the user's responsibility to adjust costs to the 1989 base year prior to entering them into the program.

7. TYPICAL RUNNING TIME

No information on running time is available.

8. COMPUTER HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

FORECAST is written for the IBM PC and true compatibles. DOS 3.xx is required to run Microsoft Windows version 3.0. A mouse may be used but is not required. The minimum hardware requirements to run FORECAST are: 640K of memory, a hard disk and one high density 3.5 inch floppy drive, a standard IBM Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) and functional graphics monitor (monochrome or color), Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA) highly recommended.

9. COMPUTER SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

The code ran on IBM PC/AT under DOS3.0. The FORECAST code was not successfully tested when transferred to RSICC from the ESTSC in 1999. Statements in the ESTSC form "Package Test Status" dated July 8, 1992 say that it runs on Operating Systems DOS5.0 and Windows 3.0 and that Microsoft C compiler 6.0 and Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit Version 3.0 were used to create the included executable.

10. REFERENCES

a) included in package:

B. Lopez and F.W. Sciacca, "FORECAST: Regulatory Effects Cost Analysis Software Manual," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Report NUREG/CR-5595 (May 1991).

b) background information:

B. Lopez, "FORECAST Programmers Manual Version 3.0," SEA Report No. 89-461-11-A:2 (May 1991).

11. CONTENTS OF CODE PACKAGE

Include are the referenced document in (10.a) and three DS/HD diskettes which are written in DOS format and contain source code, executable module, and sample problem input and output.

12. DATE OF ABSTRACT

October 2000. The software was submitted to ESTSC in October 1991 and successfully tested July 7, 1992. The software was duplicated when transferred to RSICC and released October 2000.

KEYWORDS: COST ANALYSIS