401605 Typed for Harry Brown October 16, 1977 Walter H. Weyzen, Manager Human Health Studies Programs, OHER Walter: - Bill Brown believes that under the new DOE order on contracting authority, the best approach on the Rongelap-Uterik Agreement might be as follows: lL. DOE HQ finalize version of new agreement, but place it in the format of an amendment to the old agreement. It would then be "Modification No. 4 to contract EX-76-A-28-3159." 2. Upon coordination with the Director of PASO, Leon Silverstrom, Chief Counsel NVO, Ray Duncan, Assistant Manager for Contracts and Procurement NV, and R. Taft, Assistant Manager for Operations NV, the HQ Director of Procurement could designate Mahlon E. Gates, Manager NV, as his agent for executing this modification with the HICOM TTPI. 3. With this designation, the accounting function, accrued but unspent funds cost ceiling and the contract would be transferred to the Manager NVO. This would allow PASO to pay claims against the old agreement and the new agreement (Mod. 4) using the funds now in PASO and the $22+K now unspent in HQ. Lo will put together a redraft based on this concept and the input from the meeting and send it to you and Bill Brown for review. f would appreciate it if we can stay in contact as decisions are made on whether the above is the way you want to go. L£ not, perhaps you or Bill could let us know any alternative course you will take. 4. As a starter you may want to designate Mr. Gates as contract administrator now for the old agreement. My discussions with the contacts and accounting people led me to believe this could be easily done by memo from you as per the attached handwritten draft. Harry Brown Attachment: As stated oe