The purpose of the Nuclear Waste System Integration (NWSI) Program is to identify opportunities to improve the performance and reduce the cost of the civilian radioactive waste management system through improved system integration, and to assist DOE in implementing strategies to capitalize on these opportunities. To accomplish this, the NWSI program 1) assists DOE staff in setting priorities for system analyses and integration, and in defining, planning, monitoring, and implementing studies and multiproject interactions as necessary to set effective priorities; 2) identifies the potential for and feasibility of technical strategies that improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the current baseline system, including more cost-effective operating modes or systems configurations, more cost-effective and safer technologies, and safer, more reliable system and facility designs; and 3) defines and evaluates alternative system development strategies to assist DOE in formulating plans that take into account the uncertainties inherent in developing and deploying the waste management system. The NWSI Program will include direct support to DOE-HQ using staff located in Washington, D.C., although the bulk of the work will be performed by staff located in Richland, Washington.