[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14125-14126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7469]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Mobile Systems Certification Program
AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE), Albuquerque Operations Office (AL).
ACTION: Notice of intent to issue competitive solicitation.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy, Albuquerque Operations Office,
announces its intent to issue a competitive Federal Financial
Assistance (FFA) Solicitation Number 97AL77459 under DOE Financial
Assistance Rules, 10 CFR 600.8, for Mobile Systems Certification
Program participation. This solicitation is to assist in the
certification of Recipients to perform Contact-Handled (CH) Transuranic
(TRU) Waste Management Activities at DOE's Waste Generator/Storage
Sites and Small Quantity Sites located throughout the United States,
through the use of the Recipient's Mobile Systems.
DATES AND ADDRESSES: DOE plans to issue FFA Solicitation Number
97AL77459 on or about April 15, 1997. A copy of the solicitation can be
obtained after April 15, 1997, by contacting Mr. Lowther at the
address, telephone, fax number, or E-Mail address below. Companies who
have previously received a copy of or responded to DOE AL Draft Request
For Proposal No. DE-RP04-97AL77459 entitled ``Mobile CH TRU Waste
Management Services'' are currently on the mailing list and will be
furnished a copy of this FFA Solicitation No. 97AL77459. Applications
will be due June 12,1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Department of Energy, Albuquerque
Operations Office, PO. Box 5400, Albuquerque, NM 87185-5400, Attn: Mr.
Robert D. Lowther, Contracts and Procurement Division, Telephone
Number: (505) 845-6839, Fax Number: (505) 845-4004, E-Mail Address:
rlowther@doeal.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOE plans to issue a Federal Assistance
Solicitation for Cooperative Agreement Proposals (FASCAP) on or about
April 15, 1997. The objective of this solicitation is to (1) stimulate
the market place by having Recipients, who possess or can develop
Mobile Systems (equipment which can be attached to trailers and
transported to sites around the country) technology and capability,
apply for federal financial assistance to seek DOE's review and
certification of the Recipient's procedures, policies, and processes,
and, (2) to evaluate the Recipients' capabilities and equipment through
participation in DOE performance demonstration programs and
certification audits.
A maximum of three applicants will be awarded a cooperative
agreement. The estimated DOE funding for this Mobile Systems
Certification Program is $900,000, to be shared equally among the
selected applicants. The DOE funding is restricted to developing
procedures and its associated quality assurance plans, and for
participating in performance demonstration programs and audits. The DOE
funding cannot be used to purchase or develop Mobile Systems equipment.
Recipient cost sharing (non-federal) is highly encouraged. The DOE
Carlsbad Area Office (CAO) will administer the cooperative agreements,
which will have a project period of approximately six months with an
August 1997 planned award date.
Background
Approximately 102,000 cubic meters (contained in various size drums
or boxes) of retrievably stored, CH TRU waste and mixed TRU waste, is
in inventory at numerous sites around the country. In addition, an
estimated 38,000 cubic meters of TRU waste will be generated in the
course of continuing DOE operations. All stored and to-be-generated
defense TRU waste is destined for permanent disposal in the DOE Waste
Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) located near Carlsbad, New Mexico. WIPP is
scheduled to open in November 1997, pending receipt of regulatory
approvals from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State
of New Mexico.
In order to ship TRU waste to WIPP, sites must certify that the
waste meets WIPP Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC). Waste certification
involves the physical characterization combined with the appropriate
quality assurance documentation (records, audits, etc.) to demonstrate
that the waste complies with the standards for disposal at WIPP. The
waste must go though physical characterization performed in accordance
with the Transuranic Waste Characterization Quality Assurance Program
Plan (QAPP) on a waste stream basis and per container basis to
determine the chemical, radiological, and physical attributes of the
waste. Waste containers that do not meet the acceptance criteria
outlined in WIPP WAC will need further processing, including
repackaging for shipment in
[[Page 14126]]
the TRUPACT-II shipping containers, before disposal at WIPP.
Most sites with significant quantities of TRU waste plan to use
existing fixed facilities or open new facilities in the future to
perform these functions; however, such facilities may not be fully
operational and thus not be capable of meeting DOE's current disposal
schedule. Furthermore, small quantity sites lack the capability to
characterize, treat, package, and load TRU waste.
An alternative to using fixed facilities is the use of mobile
systems mounted on one or more trailers or portable systems which can
be transported to a site(s). These mobile systems must be capable of
characterizing, processing, repackaging, and loading TRU waste into
TRUPACT-II shipping containers. In addition to the physical
characterization and processing to be provided by these mobile systems,
the sites have a need for waste management services necessary to
certify waste to WIPP WAC requirements prior to transportation and
disposal at WIPP.
The CAO is pursuing this strategy of using mobile systems services
to offer the DOE complex substantial advantages such as:
More rapid deployment than the construction of fixed
facilities;
Greater flexibility in managing and configuring waste
preparation; and
Greater efficiencies and cost-effectiveness in waste
preparation.
The majority of drums destined for WIPP are planned for
transportation through the year 2006, with additional drum quantities
to be identified, characterized, certified, and transported through the
year 2033. However, the TRU-Waste inventory processing allocations may
be subject to change, thus enhancing the potential for additional
mobile systems processing.
Under this Mobile Systems Certification Program, a Recipient(s)
must develop procedures and plans that demonstrate its proposed
``characterization/certification process'' meets the Quality Assurance
Standards set forth by the CAO. These standards (available from CAO)
are identified in CAO's Transuranic Waste Characterization Quality
Assurance Program Plan, CAO-94-1010, and Quality Assurance Program
Document, CAO-94-1012. Additional information is available in the
National Transuranic Waste Management Plan, DOE/NTP-96-1204, and Mobile
Systems Capability Plan, DOE/NTP-96-1202.
The solicitation to be issued will include a guide for submission
of applications as well as identify the evaluation criteria, and
program policy factors. If you are interested in receiving the FASCAP,
contact Robert Lowther at the above address or telephone/fax number.
All responsible sources may submit an application, which will be
considered. The solicitation is subject to the limitations on financial
aid participation imposed by Section 2306 of the Energy Policy Act of
1992 (42 U.S.C. 13525).
Purpose
This notice is issued to announce the Mobile Systems Certification
Program solicitation.
Issued in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 18, 1997.
James G. Hoyal, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Manager for Management and Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-7469 Filed 3-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
