U.S. Department Of Energy, Idaho Operations Office, 850 Energy Drive -- MS1221, Idaho Falls, ID 83401-1563

R -- INEEL HIGH LEVEL WASTE TREATMENT DUE 082297 POC LaDonna Foster (208) 526-8698 E-MAIL: fosterlr@inel.gov, fosterlr@inel.gov. Title: Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) High Level Waste Treatment Category: Market Survey, Interest and Capability Description: The Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking Expressions of Interest and Capability regarding the treatment for disposal of low-activity and high-activity mixed (radioactive and hazardous) wastes accumulated at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant (ICPP), located at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho. These wastes were generated during spent nuclear fuel reprocessing from 1953 through 1992 and from on-going operations at the ICPP. Treatment will also include waste to be generated during future processing and decontamination and decommissioning activities. These wastes are comprised of three general types: (1) a granular solid waste or calcine that contains dissolved fission products and fuel cladding components; (2) decontamination waste comprised of liquid radioactive sodium bearing waste (SBW); and (3) liquid low-level waste produced during ongoing operations at the INEEL. Different treatment and disposal options for these radioactive wastes are being evaluated to establish a reference for ICPP Waste Treatment Facilities (ICPP-WTF). In the current concept, the ICPP-WTF are expected to perform three main functions, each in a separate facility. These three facilities include: (1) Low-Activity Waste Treatment facility to collect and treat the ongoing and future production of ICPP low-activity waste; (2) a Waste Separations Facility to process SBW and calcined waste in an effort to separate the wastes into high-activity and low-activity fractions; and (3) a High-Activity Waste Treatment Facility to treat the high activity fraction into a form suitable for geological disposal. In the current concept, low-activity waste is immobilized in an acceptable grout form while high-activity waste is immobilized in a vitrified product form. The dispositioning of radioactive waste is under a "Settlement Agreement" between the DOE, the U. S. Navy, and the State of Idaho, which directs the processing of all the SBW by the end of 2012, and the processing of the remaining waste by the end of 2035, with additional interim milestones. This Request for Expression of Interest and Capability is initiated to survey the industry's technical and financial capabilities to provide needed technologies, facilities, and services to achieve acceptable treatment and disposal of these wastes on or ahead of schedule. At the conclusion of this assessment process, the DOE will be able to gauge the industry's technical capabilities and determine the extent of the commercial industry's interest in providing these needed services. The DOE needs to assess the technical maturity that exists in the private sector to complete the different elements of the ICPP waste treatment mission. Long-range acquisition planning has been initiated and contract methods are being analyzed. The commercial industry's input is sought to supplement and finalize the acquisition strategy. Industry interest and capability may also influence the timetable for completing specific missions. Within a month, comprehensive interviews of some respondents may be requested and conducted at the INEEL site to ascertain the depth of different technical capabilities and the extent of interest. This is not a pre-qualification announcement, nor a solicitation for formal contract, but is simply an announcement of inquiry, a market survey. This request may not result in any further actions being taken by the DOE. Interested parties should provide in writing, a statement of Expression of Interest and Capabilities with a brief synopsis of potential applicable technologies for the identified waste forms, technical and organization capabilities. Submit Expression of Interest and Capabilities to the attention of LaDonna Foster at the Department Of Energy, Idaho Operations Office, 850 Energy Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401-1563. E-mail will be accepted: fosterlr@inel.gov. Technical questioncan be directed to Keith Lockie at (208) 526-0118, and contracting questions can be directed to LaDonna Foster at (208) 526-8698. Information shall be provided by close-of business August 22, 1997. (0219)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0111 19970811\R-0016.SOL)