C -- DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT OF THE SAVANNAH RIVER SITE HIGH LEVEL WASTE SALT PROCESSING FACILITY

Notice Date

January 16, 2001

Contracting Office

U.S. Department of Energy, Savannah River Operations Office, Contracts Management Division, P.O. Box A, Aiken, South Carolina 29802

ZIP Code

29802

E-Mail Address

Click here to contact Charlene Smith via e-mail. (charlene-nmn.smith@srs.gov or william.spader@srs.gov)

Description

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Savannah River Operations Office, requested Expressions of Interest from the private sector to manage and conduct the design, construction, and start up of the High Level Waste (HLW) Salt Processing Project (SPP) at the Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina, on September 22, 2000. Following submittal of the Expressions of Interest and one-on-one meetings with the interested parties, DOE has decided to conduct a vendor forum to provide a progress update on research and development (R&D) activities currently being performed on the technology alternatives under consideration prior to the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP). The vendor forum will be conducted at Sheraton Augusta Hotel (off Interstate 20), 2651 Perimeter Parkway, Augusta, GA 30309, on Tuesday, January 30, 2001, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Background for the vendor forum is provided as follows: The SPP is a complex, large-scale project to separate key radionuclides (primarily cesium [Cs-137], strontium [Sr-90], and entrained plutonium [Pu], uranium [U], and neptunium [Np]) from highly radioactive salt wastes currently stored at SRS. After separation, the key radionuclides will be immobilized within stable glass canisters at the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) for ultimate disposal in a geologic repository. The remaining decontaminated salt solution will be sent to the Saltstone Facility and solidified as Saltstone grout for safe, on-site disposal. Three potential technologies have been identified as alternatives for salt processing. 1) Caustic Side Solvent Extraction: The Caustic Side Solvent Extraction process employs an adsorption filtration step to remove the Sr-90, U, Pu and Np from the waste with monosodium titanate (MST). The adsorption media (MST) is transferred to DWPF for incorporation into the glass. A solvent extraction process follows where a sparingly soluble organic diluent material carries an extractant that will complex with the cesium ions in the caustic salt solution. The separated cesium can then be stripped back into an aqueous phase and transferred to DWPF for incorporation into the glass. The decontaminated salt solution can then be sent to the Saltstone Facility. 2) CST Non-Elutable Ion Exchange: The CST Non-Elutable Ion Exchange process employs an adsorption filtration step to remove the Sr-90, U, Pu and Np from the waste with monosodium titanate (MST). It then removes the Cs-137 by adsorption on crystalline silicotitanate (CST) resin in an ion exchange column. The decontaminated salt solution is then solidified and disposed as Saltstone grout. The adsorption media (both CST and MST) is transferred to DWPF for incorporation into the glass. 3) Small Tank Tetraphenylborate (TPB) Precipitation: The Small Tank TPB process is based on simultaneous chemical precipitation and adsorption reactions under controlled conditions in continuous stirred tank reactors. Sodium Tetraphenylborate is used to precipitate cesium and monosodium titanate (MST) to adsorb Sr-90, U, Pu and Np. Filtration and washing is employed to separate Cs-137, Sr-90, Pu, U, and Np solids from salt solution. The solids are processed through an organic removal step then transferred to DWPF for incorporation into the glass. The decontaminated salt solution is then transferred to the Saltstone Facility to be solidified and disposed as Saltstone grout. The technologies under consideration are also being evaluated in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process in a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). Work under the contemplated contract will commence following resolution of the remaining key uncertainties associated with high technical risks and designation of a preferred alternative(s). DOE is committed to conduct a streamlined acquisition process that provides for full and open competition for the design and construction contract. It is within that spirit that the vendor forum will be conducted. The purpose of the vendor forum is for DOE to provide as much technical information as possible to potential bidders and to receive feedback and information from potential bidders prior to development of the RFP. The forum will provide detailed technical presentations of the latest R&D results, and will provide appropriate opportunity for vendor questions and feedback. Since the forum will involve detailed technical discussions, interested parties are encouraged to send knowledgeable technical personnel to the vendor forum who can appropriately engage and participate in technical feedback discussions. Participation in the vendor forum is not limited to those parties who have previously submitted formal Expressions of Interest or participated in the one-on-one meetings. In fact, Expressions of Interest in accordance with our September 22, 2000, CBD announcement may be submitted by interested parties at any time up to the proposal due date by providing requested information in writing to Charlene Smith, Contracting Officer, U.S. Department of Energy, Savannah River Operations Office, Contracts Management Division, P.O. Box A, Aiken, South Carolina 29802. DOE has established a Salt Processing Project website at http://www.srs.gov/general/srtech/spp/index.html. This website will be the sole distribution medium for the solicitation and will be used to provide acquisition information, including project background; research and development information (technology roadmaps, test plans, test reports); technology selection; specifics on the upcoming meetings; the project acquisition plan; solicitations, amendments or clarifications; and other related information. Interested firms are strongly encouraged to frequently check this website for new information. Participation in the vendor forum described in this Notice will not be a precondition to submitting an offer in response to a formal Request for Proposals issued by DOE, and advanced notice of participation is not required. This is not a formal Request for Proposals; it is a notification of vendor forum only.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010118/SPMSC004.HTM (W-016 SN50A9X3)