[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: 
[email protected].

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