United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Exploratory
Research
Washington, DC 20460
EPA/600/M-89/003
March 1989
Research and Development
&EPA ANNOUNCEMENT
Application
Receipt Date:
May 1, 1989
Request for Applications
NPIR-003-89
Innovative Biodegradation Technologies for
Treatment of Hazardous Organic Wastes at Superfund Sites
I. General Background
Many hazardous waste sites have been placed on the
National Priority List for clean-up or remediation under
Superfund. A wide variety of contaminants can be found at
these sites and over a period of time may enter subsurface
aquifers and endanger the nations water supplies.
Organics are contaminants of particular concern, be-
cause large quantities occur at the sites and many are toxic
at low concentrations and refractory in the environment.
lese substances include chlorinated and non-chlorinated
solvents (e.g., methylene chloride, carbon tetrachloride and
toluene used in huge quantities in industry), preservatives
and pesticides (e.g. creosote and lindane), wastes from the
manufacture of explosives such as TNT and other sub-
stances including polyaromatic hydrocarbons and polychlori-
nated biphenyls (PCBs). A common characteristic of these
substances is that their chemical properties make them very
difficult to remove from hazardous sites using current meth-
ods. The naturally occurring microorganisms at these sites
cannot effectively degrade these toxic compounds. New
techniques are needed to accelerate biological degradation
of hazardous organics.
A. Purpose of RFA
The purpose of this RFA is to solicit proposals that will
result in the development of cost-effective methods for biode-
gradation of hazardous organic wastes at Superfund sites.
Treatment in this announcement refers to the degradation of
organic wastes, not immobilization. The research and devel-
opment projects being solicited should result in practical end
products with the potential for treating hazardous organic
wastes at Superfund sites. Biological techniques that utilize
genetically engineered microorganisms can be included in
this solicitation but will require the proposer to provide any
special clearances needed for such projects.
B. Limitations
Hazardous organic waste treatment technologies to be
considered in this RFA must meet the following require
ments:
1. The net result of the technology must be the biologica
degradation of the contaminants to reduce their toxicit}
and concentration in soil and subsurface water. Proc
esses in which the net result is to transfer contaminant?
between media or to immobilize a contaminant within i
single phase are not acceptable.
2. Providing the technology meets the definitions in state
ment 1 above, pretreatment efforts such as modificatior
of pH, addition of nutrients which improve the biode
gradability of the hazardous organic wastes are accept
able.
3. "Pump-and-treatment" processes where organic waste
pollutants are treated or removed from contaminatec
water or air after being brought to the surface will not be
considered.
II. Research Topics of Interest
Techniques which enhance the biodegradability of haz
ardous organic wastes at Superfund sites through pre-treat
ment processes are specifically solicited.
The topical areas of interest listed below are provided as
examples only and are not meant to be all inclusive:
1. microbiological process development
2. biological treatment mechanisms
3. treatment applications: soils and sludges
4. enhancement of in situ biorestoration of contaminatec
soils and subsurface water
5. aerobic/anaerobic biomineralization of toxic organics
-------
III. Special Instructions to the Applicants
A. Proposals must be for research which does not
include:
1. large demonstration projects.
2. state-of-the-art market surveys.
3. preparation of materials and documents such as
process designs or instruction manuals.
B. Proposals must include:
1. Clearly stated hypotheses and relevant experimental
questions.
2. Definition of data and analyses needed to scientifically
evaluate the hypotheses and questions.
3. No more than 30 pages (regular size type - no smaller
than elite, single or double spaced, standard 8-1/2" x 11"
pages), one side only, including application forms and all
enclosures, covers or attachments. [Proposals exceed-
ing 30 pages will not be reviewed.]
A letter of transmittal is not necessary. If one is fur-
nished, it must not be attached to every copy of the
proposal. If a letter of transmittal is attached to every copy
of the proposal, it will be counted as page 1 of the pro-
posal.
4. A budget of $200,000 or less the per year for the project
period, which should not exceed two years in duration.
IV. Mechanisms of Support
Assistance under this RFA will be through the U.S. Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency's Research Grants Program,
and limited to non-profit research organizations and educa-
tional institutions. Responsibility for the planning, direction,
and execution of the proposed research will be solely the
applicant's. Approximately 1.5 million dollars will be available
from fiscal year 1989 funds and it is estimated that 10 to 15
proposals will be supported. This RFA is for a single compe-
tition with a deadline of May 1, 1989, for receipt of applica-
tions.
V. Review Procedures and Criteria
A. Review Procedures
Applications in response to this solicitation will be re-
viewed together on a nationwide basis. The review will be
conducted by a scientific peer panel which will evaluate and
rank each proposal according to its scientific merit as a basis
for recommending Agency approval or disapproval. The
panel will be composed primarily of non-EPA scientists who
are acknowledged experts in the area.
B. Review Criteria
The applications will be evaluated using the following
criteria:
• Quality of research plan (including theoretical and/or
experimental design, originality, and creativity)
• Qualifications of principal investigator and staff including
knowledge of subject area
• Availability and adequacy of facilities and equipment
VI. Method of Applying
Application forms, instructions, and other pertinent infor-
mation are contained in the EPA Research Grant Application/
Information Kit. The kit is available from:
Mr. Donald f. Carey
Research Grants Staff (RD-675)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, Southwest
Washington, DC 20460
The original and eight copies of the application must be
received no later than close of business, May 1,1989, to be
considered. The application should be sent to the Grants
Operation Branch (PM-216F) at the above address.
VII. Staff Contact
Questions relating to this solicitation may be directed to
Mr. Donald Carey by telephone, (202) 382-7445.
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
EPA/600/M-89/003
------- |