THE EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM (ETP) OF THE
SUPERFUND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION (SITE) PROGRAM
RFP SITE - E01
Background
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is engaged in an
initiative called the Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE)
program. This program offers a mechanism for performing joint technology
demonstrations and evaluations or for technology development activities
between the private sector and EPA with the goal of shortening the period
between the technology readiness and actual use.
The overall goal of the SITE Program is to ensure, to the extent
possible, that innovative technologies are developed, demonstrated, and
made commercially available for the permanent cleanup of Superfund sites.
The Agency wants to replace reliance on land disposal and removal options
wherever it is technically feasible. The SITE Program consists of two
separate technology programs. The first, the demonstration program, will
place emphasis on field-scale alternative technologies which have been
successfully developed to the extent that a demonstration will lead to
commercialization. The second, the Emerging Technologies Program (ETP),
announced herein, is intended to assist in developing bench/laboratory
scale innovative technologies to the pilot-scale, so they are ready for a
successful demonstration.
Introduction
The ETP portion of the SITE program will foster the further development
of technologies or approaches that are not yet ready for field demonstration.
The goal is to ensure that a steady stream of effective technologies will
be ready to be demonstrated, thereby increasing the number of viable
alternatives available for use in Superfund cleanups. Technologies to remove,
treat or detoxify either hazardous organic, inorganic compounds (for
example toxic metals, Pb, Cr, As, Cd, Hg), or both organics, inorganics
(i.e., toxic metals) and material handling technologies are requested.
The emerging technologies program is intended to develop innovative
technologies for recycling, separation, detoxification, destruction, and
stabilization of hazardous constituents, along with technologies for
materials-handling. Candidate technologies must show promise for commer-
cialization but must not yet be at the field demonstration stage of
development. The ETP program goal is successful pilot-scale development.
Under this program, financial assistance is provided because the
private sector is often reluctant to provide all the capital necessary to
develop these technologies due to the financial risk involved with proving
the technologies. Also, many small entrepreneurs do not have the financial
resources to independently pursue development. This program provides the
framework and infrastructure to encourage development of innovative
approaches.
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The ETP will provide funding through competitively awarded cooperative
agreements to technology developers for taking promising bench-scale
technologies to the pilot scale. Cooperative Agreements are vehicles by
which the Environmental Protection Agency can enter into joint projects
with technology developers. Cooperative Agreements require contributions
from both parties. If successful scale up can be accomplished under the
ETP, the pilot scale technology can then be eligible for field evaluation
under the SITE Demonstration program. The ETP will make available to any
individual technology developer a maximum of $300,000.00 ($150,000/year).
In order to obtain second year funding, EPA will analyze and review the
project to see if significant progress has been made during the first
year.
These projects will be cooperative efforts between EPA and the technology
developer. Thus funding will be shared. EPA invites technology developers
to submit preproposals that shall provide the following information for
review purposes: 1) a technical description of the technology; 2) description
of the proposed project; 3) a summary of data results to date; 4) estimated
resources needed by the developer (funding); 5) description of company
and expertise of personnel; and 6) value of technology to Superfund
program (see Evaluation Criteria for detailed information). These prepro-
posals shall not be longer than ten pages. EPA will review all preproposals
based on technical and cost sharing considerations; thus, technically
acceptable preproposals with a higher portion of developer cost sharing
will receive a higher ranking. These preproposals will be numerically
ranked. This preproposal is the Developer's only opportunity to apply to
the Emerging Technologies Program during the first year. The Developer
must provide concise responses to all evaluation criteria factors so that
reviewers can adequately review and rank the preproposals. Those preproposals
that have not been accepted will be notified by EPA via letter. Those
whose preproposals have been ranked highest will be notified in writing
by EPA and asked to submit full proposals to EPA. Since the intent of
the SITE program is to aid in the use and thus the commercialization of
technologies at cleanup sites, all developers selected must have the
capability and intent to commercialize their technologies. The developer's
bench- and/or laboratory- scale technology must have previous test data
available which indicates success. Developers' preproposals that have been
selected will be required to submit their proposals by the scheduled
date. The Emerging Technologies Program schedule is as follows:
1. The preproposals are due to EPA on December 15, 1987;
2. The preproposals will be sent out to reviewers by December 20, 1987;
3. The Cooperative Agreement information package will be sent out with
acceptance letters by February 1, 1988. The selected Developers
will be notified by telephone during the week of February 1, 1988;
4. The full detailed proposals are due to EPA by March 15, 1988.
It is anticipated that there will be 5-15 proposals selected, depending
upon the amount of each award. Those selected will be asked to submit
full proposals. This submission will contain a detailed Project Work
Plan. The Project Work Plan shall contain a clear, detailed specification
of the work to be done, a detailed schedule, estimates of the work hour
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requirements and materials costs at the appropriate level of detail, and
a specification of the nature of any deliverable (reports, etc.). This
full proposal will be reviewed by the same review team.
General Requirements for Preprpposals
Technologies developed under the Emerging Technologies Program (ETP)
will be those applicable for removing or detoxifying hazardous organic,
inorganic compounds (for example, toxic metals) and for handling materials
at Superfund sites. Emphasis on the first three evaluation criteria is
discussed below.
1) Technologies:
a. Handling or treatment of air emissions from a site,,
whether these are organic or inorganic volatiles or
dusts, by such technologies as:
condensation
adsorption/absorption
filtration
scrubbing
chemical treatment.
b. Treatment of contained liquids, sludges, leachates and
contaminated plumes by such technologies as:
oxidation (chemical, electrochemical, etc.)
precipitation
adsorption/absorption
extraction
ion-exchange
separation (filtration, membrane techniques, steam/air-stripping)
chemical detoxification
fast-acting biochemical detoxification
biological detoxification (anaerobic and aerobic)
on-site incineration and other thermal destruction
stabilization, fixation, and encapsulation
electrokinetics.
c. Treatment of contaminated soils by such technologies as:
extraction and/or desorption of contaminant
in-situ treatment (extraction, precipitation, oxidation,
reduction,, biological treatment)
on-site incineration or other thermal destruction
methods
stabilization, solidification, fixation, or encapsulation.
separation processes (supercritical extractions)
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d. Materials - Handling Processes for:
ai r
solids
sludges
soils
pre-treatment
These classes of technologies relate to factor No. 1 in the
Evaluation Criteria for Preproposals.
2) Description of Proposed Project:
Please refer to factor No. 2 in the Evaluation Criteria for
Preproposals.
3) Summary of Data Results to Date:
The Developer has to submit sufficient bench/laboratory scale
data available to show that the technology is feasible. Please
refer to factor No. 3 in the Evaluation Criteria for Preproposals.
The developer should devote most of the written text in the
preproposal to addressing the first 3 criteria. However, failure to
address any one of the six (6) Evaluation Criteria factors will
result in an automatic rejection of the preproposal. In addition,
the technology must be applicable to problems found at Superfund
sites.
Please indicate by stamping "confidential" on any page containing
proprietary information.
Specific Requirements for Proposals for Cooperative Agreements
If your preproposal is selected and you are asked to submit a full
proposal for a Cooperative Agreement, the following shall apply:
1) Sampling and Analysis
This activity will be important in the determination of the technologies'
success. EPA has rigid requirements for Quality Assurance/Quality Control
(QA/QC) which must be followed. Since this emerging technologies
program deals with innovative technology, the developer should have
the ability to, when necessary, adapt present sampling and analysis
methods to the innovative technology. Also, sampling shall be
performed at a time when the Developer assures that the system is
functioning properly. All sampling equipment and appropriate analytical
facilities shall be furnished by the Developer. The Developer must
collect sufficient data to prove his technology viable at pilot-scale.
These results have to be credible enough to satisfy entry into the
next level of full-scale SITE demonstration requirements. Sampling
and analysis activities will include the following:
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(a) The Developer shall submit a written Quality Assurance Project
Plan (QAPP) to EPA for review and approval prior to the collection
or analysis of any samples.
(b) Each sampling program must be of adequate length to allow statistically
significant data to be collected that will yield relatively small
sampling errors.
(c) The Agency reserves the right to audit any and all work done
on the Developer's technology test project.
2) Developer's Facility - The Developer shall be responsible for providing
his own facility for the Emerging Technologies Program.
3) Developer Permits - All Federal, State and local permits necessary
for the development of the technology will be the primary responsibility
of the Developer. The Developer can use a real hazardous waste which
will require a permit, or can use a surrogate waste which does not
require a permit. In general, RD & D permits are required for treatability
testing using hazardous waste.
4) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Manual - The Developer shall
develop, maintain and update a manual of Standard Operating Procedures
(SOP) for their technology. This SOP manual shall constitute the
Developer's formal guide for operation, testing, sampling and safety.
The SOP Manual shall be reviewed and updated as appropriate.
5) Final Technical Project Report - A final project report is required for
each Emerging Technology Project. This report shall be suitable for
publication. A draft of this final project report shall be prepared
and submitted to the EPA Project Officer for technical and editorial
review within thirty (30) days after the completion of activities
identified in the Project Work Plan. The draft of this report shall
be typed double-spaced and shall include all illustrations, tables,
drawings, charts, data sheets, and other pertinent material required
in the approved final technical report. The Project Officer shall
notify the Developer of approval or rejection of draft report within
45 calendar days, citing any additions or necessary corrections.
Within 30 calendar days after receipt of notification, the Developer
shall submit to the Project Officer a single-spaced original manuscript
and five (5) copies of the approved technical report. Specifications
for the content of the report shall be provided by the EPA Project
Officer. Specifications for the format of the report shall be in
accordance with applicable EPA reports criteria for EPA's Office of
Research and Development. A project summary for each report is
required. Articles to peer-reviewed journals are encouraged.
6) Financial Potential for Commercialization - Before the Ageny makes
an award of a Cooperative Agreement with a Developer, the Agency may
request financial information from the Developer to determine if the
Developer has the financial capability to commercialize any successful
project under the Emerging Technologies Program.
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EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR PREPROPOSALS
Breakdown of Factors and Points
Factors Points
1) Technical Description of Technology 250
2) Description of Proposed Project 150
3) Summary of Data Results To Date 150
4) Estimated Resources (Funding) Needed for Test Project 150
5) Company and Personnel Experience 100
6) Value of Technology to Superfund Program 200
Total = 1,000
EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR PREPROPOSALS
1) Technical Description of Technology:
Describe and discuss the technology; indicate types of hazardous
wastes that can be destroyed or detoxified; indicate waste media,
such as water, sediment, effluent sludge, soil or air. Describe
whether it is applicable only to hazardous organic and inorganic
compounds (such as toxic metals) (specify which ones), and
whether it can be applied to mixtures of organics and inorganics.
Also describe any residuals which may be generated.
2) Description of Proposed Project:
Describe and discuss the proposed project in regard to level of
clean-up of hazardous wastes; characterization and handling of
hazardous waste control process train residues and wastes, operations,
input/output parameters, logistical and facility requirements;
indicate proposed project duration (1 or 2 years).
3) Summary of Data Results to Date:
Describe and discuss previous test experience and data results in
bench-, and/or laboratory-scale experiments. Indicate level of
success that has been achieved and indicated QA/QC parameters used
to ensure credibility of data results.
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4) Estimated Resources (Funding) Needed for Proposed Project:
Provide estimated costs for project, equipment, operations and
maintenance of technology, labor, and for sampling and analysis,
QA/QC and reporting, etc.
5) Company and Personnel Experience:
Describe the level of relevant developmental work experience of key
personnel for the proposed program. Describe and discuss the extent
to which the Developer will dedicate time of key personnel to the
proposed program.
6) Value of Technology to Superfund Program:
Provide a short description explaining the potential value of the
Developer's technology to the Superfund/Hazardous Waste Programs
and why should EPA be interested in using this technology, if proven
for the permanent clean-up of Superfund sites. Be as specific as
possible. Failure to sufficiently address this factor may result in
rejection of the preproposal.
For further information and questions concerning the Emerging
Technologies Program, please contact:
Mr. Michael I. Black
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency/HWERL
26 W. Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45268
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SOLICITATION ABSTRACT
RFP SITE-E01
THE EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM (ETP) OF SUPERFUND INNOVATIVE
TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION (SITE) PROGRAM
This portion of the SITE program will foster the further
development of technologies that are not yet ready for full-scale
demonstration. The goal is to ensure that a steady stream of more
permanent, cost-effective technologies will be ready to be demonstrated
in the field, thereby increasing the number of viable alternatives
available for use in Superfund cleanups. It is intended that this
solicitation be for the private sector whose candidate technologies
show promise. The Emerging Technologies Program will deal with
innovative technologies for recycling, separation, detoxification,
destruction, and stabilization of hazardous chemical wastes. These
emerging technologies will include but not be limited to chemical,
biological, thermal, physical, stabilization/solidification, etc.
The ETP will provide funding to technology developers through
competitive cooperative agreements for taking promising bench-scale
technologies to the pilot scale. If successful scale up can be
accomplished, the pilot scale technology can then be eligible for
evaluation under the SITE demonstration program. The ETP will make
available to any individual technology developer a maximum of
$300,000.00 ($150,000/year). In order to obtain second year funding,
significant progress must be made during the first year. These
projects will be cooperative efforts between EPA and the technology
developer. Thus funding will be shared. EPA invites technology
developers to submit preproposals that shall provide the following
information for review purposes: 1) a technical description of the
technology, 2) a brief description of the proposed project, 3) a
summary of data results showing success of the technology or process,
4) estimated resources needed by the developer (funding), 5) project
duration (1 or 2 years), and 6) description of company and expertise of
personnel. These preproposals shall not be longer than ten pages. EPA
will review all preproposals based on technical and cost sharing
considerations; thus, technically acceptable preproposals with a higher
portion of developer cost sharing will receive a higher ranking.
Only those whose preproposals have been ranked highest will be notified
in writing by EPA and asked to submit full proposals to EPA. Since the
intent of the SITE program is to aid in the use and thus the
commercialization of technologies at clean-up sites, all developers
selected to projects must have the capability to commercialize their
technologies. The SITE program is authorized under the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (PL99-499). The anticipated
closing date for responses to the RFP is December 15, 1987. Guidelines
for preparing the preproposals and evaluation criteria is available
by requesting the RFP SITE-E01. The requests must be submitted in
writing, on or before November 15, 1987, to Mr. William Frietsch,
USEPA/HWERL, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268.
The RFP's will be mailed out during the period November 1-15, 1987.
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