Request for Information- Ammonium Nitrate Solution (ANSol) by-product disposition technologies

RESPONSE DATE TO THIS NOTICE IS EXTENDED THROUGH 30 APRIL 2019 DUE TO FOLLOWING QUESTION FROM INDUSTRY: Will ANSOL detonate? Answer: Pure ANSOL in and of itself has the potential to be detonatable. Therefore, the immediate answer is "Yes". However, the impurities in HSAAP ANSOL increase the power and likelihood (under proper conditions) of HSAAP ANSOL. These condition are also dependent on the moisture content of the solution being treated and whether or not it has been filtered specifically for the application. The preference of the installation is to treat ANSOL Final Sludge (35% moisture), unfiltered. However, if changes in filtration or moisture content are required for adequaate treatment in the proposed application, then the respondent shoulld make that clear. In addition, the responder should be aware that HSAAP ANSOL fails Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TLCP) for chromium most of the time. The Army Contracting Command - Rock Island, IL, on behalf of Joint Program Executive Office (JPEO) Armaments & Ammunition/Project Director Joint Services, is seeking information from industry to assist with the planning and development of a potential new requirement. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NOTICE ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP). NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. 1. Overview/Purpose/ Description of Procurement The objective of this RFI is to collect information to assist the Government in evaluating available technologies to address, by reusing or recycling, treating, and/or disposing, the ANSol byproduct of explosives production in a safe, cost-effective, timely and environmentally responsive manner. The Government anticipates that a mature technology alternative, which can be implemented on-site, can be identified to address this material. The objective of this initiative is to evaluate a technology to address, by reusing or recycling, treating, and/or disposing, the ANSol byproduct of explosives production in a cost-effective and timely manner. 2. Background The ANSol is an oxidizer whose chemical composition varies due to normal changes in production operations. The typical composition is approximately 65% ammonium nitrate, 20% amine nitrates, 12% water and 3% nitramine explosives and their decomposition products. However, the ammonium nitrate solids concentration can vary from 51 to 67%. ANSol crystalizes at ambient temperatures within this concentration range. ANSol's crystallization temperatures corresponding to this concentration range is approximately -8 degrees C to 20 degrees C, or 18 degrees F to 68 degrees F (reference the solubility curve for virgin ammonium nitrate in Shah, K. D.; Roberts, A. G., 1985: Properties of ammonium nitrate. Nitric acid and fertilizer nitrates: 171-196). 3. Scope of Effort The potential technology alternative must meet the following requirements: - A commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology. The Government understands that any identified mature technologies may require additional testing and design to accommodate this specific byproduct due to its chemical composition and physical characteristics. - Full-scale implementation by the end of FY2022 at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP). - Capacity to address up to 10M pounds per year of ANSol. - System can be operated on electric power, diesel fuel or natural gas and have a usable life expectancy of 20 years or more. - Technology must not cause emissions or discharges of hazardous materials above State or Federal standards. Include a pollution abatement system, if applicable, to comply with all environmental regulations and permit limits. - Must be explosion proof, fireproof, and weatherproof (able to withstand rain; snow; sleet; hot and cold weather.) - Must meet a minimum operational availability of 85%. - System must be OSHA compliant and meet all National Electric Codes Standards. - System must meet requirements of AMC-R 385-100, Safety Regulations and 4145.26M, DoD Contractor's Safety Manual for Ammunition and Explosives, and applicable Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC). 4. Requested Information Interested vendors are requested to provide a company capability statement, which includes the following: 1. General company description 2. Description of process technology with general layout drawings, description of effluent streams, and available emission characterization data. The technology should be a total solution that addresses ANSol as well as all by products resulting from the process. 3. Demonstrated evidence of process technology being implemented CONUS/OCONUS on similar waste stream 4. General description of capability to execute the proposed synopsis, including the ability of the process technology to comply with various environmental requirements and permits, and capacity to execute this project with other ongoing contracts 5. Evidence of demonstrated testing on energetic waste streams and/or waste(s) 6. Estimate of the required investment for capability sought. include capital equipment, installation, engineering and prove-out costs along with expected life cycle operational costs 7. If a site demonstration is required please specify location(s) where primary work will be performed prior to on-site implementation (if more than one location, please indicate the percentage for each location) 8. Major partners or suppliers 9. Provide minimum and maximum monthly production rates of past production of same or similar material 10. Respondents ability to assess environmental impacts and to assist in obtaining (or potentially obtain) operating permits in a timely manner RESPONSE GUIDELINES: Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. Submissions shall not exceed 25 pages, single-spaced, 12-point type with at least one-inch margins on 8 1/2" X 11" page size. The response shall not exceed a 5 MB e-mail limit for all items associated with the RFI response. Responses must specifically describe the contractor's capability to meet the requirements outlined in this RFI. Oral communications are not permissible. FedBizOpps will be the sole repository for all information related to this RFI. 5. INDUSTRY DISCUSSIONS: Government representatives may choose to meet with potential offerors and hold one-on-one discussions. Such discussions would only be intended to obtain further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, including any development and certification risks. 6. QUESTIONS: Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the POC Listed in this announcement. Verbal questions will not be accepted. Answers to questions will be posted to FBO. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after above response date will be answered. The Government will not reimburse companies for any costs associated with the submissions of their responses. 7. DISCLAIMER: This RFI is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals nor will any award be made as a result of this synopsis. All information contained in the RFI is preliminary, subject to modification, and is in no way binding on the Government. FAR clause 52.215-3, "Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes", is incorporated by reference in this RFI. The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this RFI. Responders to this invitation are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. This RFI will be the basis for collecting information on capabilities available. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received in this RFI that is marked "Proprietary" will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned nor will receipt be confirmed. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE IS EXTENDED THROUGH 30 APRIL 2019 DUE TO FOLLOWING QUESTION FROM INDUSTRY: Will ANSOL detonate? Answer: Pure ANSOL in and of itself has the potential to be detonatable. Therefore, the immediate answer is "Yes". However, the impurities in HSAAP ANSOL increase the power and likelihood (under proper conditions) of HSAAP ANSOL. These condition are also dependent on the moisture content of the solution being treated and whether or not it has been filtered specifically for the application. The preference of the installation is to treat ANSOL Final Sludge (35% moisture), unfiltered. However, if changes in filtration or moisture content are required for adequaate treatment in the proposed application, then the respondent shoulld make that clear. In addition, the responder should be aware that HSAAP ANSOL fails Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TLCP) for chromium most of the time.