Special Studies and Analysis

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of River Protection (ORP) plans to award by means of other than full and open competition, pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements", to Washington State University (WSU) located in Pullman, WA. The purpose of the proposed award is to conduct research and technology testing activities to develop high-level waste (HLW) and Low-Activity Waste (LAW) glass compositions for the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant Project (WTP). This work involves the formulation and testing of prototypical HLW and LAW glass compositions to establish acceptable glass composition ranges. This work will include formulating glasses in small scale crucible melts (nominally 20-40 gram of glass) and continuous melter testing at a rate of 200-400 kilograms per day. This work is needed to support projections of HLW and LAW glass production in the WTP to support finalization of the WTP HLW Vitrification facility design. Recently, the WTP reported the need to incorporate the flexibility of feeding the LAW and HLW Facilities directly from the Tank Farms. This needed flexibility will require augmentation of the glass formulation algorithms. This proposed partitioning to the flow sheet is directly tied to the prior strategy of commissioning HLW after the Pretreatment Facility, and bringing the entire WTP to operational readiness in a shorter timeframe in the future. The outcomes of the studies are expected to significantly contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the optimal operations of the treatment plant, and may provide DOE-ORP with the opportunity to significantly reduce the cost of the WTP. The aggregate value of the contract and modifications shall not exceed $1.8 million (M) over the entire 4-year duration. WSU has an experienced and knowledgeable faculty in glass technology and has over six years of experience with the research for High Level Waste glass technology aimed at waste treatment in support of DOE's Environmental Management (EM) program coupled with a deep understanding of the principles of the vitrification process. DOE-ORP previously determined that WSU is the only institution having the glass research and operations capability to perform the contract; likewise, WSU is also determined to be the only institution uniquely capable of performing these additional in-scope services without disruption to the EM mission. Although DOE-ORP is not currently aware of other sources capable of filling this requirement, DOE-ORP invites interested small businesses to submit a Statement of Capability for DOE-ORP review. For questions regarding the technical aspects of this requirement, contact Albert A. Kruger, Glass Scientist, at +1 (555) 000-0000. For other questions regarding this planned contract action, contact Margit Larrieu, Contracting Officer, at +1 (555) 000-0000 or by e-mail: contact@example.gov.