RFI_Document_and_Drawings_-_WSSC_Water_Biosolids_Market_Research.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (121592) - WSSC Water Biosolids Market Research

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IS FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. AS OF THIS

DATE, THERE IS NO SOLICITATION PACKAGE AVAILABLE.

Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation. Any comments provided may or may not be used in a formal solicitation.

1 DESCRIPTION

1.1 WSSC Water is committed to utilizing biosolids derived products as a potential source of revenue in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations. WSSC Water seeks information from industry partners (Contractors) on opportunities to reduce operating costs and establish a reliable, sustainable, and beneficial reuse pathway for biosolids. Specifically, WSSC Water is interested in blending biosolids from our Piscataway Bioenergy Facility (Bioenergy Cake) and feedstock (water treatment residuals [WTR], sand, wood fines etc.) with the goal of improved product quality and value. WSSC Water also seeks information on Contractor’s ability to provide permitted land for the purpose of biosolids blending and product development. It is anticipated that Contractor would also be responsible for providing all resources required for staffing and operation.

Objective: Develop a product portfolio that will yield year-round demand for the Class A material while reducing costs and mitigating risks. Utilize the Class A materials to create products that expand beyond traditional land application use case, potentially including but not limited to non-traditional beneficial use.

Goals include:

• Develop a product that meets upcoming PFAS regulations

• Position WSSC Water to meet emerging biosolids trends

• Position WSSC Water to introduce other products into its portfolio

• Produce additional revenues to improve overall rate of return for WSSC Water

1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and market research purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This request for information does not commit WSSC Water to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, WSSC Water is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that WSSC Water will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in responding to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the participating party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if any is issued.

If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the WSSC Water’s E-Commerce Central website at WSSC Water Supplier Portal System. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

https://www.wsscwater.com/supplier

2 BACKGROUND

2.1 WSSC Water Biosolids Operations

WSSC Water’s Piscataway Bioenergy Facility generates approximately 60,000 wet tons (WT) of biosolids per year. Dewatered biosolids from WSSC Water’s six individual WRRFs are trucked to the Piscataway Bioenergy Facility for additional processing utilizing thermal hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion to generate a Class A biosolids product.

Piscataway Bioenergy Facility – 11 Farmington Road

Accokeek, MD 20744

WSSC Water currently utilizes a third-party contractor to haul and land apply biosolids to agricultural land. In July 2026, WSSC Water obtained its Class A Biosolids permit in Maryland.

With this permit, WSSC Water’s biosolids are now eligible for beneficial reuse applications beyond traditional agricultural land application, expanding opportunities for diversified, sustainable, and value-added uses.

PFAS. During the 2026 legislative session, Virginia and Maryland passed bills that established a tiered approach to restricting PFAS levels in biosolids. If PFOA + PFOS concentrations in biosolids are greater than 25 parts per billion (ppb), utilities may land apply biosolids at a reduced rate or blend or commingle biosolids to get PFOA + PFOS levels below the 25 ppb threshold. As of July 2026, the running annual average (RAA) concentration of PFOS + PFOA in Bioenergy cake is above the 25 ppb threshold, as shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1. Piscataway Bioenergy Facility Class A biosolids PFOA and PFOS concentrations (Dec 2024

– July 2026)

2.2 WSSC Water Treatment Residual Operations

WSSC Water’s Potomac Water Filtration Plant (WFP) generates up to 40,000 WT/year of dewatered WTR. For purposes of responding to this RFI, Contractor should assume that Potomac WTR can be made available for biosolids blending and product development.

Potomac WFP – 12200 River Road

Potomac, MD 20854

2.3 Biosolids / WTR Characterization

The Piscataway Bioenergy Facility generates an average of 60,000 WT of Class A biosolids annually. Dewatered biosolids range from 20 – 23% solids content. Chemical characteristics, including nutrients and 503 metals, for Piscataway Bioenergy Biosolids are provided for reference (Attachment B).

The Potomac WFP generates up to 40,000 WT of WTR annually. Dewatered WTR ranges from 20

– 23% solids content. Chemical characteristics, including nutrients and 503 metals for Potomac WTR, are provided for reference (Attachment B).

3 REQUESTED INFORMATION

WSSC Water seeks information from responders that addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with developing a biosolids blending and product development program.

Respondents may address all or selected subsections of Section 3 based on their expertise. WSSC Water is particularly interested in practical strategies that improve reliability, reduce costs, ensure compliance with PFAS regulations in Maryland and Virginia, and expand market options for biosolids-derived products.

Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul

PFOA and PFOS Results in Class A Biosolids (ppb) December 2024 - July 2026

PFOA Results PFOS Results Biosolids Limit

3.1 Proposed Project Site

WSSC Water anticipates that a biosolids blending & product development facility (blending facility) will be located on land owned or leased by the Contractor. The project site should be sufficiently insulated from neighboring properties so as to not result in nuisance complaints and permitted for the use of biosolids including; blending, storage, transport and all associated operational requirements.

• Describe the availability of a project site as described above for the use as a biosolids blending and product development facility.

• Describe the location and proximity to the WSSC Bioenergy Facility and describe how the location factors into operational (hauling costs).

• Describe current status of the project site including existing permits and availability.

3.2 Proposed Blending & Product Development Operations

WSSC Water is evaluating approaches for blending bioenergy biosolids with feedstocks such as WTR, sand, and wood fines to improve product quality, support beneficial reuse, and maintain compliance with PFAS regulatory thresholds. Respondents should provide clear explanations of how their proposed operations and product designs will meet these objectives.

Please address the following:

• How your organization would develop biosolids-derived products that meet regulatory limits for PFOA and PFOS.

• A conceptual description of the blending and product development facility, including proposed processing methods, anticipated product types, and expected market and distribution pathways.

• The feedstocks anticipated to be used in blending operations and a summary of their local availability.

• How Potomac WFP’s WTR could be incorporated into blending or product development processes, including any opportunities to reduce WSSC Water’s costs.

• How locally sourced, low-cost wood fines could be integrated into product development and how their use may reduce operational expenses.

• The anticipated timeline for (1) meeting PFAS regulatory requirements and (2) producing fully developed biosolids-derived products.

• Include expected minimum and preferred contract terms.

3.3 Proposed Hauling

Blending & Product Development Operations would likely involve hauling materials from several locations. Provide a description of Contractors’ ability to provide or contract for biosolids hauling services both from: (1) Bioenergy Facility to the blending Facility, (2) Potomac WFP to the blending facility, and (3) Blending facility to market. Provide examples of managing biosolids hauling operations of similar type and scale as described herein.

3.4 Estimated Costs

Provide a non-binding cost estimate range, with assumptions, for the following services.

• Hauling to project site – estimated mileage

• Tipping fee for acceptance of material at blending facility

• Capital costs

• Operating costs

• Revenue-sharing assumptions

• WSSC Water investment costs

WSSC Water anticipates that the hauling, sale and distribution of the finished product will be the responsibility of the contractor (See revenue sharing section).

3.5 Revenue Sharing

WSSC Water anticipates that the hauling, sale and distribution will be the responsibility of the contractor. Describe how a revenue sharing agreement could be arranged to refund a share of product sales to WSSC Water.

3.6 Experience

WSSC Water anticipates the blending facility will be owned and operated by the Contractor.

Provide examples / experience of operating biosolids product development facilities similar in size and scope to that described herein.

3.7 Proposed Project Delivery Methods

WSSC Water is seeking information on potential delivery and partnership structures, including public-private partnership arrangements. Each response should include a recommended project delivery method to include but not limited to:

• Project Phases

• Potential risks

• Permitting requirements

• Implementation timelines

• Allocation of responsibilities

• Clearly defined cost estimates