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STATEMENT OF WORK

Title: Low-Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW) Processing and Disposal

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) mission is to advance economic and technical excellence in the U.S.

by providing world-class neutron measurement capabilities to meet the needs of researchers from industry, academia, and government. The NCNR is a national user facility, offering thermal and cold neutron beam instrumentation for use by all qualified applicants. NCNR has a requirement for processing and disposal services for Low Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW).

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to establish a reliable, compliant, and cost-effective contract vehicle for the collection, packaging, transportation, and disposal of Low-Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW) generated by NCNR. These services are essential to maintain regulatory compliance with applicable federal and state laws—including those enforced by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Transportation (DOT)—while supporting the safe and uninterrupted operation of mission-critical research, energy, and radiological facilities.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Performance will occur at the NIST Gaithersburg, MD facility and the contractor's processing and burial facilities.

Regular Business Hours Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time, excluding Federal holidays and NIST closures.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The contract period will be for one year with four, one-year options. The first shipment pickup should occur within 90 days after award of the contract.

III. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

TASKS

Task 1: General Requirements: The contractor shall provide guidance and services for the transportation, processing, and disposal of LLRW, including:

1. Packaging, Processing, and Shipping: The contractor shall provide recommendations on packaging, volume reduction, processing, and shipping, as well as the preparation of end-burial documents. This includes transportation to the burial site and actual burial.

2. Transportation: The contractor shall arrange for transportation to the burial and processing sites. This includes all shipping, truck, and container transport charges, as well as any costs related to the contract carrier, including driver expenses, overnight costs, and demurrage where applicable.

3. Waste Processing Method: The contractor shall propose a waste processing method that meets the waste site acceptance criteria and complies with 10 CFR 61.55 and 10

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CFR 61.56. The NIST Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) reserves the right to refuse the proposed disposal method.

4. Shipping Agent: The contractor shall arrange for a shipping agent at NIST during shipments to certify compliance with all transportation requirements.

5. NRC Forms/Manifests: The contractor shall complete all required NRC Forms and manifests (e.g., NRC-540 “Uniform Low-Level Radioactive Waste Manifest”) using data provided by NIST. These details must be verified at least one week before the shipment date.

6. Regulatory Compliance: The contractor shall adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations for the shipment, processing, and disposal of LLRW.

7. Coordinate of Shipment Details: Shipment dates and times must be coordinated with NIST, the contractor, and shipping agents.

8. Documentation of Qualifications: The contractor shall provide documentation of qualifications for any personnel involved in the preparation and transport of LLRW, including DOT hazmat training certifications, commercial driver’s licenses, and medical certifications.

9. Shipping Papers: The contractor shall provide completed shipping papers, including emergency response plans, security plans, and required labels and forms per U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR 171-180).

10. Placards and Labels: The contractor shall affix all required placards and labels to the transport vehicle and packages as required by 49 CFR 171-180.

11. CDL and Safety Training Verification: The contractor shall allow NIST to verify and copy the driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) and current safety training certification card before the shipment leaves the facility.

Task 2: Waste Types and Characteristics - The contractor will process and dispose of various types of LLRW, which may include:

1. Dry Activated Waste (DAW):

Waste may include contaminated personal protective gear, absorbent paper, labware, activated samples, and contaminated equipment. The maximum on-contact dose rate is less than 100 mR/hr.

2. High Dose DAW:

Waste may include contaminated personal protective gear, absorbent paper, labware, activated samples, and contaminated equipment. The maximum on-contact dose rate is between 100 mR/hr and 5,000 mR/hr. Drum shields may be provided upon request to maintain compliance with DOT regulations.

3. Metals:

Waste may include metals that are contaminated and activated. The maximum on-contact dose rate is less than 100 mR/hr.

4. Aqueous Liquids:

Waste may include aqueous liquids that have been neutralized to a pH of 6-8, with an on-contact dose rate of less than 100 mR/hr.

5. Dewatered Bead Resin:

Waste from ion exchange columns with a dose rate of 100 mR/hr to 5,000 mR/hr. Drum shields may be provided upon request.

6. Various Aqueous Radioactive Material Samples:

These may include glass ampoules and plastic containers with various nuclides, including Sr-90, Co-60, Cs-137, I-129, I-125, Ra-226, C-14, and H-3. Some materials may require special handling and disposal due to their mixed radioactive waste nature.

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7. Low-Level Radioactive Sources:

Disposal of sources will be discussed between the contractor and the COR to determine the appropriate disposal method.

IV. CONTRACTOR MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The contractor must be a licensed radioactive waste broker and provide commercial transport vehicles with licensed drivers for the required services. All health and safety requirements for hazardous material transportation must be met.

Safety: The Contractor employee must be responsible for knowing and complying with all installation safety prevention regulations. Such regulations include, but are not limited to, general safety, fire prevention, and waste disposal.

Security: NIST is a restricted campus. An identification badge is required for access for entry into buildings and is shown to the armed Security Police when entering the campus.

Identification Badges: Contractor employees must comply with NIST identification and access requirements. Each Contractor employee must wear a visible identification badge provided by the NIST Security Office.

V. DELIVERY

1. Documentation: The contractor shall provide completed shipping papers, NRC forms, emergency response plans, security plans, shipment survey forms, and other required documentation prior to shipment departure.

2. Shipment Receipt Acknowledgment: Within one week of receipt of the shipment, the contractor shall provide a copy of NRC Form 540/541 with Block 9 signed by the consignee, acknowledging receipt of the LLRW.

3. Processing and Disposal Status Updates: The contractor shall provide quarterly updates until all LLRW has been processed and disposed of. These reports may be submitted electronically.

4. Final Disposition Notification: Within 30 days of completing the disposal, the contractor shall provide a final notification to the COR. This should include a letter or memo from the final disposal facility, along with any additional NRC Forms 540/541 if the material was shipped to multiple facilities.

VI. SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES

Deliverable Due Date

Completed shipping papers, NRC forms, emergency response plan, security plan, and other required documentation

Prior to shipment departure from NIST

Shipment receipt acknowledgment (NRC 540/541) Within one week of shipment receipt

Quarterly processing and disposal status updates Quarterly until final disposition

Final disposal notification Within 30 days of final disposal

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VII. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

The Contractor will be paid, in accordance with the payments clause in the contract, upon receipt of a proper invoice.

NOTE: Partial shipments/installation and partial invoices will not be accepted, unless other-wise requested and accepted by the Contracting Officer prior to award offer. Proposed payment schedules shall be submitted with vendor’s response to the RFQ for consideration.

VIII. ATTACHMENTS

NRC Form 540 – Uniform Low-Level Radioactive Waste Manifest – Shipping Paper

NRC Form 541 – Uniform Low-Level Radioactive Waste Manifest – Container and Waste

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