Low Level Radioactive Waste Disposal

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking a licensed radioactive waste broker to provide comprehensive Low-Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW) processing and disposal services for the Center for Neutron Research facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The contractor must collect, package, transport, process, and dispose of various types of radioactive waste including dry activated waste, metals, aqueous liquids, dewatered bead resin, and radioactive material samples, while maintaining strict compliance with NRC, EPA, and DOT regulations. The solicitation requires contractors to complete all necessary NRC forms and manifests, provide licensed drivers, arrange transportation using commercial vehicles, and submit quarterly status updates along with final disposition notifications. The government will evaluate offers based on technical capability, past performance, and price, with technical factors being significantly more important than price. Quotations are due electronically by September 10, 2025, following an extension from the original September 4 deadline, and must include four volumes: Technical Quotation, Relevant Experience, Price Quotation, and Terms and Conditions.

This procurement is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside with no incumbent contractor identified in the documentation. The contract structure is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) arrangement with a five-year ordering period and an estimated maximum value of $2,000,000, with a minimum order consideration of $2,000 per task order. The mock task order provides specific quantities including 16 55-gallon drums of dry activated waste, 2 90-cubic-foot metal containers, and a total of 27 waste containers weighing approximately 1,764 pounds with dose rates ranging from 0.01 to 62 mR/hr. Performance will occur at the NIST Gaithersburg facility and the contractor's processing and burial facilities, with the first shipment pickup required within 90 days of award and subsequent task orders anticipated to have 12-month performance periods. The contract includes one base year with four one-year option periods, with NIST expecting approximately one shipment per year throughout the contract duration.