Request for Information WSSC Water Biosolids Market Research

WSSC Water (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission) in Maryland is requesting market research responses through an RFI on biosolids blending and product development, with white papers due November 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. The RFI is for information gathering only. It is not a solicitation, carries no commitment to contract, and provides no compensation for responses. Submissions are due at the contractor's expense.

WSSC Water seeks industry input on reducing operating costs and establishing a beneficial reuse pathway by blending Class A biosolids from its Piscataway Bioenergy Facility (Bioenergy Cake), at approximately 60,000 wet tons annually, with water treatment residuals from the Potomac Water Filtration Plant (up to 40,000 wet tons annually), sand, and wood fines. The facility sits in Prince George's County. PFAS compliance is the central technical constraint: Maryland and Virginia limit PFOA and PFOS in biosolids to 25 parts per billion, and the Bioenergy Cake exceeded that threshold as of July 2026. The attached characterization data shows elevated PFAS in the Potomac residuals, including PFOS at 0.640 mg/kg and PFHxA at 0.440 mg/kg.

Respondents must address permitted land for a blending and product development facility, availability of project sites, hauling capabilities, blending and product development operations, and revenue-sharing arrangements. The contractor would provide all staffing and operating resources. Responses should include non-binding cost estimates for hauling, tipping fees, capital, and operating costs, along with revenue-sharing assumptions, evidence of prior experience operating similar facilities, and recommended delivery methods such as public-private partnership, project phases, permitting, timelines, risk assessments, and cost allocation structures.

White papers must be Adobe PDF files limited to 20 pages and include a designated point of contact's name, address, phone, fax, and email, along with recommended contracting strategies. Proprietary information should be minimized and clearly marked. Submissions become WSSC Water property and are not returned. WSSC Water may hold industry discussions for clarification, though such meetings are not guaranteed. Future solicitations will be announced on the WSSC Water Supplier Portal at wsscwater.com/supplier, and non-response does not preclude participation in future procurements.