Funding-Recovery and
Reuse of Metals from Mining-Influenced Water;
October 30, 2009
Agency
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
Description
The
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research & Development
(ORD) is seeking contractor support on a requirement entitled (Recovery &
Reuse of Metals from Mining Influenced Water). This requirement involves
removing metals from mining influenced water in a form that would allow for
reuse. The Rocky Mountains host thousands of abandoned mines with exposed
metals-laden rock. Interaction of water with these rocks has resulted in acidic
rock drainage and other environmental problems, including the potential for
severe damage to the aquatic ecosystems posing a potential threat to human
health. Water treatment facilities are in use in this region to extract heavy
metals such that water will not cause further problems downstream. However,
these treatment facilities are expensive and generate large quantities of sludge
resulting in additional mining activities to acquire these metals for new
production.
The purpose of this regional applied research effort (RARE) is to address the
challenges of removing metals from mining influenced water in a form that would
allow for reuse of the metals thus reducing operations and maintenance costs at
the mines by decreasing the volume of sludge requiring disposal. RARE projects
include a research component for this study with modifications to an existing
technology to meet the goals/objectives. Water chemistry parameters (pH,
alkalinity (low), hardness (high), ionic strength (generally high), temperature
(high altitude locations), and rapid precipitation of iron oxyhydroxides)
vary in mining-influenced watersheds, possibly causing an existing technology
to require these alterations. While non-alkaline-chemical treatment
technologies exist for removal of metals from mining-influenced water, few
field implementations are known for the use of treating acid-mine drainage
water for reuse.
The EPA is seeking a contractor to (1) use existing technology in a 5-6 month
field pilot study to attain a reduction in waste sludge of at least 30% with a
95-99% recovery efficiency at or below water standards, (2) make the technology
pilot ready within the first 6 months of the project start date, (3) implement
a proven remote monitoring system, and (4) find a smelter that will accept the
material created for recovery and reuse of the metals.
The Government anticipates award of a firm-fixed price (FFP) contract to span a 2 year duration. We anticipate that the solicitation will
be posted for 30 days beginning in November. The solicitation will be issued on
a full and open competitive basis, with no small business set-aside. A copy of
the solicitation will be available at the following location: http://www.epa.gov/oam/cinn_cmd/.
Interested parties are expected to download the solicitation and subsequent
amendments from the website and to monitor the status of the RFP. All
responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by EPA.
Contract award will be made in accordance with FAR part 15-Contracting by
Negotiation. The point of contact is Nicole Modafari,
Contract Specialist, at 513-487-2001, Modafari.Nicole@epa.gov.
See Note 26.
Announcement
Number: PR-CI-09-11259
Closing
Date: October 30, 2009
Link
to Full Announcement
Contact
Information
NICOLE
MODAFARI, Contract Specialist, Phone: 513-487-2001, E-Mail: Modafari.Nicole@epa.gov; MATTHEW J.
GROWNEY, Placement Contracting Officer, Phone: 513-487-2029, E-Mail: Growney.Matthew@epa.gov