U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/National Risk Management and Research Laboratory, 2890 Woodbridge Avenue, (MS 106), Edison, NJ 08837

R -- SOURCES SOUGHT/DEMONSTRATION OF PROCEDURES FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF BURIED STEEL TANKS PRIOR TO THE ADDITION OF CATHODIC PROTECTION POC Carolyn Esposito, 908/906-6895. This is not a request for proposals. This is a request for vendors to participate in a USEPA research study (USEPA Contract #68C2108). The USEPA/NRMRL seeks interested and qualified firms to demonstrate state-of-the-art (SOTA) technologies for determining the integrity of steel underground storage tanks (USTs) prior to being upgraded by adding cathodic protection. USEPA is conducting this research with support from International Technology Corporation (IT) and its subcontractor, Midwest Research Institute (MRI). The purpose of this announcement is to: (1) identify commercial firms that conduct SOTA methods to evaluate and predict the integrity of steel USTs and (2) arrange to have those firms participate in field tests to evaluate these methods. The test methods must be commercially available. These technologies are not to include leak detection or tightness testing methods, but are limited to those technologies that are commercially available for determining and predicting a tank's condition and suitability for upgrading by adding cathodic protection. Such technologies include both invasive and non-invasive methods. Examples include, but are not limited to, use of remotely operated or robotic video cameras or ultrasound probes as well as modeling based on soil parameters. All field testing will be done at the USEPA's request and at sites selected by USEPA. All testing will be conducted at no cost to USEPA. It is anticipated that up to 100 tanks divided among five geographic regions will be used as evaluation test sites. Selected firms must be willing to participate in all tests. USEPA will conduct baseline qualitative and quantative engineering analyses of the subject tanks to assess the accuracy, performance capability, and reliability of the SOTA methods. The period of performance is estimated to be from October 1995 through March 1996. Upon completion of all test demonstations and performance evaluation, the EPA intends to publish the results. All interested, responsible sources may submit a qualifications package, which will be considered by USEPA. At a minimum, the qualifications package will include detailed descriptions of the testing technology, specifications, reports, test results detailing accuracy, and test protocols. After review of the qualifications package, selected vendors will be asked to submit additional information such as method development test results, or data bases of applications, etc., to allow USEPA to access the accuracy, performance, and reliability of the technology. Following this assessment, methods will be selected for demonstration and selected vendors will be requested to demonstrate their respective technologies at various field sites. Selected vendors must be willing to commit to conducting the tests at each field site. Interested firms should provide the initial qualifications package to USEPA/NRMRL, Attention: Carolyn Esposito, 2890 Woodbridge Avenue (MS 106), Edison, New Jersey 08837. Qualficiations documents should be received no later than 30 days after the date of this announcement for consideration. Questions may be addressed to Carolyn Esposito at the above address or 908-906-9895, FAX 908-906-6990. (221)

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