U.S. Department Of Energy, Idaho Operations Office, 850 Energy Drive -- MS1221, Idaho Falls, ID 83401-1563

A -- CRATE NONDESTRUCTIVE ASSAY DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECT DUE 101498 POC Ron Fontana, Project Manager, (208) 526-5015; Linda Hallum, Contracting Officer, (208) 526-5545 E-MAIL: Ronald Fontana, Project Manager, fontanarv@id.doe.gov. The Dept. of Energy Idaho Operations Office (DOE-ID) Mixed Waste Focus Area (MWFA) is seeking vendors interested in participating in a cost-shared crate nondestructive assay (NDA) development and demonstration project. The ultimate project objective is to make available new and innovative NDA technology for the determination of radionuclide composition of DOE mixed waste. The MWFA identified deficiencies with current crate (e.g., standard waste boxes, B-25 boxes, and 4'x4'x7' boxes) NDA capabilities that must be resolved to enable DOE mixed wastes to be effectively treated and disposed. Deficiencies include 1) determination of radioisotopic composition over a broad range of waste form configurations; 2) techniques to minimize effects of moderator and absorber density distribution on neutron based measurements; 3) techniques to minimize effects of matrix density distribution on gamma spectroscopy based measurements; 4) methods to reduce dependence on use of resource intensive direct calibration or standards compensated approaches; and 5) method of integrating matrix heterogeneity and radioisotopic composition to minimize overall measurement system bias and uncertainty. MWFA is interested in establishing a cost-share project with a selected vendor to develop and demonstrate a new and innovative crate NDA system that will eliminate the identified deficiencies. It is anticipated that the development and demonstration duration will be 24 months with a minimum vendor cost-share of 40%. At this time, there is no platform specification for the system. It can be designed for a fixed facility, mobile facility, or transportable system. The demonstration phase will be conducted at a DOE facility. DOE-ID MWFA will assist in identifying the demonstration site. It is expected that the demonstration will use a combination of actual and surrogate wastes to evaluate overall system performance. MWFA will provide the surrogate materials to be used during demonstration. Interested vendors need to provide a written letter of interest by October 14, 1998, to Ronald Fontana (fontanarv@id.doe.gov); DOE, Idaho Operations Office; 850 Energy Drive, MS 1235; Idaho Falls, ID 83401-1563; FAX (208) 526-5964. This letter must include a brief statement of qualifications, including past NDA system development achievements, and any pertinent questions, comments, or concerns. Posted 09/28/98 (W-SN255409). (0271)

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