Office of Environmental Waste Processing
This represents a transition from
The projectized approach will address the technology needs being identified by the EM sites, enabling them to accelerate their cleanup schedules, treat orphaned wastes, and provide technical foundations for the sites' End States visions.
The Technology Development and Deployment Project is focused on a limited number of critical, high-risk and high-payback activities where step improvements can be gained.
By realigning the project in this manner, the Department is ensuring that the activities support EMs primary goal of accelerating risk reduction and environmental cleanup.
The highest priority needs requiring technical solutions fall into five major areas: High-Level Waste, Groundwater and Soils, Decontamination and Decommissioning (D&D), Spent Nuclear Fuel, and Transuranic Waste.
Cooperative Agreements: (1) develop a remote instrumentation system capable of providing quantitative estimates of the amount, chemical composition, and location of residual waste; (2) conduct basic and applied research in robotics and subsidence concerns; (3) develop new grout formulations that will minimize waste canisters, shipments, and costs; (4) develop conceptual model for mercury bio-availability in soil and water; and (5) develop prototype design for tank inspection tool.
Grants: (1) develop alternatives for retrieval, processing, and disposition of high-level salt waste; and (2) develop alternative D&D technologies for solving multiple material handling and size reduction tasks; (3) develop mercury remediation strategies; (4) develop methods to enhance phytoremediation of metals and radionuclides in soil; and (5) develop innovative separations technologies for waste treatment.
The Department of Energy's goal is to advance national, economic and energy security in the U.S.; to promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that goal; and to ensure environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex.
Program Accomplishments
Technology Development and Deployment activities for Environmental Management strive to ensure the health and safety of the public and environment by decreasing worker exposure, reducing overall risk, reducing cleanup costs, and shortening cleanup schedules, through the development and use of new technologies, and novel applications of existing technologies. Project accomplishments include the development and deployment of technologies relating to high-level waste characterization, processing, and disposition; decontamination and decommissioning (D&D); instrumentation and monitors; robotics; groundwater and soil remediation; and university curriculum development. These accomplishments represent significant advances in obtaining these goals.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Financial assistance is provided in support of the program objectives.
Restrictions on the use of funds depend on the provisions of the specific project agreement.
Applicants must meet the guidelines established by DOE or contained in the specific Congressional authorization for a particular program being supported.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Public, quasi-public, private industry, individuals, groups, educational institutions, organizations, and nonprofit organizations may apply including State or local level governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and institutions in U.S.
Territories and possessions may apply.
Determinations are made by DOE Headquarters, the field, or both.
Beneficiary Eligibility
States, affected Indian tribes, regional organizations, (including U.S. Territories) local governments, and the public will benefit.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. Cost will also be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for institutions of higher education or as otherwise defined in the financial assistance instrument.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
These determinations will be made by DOE Headquarters, or assisted by the field as appropriate.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
After informal communication with DOE Headquarters Office, a formal proposal by the organization interested in doing the work must be submitted through an appropriate official of the corporate entity, organization, or institution. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. Financial assistance requests will be reviewed pursuant to the Office of Environmental Management Merit Review System (May 5, 1991) and the DOE Financial Assistance Manual, as amended. Note that in fiscal years 2008 and beyond the vast majority of awards will be made in response to competitive procurement and financial assistance solicitations. There will be little to no funding available for unsolicited proposals.
Award Procedures
Award decisions are made by DOE Headquarters throughout the fiscal year.
Deadlines
Whatever is stated in the program announcements; unsolicited proposals may be submitted at any time. Proposals received after April 1, of any year, may be held up to 1 year and may be supported from the next fiscal year funding, if available.
Authorization
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, Section 31, as amended, Public Law 83-703; Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, Public Law 93-438; Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, as amended; Public Law 96-573; Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978; Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act, Public Law 99-240; Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act, Public Law 96-368; Hazardous Materials Transportation Uniform Safety Act of 1990, Public Law 101-615.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
The approximate approval/disapproval time is from 2 months to 1 year.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Proposals for renewal are subject to review and acceptance by DOE Headquarters, the field, or both.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
There are no specific cost-sharing requirements for financial assistance. It may be appropriate under certain conditions to invoke the appropriate provisions for cost-sharing as set forth in DOE procurement regulations governing cost-sharing or other guidelines. Certain financial assistance requests leading to transfers of technology and/or requiring protection of intellectual property rights may wish to provide cost-sharing as part of its organization's commitments and capabilities.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Length and time phasing of assistance will vary with the program phase and activity. The maximum term of an award is 5 years.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
The schedule for reports are arranged at the time of negotiations.
Applicants will typically submit a quarterly and an annual report as specified in the grant award, although in certain instances more frequent reporting may be required.
Audits
Costs incurred are subject to audit throughout the contract or grant period and before final close-out. The extent and frequency of audits depend on the size of the contract/grant and the specific contract/grant provisions. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
A grantee is expected to maintain auditable records to substantiate the total costs incurred under the grant or cooperative agreement.
Financial Information
Account Identification
89-0240-0-1-053; 89-0242-0-1-053.
Obigations
FY 07 $13,000,000; FY 08 est $18,000,000; and FY 09 est $13,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
From $200,000 to $7,000,000 per year. Funding may be provided at a higher value for financial cost assistance leading to tangible products.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
The following list represents an overview of regulations, guidelines, and literature associated with OPTED requirements, objectives and goals: RCRA, CERCLA, NEPA, CAA, CQA, TSCA; Federal Register notices; "Guide for the Submission of Unsolicited Proposals" available at http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/usp/index.html ;"Doing Business with the Department of Energy;" "Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Merit Review System."
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Office of Waste Processing, Office of Environmental Management, DOE, Washington, DC 20585.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Work must be beneficial to the overall accomplishment of the program objectives and consistent with the criteria of the EM Merit Review System (i.e., technically meritorious, qualified principal investigators, adequate facilities for conduct of the work, past experience and performance history).
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