Materials Distribution Services

LOW LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT

SCOPE: Contract for Facilities Planning and Management Environment Health and Safety Department for Low Level Radioactive Waste Management.

The purpose of the contract is to maximize low-level radioactive waste management service at optimal cost to the Department, while minimizing University liability.  The University generates low-level radioactive waste as a result of research and clinical activities. Department waste management activities can change the form of the waste, such as converting dry, solid waste to incinerator ash or solidification of uranium and thorium compounds.  Some wastes require management under Nuclear Regulatory Commission or Agreement State as well as Environmental Protection Agency (i.e., Resource and Conservation Recovery Act) regulations.  The Contractor will remove the wastes from the waste-generating location and within the applicable regulatory framework, will manage waste at approved sites. 

The Contractor will work with the University to provide necessary equipment, materials, packaging services, paperwork, routine communications and services to facilitate low-level radioactive waste management in compliance with applicable regulations.  Waste may be managed using a variety of technologies, subject to approval by the contract administrator.  Technologies that involve beneficial reuse, reclamation and/or recycling are preferential. Primary and secondary material may only be land-disposed to approved facilities that are licensed for radioactive material disposal. No de minimus or Below Regulatory Concern provisions may be applied to any waste that has been offered for shipment on a low-level radioactive waste manifest.  Waste shall not be managed by deep well injection.

Radionuclides to be managed may include, but are not limited to, H-3, C-14, Na-22, S-35, Cl-36, Ca-45, Sc-46, V-49, Fe-55, Co-57, Co-60, Ni-63, Zn-65, Se-75, Sr-85, Sr-89, Sr-90,  Pd-103, Cd-109, Sn-113, I-125, I-129, Ba-133, Cs-134, Cs-137, Eu-152, Eu-154, Gd-153, Pb-210, Po-210, Ra-226, Am-241, Cm-244, isotopes of uranium, thorium.

Activities will vary, but will generally range between 0.1 and 10 mCi per package, occasionally much higher.

Non-UW-Madison users contact: Vendor Representative

SPECIFICATIONS

1.       Waste Management and Removal:
1.1           Contractor shall prepare packages, mark, label, monitor for exposure and contamination and prepare shipping papers under the review of the RSO.  The RSO may be responsible for contamination monitoring for radionuclides that aren’t quantifiable with a portable instrument.  Contractor shall provide waste generator with a list of the proposed disposal site and all sites where waste will be stored and/or processed for each disposal.  All proposed waste disposal, processing and storage sites shall require the advanced approval of the RSO or designee.  Unless otherwise allowed by mutual agreement, Contractor must remove waste from the waste removal premises within 30 days of receipt of order from the RSO. 

1.2        Upon receipt of notice, the Contractor shall provide the RSO with an approximate pick up date.  Unless requested by the RSO, pick up dates shall Monday through Friday.

1.3        Contractor shall furnish their own dosimetry, shielding and personal protective equipment when necessary.

2.      Disposal Requirements:
2.1           Contractor shall dispose or take title to all wastes and other materials, according to the applicable local, state and federal ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.  Contractor shall notify RSO, in advance, of disposition of waste.  Upon completion of disposal, Contractor must provide documented proof of proper disposal to the RSO.

2.2           Contractor shall label, mark, transport, treat if necessary and dispose if necessary of radioactive waste and other materials.  A trained driver and/or technician, with Commercial Drivers License where applicable, shall come to the site designated by the RSO.  Driver shall check all packaging and shall label, manifest, load, placard and transport waste in compliance with all regulations.

2.3           All activities encompassed in labeling, manifesting, transporting and disposing shall be accomplished in accordance with all federal, state and local statutes, laws, regulations, rules and ordinances.  Contractor must have sufficient equipment and ability to load waste from ground level or from loading docks of varying heights.

3.      Disposal Site(s):
3.1           A “waste management plan” detailing all sites and/or processes that would be applied to each waste type is referenced in the “Other” section is required for each disposal project.

3.2           At any time during this contract, the University, RSO or other agency utilizing the contract may, at their discretion and at their own expense perform an audit of any and all sites used for treatment, storage and disposal of waste.  Additionally, the aforementioned parties reserves the right to evaluate the use of common carriers to determine the appropriateness of their involvement in the waste management process.

4.        Milkrun Services:
Upon request, the Contractor may coordinate and provide “milkrun” services to one waste generator with a series of waste pickup needs AND/OR several waste generators with a series of waste pickup needs.   The University may desire to participate in milkrun services for consideration of reduced pricing, which shall be below the established contracted rates to be negotiated with the University on a per milkrun basis.  It is expected that the Contractor respond to these requests in timely ways, developing mobilization and transportation charges that: 1) do not overcharge one waste generator to the detriment of another waste generator and that 2) fairly distribute these charges to all participating waste generator sites.   Pricing that encourages sustained use of milkrun scheduling is encouraged.  Milkrun invoices shall clearly indicate any mobilization and/or transportation-related charges. 

Revision History