Characterizing the transport properties of iodine in natural illite-rich clay barriers sampled from Cigar Lake uranium deposit

PROCUREMENT OVERVIEW:
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is seeking proposals for a study to characterize the transport properties of iodine in illite-rich clay barriers sampled from the Cigar Lake uranium deposit in Saskatchewan, Canada. The project aims to achieve several objectives: acquiring clay samples from the clay-rich zones overlying the uranium ore body, characterizing key geotechnical and geochemical properties of these samples (including moisture content, saturation degree, dry density, porosity, mineralogy, redox conditions, pore fluid chemistry, specific surface area, grain size distribution, and iodine leachability), developing an experimental program to measure iodine's solute transport properties under in-situ conditions, and reporting the findings to the CNSC.

ISSUING ORGANIZATION:
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Contact: Team Procurement ([email protected])

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

• Bidders must demonstrate expertise in geotechnical and geochemical analysis.
• Experience in conducting solute transport studies, particularly related to iodine in clay matrices, is essential.
• No specific certifications or registrations are mentioned, nor are there any set-aside restrictions or geographic limitations indicated.
• Bidders should have a proven track record in similar research projects, although no minimum years of experience are explicitly stated.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES:
Proposals should reflect capabilities in:

• Geotechnical and geochemical characterization techniques.
• Experimental design for solute transport studies, particularly focusing on diffusion and partition coefficients.
• Familiarity with methodologies for analyzing clay samples, including leachability tests and pore fluid chemistry assessments.

DELIVERABLES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
Key deliverables include:

• Acquisition and characterization reports of the clay samples.
• A detailed experimental program outlining methods for measuring iodine transport properties.
• A comprehensive report of experimental findings to be submitted to the CNSC.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
While not mandatory, preferred qualifications may include:

• Advanced degrees in relevant fields (geochemistry, geology, environmental science).
• Previous experience with nuclear waste management or similar environmental studies.
• Familiarity with Canadian regulatory frameworks related to nuclear safety and environmental protection.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview for potential bidders to assess their fit for the CNSC's RFP regarding iodine transport properties in clay barriers.