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 to conduct characterizing studies on clay samples from the Cigar Lake uranium deposit in Saskatchewan, Canada. The primary objectives include acquiring clay samples from the clay-rich zones overlying the ore-body, characterizing their geotechnical and geochemical properties, developing an experimental program to measure iodine transport properties, and reporting findings to the CNSC. The study aims to understand the transport properties of iodine in natural illite-rich clay barriers under conditions that mimic in-situ circumstances.

ISSUING ORGANIZATION

The issuing organization is the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The primary contact for this RFP is the Procurement Team, reachable via email at [email protected].

KEY DATES

• Posted Date: June 9, 2026
• Proposal Due Date: July 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT
• Anticipated Start Date: Summer/Fall 2026
• Contract Duration: 24 months

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

Bidders must meet the following mandatory requirements:

• No specific certifications or registrations are mentioned.
• No security clearances are required.
• There are no set-aside restrictions noted.
• Geographic restrictions are implied as the work must be conducted in Canada.
• Bidders should have relevant experience in geotechnical and geochemical analysis, although no minimum years of experience are explicitly stated.
• No bonding or insurance requirements are mentioned.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

Bidders should possess expertise in:

• Geotechnical and geochemical characterization of clay samples.
• Development of experimental programs for solute transport properties.
• Measurement techniques for diffusion and partition coefficients of iodine.
  Knowledge of relevant methodologies and standards in environmental and nuclear sciences will be advantageous.

DELIVERABLES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Key deliverables include:

• Acquisition of clay samples.
• Comprehensive characterization report detailing moisture content, saturation degree, dry density, porosity, mineralogy, redox chemistry, specific surface area, grain size distribution, and iodine leachability.
• An experimental program report on iodine transport properties.
• Final reporting of experimental findings to the CNSC.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

While not mandatory, preferred qualifications include:

• Experience with similar studies in nuclear or environmental contexts.
• Advanced degrees in relevant scientific fields (e.g., geology, environmental science).
• Familiarity with Canadian regulations and standards related to nuclear safety.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the RFP, highlighting the essential information needed for potential bidders to assess their fit for the project.