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 of this project include acquiring clay samples, characterizing their geotechnical and geochemical properties, and developing an experimental program to measure the transport properties of iodine under in-situ conditions. The study aims to enhance understanding of iodine behavior in natural clay barriers, which is critical for nuclear safety assessments.

ISSUING ORGANIZATION

The issuing organization is the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. For inquiries, bidders can contact the procurement team at [email protected].

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

Bidders must meet the following mandatory requirements to be considered eligible:

• Geographic Restrictions: Only Canadian suppliers and suppliers from applicable trading partners (as defined in the solicitation) are eligible.
• Security Requirements: There are no specific security clearances required, but contractors must not have access to protected or classified information.
• Experience Requirements: Bidders should demonstrate relevant experience in geotechnical and geochemical studies, particularly related to nuclear safety.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

Bidders must possess expertise in:

• Characterization of geotechnical and geochemical properties of clay samples.
• Experimental design for measuring solute transport properties, including diffusion and partition coefficients.
• Familiarity with methodologies for assessing iodine leachability and distribution in clay materials.

DELIVERABLES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Key deliverables include:

• Acquisition of clay samples from the Cigar Lake uranium deposit.
• Comprehensive characterization reports detailing moisture content, saturation, density, porosity, mineralogy, and iodine transport properties.
• A final report summarizing experimental findings and methodologies used, to be submitted to the CNSC.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

While not mandatory, the following qualifications may provide a competitive advantage:

• Advanced certifications in geotechnical or nuclear safety fields.
• Previous experience with similar projects involving iodine transport studies or nuclear waste management.
• Strong track record of successful project delivery in environmental or geochemical research.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the RFP for potential bidders to assess their fit for the project.