Demonstration projects are sought for technologies or combinations of technologies (i.e. treatment trains) that can increase the efficiency of the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) long-term management of waters, soils, and aquatic sediments impacted by chemicals of concern. Such chemicals of concern include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chlorinated solvents, 1,4-dioxane, energetic compounds, 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ), emerging chemicals of interest to the DoD, or mixtures of these chemicals.

This topic area's primary focus is developing innovative technologies and approaches for managing sites impacted by chemicals of concern. The following topics are of particular interest:

• Assessment of how to better combine existing or new technologies to address complex sites and make informed decisions on transitions from active remediation to passive technologies.
• Demonstrate innovative tools, methodologies, or technologies for stormwater management and treatment of runoff from DoD facilities. Consideration should be given to incorporation into existing Best Management Practices (BMPs) and to meeting National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements.
• Development of cost-effective modeling tools or technologies to specifically address chemical source zones that cause persistent groundwater plumes.
• Development of cost-effective modeling tools or technologies to manage and treat soils and groundwater impacted by chemicals of concern, particularly PFAS. Such technologies also must address common co-occurring chemicals with these chemicals of concern.
• Demonstrate technologies for the assessment or long-term monitoring of chemicals of concern or biogeochemical indicators in soils, sediments, water, and biota.
• Development and evaluation of tools to collect more site data of better quality at lower cost. Site data on groundwater quality, including chemicals of concern and biogeochemical conditions is of particular interest.

For those proposing projects addressing PFAS, review the SERDP and ESTCP Workshop Report on Management of PFAS in the Environment for more detailed information on demonstration needs in this area. The following PFAS-specific issues must be addressed in the proposal and during the demonstration:

• Proposals must clearly state their performance metrics. Proposers must include a completed Table 1 from the ESTCP Demonstration Plan Guidance. At a minimum, performance metrics associated with the following metrics must be included: 
  • A mass balance assessment based on PFAS concentrations
  • Destruction efficiency based on mass removal 
  • Technology-specific operational metrics
• Analytical methodologies must be clearly delineated in the proposal. Utilization of EPA Method 1633 by an ELAP-certified laboratory is preferred for all PFAS analyses in relevant matrices. A total PFAS method such as TOP assay or EPA Method 1621 should be included for mass balance purposes. For any technology that may generate vapors, EPA Methods OTM-45, OTM-50, OTM-55, and HF by EPA Method 26A must be utilized. Separate trains for OTM-55 and OTM-45 should be used unless there is a technical justification for the sequential extraction of OTM-45 in lieu of two trains. If a technology has the potential to produce a byproduct (e.g. perchlorate), include the relevant analyses by appropriate EPA methods. Please include the total analytical costs in your proposal.

In situ or ex situ treatment options are of interest, but proposers must be clear on the need for and advantages of ex situ treatment. Technologies and methods are sought that have well-defined demonstration/validation questions to address. Proposed technologies should have completed all required laboratory work, although site-specific treatability work prior to the field demonstration is acceptable.

Demonstrations should address technical and/or regulatory issues that inhibit the widespread use of the proposed approach across the DoD. Proposals should address the federal, state, and local regulatory issues applicable to the demonstration technology. All proposals should have a clear statement as to the final disposal of the treatment residuals from the project. ESTCP supports demonstrations at a scale sufficient to determine the operational performance of the remediation technology and to estimate its expected full-scale capital and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. Full-scale cleanup of specific sites is not performed under ESTCP. Specific DoD demonstration site(s) may be suggested in the pre-proposal, but are not required.

Results from this work will provide the DoD with an improved capability to cost-effectively characterize, remediate, and manage soil and waters impacted by chemicals of concern.

Groundwater impacted by chemicals of concern is often the most intractable problem for environmental restoration. Impacted soils, surface water, and stormwater are inextricably linked to this issue as they may encompass the source area and plume of impacted groundwater or may require treatment after source treatment. Substantial progress has been made in the past 20 years in the development of technologies for remediation of impacted soils and waters; however, challenges remain. Remedial costs are particularly high at sites where (1) impact from chemicals of concern is extensive, but concentrations are low, (2) site hydrogeology is complex (e.g., fractured bedrock), or (3) site conditions require extensive long-term monitoring. Of particular concern are issues associated with PFAS in the environment; more cost-effective treatment technologies are needed.

ESTCP has supported the demonstration of a number of technologies designed for management and treatment of PFAS-impacted soils and waters. Proposers should be familiar with the ESTCP portfolio of technologies and tools in order to avoid duplication of previous efforts. Project descriptions are available on the ESTCP website.