The objective of this topic area was to address the reduction of the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) current liabilities and prevention of future liabilities through the demonstration of technologies or tools for the cost-effective management and remediation of chemicals of concern in soil, sediments, and waters (groundwater, surface water, stormwater). For those proposing projects addressing issues associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (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 topics were of interest:

Monitoring. Demonstrate technologies for the assessment or long-term monitoring of chemicals of concern or biogeochemical indicators in soils, sediments, water, and biota.

Reduction in Cost to Complete. Demonstrate innovative tools, methodologies, or technologies that can reduce the DoD’s Cost to Complete for impacted waters, soils, or aquatic sediments by improving performance assessment or optimizing treatment. Sites impacted by PFAS, 1.4-dioxane, chlorinated solvents, munitions constituents, PCBs, and PAHs are of most concern, but other chemicals of concern may be of interest.

Reduce Source Loading of Munitions Constituents. Demonstrate innovative tools or technologies that can reduce source loading of munitions constituents during routine DoD operations and demilitarization activities.

Stormwater Management and Treatment. 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 and to meeting National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. Stormwater impacted by PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, chlorinated solvents, munitions constituents, PCBs, PAHs, and metals are of particular concern, but other chemicals of concern may be of interest.

Wastewater Treatment. Demonstrate innovative, energy efficient, low maintenance systems for decentralized treatment or recycling of wastewater on fixed installations. Systems that are capable of operating in an energy neutral configuration, that produce power or materials that can easily be converted into power, and/or that are capable of generating water for potable or nonpotable re-use with attention to chemicals of concern are of interest.

Risk Assessment. Demonstrate technologies that are focused on improving the military's ability to assess and predict human and ecological risk from chemicals of concern including but not limited to PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, chlorinated solvents, munitions constituents, PCBs, and PAHs. Areas of concern include exposure pathways to humans and ecological receptors, chemical effects on ecological receptors and tools and methods to assess environmental impacts.

SPECIAL INTEREST TOPIC
ESTCP has issued one topic area of general interest through a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to the private sector titled Innovative Technology Transfer Approaches. DoD investigators are encouraged to submit proposals through the DoD submittal process that respond to this BAA topic area.