Invitation for Submittal to the Vendor Field Analytical and Characterization Technologies System (Vendor FACTS)

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing

an invitation to vendors of innovative monitoring and measurement

technologies for hazardous waste site characterization to participate

in the Vendor FACTS database. Vendor FACTS is being developed by EPA's

National Exposure Research Laboratory--Las Vegas (NERL-LV) of the

Office of Research and Development and the Technology Innovation Office

of the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. The purpose of

Vendor FACTS is to disseminate much needed information on innovative

techniques for site characterization, and to promote the use of more

cost effective methods for on-site monitoring and measurement. The

system contains information provided by vendors of technologies that

meet the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the database. These

criteria are listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

Vendors will submit information about their technologies on a Vendor

Information Form (VIF). Information contained in the database will

enable users to screen technologies for consideration in the site

remediation process and to identify vendors who provide monitoring and

measurement services. Most Vendor FACTS users are expected to be

professionals responsible for the assessment or cleanup of Superfund

sites, RCRA corrective action sites, state-lead clean-ups, federal

facilities, and leaking underground storage tank (UST) sites. To make

Vendor FACTS accessible to all system users, EPA will provide the

software free of charge to the public.

DATES: Completed VIFs submitted by April 30, 1995, will be considered

for inclusion in Vendor FACTS version 1.0 scheduled to be released in

the third quarter of 1995.

ADDRESSES: Vendors of innovative monitoring and measurement

technologies who wish to participate in Vendor FACTS version 1.0 must

complete a Vendor FACTS VIF 1.0 (EPA-542-R-94-007), which can be

obtained by faxing requests to U.S. EPA/National Center for

Environmental Publications and Information (NCEPI) at (513) 489-8695.

Please include your name, company name, address, and fax number, if

available. After you have completed the VIF, send it to: Vendor FACTS

System Operator, PRC Environmental Management, Inc., 1505 PRC Drive,

Suite 220, McLean, VA 22101. The Vendor FACTS database can be ordered

by fax at (513) 489-8695, and for verification, (513) 891-6561. Please

include your name, company name, address, and phone number.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Vendor FACTS Hotline at (800) 245-

4505 or (703) 883-8448.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Technologies meeting the following criteria

will be included in Vendor FACTS: (1) fieldable technologies: portable

or transportable equipment for on-site monitoring, screening, and

analysis of hazardous substances (equipment used for collecting samples

for off-site analysis will not be considered); and (2) technologies to

monitor and characterize contaminated sites, not industrial process

waste streams; and (3) technologies that fall in one of the categories

listed below.

Air Measurement (NAAQS)--This portable or transportable technology

includes all means to determine whether air meets the National Ambient

Air Quality Standards issued under the Clean Air Act and similar laws

and regulations. Target analytes include carbon monoxide, nitrogen

oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, ozone, photochemical oxidants, and

particulate matter. Some versions of the technology are designed for

point readings, in time, space, or both, while others are intended to

assess over a period of time (hours, days, weeks; as averages or as

maxima) or an extent of space (a metropolitan area or neighborhood).

Analytical Detector--The analytical detector is the component of

any analytical instrument which senses the analyte (target) and

produces a signal, usually electrical. The rest of the instrument

consists of (1) a translator which converts the signal from the

detector into usable form, (2) the output for the translated signal

(meter, digital display, strip chart), and (3) the power supply,

controls, case, and other components which support the sensor,

translator, and output.

Analytical Traps--This technology consists of means to concentrate

a desired target chemical as the sample is being collected. At present,

a few variations are in use, such as the charcoal, resins, and bubblers

used in collecting air samples. In addition, similar techniques are

used in the laboratory for the preparation of analytical samples,

including ion-selective (ion-exchange) devices and molecular sieves

(working on molecular size). For analytical trap technologies that have

been in existence for more than 10 years, the vendor must provide an

explanation of why the technology is innovative.

Biosensors--(1) This portable technology includes devices which use

derivatives of living organisms (such as enzymes, tissues, microbes, or

antibodies) as a biological sensing element. The biological sensing

agent is in intimate contact with a physical transducer (such as

electrochemical, acoustic, or optical) which together relate the

concentrations of an analyte to a measurable electrical signal. They

are commonly used in the clinical chemistry laboratory, especially in

the form of electrodes sensitive to a target enzyme or chemical.

Chemical Reaction-Based Indicators--This portable technology

includes chemicals which convert an inapparent change in the chemical

state of the target system to a visible color change or other easily

noted indication. Many methods look at chemical species other than the

hydrogen atom, such as ferric/ferrous, chromic/chromate, and oxidizing/

reducing species. Some versions of the technology give a graded

response, rather than a dichotomous response, similar to wide-range pH

paper.

Cone Penetrometer--A technology which uses a cylindrical, cone-

tipped instrument, forced into the ground by hydraulic pressure. Built-

in load cells measure the forces impinging on the conical tip and along

the cylindrical section (friction) just behind the tip. In most

instruments, these data are translated into soil classifications so one

obtains instantaneous information on the stratigraphy of the soil. The

technology has been used in Europe for decades and is becoming popular

``in the U.S.'' The innovations, some being tested by the SITE Program,

include additional sensors added to the instrument to detect pollutants

in the subsurface. Cone penetrometers themselves are not considered

innovative for the purpose of Vendor FACTS.

Downhole Sensors--Saturated Zone--These portable or transportable

sensors can be used to determine subsurface chemical or physical

properties. These sensors must be capable of operation in the saturated

zone, in either a dynamic or static mode. The dynamic mode would

produce data in real time as the sensor was advanced through the

subsurface. The static mode would involve a sensor that either could

not provide data as it was advanced, or was not capable of being

advanced through [[Page 9686]] the saturated zone. The static mode

could be used in a borehole with a maximum diameter of six inches or

less. Downhole sensors that can be used in a borehole with a diameter

of two inches or less are preferred for the Vendor FACTS database. The

Vendor FACTS database will not include common geophysical, gamma,

spontaneous potential, gamma-gamma, caliper, and neutron logging tools.

Vendor FACTS also will not include TV cameras that can be inserted down

a borehole.

Downhole Sensors--Vadose Zone--These portable or transportable

sensors can be used to determine subsurface chemical or physical

properties. These sensors must be capable of operation in the vadose

zone, in either a dynamic or static mode. The dynamic mode would

produce data in real time as the sensor was advanced through the

subsurface. The static mode would involve a sensor that either could

not provide data as it was advanced, or was not capable of being

advanced through the vadose zone. The static mode could be used in a

borehole with a maximum diameter of six inches or less. Downhole

sensors that can be used in a borehole with a diameter of two inches or

less are preferred for the Vendor FACTS database. The Vendor FACTS

database will not include common geophysical, gamma, spontaneous

potential, gamma-gamma, caliper, and neutron logging tools. Vendor

FACTS also will not include TV cameras that can be inserted down a

borehole.

Fiber Optic Chemical Sensors and Analyzers--These field portable

sensors employ fiber optics to transmit excitation energy to either a

reaction chamber or directly onto a sample matrix. Fiber optics also

are used to return the signal produced from either a fiber coating, a

reaction chamber, or a sample matrix, directly into some type of

detector. Generally colorometric or spectroscopic detectors are used in

this process. These sensors produce real time in situ data.

Transportable Technologies--These technologies require a vehicle or

mobile lab to get on site, alternating current power source (although

not in all cases), and are operated on site.

Portable Technologies--These technologies are manually portable

(generally weighing 30 pounds or less), battery operated (can have

alternating current power), self-contained, and used on site.

Gas Chromatography (portable only)--These field portable

instruments cause a chromatographic separation of chemical

constituents. These instruments employ isothermal or temperature

programmable ovens, and megabore, capillary, or packed chromatography

columns to separate chemical constituents. These instruments use

chemical detectors, and data acquisition and integration software to

quantitate chemical constituent concentrations. Recent advances in gas

chromatography that are considered innovative are portable, weather-

proof units that have self-contained power supplies. High-speed gas

chromatography is also a recent innovation.

Ground Penetrating Radar--This technology, in use for some years

now, consists of emitting pulses of electromagnetic energy into the

ground, and measuring its reflection/refraction by subsurface layers

and other features (such as buried debris). It is analogous to seismic

techniques, but with a pulse of electromagnetic energy, rather than

sound (physical) energy.

High Frequency Electromagnetic (EM) Sounding--These technologies,

used for nonintrusive geophysical exploration, project high frequency

electromagnetic radiation into subsurface and detect the reflection/

refraction of the radiation by varying soil layers. Unlike ground

penetrating radar, it uses continuous waves, as opposed to pulses.

High Resolution Seismic Reflection--The classic technique of

seismic reflection/refraction has been used for decades, primarily for

examining relatively large features, such as the salt domes (often

containing petroleum) of the Gulf Coast. This technology includes means

to refine it to determine smaller scale features, such as debris or the

lenses, buried channels, and other features found in till deposits.

This technology must be able to measure features of interest within 100

feet of the ground surface to be considered innovative.

Immunoassay--These field portable test kits use immunochemistry to

produce compound specific reactions (generally colorometric) to

individual compounds, or classes of compounds. These reactions are used

to detect and quantify contaminants. The immunochemical reactions

center around polyclonal antibodies. These antibodies are engineered to

produce compound specific reactions. The methods used to bring the

antibodies into contact with a water sample or soil sample extract are

variable.

Infrared (Long Path) Monitors--Classic infrared techniques involve

a path of one centimeter or less in a solid or liquid. This technology

looks at gases in longer path lengths, from a few centimeters to

hundreds of meters. In some cases, the path may be inside the

instrument. Alternatively, the air being sampled is ambient, not

confined to the instrument. The air being sampled may represent a point

source, such as a stack being monitored, or it may be an area. The

newest variant involves remote reading of a source; this may involve

checking the exhaust of a car driving on the road or the reflection

from an approaching cloud.

Mass Spectrometry (portable only)--This field portable technology

involves modifying a large, laboratory instrument so it can be taken

into the field. Mass spectrometry breaks molecules into fragments and

determines the concentrations and mass/charge ratios of the fragments.

Each molecule generates a distinct pattern of fragments, so a

sufficiently sensitive system can provide absolute identification of a

contaminant. Less sensitive systems can readily determine class

characteristics of molecules by identifying relevant radicals and other

less than molecule size groups. Mass spectrometry units that are

considered innovative are portable, weather-proof units that have self-

contained power supplies.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance--This field portable and transportable

technology involves modifying a large, laboratory instrument so it can

be taken into the field. Nuclear magnetic resonance measures the

electronic environment (that is, adjacent and nearby chemical bonds) of

the nuclei of a particular species of atom. The most common laboratory

and clinical use is on protons, but it can be used for any atom with an

odd number of protons (such as the alkali metals, aluminum, and

phosphorus) or an odd number of neutrons (such as carbon-13, magnesium-

25, silicon-29, and chromium-53, all significant fractions of the

naturally occurring elements). Thus, it can determine the chemical

composition, or variation in chemical composition, throughout the mass

of a sample.

Soil Gas Analyzer Systems--These portable systems provide on site

or remote monitoring of soil gas constituents. Their main components

are a soil gas sampling system, soil gas analyzer, and data storage or

transmission station. All of these components are microprocessor

controlled and can be programmed to provide routine periodic sampling

and monitoring, or on demand sampling and monitoring. These systems

also use some type of standard to provide periodic checks of accuracy

and precision.

Supercritical Fluid Extraction--These portable and transportable,

self contained units use supercritical fluids such as carbon dioxide to

extract [[Page 9687]] chemical constituents from environmental

matrices.

Thermal Desorption Devices--These portable and transportable, self

contained units use high temperatures to volatilize and extract

volatile and semivolatile chemical constituents from environmental

matrices.

Transient Electromagnetic (EM) Geophysics--These technologies are

based on detecting changes in subsurface electromagnetic

characteristics. Interpretation of this data provides information on

the subsurface environment. This particular technology differs from

ground penetrating radar in that it looks more at the shape of the

pulse at the sensor, rather than at the pulse's time of arrival.

Voltammetric Stripping--These portable units use electrochemistry

to detect and quantify metals in environmental samples. By changing the

potential across an anode or cathode, these instruments cause metals in

solution to plate-out or be released. By changing the anode and cathode

material, specific metals can be targeted for detection and

quantitation. This technology is generally applied to water samples,

however, it may be possible to use this technology on extracts from

soil samples.

X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzers--These self-contained, field portable

instruments consist of an energy dispersive x-ray source, a detector,

and a data processing system. The combination of a source and data

processing system allow for the detection and quantitation of

individual metals or groups of metals.

EPA may include additional categories of monitoring and measurement

technologies in subsequent versions of Vendor FACTS depending on

feedback from the users. Suggestions for additional technologies may be

sent to: Vendor FACTS Project Manager, Technology Innovation Office

(5102W), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20460.

Walter W. Kovalick,

Director, Technology Innovation Office.

[FR Doc. 95-4188 Filed 2-17-95; 8:45 am]

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