R736.2 - Dosimetry for Workers at the Port Hope Conversion Facility (…

1.0        Introduction

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has a requirement to determine internal organ doses from the intake of long-lived radionuclides (LLRD) among Port Hope workers. These doses will be combined with previous estimates of doses from gamma radiation, radon, and radon decay products (RDP). The purpose of this advance contract award notice (ACAN) is to signal the CNSC’s intention to award a contract for these services to:

Arcadis Canada Inc.

8133 Warden Ave. Unit 300

Markham, ON

L6G 1B3

Canada

Before awarding a contract, however, the CNSC would like to provide other suppliers with the opportunity to demonstrate that they can satisfy the requirements set out in this ACAN, by submitting a statement of capabilities within the posting period for this ACAN, which is 15 calendar days.

If, during the posting period, other potential suppliers submit a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in this ACAN, the CNSC may proceed to a full tendering process via the Government Electronic Tendering Service or by inviting bids directly from suppliers.

If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a statement of capabilities meeting the requirements set out in the ACAN, a contract will be awarded to the above-noted supplier.

2.0        Background

Radiation Protection (RP) is required for workers in nuclear fuel cycle operations. RP guidance in Canada and internationally is dependent on data from epidemiologic studies. Over time, epidemiology has progressed with improved dose estimation procedures, new tools for linking to cohorts to mortality and cancer incidence databases, and new statistical tools and models for risk assessment.

While radiation dosimetry has evolved in Canada, it has also evolved internationally, and other countries have updated their dosimetry methods and updated their mortality and cancer incidence follow-up of occupational cohorts. Collaboration on international research studies, such as the international Pooled Analysis Uranium Workers (iPAUW), allows Canada to monitor, and contribute to, international research, which supports an improved understanding of the potential risks to uranium workers. This work helps ensure our radiation protection programs are appropriate to keep workers safe.

The Port Hope Conversion Facilities (PHCF) was originally opened by Eldorado Gold Mines as a radium refinery in 1932. The refinery shut down in 1940. In 1942, it restarted with refinery production including both radium and uranium. In 1943, it was renamed Eldorado Mining and Refining Ltd and in 1944 became a Federal Crown Corporation. Radium refining phased out in 1953. Later, uranium dioxide, uranium hexafluoride and uranium metal production were added to the site with a further name change to Eldorado Nuclear Ltd. In 1988, Eldorado Nuclear merged with Saskatchewan Mining Development Corporation to form Cameco Corporation and, with an initial public share offering in 1991, transitioned from a Federal Crown Corporation to a private company (“Cameco”).

Previous work on iPAUW Dosimetry for Workers at the Port Hope Refinery: Internal Doses from Radon, RDP, and Gamma Exposures (refer to 11.0 REFERENCES in the SOW) was performed. This project developed estimates of organ specific radiation doses arising from PHCF workers’ exposure to external gamma radiation and the inhalation of radon and RDP, for the iPAUW study.

On October 3, 2023, Cameco confirmed their work history data could be used to support the development of a JEM approach whereby workers with similar job categories and assumed similar exposures to uranium could then be used to estimate uranium exposures and subsequently organ doses.

CNSC supports developing internal organ doses using the Job Exposure Matrices (JEM) approach. This method will calculate workers exposures from the inhalation of the uranium in LLRD, as a component of ore or purified uranium, for the different jobs and time periods.

The proposed contract is for a period of 1 year.

The estimated value of the contract is $98,000. Applicable taxes are extra.

3.0        Minimum Mandatory Requirements

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets the following requirements:

•        The supplier must have access to the PHCF historic employment records and intimate knowledge of legacy data and exposures of workers at PHCF or provide a work plan as to how these records will be accessed.

•        Over 20 years’ experience in the past 30 years in conducting reviews and dose reconstruction of historic cohorts, JEM, and evaluation of uncertainty in radiation doses.

•        Over 20 years’ experience in radiation epidemiological research; 15 similar projects in size, scope, and complexity.

•        Knowledge and understanding of the sources, health effects, and radiation and toxicological risks of exposures from radium and uranium refining and processing operations.

•        Academic qualifications of team members shall include graduate degrees from a recognized university (MSc or PhD) in the field of health physics, biostatistics/mathematics.

4.0        Justification for the Pre-selected Supplier

The proposed supplier as extensive experience with the PHCF historic employment records and intimate knowledge of legacy data and exposures of workers at PHCF to create a JEM for the calculation of organ doses of workers from LLRD. The level of effort and complexity of this work is high and entails expert knowledge of historic radium and uranium work activities at PHCF, experienced and expert understanding of historical dose information, JEM, dosimetry, evaluation of uncertainty in dose calculations, which the proposed supplier possesses.

The proposed supplier includes subject matter experts who have unique knowledge of the historic uranium processing practices at PHCF and unique expertise in the dosimetry of historic uranium workers from many past similar projects. This project will need expert knowledge and understanding to utilize the iPAUW Harmonized Dosimetry Protocol. The proposed supplier includes a member of the expert working group that developed the Protocol and only a few dosimetry experts have prior experience using the Protocol.

5.0        Intellectual Property

Ownership of any foreground intellectual property arising out of the proposed contract will vest in the contractor.

6.0        Statement of Capabilities

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to meet the specified requirements may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the contracting authority identified in this notice on or before the closing date of this notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is March 3, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. EST.

7.0        Contact Information

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed in writing to:

Luc Bonhomme

Senior Contracting Specialist

Email: solicitation-demandedesoumission@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

8.0        Policy Information

Government Contracts Regulations (GCRs) section 6: “Notwithstanding section 5, a contracting authority may enter into a contract without soliciting bids where… (d) only one person is capable of performing the contract.”

A contracting officer can use limited tendering for specific reasons outlined in the applicable trade agreements. The reason for this contract is described below:

• None