The General Services Administration (GSA) has released its annual Request for Information (RFI) seeking emerging sustainable building technologies to support its Green Proving Ground (GPG) program. Under the initiative, GPG identifies advanced technologies and evaluates them in a real-world capacity in order to drive deployment of innovative technologies in federal buildings and help GSA achieve its sustainability goals. Responses to the FY 2013 RFI are due by 5:00 pm Eastern, November 23, 2012. Request for Information

Environmental restoration and closure of contaminated sediment sites is a top priority for the Department of Defense (DoD). Over the next five to ten years, identifying methods to establish long-term remedy success, reducing long-term management costs, and achieving site closure will be of primary concern. In July 2012, SERDP and ESTCP convened a workshop on Research and Development Needs for Long-Term Management of Contaminated Sediments to address these site management priorities. The research and demonstration, and technology transfer needs identified are outlined in a workshop report.

SERDP released solicitations on October 25 seeking proposals for FY 2014 funding. Funds are available through a competitive process to both Federal and private sector organizations to perform basic and applied research and advanced technology development. All pre-proposal submissions for the Core Solicitation are due January 8, 2013. All SEED proposals are due March 12, 2013.

Bioaugmentation for Groundwater Remediation, the fifth installment in a Remediation Technology Monograph Series, reviews the past 10-15 years of research and development that have led to bioaugmentation becoming an effective and accepted remedial technology. The text will serve as a reference for environmental remediation professionals seeking to understand, evaluate, and implement bioaugmentation.

A new ultra-high-strength, corrosion-resistant steel, developed with SERDP and ESTCP support, is making its way to real-world aerospace applications. A recently completed U.S. Air Force field service evaluation of landing gears made from Ferrium S53 has shown that the new alloy exceeds conventional steels in terms of corrosion protection and other properties, without the need for a hazardous cadmium coating.

Congratulations to SERDP Principal Investigator Dr. Benjamin G. Harvey, Research Chemist for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, who was awarded a 2011 Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers of the Year Award. Dr. Harvey was recognized in the emergent investigator category for noteworthy technical advances in the development of high-density fuels and high-performance materials from renewable and sustainable sources at an awards ceremony held at the Pentagon on August 16.

Due to the recent changes across the Federal government on sponsoring meetings, SERDP and ESTCP unfortunately are unable to support this year’s Partners in Environmental Technology Technical Symposium & Workshop originally scheduled to be held November 27-29 in Washington, D.C. Although the annual Symposium & Workshop is a nationally recognized technical conference and highly regarded, the timing of the new requirements for approval of large meetings will not allow us to proceed this year.

A recent feature article in Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T) highlights the important practical lessons learned for improving dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) source zone remediation based on a decade of work supported by SERDP and ESTCP. Chlorinated solvents, in the form of DNAPLs, are widespread groundwater contaminants that are difficult to remediate and represent a significant environmental liability for DoD. Written by Dr. Hans Stroo, a technical advisor to SERDP and ESTCP, with support from SERDP and ESTCP staff, as well as several leading experts in the field, the article discusses the advances in source zone characterization and remediation that have occurred.

The use of activated carbon (AC) for contaminated sediment site management is making the jump from research and demonstration/validation to full-scale remedial applications. Because AC can be applied to manage contaminated sediments in place, this technology replaces or augments other intensive management practices such as dredging or capping. With extensive support from SERDP and ESTCP, this technology has moved into the mainstream “tool box” for contaminated sediment remediation.

Advanced microgrids offer a cost-effective solution to military installations' growing vulnerability to the fragile electric grid, according to a study released today by DoD’s Office of Installations and Environment. The study performed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory looked at different microgrid architectures and characteristics and compared their relative cost-effectiveness. The report provides insight into increasing energy security and reducing energy costs through the incorporation of renewable energy resources into microgrids, as well as new market opportunities for DoD in the area of demand response and ancillary services.