Welcome to TechDirect! If you feel the service is valuable, please share TechDirect with your colleagues. Anyone interested in subscribing may do so on CLU-IN at https://clu-in.org/techdirect. All previous issues of TechDirect are archived there. The TechDirect messages of the past can be searched by keyword or can be viewed as individual issues.

Please feel free to reply to this email or share your comments online with feedback on your utilization of the TechDirect service or recommendations for future editions.

TechDirect's purpose is to identify new technical, policy and guidance resources related to the assessment and remediation of contaminated soil, sediments and groundwater.

Mention of non-EPA documents or presentations does not constitute a U.S. EPA endorsement of their contents, only an acknowledgment that they exist and may be relevant to the TechDirect audience.

EPA SBIR 2026 Phase I Solicitation is Now Open Through November 8. The EPA SBIR 2026 Phase I Solicitation is officially open as of September 24, 2026, and will close on November 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. EPA is accepting proposals from small businesses for Phase I SBIR awards of up to $100,000 that demonstrate proof of concept for specific topics under the broad focus areas of clean and safe water, air quality, circular economy/sustainable materials, and safer chemicals. Successful Phase I awardees are eligible to receive Phase II funding, up to $400,000 for two years, through an additional application process. More information can be found on the EPA SBIR Funding Opportunities Page. To learn more and apply, please visit https://www.epa.gov/sbir/how-apply-sbir-contract.

ITRC: Microplastics, October 8, 2026, 1:00PM-3:00PM EDT (17:00-19:00 UTC). In response to one of the biggest emerging environmental concerns, ITRC formed the Microplastics Team in 2021 to develop the Microplastics Guidance Document. Plastics have become pervasive in modern life and are now used in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications. Microplastics may result from the degradation and fragmentation of larger plastics, or they may be intentionally produced for specific applications and products. The online ITRC Guidance Document is geared toward an audience with reasonable level of scientific understanding, but not microplastic-specific knowledge. The guidance provides a user with information on microplastics and the state of the applied science without having to go to the scientific literature. The target audience for the guidance and this training course includes state regulators and environmental consultants, as well as community and tribal stakeholders. For more information and to register, see https://www.itrcweb.org or https://www.clu-in.org/live.

ITRC PFAS Introductory Training, October 13, 2026, 1:00PM-3:00PM EDT (17:00-19:00 UTC). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large and complex class of anthropogenic compounds whose prevalence in the environment are an emerging, worldwide priority in environmental and human health. The ITRC PFAS Team, formed in 2017, has prepared readily accessible materials to present PFAS information to stakeholders, regulators, and policy makers. The PFAS team represents a diverse cross-section of expertise and experience working on PFAS. This training will include emerging science on PFAS, including topics such as Properties of PFAS, Fate and Transport, Sampling and Analysis, and Treatment Technologies. The technical presentations will be focused on those who are relatively new to PFAS. The training will last approximately 90 minutes and include time for questions. For more information and to register, see https://www.itrcweb.org or https://www.clu-in.org/live.

Vapor Intrusion Mitigation (VIM-1) - A Two-Part Series, October 22 and November 3, 2026, 1:00PM-3:00PM ET. When certain contaminants or hazardous substances are released into the soil or groundwater, they may volatilize into soil gas. Vapor intrusion (VI) occurs when these vapors migrate up into overlying buildings and contaminate indoor air. ITRC has previously released guidance documents focused on VI, including the "Vapor Intrusion Pathway: A Practical Guidance" (VI-1, 2007) and "Petroleum Vapor Intrusion: Fundamentals of Screening, Investigation, and Management" (PVI, 2014). However, ITRC has received multiple requests for additional details and training on mitigation strategies for addressing this exposure pathway. The ITRC Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Team (VIMT) created ten fact sheets, 16 technology information sheets, and 4 checklists with the goal of assisting regulators during review of vapor intrusion mitigation systems, and helping contractors understand the essential elements of planning, design, implementation, and operation, maintenance and monitoring (OM&M) of mitigation systems. The Vapor Intrusion Mitigation training is a series of eight (8) modules, presented over two sessions. For more information and to register, see https://www.itrcweb.org or https://www.clu-in.org/live.

ITRC: Introduction to Hydrocarbons, October 27, 2026, 1:00PM-3:00PM EDT (17:00-19:00 UTC). Petroleum is a complex mixture of many compounds. Regulatory and technical guidance documents commonly focus on the hydrocarbon components of that mixture, or perceived risks that they present. However, focusing on a specific area of concern often causes practitioners to overlook other aspects of a release. For example, concerns related to exposure to total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) risks may be overlooked while pursuing concerns related to light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) recovery or petroleum vapor intrusion (PVI). This class is designed to provide a basic overview of hydrocarbon behavior in the subsurface and how to scientifically assess concerns arising from the release of petroleum products into the environment. It will highlight key issues that help identify and manage TPH, LNAPL, and PVI risks together. For more information and to register, see https://www.itrcweb.org or https://www.clu-in.org/live.

Federal Facilities Online Academy: Role of Superfund Performance Measures, October 28, 2026, 1:00PM-3:00PM EDT (17:00-19:00 UTC). Role of Superfund Performance Measures is a two-hour webinar course that will identify the role of performance measures, including environmental indicators, how to justify their status, and how to achieve an under-control status at Superfund sites. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives: Discover the origin and role of Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Measures; Explore the different types of internal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) planning targets reported through the Superfund Enterprise Management System (SEMs) database; and, Learn about Environmental Indicators for Human Exposure and Groundwater Migration and how they are determined. The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, group discussion, and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) process. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total). For more information and to register, see https://www.clu-in.org/live.

CL:AIRE PFAS Remediation Technology Evaluation Framework (2026). The framework was developed by the Environment Agency as part of a project called Lines of Evidence to Assess the Effectiveness of PFAS Remediation Technologies. The framework will help to develop a more robust and consistent regulatory approach to PFAS remediation across England. An overview fact sheet, four case study fact sheets and a 30 minute video have been created to help with the understanding and use of the framework. View or access the Framework at https://claire.co.uk/?option=com_content&view=article&id=7262&catid=503

Technology Innovation News Survey Corner. The Technology Innovation News Survey contains market/commercialization information; reports on demonstrations, feasibility studies and research; and other news relevant to the hazardous waste community interested in technology development. Recent issues, complete archives, and subscription information is available at https://clu-in.org/products/tins/. The following resources were included in recent issues:

• A Data-Driven Phytotechnology Framework for Identification and Remediation of Leached-Metals-Contaminated Soil Near Coal Ash Impoundments

Design and Construction Issues at Hazardous Waste Sites (DCHWS) - West Fall 2026 Symposium, Denver, CO, November 17-19, 2026. The applications of engineering and science associated with cleaning up hazardous waste sites continue to evolve rapidly. DCHWS aims to facilitate an interactive engagement between professionals from government and the private sector related to relevant and topical issues affecting their field. The agenda is now available for the 2 -1/2 day event, sponsored by Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Denver Metro Post (DMP) and US EPA, providing the latest techniques and challenges when working at Hazardous Waste sites. To register, please visit: https://sites.google.com/samephiladelphiapost.org/dchws/west-symposium/fall-2026-dchws

DoW Applied Innovation Workshop, November 30-December 4, 2026, Washington, D.C. The Department of War’s (DoW) Applied Innovation Workshop will bring together project teams, implementation partners, industry innovators, and students to enhance energy resilience, modernize infrastructure, and equip warfighters and installations with resources needed to fight and win in contested environments. Sessions and activities at the December event will continue to build on the momentum and outcomes from the March 2026 event. To register, please visit: https://www.dowinnovationworkshop.org/.

Save the Date: FRTR Fall 2026 General Meeting on Recent Developments in PFAS Remediation Technologies, December 15, 2026, Washington, DC and online. The FRTR 2026 Fall Meeting, held in-person and virtually, will focus on advanced remediation technologies for PFAS. It provides an opportunity to share the expanding PFAS knowledge base and highlights progress in the rapidly evolving field of PFAS remediation. Invited speakers will provide presentations and panel discussions to share accomplishments and new methodologies in key technical areas and discuss application of recent advances in characterization and remediation of PFAS-impacted sites. The morning session will focus on recent advances in PFAS characterization, fate, and transport. The afternoon session will build on these topics by exploring PFAS numerical modeling, technology transfer, and PFAS destruction technologies. Registration is planned to open in mid-October 2026. For more information, see https://frtr.gov/meetings.cfm.

Call For Abstracts Extended for RemTEC & Emerging Contaminants Summit, Rosemont, IL, April 13-15, 2027. The RemTEC & Emerging Contaminants Summit convenes academic, consulting, regulatory, stakeholder, and other thought leaders to address today's most pressing environmental science, remediation technology, and emerging contaminants challenges. Presenters are invited to submit abstracts that translate innovative research findings from the laboratory to the field, with a focus on high quality technical advancements, regulatory insights, and real-world case studies that promote advancements in environmental remediation and the management of emerging contaminants. The abstract due date is extended to October 12, 2026. Submit your abstract at https://www.remediation-technology.com/remtecsummit/submit-abstract.

Save the Date – Brownfields 2027, Salt Lake City, UT, May 25-28, 2027. The National Brownfields Training Conference brings together stakeholders from government, industry, and the community to share knowledge and best practices on the remediation and redevelopment of contaminated properties, known as brownfields. The conference features a range of sessions, workshops, and networking events that cover topics such as financing, liability, and community engagement, with the goal of promoting the cleanup and revitalization of contaminated sites across the United States. The conference provides a platform for participants to learn about the latest technologies and strategies for cleaning up and reusing contaminated properties, as well as opportunities to connect with peers and potential partners. For more information, please visit https://gobrownfields.org/

NOTE: For TechDirect, we prefer to concentrate mainly on new documents and the Internet live events. However, we do support an area on CLU-IN where announcement of conferences and courses can be regularly posted. We invite sponsors to input information on their events at https://clu-in.org/courses. Likewise, readers may visit this area for news of upcoming events that might be of interest. It allows users to search events by location, topic, time period, etc.
If you have any questions regarding TechDirect, contact Jean Balent at (202) 566-0832 or balent.jean@epa.gov.

Remember, you may subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription address at https://clu-in.org/techdirect at any time night or day.