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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 Still 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.

US EPA PFAS TECH Strategy Released. To support the EPA’s PFAS Technology Evaluation, Coordination, and Harmonization (PFAS TECH) Strategy, the Agency will invest in and prioritize opportunities to advance PFAS technology development and deployment. In addition to working with states and localities, EPA will work with federal partners, its regional offices, and the private sector. Pilot projects have been started at several Superfund sites across the US. To get involved, contact PFASTECH@epa.gov. For more information, please visit https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-10/pfas-tech-strategy_final.pdf

ITRC Vapor Intrusion Mitigation (VIM-1) - A Two Part Series, Part Two: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 1:00PM-3:00PM EST (18:00-20:00 UTC). 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. This is the second part of a two-part series. The archive of the October 22 session is available at https://www.clu-in.org/conf/itrc/vim-1_102226.

Building the Ecosystem to Support Critical Minerals Recovery from Mining Waste Materials, Wednesday November 4, 2026, 2:00PM-3:00PM EST (19:00-20:00 UTC) The November edition of the Battelle Energy webinar series will shine a spotlight on the Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technology Assessment Initiative (EMRTAI), an innovative EPA-funded, Battelle-led initiative that works to test and advance technologies to recover critical minerals from waste at legacy mining sites. This webinar will consist of an overview of the EMRTAI program, and EPA’s next steps for critical minerals recovery as part of legacy mining and mineral processing site remediation. In addition, two technology developers will share information about their experiences and challenges in advancing their technologies as part of the developing critical minerals recovery ecosystem. For more information and to register, see https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/ab340328-8017-4df1-a129-3e2371599682@2dd732a6-0413-473f-a1ce-68d1616444b6?source=copyLinkLegacyShareEventDialog

RemPlex: Data Readiness for Artificial Intelligence Applications in Environmental Remediation - Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 12:00-1:30PM EDT (17:00-18:30 GMT). As AI-enabled tools become part of everyday research and operational workflows, understanding how these systems function and use data is essential for using them effectively and evaluating their outputs critically. A panel of data scientists will provide an overview of AI, machine learning (ML), and large language model (LLM) methods; discuss data needs with insight on what environmental data readiness means for use with AI/ML methods; and talk about approaches for extracting, cleaning, and preparing data for environmental applications of AI. Presented by the Center for the Remediation of Complex Sites (RemPlex). For more information and to register, see https://www.pnnl.gov/remplex-seminars.

ITRC PFAS Sorption Based Technologies for Separation & Concentration of PFAS from Water, November 12, 2026, 1:00PM-3:00PM EST (18:00-20:00 UTC). Removal of PFAS from water has become an important concern for water utilities; landfill operators; industry professionals; and state, local, and tribal decision makers. Sorption-based technologies, specifically granular activated carbon, ion exchange resins, and foam fractionation have proven to be effective solutions in this area, but choosing the most suitable sorption-based method or system configuration can be daunting. To aid treatment practitioners, the ITRC PFAS team published a technical guidance document titled "Sorption-based Technologies for Separation and Concentration of PFAS from Water" (Section 18 of PFAS-1). This training module is intended to assist in using the information presented in this document by providing an overview of the central topics along with easily digestible summaries of critical information. This training will be crafted for an audience with some basic understanding of PFAS and that has likely already attended the PFAS 101 training and the ITRC PFAS Beyond the Basics: Fate and Transport, Site Characterization, and Source ID training. For more information and to register, see https://www.itrcweb.org or https://www.clu-in.org/live.

ITRC Understanding Vapor Intrusion - Introductory Concepts & Fundamentals - A Two Part Series, November 17 and December 3, 2026, 1:00PM-3:00PM EST (18:00-20:00 UTC). The Vapor Intrusion 101 training series provides an overview of vapor intrusion (VI) and presents information from the 2026 ITRC VI Toolkit (which includes fact sheets, technology information sheets, and checklists). This course introduces participants to the fundamentals of vapor intrusion, the process by which vapor-forming chemicals in contaminated soil or groundwater volatilize and migrate into buildings. The course will discuss sources, pathways, and receptors. It will identify and assess VI risks in various settings (residential, commercial, industrial) and familiarize participants with regulatory frameworks and guidelines (e.g., USEPA, state-specific regulations). The participants will gain working knowledge of how to develop a Conceptual Site Model (CSM), design and implement sampling strategies, establish data quality objectives (DQOs), and conduct data and risk evaluations. It will provide an overview of mitigation strategies, including various closure strategies, land use covenants, and institutional controls. For more information and to register, see https://www.itrcweb.org or https://www.clu-in.org/live.

Federal Facilities Online Academy: Coordinating with Tribes at Federal Facilities, November 18, 2026, 1:00PM-3:00PM EST (18:00-20:00 UTC). Coordinating with Tribes at Federal Facilities is a two-hour webinar course that will provide an overview of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy on consultation and coordination with Indian Tribes at federal facilities. This webinar will also provide tips on how to work more collaboratively during this process. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives: Identify EPA processes and policies for interacting with the Tribes; Understand the roles of EPA and tribal governments in Federal Facility clean ups; and, Discover EPA resources and tools available to assist Federal Facilities in building partnerships with the Tribes. The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, group discussions, and case studies. 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.

RemPlex: From Job-Search Anxiety to Career Clarity: Honest Advice for Navigating the Search for a Job in the Environmental Field - Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 4:00-5:30PM EDT (21:00-22:30 GMT). Building a career in the environmental field can happen through a variety of paths, and job searching can feel overwhelming. Join a panel of environmental professionals for an honest, practical conversation about the many directions a career can take, what the work is really like, and how to navigate applications, opportunities , career detours, and professional connections. Open to people at all career stages, this panel will focus on advice for students, graduate students, and early-career scientists and engineers. Presented by the Center for the Remediation of Complex Sites (RemPlex). For more information and to register, see https://www.pnnl.gov/remplex-seminars.

Federal Facilities Online Academy: Determining Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) in RODs, December 2, 2026, 1:00PM-3:00PM EST (18:00-20:00 UTC). Determining ARARs at Federal Facility Sites is a two-hour webinar course that will highlight how to determine Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) in decision-documents based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance, identify commonly used ARARs, and when to involve partners. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives: Understand the general procedures for ARAR identification, analysis, and documentation; Learn about ARARs under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 121(d) and associated EPA guidance; Identify the three types of ARARs and how they are determined; and, Explore CERCLA ARAR waiver criteria and the six waivers identified under CERCLA 121(d). For more information and to register, see https://www.clu-in.org/live.

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:

• Vertebrae™ Segmented Horizontal Wells for Monitoring PFAS Mass Discharge

NAVFAC Watershed Contaminated Source Document (WCSD) Update With Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Considerations (TM-NAVFAC EXWC-SH-2601, April 2026). An updated memorandum has been prepared by NAVFAC to assist in the development of Watershed Contaminated Source Document (WCSDs). This memorandum enhances and adds to the content of the original WCSD fact sheet developed in 2003 with emphasis on PFAS-related considerations for literature review, conceptual site model (CSM) development, and source evaluation. View or download at https://exwc.navfac.navy.mil/Portals/88/Documents/EXWC/Restoration/er_pdfs/s/Final_WCSD_Report_Apr26.pdf?ver=eoUXy2ATCc9IR88QQ3_Vbw%3D%3D

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 such as “Using Real-Time Remote Sensors to Reduce the Cost of Long-Term Monitoring and Remediation” 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/.

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. To register, see https://frtr.gov/meetings.cfm.

Save the Date – ITRC Annual Meeting, April 5-8, 2027, Indianapolis, Indiana. During the Annual Meeting, ITRC’s active Project Teams and Programs will network, collaborate on environmental topics, and develop trusted guidance and training. For more information, please visit https://itrcweb.org/2027-annual-meeting/.

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.

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