Active

Contract Opportunity

Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) are an official government contracting resource for small businesses. Find your local PTAC (opens in new window) for free government expertise related to contract opportunities.

Page | 1 of 5
Performance Work Statement (PWS)
Temporary Operation and Process Improvement of on-site High-Pressure Boilers
VA Central Western MA HCS (STA 631)
Facility Management Services
Introduction
VA CWM is looking temporary boiler plant operators to cover for storages while permanent FTEs are sought.
BPOs shall be familiar with and trained IAW the requirements outline herein and shall also be utilized for routine maintenance, repair, and process improvement including documentation of standard work instructions where needed. Regular tasks discussed in detail below.

Scope
This contract is to operate, during certain shifts, a fully functional High Pressure (15 PSI and greater) Boiler Plant with all the associated equipment to produce and distribute high pressure steam at the Central Western MA Healthcare System. One Boiler Plant Operators (BPO) are required for this contract. Coverage to include various rotating shifts which includes days, evenings and nights as well as weekdays and weekends (to include Holidays). Contractors will be paid on an hourly rate (standard 8 hour shifts, planned 40hrs per week with 3 days off maximum in between shifts). Operators must always remain in boiler plant during their shift. Contractor s work will be confined to the Boiler Plant. Operation of the VA Boiler Plant must be in a safe manner. Boiler safety must not be compromised to maintain service (see item 9 - Reporting Emergency Operation issues below)
Tasks to be performed: (The below list represent typical tasks that may occur during each shift, but not all tasks will be completed each shift (Listed as Required (AR)).
The operator shall perform the minimum duties listed in the table below as part of their daily activities. Record or perform task at required interval - *M-Monthly, D-Daily, S - Once per shift, H-Hourly, AR - As Required
1
Overall plant operation (Logs must be taken by hand even if automatic logs or SCADA system is in place)
*H
2
Record tag number of equipment with any issues
H
3
Inlet and outlet temperature and pressure of all equipment, Condensate, DA, economizer, boiler etc.
H
4
Inlet and outlet pressure of all operating pumps
H
5
Plant temperature, outside air temperature, and exhaust gas temperature (before and after economizer if installed)
H
6
Fuel flow and firing rate for each boiler online
H
7
Steam flow to the medical center
H
8
Make up water meter totalizer and condensate return rate.
H
9
Fuel train pressures and flows for each boiler that is online
H
10
Boiler pressure and temperature
H
11
Note any leaks or system problems abnormal operating conditions etc.
H
12
Header pressure, temperature, and if branches pressure and temperature of each branch leaving the plant
H
13
Other readings as required or determined by the VA medical facility
H
14
Calculated boiler combustion efficiency
S
15
Blow down water columns
D
16
Testing and adjusting water treatment
D
17
Flame scanner
M
18
Low-water cutoff (slow drain)
M
19
Fire each boiler and the pilot on the alternate fuel for 1 hour
M
20
Auxiliary low-water cut-off (slow drain)
M
21
High-water alarm
M
22
Low-water alarm
M
23
Operation of all equipment at the highest cost-effectiveness and efficiency. This means maintaining pressures, temperatures, and fuel consumption at the minimum necessary for the proper operation of the equipment, plant, and connected loads.
S
24
Re-start boiler after a safety shut down
AR
25
Take the appropriate action when there is low water alarm on boiler
AR
26
Take the appropriate action when there is loss of water in deaerator
AR
27
Take the appropriate action when there is loss of water in condensate tank
AR
28
Take the appropriate action when there is loss of electrical power
AR
29
Take the appropriate action when there is loss of water supplied to boiler room,
AR
30
Take the appropriate action when there is a loss of water to one boiler
AR
31
Bypass water around deaerator
AR
32
Bypass water around condensate tank
AR
33
Bypass water around softener
AR
34
Perform mud drum blowdown
AR
35
Regenerate water softener (this may require filling with salt)
AR
36
Take the appropriate action when there is a CO/Combustible alarm in boiler plant
AR
37
Ability to understand and follow- standard and emergency Boiler and Boiler Plant operating procedures.
AR
38
Respond to alarms: fire, emergency generator, medical Air/Oxygen/Vacuum, etc.
AR
Performance Requirements
Additionally, the operator shall be capable of and will perform the following duties at a minimum as necessary during a shift.
a) Lighting off, warming up, placing in service, and shutting down the boilers.
b) Firing on each of the available fuels.
c) Operating all plant equipment and controls, including start-up and shutdown.
d) Gradual warm-up of hot piping system and placing them into service.
e) Maintaining water quality to protect the equipment and piping from damage.
f) Handling malfunctions and emergency situations. To include emergency or backup generator operation in the central plant.
g) Collecting and organizing the equipment and plant performance records.
h) Operation of boiler plant emergency generators within the central plant and associated electrical equipment.
i) Routine equipment maintenance.
j) Preparation of equipment for inspections.
k) Operation and testing of all safety devices and control equipment;
l) Facilitating and monitoring the receipt of fuels and supplies.
m) Monitor Metasys Systems

b. Qualifications:
1. Contract operators must have at least 5 years documented experience in operations of high-pressure boiler operations (15 PSI and greater).
2. Be able to perform:
a) Heavy work; lifting of 50 lbs. frequently and 75 lbs. occasionally.
b) Work at heights and climb ladders (Conditions of dizziness or vertigo, uncontrolled or poorly controlled insulin dependent diabetes, uncontrolled or poorly controlled seizure disorder or any condition that would interfere with alertness will be disqualifying.)

c) Work in confined spaces; (A history of claustrophobia, any physical limitation(s) interfering with agility or the ability to perform work in awkward and sustained postures such as severe progressive arthritis, or body size larger than the confined space opening will be disqualifying);
d) Work in heat over 100 degrees F;
e) Work in a noisy environment (Must be able to wear hearing protection when necessary);
f) Work involving potential hazardous exposures such as asbestos, machine parts, soot, dirt, grease, chemicals, oil, and fumes;
g) Ability to function safely while wearing a respirator - Work requiring an OSHA approved respirator and proper fit tested.
h) Standing and bending for long periods of time.
i) Ability to distinguish between audible alarms (Must not be hearing impaired).
j) Read warning signs/signals, at least 20/40 vision in worse eye with or without correction and 20/20 in the better eye with or without correction, and unimpaired depth perception; Be able to distinguish between colors Red and Green.
k) Contractor must provide medical certification that their contract operators meet the above requirements.
c. Training: At a minimum, contract operators shall take and pass VHA Safe Steamin Course 1 and 2, work with Qualified VA operator for a minimum of 3 weeks prior to standing shift alone, this time period may be more or less depending on experience, and demonstrated skills of contract operators. Operator will be deemed qualified based on completion of training and demonstration of ability to execute required tasks for the Assistant Chief Engineer. Contract operators must also take and pass any other required training for contract operators and meet the requirements of item 6 below. Contractor shall provide operators with required training completed.
d. Monitoring VA Alarm Systems: Contract operators must monitor/respond to alarms received in boiler plant from Emergency Generators, Medical Oxygen, Medical Air, Fire Alarm System, etc. and respond per VA standard operating procedures (SOP). VA SOPs will be provided after contract award.
f. Specific Personal Protective Equipment - Contractor workers must wear (provided by contractor):
Arc rated or natural fiber long pants and long sleeve shirt.
OSHA approved steel toed foot gear (work boots) - OSHA's foot protection standard 29 FR 1910.136 which requires that the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) standard for Men's Safety-Toe Footwear, Z41.1-1967 be met.
Hearing protection
Eye protection
g. OSHA Training - Contract workers must be trained by the contractor in the follow procedures as defined by:
OSHA Hazard Communication Training including Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
OSHA Lockout/tagout procedures (VA will provide training on site and equipment specific requirements)
NFPA 70E (latest edition) Standard for electrical safety in the workplace
4. Non-Functioning Safety Devices Non-functioning safety device are to be reported immediately per notification process and must be documented each shift in the daily log and must state any additional work to make the plant operate safely.
5. Complete daily logs Contract workers shall review daily logs with the operator standing shift before them, at the beginning of each shift and document any significant actions such as: any equipment failures, repairs made, operational difficulties, unusual operational conditions etc. each shift. Documentation shall include any non-functioning safety devices. Similarly, the operator shall review the same information with the operator following them on the next shift.
6. Communication - Contract workers shall Communicate VIA 2-way radio and/or telephone as defined by VA policy. Contract workers shall communicate with other VA operators prior to and after each shift to communicate the status of the plant and any operational issues.
7. VA Badge/ID - Contractor will follow VA procedures to receive a VA identification badge.
8. Contractor to provide emergency contacts Contractor will provide VA with emergency 24/7 emergency contact information to include names and telephone numbers.
9. Reporting Emergency Operation issues if any issues arises that cannot be resolved in a timely manner that will result in the loss of steam pressure or volume contract worker shall immediately contact the VA list of contacts until someone is reached, normally this is the Boiler Plant Supervisor 1st, Assistant Chief Engineer 2nd and the Chief Engineering 3rd.
10. VA Callback Procedures: Contract operator may be requested to callback VA Personnel to perform Boiler or other VA Engineering task per VA Call back procedures.
11. Notice of Shift Change: VA will give contractor 2 weeks notice prior to requesting shift change (move to another shift) unless an unplanned event occurred.
12. Facility Locations, Shift, etc. - Contractor shall provide service according to Facility Locations and Shift Information.
13. Hand Tool Set - Contractor shall supply basic hand tool set i.e. plyers, screwdrivers, wire strippers, hammer, etc.
14. Security - The contractor will be required to obtain security screenings and ID badges for employees through VA prior to the start of any work.
Contractor Responsibilities:
a. The Contractor shall prescreen all personnel requiring access to the computer systems to ensure they maintain the appropriate Background Investigation, and are able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
b. Within 3 business days after award, the Contractor shall provide a roster of Contractor and Subcontractor employees to the COR to begin their background investigations in accordance with the PAL template artifact. The Contractor Staff Roster shall contain the Contractor s Full Name, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, individual background investigation level requirement (based upon Section 6.2 Tasks), etc. The Contractor shall submit full Social Security Numbers either within the Contractor Staff Roster or under separate cover to the COR. The Contractor Staff Roster shall be updated and provided to VA within 1 day of any changes in employee status, training certification completion status, Background Investigation level status, additions/removal of employees, etc. throughout the Period of Performance. The Contractor Staff Roster shall remain a historical document indicating all past information and the Contractor shall indicate in the Comment field, employees no longer supporting this contract. The preferred method to send the Contractor Staff Roster or Social Security Number is by encrypted e-mail. If unable to send encrypted e-mail, other methods which comply with FIPS 140-2 are to encrypt the file, use a secure fax, or use a traceable mail service.
c. Only electronic fingerprints are authorized. The Contractor shall bring their completed Security and Investigations Center (SIC) Fingerprint request form with them (see paragraph d.4. below) when getting fingerprints taken.
d. The Contractor shall ensure the following required forms are submitted to the COR within 5 days after contract award:
1) Optional Form 306
2) Self-Certification of Continuous Service
3) VA Form 0710
4) Completed SIC Fingerprint Request Form
e. The Contractor personnel shall submit all required information related to their background investigations (completion of the investigation documents (SF85, SF85P, or SF 86) utilizing the Office of Personnel Management s (OPM) Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) after receiving an email notification from the Security and Investigation Center (SIC).
f. The Contractor employee shall certify and release the e-QIP document, print and sign the signature pages, and send them encrypted to the COR for electronic submission to the SIC. These documents shall be submitted to the COR within 3 business days of receipt of the e-QIP notification email. (Note:
OPM is moving towards a click to sign process. If click to sign is used, the Contractor employee should notify the COR within 3 business days that documents were signed via e-QIP).
g. The Contractor shall be responsible for the actions of all personnel provided to work for VA under this contract. In the event that damages arise from work performed by Contractor provided personnel, under the auspices of this contract, the Contractor shall be responsible for all resources necessary to remedy the incident.
h. A Contractor may be granted unescorted access to VA facility and/or access to VA Information Technology resources (network and/or protected data) with a favorably adjudicated Special Agreement Check (SAC), completed training delineated in VA Handbook 6500.6 (Appendix C, Section 9), signed Contractor Rules of Behavior , and with a valid, operational PIV credential for PIV-only logical access to VA s network. A PIV card credential can be issued once your SAC has been favorably adjudicated and your background investigation has been scheduled by OPM. However, the Contractor will be responsible for the actions of the Contractor personnel they provide to perform work for VA. The investigative history for Contractor personnel working under this contract must be maintained in the database of OPM.
i. The Contractor, when notified of an unfavorably adjudicated background investigation on a Contractor employee as determined by the Government, shall withdraw the employee from consideration in working under the contract.
j. Failure to comply with the Contractor personnel security investigative requirements may result in loss of physical and/or logical access to the VA Facility and systems by Contractor and Subcontractor employees and/or termination of the contract for default.

Deliverables
Services/ Unit price for 640 hours Regular Time(Mon-Friday, 8hr shifts)
Sunday/Holiday time unit price for 32 hours.
Mandatory overtime (>8hrs or Saturday) unit price for 32 hours.
Certification and training records showing VA specific qualifications as noted herein (safe steaming, operator licensure, OSHA training etc) to be included in bid.

Attachments/Links