PWS_UAIB_DomeRemoval_Feasibility_Study_V1.1.pdf

Radome Removal Project Performance Work Statement

PROCUREMENT SENSITIVE INFORMATION

Performance Work Statement (PWS) for the

Radiosonde Frequency Migration Project (RFMP)

Upper Air Inflation Buildings (UAIB)

Feasibility Study for Radome Removal and Roof Remediation

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

OFFICE OF OBSERVATIONS

1325 EAST WEST HIGHWAY

SILVER SPRING, MD 20910

V.1.1

Contents

1 Introduction 3

1.1 Background 3

1.2 Objectives 4

2 Scope 4

2.1 Contract kickoff conference 5

Appendix A – Feasibility Study Locations 5

Appendix B – Inspection Execution / Feasibility Study Report 5

Appendix C – Schedule of Deliverables 7

Appendix D – Feasibility Study Report Template 9

1 Introduction

1.1 Background

Since the late 1930's the National Weather Service (NWS) has measured vertical atmospheric profiles of pressure, temperature, relative humidity, and wind velocity. The NWS has primarily used balloon-borne sensors for ‘upper air’ atmospheric observations. Atmospheric observations are a key source of data for weather forecasters and computer models.

The NWS currently operates 92 Upper Air Observations Stations throughout the United States and various territories. These stations perform daily Upper Air Soundings by launching balloons that carry a small instrument package, called a radiosonde, which measures temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction and transmits all this information back to the ground A typical NWS Upper Air Station uses a radiosonde system with manually launched balloons. The system consists of an Inflation Building where the balloons are prepared and a large tracking antenna inside a protective dome (called a ‘radome’) to receive the radiosonde data. Typically, the antenna and radome are located on the roof of the Inflation Building but at a few sites the radome is located on top of another building or at ground level.

Figure 1-1 Typical Radiosonde Radomes and Inflation Buildings

The NWS is currently undergoing a major project to modernize all its radiosonde systems. The new radiosonde systems no longer require large tracking antennas, and all the old tracking equipment is being retired. The NWS is exploring the prospect of removing the domes and weatherproofing the exposed roof at specified sites within the Continental USA (CONUS).

The NWS is seeking an engineering firm capable of assessing NWS sites and performing feasibility studies as to which radomes can be safely removed without requiring major repairs or structural changes to the buildings they are attached to.

The result of this “Feasibility Study” will be a government generated report, based on the accumulation of individual site reports, which shall detail a recommendation and itemized cost estimate detailing specific data points (Appendix B), which will support additional government analysis and decisions regarding the ‘feasibility’ of a radome removal, in consideration of the Project’s time and funding constraints.

Information provided by these studies will then be used to create plans and cost estimates with the goal to remove the radomes and refurbish roofs.

1.2 Objectives

The two main objectives of this contract are to:

1. Perform comprehensive Upper Air Inflation Building (UAIB) assessments at the locations specified in Appendix A.

2. Prepare radome removal feasibility study reports for each UAIB site in accordance with the requirements as stated in Appendix B.

2 Scope This Performance Work Statement (PWS) describes the site inspections to be performed and follow on feasibility study reports.

The Contractor shall execute the inspection following an agreed upon schedule, in coordination with the NWS, to meet NWS requirements for inspection execution and deliverables as specified in Appendix B and Appendix C.

The Contractor shall provide bi-weekly updates on the status of the site inspections and deliver feasibility study reports upon completion in accordance with Appendix C.

This work shall be done in coordination with the Task Manager, the building lessors (if applicable), NWS Regional Facility Managers, and local NWS site personnel.

The Project will consist of a kickoff meeting followed by individual inspections resulting in the delivery of feasibility study reports for each NWS Upper Air site located in the Continental United States. These locations are listed in Appendix A, Feasibility Study Locations.

Note:

• Site inspections shall be non destructive visual, however ‘destructive’ can be interpreted differently. Non-destructive herein is an activity that will NOT require repairs after inspection. Sampling for testing is acceptable.

• The contractor will be required to provide ladders, man-lifts, related safety equipment and any other means for inspection. Furthermore the contractor is expected to communicate/coordinate with site personnel all access requirements.

Activity Start End

Contract Award April 2023 April 2023

Kick-Off Meeting May 2023 May 2023

Period of Performance April 2023 April 2025

Figure 2-0-1 Activity Schedule

2.1 Contract kickoff conference

Within thirty days after award, the Contractor shall attend and support a contract kickoff conference held at an agreed upon location or teleconference. The objectives of the kickoff include:

● Introduce key personnel and review the list of contacts.

● Provide the Contractor with additional background information on Upper Air Inflation

Buildings. This may include a tour of several radomes located at the Sterling Field Support Center (Sterling, VA).

● Contractor shall present and discuss project plans and schedule.

● Review reporting requirements and report formats.

● Review and respond to Contractor questions

Appendix A - Feasibility Study Locations Refer to Attached Excel Spreadsheet.

Appendix B – Inspection Execution / Feasibility Study Report Each feasibility study report shall contain at a minimum the following:

B.1 Describe the condition of the inflation building and the roof structure: identify any damage, corrosion, or rot that requires immediate attention or will affect the dome removal process.

B.2 Configuration of the radome support structure:

B.2.1 Document how the radome is connected to the support structure (digital photo) and how its support structure is attached (digital photo) to the building.

B.2.2 Determine if the removal of the radome will negatively impact the structural integrity of the building and roof requiring additional building repairs or modifications.

B.3 Provide a recommendation and itemized cost for the dome removal and any required site restoration of Upper Air Inflation Building as well as (ground based) concrete slabs.

B.4 Configuration of the electrical system inside the radome and associated roof penetrations:

B.4.1 Identify the circuit breakers for each radome power circuit in the building's service panel (digital photos) B.4.2 Determine what work is required to properly remove the electrical components from the dome area (digital photos).

B.5 Identify the type of roof water-proofing material used and current condition (digital photos).

B.6 Condition of the roof access stairway and rooftop railings:

B.6.1. Determine if stairway and railings are safe to use and in good repair (digital photos).

B.6.2 Provide repair recommendations and itemized cost (if applicable)

B.7 Configuration of the rooftop grounding system, lightning protection system, and aircraft collision avoidance lights (if existing):

B.7.1 Determine if collision lights will still be required after the overall height of the building is lowered by removing the dome.

B.7.2 Document how power is provided to the collision lights.

B.8 Utilize multiple methods to identify (non-destructive and testing) structural areas where asbestos, lead paint, or other hazardous materials may be present.

Refer to Appendix D for minimum data requirements

B.9 Evaluate access to the site for heavy equipment: identify special site preparation work (necessary removal of fences, removal of structures, grading, road reinforcement, etc.) that will be required to get large vehicles (cranes, semi-trailers, etc.) near the Inflation Building.

Refer to Appendix D for minimum data requirements

B.10 Investigate if the site is subject to any restrictive local regulations that will require submitting special applications before dome removal work can proceed.

Refer to Appendix D for minimum data requirements (as applicable)

The findings from each inspection shall be presented in a feasibility study report that will include labeled digital photographs and engineering sketches where appropriate.

Appendix C - Schedule of Deliverables Contractor shall submit for government review and approval the following deliverables:

Survey Execution:

Deliverable Frequency Due Date (NLT) Submit to

Questions submitted to Government prior to kickoff conference

Once, plus updates as needed

10 days after contract award

Task Manager, COR

Attend Kick-off meeting Once 30 days after contract award

N/A

Preliminary schedule Once, plus updates as needed

30 days after contract award

Task Manager, COR

Feasibility Study Execution Plan (Plan of Action)

Once, plus updates as needed

30 days after contract award

Task Manager, COR

Final Schedule Once, plus updates as needed

45 days after contract award

Task Manager, COR

Attend bi-weekly project update meeting

Bi-Weekly N/A N/A

For each UAIB Site:

Deliverable Frequency Due Date (NLT) Submit to

Site feasibility study reports (using the provided template) in accordance with

Once 30 days after each site inspection

Task Manager, COR

Appendix B

Local Permit and Building Requirements

Once 30 days after each site inspection

Task Manager

All documents delivered by the Contractor shall be in electronic format using MS Office software applications including data in Excel and reports in Word format.

Appendix D - Feasibility Study Report Template