Site_Visit_Question_Answers_0005.docx

Question #1: How long will the outage be?

Answer #1:

An outage request is submitted through our Outage Dispatcher to Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) with a requested date, outage duration, and scope of work. BPA will then review their system and outage request from other entities and approve or may suggest a slightly different starting date. Outage requests for the KX26A transformer bank and 500-kV transmission line requires six months advance notice.

The contractor will need to provide an abbreviated work schedule for on-site work for the disposal of the transformer along with an outage requested start and end dates. The work schedule should support the requested outage duration. BPA usually attempts to honor requested outage duration if possible.

The Government will provide a clearance holder who will request and hold the clearance for the outage. A special work permit process is used for contractors to lock on to the clearance. We require that contractor employees to verify energy isolation points (walk the clearance). For this work, there are energy isolation points that are located in our 500-kV switchyard which is about five to six miles away by road. This process usually takes about two to four hours to accomplish.

Question #2: When was the transformer taken offline?

Answer #2:

Transformer failed on March 22, 2017 at 1114 hours. Transformer oil was drained shortly after failure and the transformer was moved to its present location when the transformer was replaced during the summer of 2017.

The tank ruptured at the seam just above coolers and leaked oil. The X1 bushing was damaged (cracked at midpoint) and the other bushings were not damaged. There was no transformer oil fire.

Question #3: When was the transformer oil drained?

Answer #3:

The transformer was drained during the summer or fall of 2017. The oil was legally disposed of by the Government’s environmental contractor.

Question #4: When were internal photographs taken of the transformer?

Answer #4:

Internal photographs were taken during March to October 2017.

Question #5: May work hours be adjusted?

Answer #5:

The Performance Work Statement Requirements:

The Contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of 0700 and 1700 Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings.

Work on Saturday and Sunday will require prior approval to schedule coverage by Government staff. Work outside of 0700 to 1700 (within a ten-hour day), earlier start or later end, will be accommodated provided advance approval is obtained. Work beyond a ten-hour day will need approval early in a day to allow for coverage by Government staff.

Question #6: Could contractor work Monday- Saturday?

Answer #6:

The contractor may work Monday to Saturday with prior approval.

Question #7: Does Reclamation have lifting brackets that bolt on to the transformer?

Answer #7:

A search of spare parts did not locate the lifting brackets or lifting lugs. An inquiry was made about the brackets, but they could not be located. The Government has not been able to locate them.

The transformer was moved off the concrete pad after the oil was drained by riggers. The riggers used cribbing and the jacking plates to raise and lower the transformer. Hydraulic rams were used to move along a skid frame.

Figure 1 Transformer Lifting Bracket

Question #8: Is flame cutting permitted?

Answer: #8 There are two issues:

(a) A hot work permit will be required for this type of operation.

(b) Because of the State of Washington requirements for this transformer (3 ppm PCB in oil), this transformer must be disposed of following the rules of 50 ppm and less than 500 ppm PCB level:

Flame cutting is only permitted if the requirements of 40 CFR 761.79(b)(3)(i))(A) are followed. The requirement is that a non-porous surface where the flame would contact be cleaned less than or equal to 10 micrograms/100 cm2 wipe sample. For reference see attached August 12, 1998 letter from Environmental Protection Agency to Mr. Kenneth Mackenthun.

The definition of a non-porous surface:

Non-porous surface means a smooth, unpainted solid surface that limits penetration of liquid containing PCBs beyond the immediate surface. Examples are: smooth uncorroded metal; natural gas pipe with a thin porous coating originally applied to inhibit corrosion; smooth glass; smooth glazed ceramics; impermeable polished building stone such as marble or granite; and high density plastics, such as polycarbonates and melamines, that do not absorb organic solvents.

Question #9: Can the transformer be dismantled where it sits?

Answer: #9:

The transformer may be dismantled where it sits.

If required, the fence around the transformer can be temporary removed during this work. The Government will remove the fence section if required. The ground grid only extends about three feet beyond the fence. If a crane or similar is operating between inside of the switchyard and outside of the switchyard, measures will need to be taken to prevent hazardous touch potential differences or step potential differences if there should be a ground fault in the switchyard.

It is desired for the Government to reuse the timbers that are located under the transformer.

Question #10: Where can we enter and exit the switchyard?

Answer: #10:

Entry into the switchyard is through a gate marked “gate” in Figure 2. There is access to Washington Route 174. There is vehicle gate on this road. During this work the gate will be opened if required.

This switchyard is an active switchyard. During this work, the three transformers adjacent to failed transformer will be de-energized along with associated bus feeding the transformers. Other parts of the switchyard will remain energized during this work.

The access road outside of the present switchyard fence maybe used as a working/staging area. If required, the Government will take down the fence before the work and re-install the fence after the work. The ground grid only extends about three feet beyond the fence. Measures will need to be taken to prevent hazardous touch potential differences or step potential differences if there should be a ground fault in the switchyard.

Question #10: Where can we enter and exit the switchyard?

Access Road

Truck turn around And laydown area Gate

Figure 1 Google Earth View of Work Area Showing Access Gate and Access Road in Switchyard

WA 174

Figure 2 Google Earth View of Work Area Showing Access Road from Washington Route 174 Question #11: Where will staging area be located?

Answer #11:

There is a triangular area beyond the transformer that may be used for a staging area. Refer to Figure 2.

A staging area can also be located on the access road just outside of the fence. If required, the Government will remove the fence before work and re-install it after the work.

Question #12: Where can the trucks turn around?

Answer #12:

There is triangular area just beyond the failed transformer where trucks may turn around. Refer to Figure 2.

Outside the switchyard, there may be sufficient room to turn a truck around just outside of the gate shown to be used for access.

Question #13: What Roads in switchyard may be used?

Answer #13:

The road from the indicated gate in Figure 2 to the transformer and the road to triangular area beyond the transformer.

Question #14: After project awarded, when would the project start?

Answer #14:

After award, an outage request is required along with an estimated work duration. The Government will make a request for an outage with a requested date and outage duration (work duration). Outages are scheduled six months in advance. Work on site should start on the first day of outage and be completed by end of the outage.

An outage is required because of the proximity of a 500-kV transmission line.

Question #15: After bid closes, how long will take to notify winning bidder?

Answer #15:

Three to four weeks. Winning bidder will be notified by email with purchase order.

Question #16: Is there any other training that will be required besides compliance with OSHA 1910.120 Answer #16:

Yes, the Performance Work Statement in section 3.3 referenced the Reclamation Safety and Health Standards (RSHS). Reclamation Health and Safety Standards can be found on-line here: https://www.usbr.gov/safety/rshs/index.html Section 3 of the RSHS contains the basic contractor requirements. Paragraph 3.3.2, Contract Employer, provides general requirements:

3.3.2.1 Shall ensure that all work under contract meets or exceeds the Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety and health standards and complies with the RSHS contained herein.

3.3.2.2 Shall comply with all Federal, State, and local requirements. When the requirements of one standard are in conflict with the requirements of another, the standard offering the highest level of protection to the worker, equipment, or facility must be followed.

3.3.2.3 Shall ensure safe work performance by employees and subcontractors.

3.3.2.4 Shall apply these standards to offsite activities, equipment, and facilities that primarily support the contract work.

3.3.2. Shall include provisions for meeting the safety and health requirements of these standards in the terms and conditions of all contracts, subcontracts, and supply contracts.

Section 3.4, Training Requirements, provides general requirements for training. Positions requiring certification are required to be filled by certified personnel. This would include training under OSHA 1920.120 Hazardous waste operation and emergency response. It would require certification for crane operators that are required by the State of Washington.

Training should also include lockout/tagout- clearance training. The Government will provide a briefing on the special work permits that are used when contractors perform work under Government clearances. The Government staff will also place personal protective grounds (also known as temporary protective grounds.) Training also would include an orientation to electrical safety and hazards in switchyards described in section 12, Electrical Safety Requirements.

Appendix 3C in Section 3 of RSHS has an outline of required elements for a contractor safety program. There are types of work in this outline that may not be applicable to this work scope.

Question #17: Is a plasma cutter acceptable to perform the dismantling?

Answer: #17:

The use of a plasma cutter is similar to flame cutting (oxy-acetylene cutting). The answer to Question 8 also addresses this issue.

Plasma cutting would be permitted only if the requirements of 40 CFR 761.79(b)(3)(i))(A) are followed. The requirement is that a non-porous (painted) surface where the hot plasma (arc) would contact be cleaned less than or equal to 10 micrograms/100 cm2 wipe sample. (The paint in the cutting area would need to be removed to prevent the possibility of release toxic compounds from heat applied during cutting.) For reference see attached August 12, 1998, letter from Environmental Protection Agency to Mr. Kenneth Mackenthun.

Question #18: Can the external components of the steel tank that do not encounter mineral oil such as the conduit and braces be offered as scrap and not incineration.

Answer #18:

When the transformer failed, the weld seam near the top of the transformer cracked and leaked oil. The outside of the transformer has had contact with oil.

Items that are not painted may be recycled using the sampling and decontamination methods and requirements described in 40 CFR 761.79. Regulation 40 CFR 761.79(b)(3)(i) covers unrestricted use of items. This regulation specifically calls out non-porous surface.

One option is to remove the contaminated coating from the surface by cleaning (removing paint) to the NACE visual standard (see §761.79(b)(3)(i)(B)), then confirm that this cleaning has removed the liquid PCBs from the underlying non-porous metal surface to ≤10µg/100 cm2 (See 40 CFR 761.79(b)(3)(i)(A)). Decontaminate the underlying non-porous surface to remove residual contamination from the spilled liquid.

Another option may be able to demonstrate that the paint can be decontaminated as part of request for an alternative decontaminated approval under 40 CFR 761.79(h). Consult with the regional PCB Program Coordinator to develop a process for verifying that the decontamination method is effective.

Another option may be to process painted metal through a scrap metal recovery oven or smelter as described in 40 CFR 761(b)(6) (ii)(A) and 40 CFR 72.

Non-porous surface is defined by regulation 40 CFR761.3:

Non-porous surface means a smooth, unpainted solid surface that limits penetration of liquid containing PCBs beyond the immediate surface. Examples are: smooth uncorroded metal; natural gas pipe with a thin porous coating originally applied to inhibit corrosion; smooth glass; smooth glazed ceramics; impermeable polished building stone such as marble or granite; and high density plastics, such as polycarbonates and melamines, that do not absorb organic solvents.

Porous surface is defined by regulation 40 CFR 761.3:

Porous surface means any surface that allows PCBs to penetrate or pass into itself including, but not limited to, paint or coating on metal; corroded metal; fibrous glass or glass wool; unglazed ceramics; ceramics with a porous glaze; porous building stone such as sandstone, travertine, limestone, or coral rock; low-density plastics such as styrofoam and low-density polyethylene; coated (varnished or painted) or uncoated wood; concrete or cement; plaster; plasterboard; wallboard; rubber; fiberboard; chipboard; asphalt; or tar paper. For purposes of cleaning and disposing of PCB remediation waste, porous surfaces have different requirements than non- porous surfaces.

Question #19: Please confirm that the transformer articles that come into contact with the mineral oil must be handled and treated as PCB containing material.

Answer #19: Yes, they must be handled and treated as PCB containing material.

Question #20: Please confirm that the overhead powerlines will be de-energized for the duration of the dismantling and is there a maximum time that the outage can be endured?

Answer #20:

An outage request will be made to Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) for outage from our Outage Dispatcher. The outage request will need to have an abbreviated schedule for removing the transformer. The duration of the outage will be based on the abbreviated schedule.

The outage request is request is required six months before the actual outage is granted. BPA usually honor the requested outage length and there may be some negotiation on the start date.

It is important to complete the work within the outage duration.

Also see answers to questions 1 and 15.

Question #21: Will the B.O.R allow the contractor to leave equipment on-site?

Answer #21:

Equipment may left on site during mobilization, work, and demobilization. Coordination with Government will be needed to ensure impacts to ongoing Government work is minimized.

Question #22: Will the B.O.R allow a staging area to be set up on-site to stage disposal roll off containers?

Answer #22:

Staging areas may be set inside or outside of the fence. If needed the Government will take down the fence before work and re-install the fence after the work. The ground grid for switchyard extends about three feet beyond the fence. Measures will need to taken to prevent hazardous touch potential differences and step potential differences should there be a ground fault in the switchyard.

Coordination with Government will be needed to allow access to road that is perpendicular to transformer and the access road to gate.

Figure 3 Google Earth View of Work Area Showing Access Gate and Access Road in Switchyard Don’t forget to add the letter from the EPA image3.jpeg image1.jpeg image2.jpeg