REVISED VACCHCS SOW Industrial Water Treatment.doc

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

STATEMENT OF WORK

Boilers and Chillers Industrial Water Treatment Introduction: Industrial Water Treatment Supplies and Services

The Contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, materials, supplies, equipment, technical advisory services, transportation and resources necessary for proper chemical treatment of chiller and boiler plant water and steam to achieve specified results for the VA Central California Health Care System, 2615 E Clinton Ave, Fresno, CA 93703. This contract shall be firm fixed price and consists of a year.

Period of Performance:

Base Year:

August 8, 2025 through August 7, 2026

Location/Delivery:

Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials and equipment necessary to service for the boiler and chilled water systems located at the three divisions of the VA Central California Health Care System, CA.

1. The chemical water treatment contractor shall provide all supplies and technical advisory services for proper chemical treatment of:

a. Building 22A - (3) 600 Ton and (1) 300 Ton along with (4) 25 Ton cooling towers.

b. Building 27 - (2) 15 Ton cooling towers

c. Building 2 - Three-300 HP steam boilers and associated distribution, condensate return, and deaeration systems.

d. One facility wide secondary chilled water loop with a capacity of 1,500 Tons of cooling.

e. Thirteen closed loop heating/cooling water systems of various sizes throughout the facility

2. VAMC USO employees will be responsible for continuous feeding of chemicals and performing water tests with oversight by the contractor.

3. In addition, the contractor shall periodically verify the proper operation of non-chemical water treatment systems which serve the boiler plant, chiller plant or facility HVAC systems including: feedwater deaerator, reverse osmosis water filtration system, water softener, continuous blow-down equipment, and pot feeders.

4. The goals are safety, reliability and longevity of the steam and condensate piping and equipment in the boiler plant, in the steam distribution system and in the various buildings of the VA facility.

1. Chemical Water Treatment Contractor Qualifications:

1. The contractor shall have been in business at least five years providing chemical treatment of boiler plant and steam distribution systems, cooling towers and closed loop water systems similar in design and utilization (i.e. annual steam production rates, cooling tower tonnage, cooling tower operation, closed loop system applications) to that of the VA facility. Provide a list of customers who have requested similar treatment programs utilizing the contractor’s water treatment services for at least two years.

2. One water treatment specialist who has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or the physical sciences from an accredited college or university shall be assigned to this contract. The water treatment specialist must have at least five years successful experience with boiler water treatment, cooling tower water treatment and closed loop water treatment programs.

3. The water treatment specialist assigned must be located within 100 miles of the site to enable reasonable response times to requests for site visits.

4. The contractor must operate (or continuously maintain a contract with) a state certified laboratory to perform complete scientific analyses of water chemistry, deposits, metallic materials affected by corrosion and provide recommendations for correction of problems related to the chemical and mechanical water treatment program. A Professional Chemist shall supervise the laboratory.

2. Chemicals and Testing Supplies:

1. The Contractor shall provide all chemicals, test kits, test reagents, corrosion coupons, and instructional materials as necessary to comply with all contract requirements. Deliver to the boiler plant supervisor or his/her designate.

2. Chelant-based chemicals are not permitted.

3. Chemicals containing hexavalent chromium (Cr) are not permitted.

4. All chemicals utilized must conform to FDA guidelines: CFR 21, 173.310, BOILER WATER ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN PLANTS WHERE STEAM CONTACTS FOOD. In addition, the chemicals shall conform to all local, state, and federal government regulations on water pollution and have appropriate EPA registration. The VAMC utilizes boiler steam for food preparation and for humidification.

5. Chemical Delivery Systems:

NOTE: A cost for each delivery method of chemical delivery shall be presented as part of the response to the service solicitation. Each method of chemical delivery must be clearly explained including all cost, procedural differences, and benefits of use to the VA. New equipment set up cost will be a separated line item as part of the base year cost.

a. Liquid Method - Furnish on site or reuse existing chemical storage containers with secondary containment. Provide bulk delivery service which delivers the liquid chemicals directly into the on site storage containers with no assistance necessary from VA employees other than to provide access.

b. Solid Method - Chemicals in solid form with an automatic dilution system for safe delivery. Provide a safe method to change out of solid chemical containers without contact with actual chemical by VA Personnel. A form of secondary containment is required for system.

c. Furnish on site chemical storage containers with secondary containment. Provide bulk delivery service which delivers the chemicals directly into the onsite storage containers with no assistance necessary from VA employees or equipment - other than to provide access to secured areas.

6. All existing chemicals, which are suitable for the contract program, will be utilized prior to the use of any new chemicals.

7. Submit MSDS sheets for all chemicals utilized during the performance of services under this contract. The MSDS sheets will accompany each delivery of the chemicals to the facility

8. All chemical containers shall be labeled with complete information on contents and shall be returnable. Containers with missing labels shall be removed from the site. All containers remain the property of the contractor and must be immediately removed from the site when they are no longer needed at the site.

3. Performance Requirements: Steam System

1. Total hardness in feedwater shall be less than one part per million (ppm). Advise VA personnel on proper softener monitoring and operation. Make-up feedwater conditioning equipment shall be tested, and proper operation verified by the field service technician in regular intervals not to exceed two weeks’ time. Water conditioning equipment includes carbon based filter, duplex ion-exchange water softener, and reverse osmosis filtration system. All results shall be recorded in the appropriate service report.

2. Dissolved oxygen in the feedwater shall be 7 parts per billion (ppb) maximum with oxygen scavenger treatment temporarily suspended. If it exceeds 12 ppb, provide recommendation to boiler plant supervisor that deaerator must be inspected and repaired.

3. Prevent embrittlement of boiler pressure vessels.

4. Condition the boiler sludge to obtain effective bottom blowdown.

5. Deaerator residual of sodium sulfite, 30-60 ppm, or per deaerator manufacturer guidance.

6. Boiler phosphate residual, 20-40 ppm, or per boiler pressure vessel manufacturer guidance.

7. Total dissolved solids (TDS) in boilers as high as responsible chemistry will allow, but not to exceed 4000 ppm. *Boiler feed make-up is reverse osmosis water, which allows for extremely high cycles of concentration with low TDS / conductivity.

8. Total alkalinity in boilers 800 ppm maximum (1/5 x solids TDS).

9. Maximum suspended solids in boilers 350 ppm, maximum silica 250 ppm.

10. Boiler polymer dispersant residual as recommended by supplier.

11. There shall be no “pitting” corrosion.

12. There shall be no scale and deposit formation in the boilers.

13. Moisture content of the steam shall not exceed one percent. Perform condensate conductivity tests at a steam trap near the boiler steam outlet (at a point with no amines) to evaluate the moisture content of the steam. If necessary, utilize an antifoam agent to limit solids carryover in the steam from the boilers and to control boiler priming, foaming, and misting.

14. Control boiler water chemistry to minimize blowdown and thus improve efficiency.

15. Provide steam amine treatment to provide condensate pH of 8.0 – 8.5 at each condensate receiver throughout the facility and in the condensate storage tank in the boiler plant.

16. Control corrosion rates. Steel corrosion rates shall be less than 2.0 mils per year. Copper corrosion rates shall be less than 0.2 mils per year.

17. Establish layer of magnetic iron oxide (black or dark gray in color) on all steel surfaces as a corrosion barrier.

4. Performance Requirements: HVAC Water Systems The VA is responsible for providing a clean and safe environment of care for our patients and visitors, as well as an acceptable work environment for our employees. The following Environment of Care elements of performance (EP) outline these requirements and shall be kept paramount throughout this contract period.

EC.02.05.01 — The organization manages risks associated with its utility systems.

EP 4: The organization identifies the activities and associated frequencies, in writing, for inspecting, testing, and maintaining all operating components of utility systems on the inventory. These activities and associated frequencies are in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations or with strategies of an alternative equipment maintenance (AEM) program.

EP 14: The organization minimizes pathogenic biological agents in cooling towers, domestic hot- and potable cold-water systems.

Water to be used in the condenser water systems shall be treated to maintain the conditions recommended by this specification as well as the recommendations from the manufacturers of the condenser and evaporator coils. Chemicals shall meet all required federal, state, and local environmental regulations for the treatment of condenser-side heat exchangers, cooling towers and direct discharge to the sanitary sewer. An alternating oxidizer/non-oxidizer biocide program is required, as well as an automatically fed bio-dispersant to ensure minimization of build-up of biologicals on the cooling tower sidewalls.

A. The condenser water limits shall be as follows, unless dictated differently by the cooling tower or chiller manufacturer's recommendations:

i. Treatment type Phosphonate/Polymer

ii. Puckorius Index 4 minimum

iii. Langelier Index 4 maximum

iv. Total Dissolved Solids 5000 ppm maximum

v. Calcium Hardness 1200 ppm maximum

vi. Silica 150 ppm maximum

vii. pH 7.5 - 8.5 (vary with proven techniques)

B. On treated condenser cooling tower water, blowdown must be minimized until the first of one of the top five limits is reached. Specific requirements for treatment chemicals and levels are listed below:

a. Zinc-Phosphonate Type Treatment:

i. Phosphonate

3-5 PPM

ii. Polymer

3-4 PPM

iii. Zinc

1-2 PPM

iv. TT

1-2 PPM

v. Biocides

As required*

C. Closed Loop Systems shall be treated with a borax / nitrite treatment. Specific requirements for treatment chemicals and levels are listed below:

i. Nitrate

600-1000 PPM

ii. TT or MBT

40-50 PPM

iii. Ph

8.5-9.5

iv. Biocides As required*

VAMC Fresno Feed water - Average Test Results for the Past Three Calendar Years:

VAMC Fresno Typical Make-Up Water Analysis:

4. On-Site Services:

1. The contractor shall provide complete written instructions, supplemented by oral instructions and demonstrations, to boiler plant personnel for their performance of routine water tests and for feeding the chemicals into the systems. The instructions cover all aspects of safe chemical handling and safe and accurate testing, and proper chemical feed quantities and methods to suit the plant operating parameters and water treatment performance requirements.

2. The contractor shall provide three two-hour training sessions within two months of the start of a new contract. The first session shall be within one week of the start of the contract. Provide one two-hour training session every six months after the new contract has been in force for six months.

3. As a minimum, perform the following twice monthly for each system, provide complete written reports with all test results and recommendations, and review reports with operations supervisor:

a. Condensate return systems: pH, hardness, dissolved iron and copper, total dissolved solids (conductivity), amine. Condensate conductivity at a steam trap near the boiler steam outlet. Test the condensate for pH at representative samples of condensate receivers throughout the facility weekly. Vary the sample sites every year.

b. Make-up water including soft water pH, alkalinity, hardness, total dissolved solids, suspended solids, and silica.

c. Boiler feedwater: Dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, hardness, total dissolved solids, suspended solids, and silica. Feedwater dissolved oxygen shall be tested twice per year with oxygen scavenger chemical treatment temporarily suspended so that feedwater deaerator performance can be evaluated.

d. Boiler water: Total dissolved solids, conductivity, suspended solids, sulfite, phosphate, alkalinity: P, M & OH,. Samples shall be taken from each boiler vessel at each visit, unless the boiler is down for maintenance and a sample cannot be obtained.

e. Continuous blowdown systems: Check calibration and settings weekly.

f. Chemical feed systems: Advise operation supervisor weekly on adjustments required to maintain proper chemical dosage and feed rates and blowdown rates.

g. Cooling towers: pH, silica, calcium hardness, total dissolved solids, zinc, tolytriazole, iron, copper, total hardness, biocide.

h. Closed loop water systems: pH, nitrate, total dissolved solids, iron, biocide.

Feedwater Dissolved Oxygen

X

Cooling towers

X

Closed loop water systems

X

Biweekly for each component with expectations of week 1 and week 2 alternating

4. The contractor shall visit the plant weekly of contract. Discuss the test results with the plant supervisor. Provide recommendations on treatment methods and consult on boiler plant and steam and condensate distribution systems problems as requested. Send water samples to the laboratory as necessary to resolve problems and questions. Make additional visits at the request of the plant supervisor to handle problems.

5. Conduct waterside inspection of boilers, feedwater deaerator and condensate storage tank at least once per year. Through the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), coordinate the boiler and feedwater deaerator inspection to coincide with the inspection by the Qualified Professional Inspector (boiler inspector). VA personnel will prepare equipment for inspection.

6. Provide recommendations on wet and dry boiler lay-up procedures, including monitoring, of boilers not in service.

7. Provide recommendations on proper operation of continuous boiler blowdown systems and boiler bottom blowoff procedures.

8. Test corrosion coupons from condensate lines once per year and provide report. VA personnel will install, remove and deliver the coupons to the water treatment specialist.

9. Any deficiencies or problems noted with VA test results or with the water treatment specialist’s test results are to be reported immediately to the plant supervisor. If problems are found, corrective actions must be recommended immediately, chemicals as necessary provided, and tests performed as necessary to confirm that desired results are achieved.

5. VA Boiler Plant Staff Responsibilities:

The plant personnel will perform routine testing for chemical residuals, conductivity, hardness, alkalinity, pH, chloride, silica, iron and copper, and other tests as recommended by the water treatment specialist.

6. Requests for Quotations (RPQ):

1. Prospective contractors are required to submit proposals for a complete chemical treatment program required for this medical center. Completely respond to the “Qualification Requirements” in this “Statement of Work” including qualifications and experience of the water treatment company and the water treatment specialist, and information on the state certified testing laboratory that will be utilized.

2. For informational purposes, submit a breakdown of costs to include proposed chemicals, feedrates, annual projected usage and unit costs based on the above requirements and previous usage.

3. Visit the site and meet with the boiler plant supervisor and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to discuss the existing conditions and the proposed plan for chemical treatment and monitoring of results.

7. Administrative Requirements:

1. All on site work is to be coordinated with the boiler plant supervisor at least seven (7) days prior to performance of services.

2. All work to be performed between the hours of 8:00AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal Holidays. Federal holidays are: New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday; Washington’s Birthday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth, Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veterans Day; Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day and any other declared a Federal holiday by the President of the United States.

3. Situations requiring more frequent analysis and/or special testing other than the specified requirements may arise. Do not perform any extra cost work without written authorization from the Contracting Officer. A separate purchase order will be issued to cover the costs associated with these extra tests upon request and justification from the contractor.

4. Provide information on the normal time delivery time for chemicals. Provide method for emergency chemical deliveries.

5. A laboratory certified by the State shall perform laboratory work.

6. A written report of each analysis and inspection shall be submitted immediately upon completion of each analysis and/or inspection to include a summary report of treatment recommendations based on the analysis report. Each report will be submitted in duplicate to the boiler plant supervisor and to the COR.

7. Provide emergency response, including a site visit if requested, within 4 hours of request, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Maintain a toll-free (800) telephone number and e-mail and pager system for 24-hour access.

8. Respond to routine communications within 48 hours with a visit as necessary.

9. Failure to achieve required performance goals will be justification for termination of contract.

10. Immediately prior to commencing the chemical treatment contract, VAMC will arrange for an internal inspection of each boiler by the boiler plant supervisor and the contractor’s (chemical supplier) field representative. A visual and written record of the condition of each of the boilers will be signed by the contractor and the VAMC representative. Upon termination of the contract, a similar inspection will be conducted. Any deterioration in the boiler conditions attributable to the contractor’s program shall be corrected by the contractor at no additional cost to VA.

a. At any time during contract period if equipment in contact with treated system becomes fouled by scale or sludge, loses design performance set forth by manufacturer, or is destroyed and / or impaired due to improper treatment, neglect or any other condition caused by the contracted vendor’s service, the vendor will be held solely responsible. The cost burden of repairs will be on the vendor to restore affected equipment and / or systems to “like new” conditions.

b. Any repair parts utilized will be from the original equipment manufacturer. If OEM components are not readily available, an item equal to or greater than (design, reliability and performance) may only be used at the government’s discretion and approval. Methods of repair or replacement will be of the manufacturer’s direction, via technical manuals, technical support, and / or factory direct representative.

c. In the event that equipment outages affect the utility plant’s ability to provide adequate HVAC services to the facility, the vendor shall be responsible for all contractual arrangements for the acquisition or temporary equipment, including locating an equipment provider, scheduling delivery, pick up and installation. Vendor shall also be responsible for all charges incurred for transportation, delivery, loading and off-loading of temporary equipment as well as costs incurred due to connection or installation of temporary equipment, including but not limited to piping, hoses, electrical wiring, electrical distribution and control equipment. Vendor shall also be responsible for rental / lease fees, maintenance fees and operational costs (fuel, oil, etc) of equipment required to support temporary equipment. In addition, vendor shall be responsible for providing labor without charge to the government in the event the temporary equipment utilized places an unreasonable burden on the available government labor force. (For example, if a temporary rental chiller was required the contracted vendor would provide sufficient labor to sight the equipment, assist in installation, observe repair work performed on the rental unit when and if required provide an operator for the equipment.)

8. Submittals required for all Products and Services:

1. Three hard copies of all information.

2. Complete specification of all products: name, ingredients, control range, test procedures, physical state (liquid, powder, etc.), container size, method of delivery, compatibility with present materials being used, catalog data, SDS sheets.

3. Products, quantities and projected yearly costs.

4. Personnel: Names, office address, resumes.

5. List of at least five customers with contact information.

9. Security Requirements

Security Badge: Vendor shall notify VA police on arrival and obtain a temporary badge. The VA Issued Security badge shall be worn on the upper torso and be always visible.

Contractor’s Badge: Vendor employees, and representatives shall always have a company badge or identification visible.

Physical Security: The vendor shall be responsible for safeguarding their equipment while on government property government. Additionally, the contractor shall be responsible for any government equipment, information and property provided for vendor use. Vendor will NOT be provided a staging area for storage of tools, equipment, material, supplies, and other items. The Government will not be responsible for damage or loss of vendor’s property. Vendor is responsible to safeguard its property.

OI&T Security: Office of Information and Technology (OI&T) certification and accreditation requirements do not apply for this service contract and therefore a Security Accreditation Package is not required. At no time will the vendor be in contact or have access to VA sensitive information, OI&T systems, or the VA OI&T network.

10. Quality Assurance:

For the tasks listed under the section titled Performance Requirement, the COR will follow the methods of surveillance specified in this contract.

Quality assurance testing shall be conducted semi-annually by an independent water treatment laboratory.

a. Condenser Water Quality Assurance Tests shall include the following information recorded in accordance with ASTM D 596

i. Date of Sample

ii. Temperature (Before and After Condenser) (º F)

iii. pH

iv. Silica (SiO2)

(ppm)

v. Iron (total, as FE(2)0(3))

vi. Copper (Cu)

vii. Calcium Hardness (CaCO3)

viii. Total Hardness (as CaCO3)

ix. Chloride (Cl)

x. Total Alkalinity (as CaCO3)

xi. Conductivity

(microhmo / cm)

xii. Total Dissolved Solids

xiii. Phosphonate (as PO4)

xiv. Zinc (Zn)

xv. Tolytriazole (TT)

xvi. Biocide

xvii. Bacteria colony count

(colonies / mL)

xviii. Puckorius Index

xix. Langelier Index

xx. Make up water pH

xxi. Make up water Iron

xxii. Make up water Silica

xxiii. Make up water Calcium Hardness

(ppm)

xxiv. Make up water Total Hardness

(ppm)

xxv. Make up water Total Alkalinity

xxvi. Make up water Chloride (Cl)

xxvii. Make up water Conductivity xxviii. Written evaluation summary

b. Closed Loop Water Quality Assurance Test shall include the following information recorded in accordance with ASTM D 596:

i. pH

ii. Nitrite

iii. Conductivity

(microhmo / cm)

iv. Iron (total as Fe (2) O (3))

v. Biocide

vi. Bacteria colony count

(colonies / mL)

vii. Glycol concentration (if applicable)

(% by volume)

viii. Written evaluation summary

c. Steam Boiler Quality Assurance Test shall include the following information recorded in accordance with ASTM D 596:

i. Date of Sample

ii. pH

iii. Sulfite (NaSo3)

iv. P Alkalinity (as CaCO3)

v. Conductivity

(micromho / cm)

vi. Neutralized Conductivity

vii. Total Dissolved Solids

viii. Phosphate (PO4)

ix. Polymer

x. Silica (SiO2)

xi. Iron (total as Fe (2) O (3))

xii. Condensate pH

xiii. Condensate Conductivity

xiv. Condensate Hardness (as Ca CO3)

(ppm)

xv. Condensate Iron (total as Fe (2) O (3)) (ppm)

xvi. Make-up water hardness (as CaCO3)

(ppm)

1. Visit the plant weekly, perform required tests and review daily logs of tests performed by boiler plant personnel. Discuss the test results with the plant supervisor. Provide recommendations on treatment methods and consult on boiler plant and steam and condensate distribution systems problems as requested. Send water samples to the laboratory as necessary to resolve problems and questions. Make additional visits at the request of the plant supervisor to handle problems.

2. Conduct waterside inspection of boilers, feedwater deaerator and condensate storage tank at least once per year. Through the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), coordinate the boiler and feedwater deaerator inspection to coincide with the inspection by the Qualified Professional Inspector (boiler inspector). VA personnel will prepare equipment for inspection.

3. Provide recommendations on wet and dry boiler lay-up procedures, including monitoring, of boilers not in service.

4. Provide recommendations on proper operation of continuous boiler blowdown systems and boiler bottom blowdown procedures.

5. Test corrosion coupons from condensate lines once per year and provide report. VA personnel will install, remove and deliver the coupons to the water treatment specialist.

6. Any deficiencies or problems noted with VA test results or with the water treatment specialist’s test results are to be reported immediately to the plant supervisor. If problems are found, corrective actions must be recommended immediately, chemicals as necessary provided, and tests performed as necessary to confirm that desired results are achieved.

7. When required and at a minimum of four times per a contract period, the contracted vendor shall meet with a representative of the government, and any other persons which have been contracted by the government to perform services that directly relate to the operation or could affect the condition of the HVAC and refrigeration equipment covered in this contract.

11. Quality Control:

The Contractor shall establish and maintain a complete Quality Control Plan (QCP) to ensure the requirements of this contract are met. Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent and ensure non-concurrence of defective services. A QCP shall be provided to the CO within 30 days after contract award and as changes occur. The quality control plan is subject to revisions, by the Contracting officer, and shall be accomplished (at no cost to the government) to ensure quality service. Contractor compliance with the QCP will be monitored by the government. Records of quality control shall be made available, at anytime to the government.

(END OF STATEMENT OF WORK)

* Biocides must be maintained to control bacteria below 10,000 colony forming units per milliliter.