D.3_-_Earthquake_Engineering_Consultant.docx

Scope and Qualifications for CLIN X0002 Attachment 2 (D.3)

ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING CONSULTANT

1.0 Objective

The objective of this contract is secure the services of a geotechnical earthquake engineering consultant on a labor hour basis to provide geotechnical earthquake engineering support to the Office of Energy Projects – Division of Dam Safety and Inspections in performing in-depth reviews of:

· All factors leading to a determination that a dam requires remedial measures, due to interactions of seismic forces with dam structures, including the foundations, abutments, dam body and appurtenant structures in order to assure safe and reliable operation; and

· Proposed remediation and construction alternatives to ensure that the selected remediation alternative is constructed using best engineering practices.

2.0 Background

2.1 The mission of the Office of Energy Projects (OEP) is to foster economic and environmental benefits for the nation through certification of natural gas pipelines and storage facilities, authorization of LNG facilities, authorization of certain electric transmission facilities located within corridors identified by the Department of Energy, and licensing and oversight of jurisdictional hydroelectric projects, as well as instituting policies and procedures that ensure the safety and reliability of current and future infrastructure.

2.2 The Division of Dam Safety and Inspections (D2SI) is responsible for ensuring the safety of the Commission regulated hydroelectric projects and implementing the Commission’s dam safety, public safety, security and license compliance programs. D2SI safety related programs have a direct bearing on life, property and the environment.

3.0 Scope

The contractor shall provide geotechnical earthquake engineering services to the FERC on seismic design and operation of various hydropower and associate appurtenant structures proposed or authorized by the FERC in order to assure compliance with the Commission’s Dam Safety Engineering Guidelines and state-of-the-practice procedures.

The government anticipates that the government will require approximately 500 consulting hours/year over the base and option year periods; this estimate is based on historical data and the government’s anticipated need for the next 5 years. Although 500 hours/year is the government’s best estimate, it is possible that the government’s need for performance under this contract could be as high as 700 hours/year as a consequence of any dam breaches or unanticipated weather or seismic activity.

4.0 Description of Requirements

4.1 Elements of the scope of work required include review of regional and site-specific investigations to determine the characteristics of seismic hazard analysis, seismic ground motion and associated response spectra, structural response of the dam, founding design and improvement/treatment methodology, slope stability and seepage evaluation, and seismic stability evaluations of earth, rockfill and concrete dams.

4.2 For projects with the potential for seismic instability, the contractor shall review all investigations and analysis associated with selecting the proper earthquake loading (both deterministic and probabilistic studies), earthquake characteristics, earthquake time histories, method of analysis, stability and deformation procedures, liquefaction analyses, soil-structure interactions and calculations to assure consistency with the current state-of-the-practice methodologies. For projects with the potential for geotechnical deficiencies, the contractor shall review all investigations and analysis associated with assessing slope stability, seepage, deformation, and internal erosion.

4.3 Projects that require remediation shall be reviewed to determine if the proposed remediation measures will ensure the safe operation of the water retaining features of the project under the design loading conditions. This includes assessing all aspects of the design, including the critical areas of excavation stability, dewatering and construction techniques. During construction, the contractor’s procedures and progress shall be evaluated to assists D2SI staff in ensuring a properly engineering dam is constructed.

4.4 Typical work efforts associated with the effort include but are not limited to:

· Review stability analysis of dams under earthquake loading, including liquefaction evaluations, deformation analyses, and field and laboratory investigations. Prepare written reports of findings.

· Provide expert advice to FERC staff on the most complex geotechnical/seismic issues on water retaining and water conveyance structures leading to a determination of the best engineering alternative.

· Review proposed remediation measures for stabilizing dams to determine if the design intent is satisfied.

· Meeting with FERC staff and representatives of the Licensee to discuss seismic evaluations. The contractor shall prepare coordinated reviews with staff and prepare written reports of his findings.

· Attend Board of Consultants Meetings and conduct on site construction inspections. Prepare written reports of meetings and site visits with conclusions and recommendations to FERC staff.

· Review and comment on correspondence or other communications to Licensees prepared by FERC staff.

· Review seismicity reports prepared by Licensees, consultants and submit report on review with conclusions and recommendations.

5.0 Place of Performance

The primary place of performance is the contractor’s facility with travel within the U.S.

6.0 Implementation Plan, Cost Estimate and Authorization to Proceed

6.1 The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) shall provide a list of projects requiring geotechnical engineering services and the projects become available.

6.2 The contractor shall prepare an Implementation Plan (IP) and cost estimate for each project assigned to the contractor.

6.3 The IP shall include at a minimum:

· A description of the methods for use in planning, managing, controlling and reporting on task elements;

· A description of the technical approach to be followed for each task;

· A description of how tasks shall be scheduled; and

· The deliverables.

6.4 The IP shall include a delivery schedule consistent with the time frames noted below or elsewhere in this SOW and shall identify when the following actions shall take place or deliverables shall be provided:

Task No.

Note: the above tasks are the typical tasks for projects assigned to the contractor. Some tasks may not apply to individual projects.

Note: the final evaluation report shall include the geotechnical engineering consultant’s technical review, recommendations, and conclusions for the project.

6.5 The cost estimate shall identify the estimated cost for the project. The cost estimate shall include:

· The number of consulting hours;

· The fully-burdened labor rates; and

· Travel costs (if applicable).

6.6 Upon review and approval of the IP and cost estimate the COR will authorize the contractor to proceed with work related to the specific project. The contractor shall not proceed with work or otherwise incur cost related to a specific project (other than preparation and submission of the IP and cost estimate) until the contractor is authorized in writing by the COR proceed with work.

7.0 Applicable Documents

The project engineering reports, dam safety inspection reports and correspondence are filed with FERC under a CEII classification in FERC’s eLibrary System. Upon submission and approval of the OCI and CEII NDA certifications FERC shall provide the contractor access to the necessary engineering reports and correspondence. The COR may provide additional materials upon request and/or may direct the contractor to obtain materials directly from the subject Licensee.

8.0 Organizational Conflict of Interest

Immediately upon assignment of a new project and prior to incurrence of any related costs, the contractor shall prepare and submit three copies of a No Conflicts of Interest Statement as required by 40 CFR 1506.5(c) to the Contracting Office and the COR. In the alternative, if the contractor decides that the appearance of a conflict of interest exists, the contractor shall submit a full disclosure statement, describing the circumstances or conditions that create the conflict and any mitigating measures the contractor intends to implement to resolve the conflict or the appearance of a conflict. If no mitigation will suffice, the contractor will be assigned to that particular project.

9.0 Technical Requirements

9.1 The contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment (including cameras), facilities, software, transportation, and incidentals necessary to perform in accordance with this SOW, and associated terms and conditions. The contractor shall communicate with the FERC COR, FERC Project Manager, and company representatives as necessary to ensure all project related tasks are performed in a timely manner.

9.2 The contractor shall have the capability to respond to “emergency situations”, involving either construction related problems, evaluating the performance of a water retaining feature of a project, or assisting staff in addressing environmental complaints, within two weeks of receiving notice from the COR. The duties include: investigation of the root cause of a dam potential failure or poor performance, and proposing remediation measures.

9.3 A one day kick-off meeting will be held with the contractor at the FERC Headquarters Office in Washington, D.C. or via teleconference. Arrangements for this meeting shall be coordinated with the COR within 30 days of award. The contractor shall prepare notes of this meeting, highlighting all agreements made with FERC staff on any technical decisions made during the meeting, directions as to how the reviews shall be handled, etc.

9.4 A deliverable is defined as any document/report that is required to be generated during the period of performance of the contract is outlined in the SOW. The contractor shall submit deliverables through the COR for review and approval. The COR will respond to the deliverables submitted with a formal approval or non-approval. Deliverables shall be submitted via email using software compatible with FERC’s systems along with a hard copy. In the event that document exceeds the email capacity of either party, the contractor shall setup a secure file transfer site for transfer of large documents. All deliverables are the property of the FERC and the information contained in the reports is considered proprietary.

9.5 The contractor shall be expected to participate in technical conferences with the Licensees or operators and their consultants with respect to seismic design and geotechnical issues. Based upon the studies, conferences, and inspections, the contractor shall submit reports to the FERC staff setting forth the technical evaluation, recommendations, and conclusions for the various work efforts listed above.

9.6 The contractor shall promptly notify the FERC Project Manager and COR of any noncompliance resulting in significant impact and if a scheduling change is necessary to complete the assigned task. In no case shall this notification exceed 24 hours.

10.0 Travel

10.1 All travel shall be approved in writing by the COR.

10.2 The contractor shall make arrangements for travel to and from the site and shall secure its own rental care for performing site visits. Travel expenses will be reimbursed according to federal travel regulations and FERC policy.

Special transportation methods (e.g. helicopter, small plane, or boat) are seldom required on his task; however, in the event the COR determines that use of such special transportation methods will be advantageous to the Government, the contractor shall coordinate the arrangements. In such cases, FERC is obligated to either reimburse companies or its employees’ and contractor’s pro-rata share of transportation costs or to hire and pay the transportation service directly. In general, it is preferred that the company provide the aircraft/boat, etc. and bill FERC for our share of the expense. The contractor shall coordinate payment arrangements with the COR for submission to FERC’s Division of Financial Services.

Note: The contractor shall not generally accept rides in company vehicles without sufficient justification. However, it is understood that safety concerns and ground conditions at an inspection site may dictate the need to use four-wheel drive or an all-terrain vehicle, and the contractor is permitted to ride in a company representative’s vehicle to compete the inspection without reimbursement to the company.

11.0 Quality Assurance/Control

11.1 All final documents shall be reviewed and edited by the contractor to ensure that the document is both technically and grammatically correct. Final documents shall be organized in a logical manner.

11.2 The contractor shall only tender for acceptance those deliverables that conform to the requirements of this contract. The Government reserves the right to inspect all deliverables that have been tendered for acceptance. The Government may require correction of non-conforming deliverables at no increase in price. If correction is not possible, the Government may seek an equitable price adjustment or adequate consideration for acceptance of the non-conforming deliverables.

12.0 Communication Protocol

The contractor as needed, shall make arrangements to meet with the COR (in person, by teleconference, etc.) to obtain additional direction and clarification on the task assignment and/or individual inspections. Regular interaction between the contractor and the COR is expected to occur to ensure that both parties are informed of ongoing developments.

13.0 Personnel Qualifications

Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering Consultant. The geotechnical earthquake engineering consultant shall be a United States citizen and possess the following qualifications:

· Advanced degree in Geological, Geotechnical, or Civil Engineering

· At least 20 years of academic and practical experience in geotechnical earthquake engineering. Applications include:

· Embankment dams

· Concrete dams

· Appurtenant structures with dams, such as outlet works, spillways, etc.

· Significant structures used in the conveyance of water such as tunnels, canals, siphons, and similar structures.

· At least 20 years of academic and practical experience analyzing the effects of seismic forces on slope stability analyses, liquefaction, cyclic mobility, and cyclic softening of soils, stresses and movements of earth masses, soil-structure interaction, and seepage analysis. Applications include:

· Embankment dams

· Concrete dams

· Appurtenant structures associated with dams, such as outlet work, spillways, etc.

· Significant structures used in the conveyance of water such as tunnels, canals, siphons, and similar structures.

· National or international awards recognizing expertise in at least three of the following fields: seismic slope stability analysis, soil-structure interaction, strength and deformation properties of soils, seepage analysis, geotechnical seismic analyses, and risk analyses.

· At least 20 year experience related to the effects of seismic induced forced on soil stability, soil-structure interaction, seepage analysis, geotechnical seismic analyses, structural stability, and mitigation projects, particularly as they relate to embankment and concrete dams. Experience must demonstrate competence and skill in identifying methods and strategies to solve difficult analyses and site conditions involving water retaining structures.

· Served on at least 10 technical review boards (any combination of US and/or other countries) that involved the effects of seismic induced forces on slope stability, seepage, soil-structure interaction, geotechnical seismic analyses, structural stability, and/or risk analyses for construction or modification of high-significant hazard dams involving difficult and challenging site conditions.

· Expert knowledge of large, earthen, and concrete dams, including construction of, as evidenced by working on at least 10 projects.

· Expert field (hands-on) experience of large geotechnical projects as evidenced by working on at least 10 projects involving dams at least 100 feet in height or having a construction cost of at least 75 million dollars.

· Expert experience in geologic and geotechnical investigations of dam sites for the design and implementation of mitigation for slope stability, soil-structure interaction, seepage, and geotechnical seismic problems including the effect of seismic induced forces on these issues as evidenced by working on at least 10 projects covering each of the above topics.

· In-depth knowledge of analysis methods and programs used for a slope stability and embankment deformation including limit equilibrium and finite element analyses for both static and seismic loadings as evidenced by working on at least 10 projects covering each of the above topics.

· In-depth knowledge of analysis methods and programs used for soil-structure interaction problems including linear and non-linear finite element analysis as evidenced by working on at least 10 projects covering each of the above topics.

· In-depth knowledge of analysis methods and programs used for seepage problem including the effect of seismic induced forces on this issue as evidenced by working on at least 10 projects covering each of the above topics.

· Expert knowledge of features associated with dams that may impact soil-structure analyses, including, but not limited to tunnels, shafts, adits, gate chambers, and the impact of seismic induced forces on these features as evidenced by working on at least 10 projects covering each of the above topics.

· Expert knowledge in designing mitigation measures for the effect of seismic induced forces on slope stability, soil-structure interaction, and seepage problems, as well as critically reviewing such designs provided by other parties as evidenced by working on at least 10 projects covering each of the above topics.

· Knowledge of FERC’s Engineering Guidelines for Dam Safety

14.0 Critical Technical Personnel

Whereas the knowledge, skills, abilities and experience of the geotechnical earthquake engineering consultant is critical to the quality of the services and deliverables provided under this contract, the geotechnical earthquake engineering consultant is designated as critical technical personnel throughout the performance of this contract. As proposed by the contractor and accepted by the government, the geotechnical earthquake engineering consultant approved for this contract is (insert consultant’s name here). All technical work related to this contract shall be performed by (insert consultant’s name here); technical work shall not be subcontracted or otherwise re-delegated to other personnel. Non-technical, administrative work (i.e. invoicing and travel arrangements) may be performed by personnel other than (insert consultant’s name here).

In the event that (insert consultant’s name here) is no longer available to perform on this contract, the government reserves the right to (a) consider a qualified replacement geotechnical earthquake engineering consultant proposed by the contractor or (b) terminate the contract at no cost to either party and re-compete the work. The acceptance of a proposed qualified replacement geotechnical earthquake engineering consultant shall be at the sole discretion of the government.

15.0 Project Management and Administration

The great majority of the work required under this contract is technical work which is performed by the geotechnical earthquake engineering consultant. This contract requires very little non-technical work such as project management (i.e. scheduling and status reports) and administrative support (i.e. travel arrangements). For purposes of this contract, non-technical work may be performed by the geotechnical earthquake engineering consultant or delegated to another individual; however, the project management/administrative work shall not be a direct cost under this contract. All project management/administrative costs shall be included as indirect costs included in the fully burdened labor rate for the geotechnical earthquake engineering consultant.