D.6_-_Dam_Safety_Structural_Consultant.docx

Scope and Qualifications for CLIN X0005 Attachment 5 (D.6) Engineering Support Services - Dam Safety Structural Consultant Background

1.1 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.

1.2 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.

Scope The contractor shall provide structural engineering services including structural analysis of concrete gravity, arch, and Ambursen dams, steel gates, penstocks, under hydraulic and seismic loads, as well as support on the design, remediation, and operation of various hydropower dams and associate appurtenant structures proposed or authorized by the FERC to assure compliance with the Commission’s Dam Safety Engineering Guidelines and state-of-the-practice procedures.

The government anticipates that it 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 activity.

Performance Objectives

1.3 Elements of the scope of work required include review of structural analysis of concrete gravity, arch, and Ambursen dams and review and assessment of proposed remediation alternatives to assure that the selected remediation alternative is appropriate for the particular site and is constructed using best engineering practices.

1.4 For projects with sliding or crack base instability the contractor shall review all investigations and stability analyses.

1.5 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 stability during construction, and construction techniques. During construction, the contractor’s procedures and progress shall be evaluated to assist D2SI staff in ensuring a properly engineered remediation is constructed.

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

· Review stability and performance analyses of dams, including sliding, crack base, and field and laboratory investigations of the foundation, abutment, and concrete materials. Stability analyses will include hydraulic and seismic loads. Prepare written reports of findings.

· Review proposed remediation measures for stabilizing dams to determine if the design intent is satisfied and that all relevant structural codes and guidelines have been applied to the design.

· Provide expert advice to FERC staff on the most complex structural issues on water retaining and water conveyance structures (i.e. includes gates, penstocks, and other appurtenant structures) leading to a determination of the best engineering alternative for remediation.

· Knowledge of industry standard computer software for completing structural analyses (examples include software such as AutoCAD, FLAC, SAP2000, STAAD, and ANSYS).

· Meeting with FERC staff and representatives of the Licensee to discuss structural 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 inspections during the investigation and/or construction phases of the project. 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.

Technical Requirements

1.7 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.

1.8 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.

1.9 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.

2.0 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.

2.1 The contractor shall be expected to participate in technical conferences with the Licensees or operators and their consultants with respect to seismic design and structural 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.

2.2 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.

Personnel Qualifications Structural Engineering Consultant. The structural engineering consultant shall be a United States citizen and possess the following qualifications:

· The consultant’s minimum qualifications will include a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, and is currently registered as a Professional Engineer and/or Structural Engineer within the United States.

· At least 20 years of practical experience in civil engineering with specific experience in structural engineering. Applications include:

· Concrete dams

· Arch dams

· Ambursen dams

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

· Significant structures such as gates and water conveyances such as penstocks, tunnels, canals, siphons, and similar structures.

· At least 20 year experience related to structural stability, dam-foundation interaction, crack base analysis, instrumentation, structural analyses, remediation, particularly as they relate to concrete dams. Experience must demonstrate competence and skill in identifying methods and strategies to solve difficult analyses involving water retaining structures.

· National, international, or federal awards recognizing expertise in a dam safety associated field.

· Served on at least 10 technical review boards (any combination of US and/or other countries) that involved structural stability and/or risk analyses for construction or modification of high-significant hazard dams involving extreme hydraulic and seismic loading conditions.

· Expert knowledge of concrete dams and their appurtenant and significant structures, including construction of, as evidenced by working on at least 10 projects.

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

· Expert knowledge in remedial measures for structural stability of gravity, arch, and Ambursen dams, as well as critically reviewing such designs provided by other parties as evidenced by working on at least 10 projects covering the above topics.

· Expert knowledge in the development and application of potential failure modes (PFMA’s) to understanding the safety and risks of dams and their appurtenant/significant structures. Knowledge of FERC’s Engineering Guidelines for Dam Safety