A04_SOW_CW_Solar.docx

Scope of Work Joshua Tree national Park Replace Critical Components of the Cottonwood Photovoltaic System

Contract Requirement The contractor shall provide all equipment, materials, and labor necessary to complete the project outlined in this Scope of Work (SOW).

Background:

Replacement and upgrade of components to an existing off grid 20kw photovoltaic solar system that serves the Cottonwood Complex. The existing array is undersized for the current and anticipated complex electricity requirements, resulting in extended back-up generator run time, high fuel costs and reduced reliability.

Work to be performed:

1. Solar Panels – Submit specification sheet for proposed panels with your bid documents.

a. Provide all new photovoltaic panels with a minimum nameplate rating of 420+ watts that will increase the size of the system from 20kW to 32kW minimum.

b. Panels must be Buy American Act (BAA) compliant – US made.

c. Minimum 19.1% module efficiency.

d. Operating temp range of -40 to 185 degrees F.

e. Minimum .126” thick tempered glass front

f. Minimum of 3 bypass diodes per panel

g. Production warranty of at least 90.7% at 10 years and 80% at 25 years.

h. Workmanship warranty of at least 12 years.

i. All PV panels shall be from a single manufacturer.

2. Mounting of Panels

a. New panels will be mounted on existing array frame. Outriggers will need to be moved and spaced to accommodate the new panels. Existing Unirac Sunframe racking may be reused if desired and any additional racking and hardware needed will be provided by contractor. Contractor to verify all dimensions of existing racking system. All mounting to comply with local site requirements for wind and seismic loading.

b. Existing panels will be removed, palletized, and banded/strapped and left on site for use in other Park projects.

c. Array will be assembled from east to west, allowing 10,000 watts nameplate to be functional at all times throughout the performance period.

3. Charge Controller(s)

a. A total of 8 charge controllers will be required. The use of three current park owned Schneider Charge Controllers is authorized with the contractor providing 5 additional.

b. All charge controllers must be of the same brand and model.

c. Complete programing of all charge controllers.

d. Provide an external charge controller monitor/programing system.

4. Inverters

a. One additional outback inverter will be provided by park staff.

b. Inverter will be installed to existing inverter rack and programed by contractor.

5. Electrical requirements

a. All electrical wire used shall be new.

b. Provide and install new DC rated breakers for PV array and charge controller disconnects.

c. Provide and install additional combiner boxes as necessary, re-use of the 5 existing is permissible.

d. Provide a NEMA-4, DC rated, array mounted disconnect with 8 breakers to isolate the combiners.

e. Replace the laterals from the array to the battery room with new THWN-2 wire. Provide calculations to show proposed wire size meets code requirements. Use of existing pvc conduit is permissible if it is serviceable and sized properly.

f. Wiring from panels to combiner boxes shall be, USE-2 #10 or larger. Wiring from the combiner boxes to the contractor installed array disconnect is to be routed in conduit to the outside of the array square tube, rather than thru the interior of square tube. This requirement will require all new wiring and conduit from the combiner boxes to the array disconnect.

g. Remove and dispose of existing laterals that are routed within the square tube.

6. Grounding

a. All applicable components of the solar energy electrical power generating system must be grounded per latest NEC requirements.

7. Testing of system

a. All testing to be done on “no-cloud” days to avoid system fluctuation by passing clouds.

8. Commissioning and start-up

a. Provide Voltage Open Circuit (VOC) readings for each isolated string before start-up.

b. Provide voltage, amperage, and panel temp readings for each string and for each combiner with all strings operational.

c. Label all combiner boxes and strings with UV resistant permanent placards.

d. Provide a labeled diagram of combiners, strings, and related panels for troubleshooting.

e. Ensure all equipment is functioning properly.

9. Demonstration and Training

a. The contractor will provide a walk through of the installed components and operation of system to park staff.

10. Option A Replacement of Batteries

a. Evaluate batteries for replacement, provided cost estimate for batteries at 20% more name plate capacity than what is currently installed.

b. Use of current racking system is allowed.

c. Submit Calculations to demonstrate that new batteries have at least the same nameplate storage and discharge capacity as the existing bank

d. Provide new enclosed battery disconnecting means per 48-volt parallel bank.

e. Live parts of any battery bank shall be guarded

f. Consider climate when selecting battery type.

11. Warranty Obligations

a. The Contractor shall warrant that the work conforms to Contract requirements and is free of any defects.

b. Contractor to provide a 2-year workmanship warranty on work performed within a 24-hour response time.

c. The warranty must cover all the contractor installed components of the PV generating system against breakdown or degradation in electrical output of more than 10% of their originally rated electrical output. The warranty shall cover the full parts and labor cost of repair and/or replacement of defective components for a period of 2 years from the date of acceptance by the owner (NPS Joshua Tree).

d. Charge controllers shall be covered by a manufacture warranty for a minimum of 3 years.

e. Any defective materials or inferior workmanship during installation and/or the warranty period shall be corrected immediately to the satisfaction of the NPS and without additional cost to the owner.

12. Government-Furnished Material and services

a. Park will provide (1) new outback inverter to be installed, wired, and programmed by the contractor.

b. If government furnished items are damaged as a result of the contractor’s operations, the contractor shall repair or replace the items in-kind.

c. Single point of contact.

13. Special Considerations

a. Pre-proposal site visit will be scheduled.

i. Site visit/survey team should bring all necessary measuring, marking, testing, and recording equipment required.

b. Park staff will provide access to all areas impacted by the project.

Other requirements:

Inspections of contract performance by Park Staff, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), will only be authorized Monday-Friday during performance period.

Contractor is responsible for disposal of all materials replaced/unused to a legal off-site location.

Contractor use of site:

General: Limit use of the site during the construction period to the project area limits as outlined on the attached site map. Do not disturb portions of the site beyond the project area limits.

Park Entry: Vehicles associated with the contractor shall be waived entrance fees upon entering in a marked company vehicle or by providing the names of employees entering in personal vehicles. The entrance fee is waived only for the purpose of reporting directly to the specific work location. Any deviation for recreational purposes is subject to payment of required entrance fees Site Access: The contractor shall access the project site as outlined on the attached site map. Do not drive vehicles off road or access non-project areas without permission from the Contracting Officer or park superintendent.

Park Regulations: Ensure all personnel (contractors, subcontractors, and vendors) entering or working in the park are familiar with and obey all park regulations. Law enforcement rangers will intervene if they perceive any unsafe or unlawful activity.

No Smoking Policy: Smoking is prohibited inside or outside within 25 feet of any buildings in the park. This applies to existing buildings, buildings under construction, and buildings under renovation. Discarding of tobacco products or debris anywhere other than into designated tobacco receptacles is considered littering and subject to fines.

Parking: The contractor shall park vehicles and heavy equipment in designated areas for contractor use or as established at the preconstruction meeting. Vehicles are not permitted within long-term or overnight parking along roads or in associated overlooks / pull-outs.

Preservation of Natural Features: Prevent damage to natural surroundings. Not in the work area.

Desert Tortoise training will be required prior to start of work and will be provided by the Science & Resource Stewardship division of Joshua Tree NP.

NPS personnel A Contracting Officers Representative (COR) will be designated by the Contracting Officer at the time of award.