A04_SOW.doc

BLM - Alaska Fire Service Totson Mountain Power System Upgrade

AFS Facilities at Totson Mountain, Alaska

Statement of Work

1.0 Background

The Totson Radio Site serves as the hub for all BLM Alaska Fire Service radio communications in western Alaska, linking the radio repeaters used for flight-following and wildfire initial attack in the region back to the Galena Dispatch Center. The site is used seasonally, April through September, and then reduced to standby status for a reduced electrical load during the winter. The site has abundant solar resources during the summer due to extended daylight and a lack of obstructions and has the potential for robust wind resources, especially in the winter when solar panels are least productive. The site features a 24VDC system consisting of 30ea GNB Sunlyte batteries for a total battery capacity of 1500 AH. The batteries are currently organized as three sets of 10 batteries that are charged by a solar array. There is a 6kW diesel Northern Lights generator on autostart feeding a Newmar 95-amp charger as a backup for the solar system. Current wiring for the 6kW generator is 10 gauge, which is inadequate for safe and efficient operation at maximum possible charging rates.

Due to the importance of the site to emergency aviation communications, it requires 99.999% uptime during the summer months. While the site has generally been reliable, it has experienced multiple issues over the years related to its off-grid solar power system. While equipment has been added and replaced over time, the basic configuration of the power system has not been significantly overhauled since the site was installed. The primary problem with this site is the battery bank falling below recommended voltage over the winter, causing the batteries to lose life expectancy and the site to not come online automatically in the springtime. Fixing this will require a combination of increased battery capacity and the addition of a wind generator to provide more reliable power throughout the winter. In addition, the generator system needs modifications to reduce the potential of damage to the exterior exposed fuel lines, which are currently vulnerable to wild animals and accidental damage, as well as upgrades to the wiring and breakers to ensure safe and efficient charging. The addition of a monitoring system to collect granular data about the performance of the wind, solar, and diesel generators, battery banks, and power load will also contribute to a site that is more reliable and easier to maintain and troubleshoot in the future.

2.0 Objective

The primary objective is to update the Totson Radio Site’s power system to maintain reliability year-round and minimize the chances of system failures and environmental damage. Contractor will provide, install, and configure new parts as well as adjust programming and configuration of the existing power system components to optimize reliability. The desired outcome is a power system that can reliably last through the winter without loss of power. In addition, the installation of a comprehensive monitoring system for the power system will allow better tracking of system performance and simplify maintenance and troubleshooting in the future. Work will be supervised by at least one BLM Alaska Fire Service Telecommunications representative to ensure compliance with the contract and to assist with logistics.

3.0 Requirements

Successful bidder will be responsible for all parts, equipment, tools, and labor to complete the following:

· Reconfiguring the existing three banks of 10 batteries into two banks of 15 batteries each and adding a third bank of 10 new batteries.

· Upgrading wiring from the diesel generator with a 100-Amp rated DC circuit breaker, 2-guage wire, and distribution center appropriate to handle the maximum 100 Amps of charging current safely and reliably.

· Installation of a low-maintenance 100-Watt wind generator capable of handling expected temperatures and wind loading on the site (Ampair 100 or similar), with a Rohn 45G Guyed Lattice Tower with Rohn BPH45G Hinged Base Plate (or similar 10ft Guyed Lattice Tower with Hinged Base) that will be provided and mounted into the existing concrete foundation by the contractor.

· Junction boxes with strain relief and adequate waterproofing installed on existing solar panels, along with new wiring of an appropriate gauge.

· Guy wires installed on each end of the existing solar panel structure and anchored to existing concrete foundations on the site.

· Installation and configuration of a comprehensive power system monitoring system.

· Concrete barriers installed on either side of the existing fuel line to protect from accidental damage.

All installation and upgrade work will be completed at Totson Mountain Radio Site, which is approximately a 15-minute helicopter flight from Galena, Alaska. Flights between Fairbanks, Galena, and the site will be provided by the government as well as room and board in Galena if required. Successful bidder will deliver all parts, equipment, and tools to Alaska Fire Service at least two weeks prior to scheduled travel to Totson Mountain Radio site in Galena, AK. Alaska Fire Service will provide transportation from Alaska Fire Service to Totson Mountain Radio Site for successful bidder’s personnel, equipment, and tools.

Successful bidder will coordinate with Alaska Fire Service POC on proposed work schedule. Scheduling of project will be dependent on weather conditions and availability of Agency contracted helicopter in Galena, AK. All installation and upgrade work must be completed by July 9th, 2022. Project will be completed during a single consecutive trip requiring at most two days and not more than 5 round trips from Galena to Totson and back on agency contracted helicopter (maximum of 2.5hrs flight time). One helicopter sling load will be provided if needed. Hours of operations will be from 0900 to 2200 to accommodate pilot duty hours. Successful bidder’s personnel will be considered a designated official passengers. Successful bidder will ensure all personnel adhere to State Aviation Plan 5.5 by using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), reporting aviation incidents, operations deviating from policy to the UAM and/or through the SAFECOM system, emphasizing personal safety as well as the safety of others involved in the flight, and meeting the requirements of DOI OPM-0. The Government will check out PPE for helicopter flights with the exception of footwear. Successful bidder’s personnel will be required to wear leather boots while on helicopter flights. Alaska Fire Service POC will ensure a compliant, approved Project Aviation Safety Plan is in place prior to flight.

4.0 Deliverables

Successful bidder will provide all labor, tools, and materials to increase battery capacity, add a wind generator, and complete efficiency upgrades. See specification sheet attached. Successful bidder will be responsible for delivering all parts, supplies and personnel to the Fort Wainwright Air Ops Ramp. Alaska Fire Service will provide transportation for equipment to Galena prior to project date, as well as air transportation from Alaska Fire Service to Galena and from Galena to the worksite for the contracted personnel and their tools and materials. Room and board will be provided in Galena if needed. Physical deliverables will be delivered to Alaska Fire Service located on Fort Wainwright, AK at least two weeks prior to scheduled travel to Galena.

Equipment Provided by Contractor: (See Attached Specification Sheet)

· Wind Generator: 1ea Ampair 100 or similar with all necessary installation hardware

· Wind Generator Tower: 1ea Rohn 45G or similar 10ft tower with Rohn BPH45G Hinged Base Plate and all necessary installation hardware.

· Batteries: 10ea Sun Xtender PVX-1040T or similar Deep Cycle non-spillable AGM battery

· 100 amp DC Circuit Breaker and load distribution center: 1ea

· Guy Wires to secure solar array: 2ea

· Fuel Line Protection: Concrete protection for fuel lines from tank to generator shelter

· Solar Panel Junction Boxes: Enough to replace all existing panel breakers, waterproofed with strain relief

· Power System Monitoring System with sensors to log Wind Turbine Current and Wind Speed, Solar PV Current (two separate sets of panels), Generator Current and Generator Starting Battery Voltage, Battery Bank Voltage and Current (three separate battery banks)

· Wiring and Misc Hardware: Any parts required to install and configure the above listed physical deliverables.

Labor Provided by Contractor:

· Preparation, Planning, and Travel

· Reconfigure and Expand Battery Bank

· Install Fuel Line Protection

· Solar Array Guy Wire Installation

· Wind Turbine and Tower Installation

· Wiring Upgrades to Solar and Generator charging systems

· Installation of Power System Monitoring Equipment and Sensors

· Configuration and programming of existing and newly installed equipment for reliable operation of the power system.

· Successful bidder will provide labor and materials to provide a report on completed work, including photographs, documentation, specifications, and manuals for all equipment installed. Report must be delivered in electronic and/or hard copy by July 9, 2022.

Attachment 5