Attachment 1 - DRAFT SOW Boiler Operations.docx

May 5, 2020

Boiler Plant Operations Task Order May 2020

1. Scope: This task order is to operate during certain shifts a fully functional High Pressure (15 PSI and greater) Boiler Plant with all the associated equipment to produce and distribute high pressure steam at the identified VA Medical Centers. VA Boiler Plants are located at various locations throughout the United States of America. Coverage to include various rotating shifts which includes days, evenings and night as well as weekdays and weekends (to include Holidays). Operators must always remain in boiler plant during their shift. Some sites may have hazardous substances/chemicals such as asbestos piping insulation and special precaution will need to apply when doing certain types of work per Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Contractor’s work will be confined to the Boiler Plant at each site. Parking will be arranged by VA. Operation of the VA Boiler Plant must be in a safe manner. Boiler safety must not be compromised to maintain service (see item 9 - Reporting Emergency Operation issues below).

2. Supervision: VA will not supervise contract workers. Contractor will be given a list of emergency contact numbers to call in case of emergency.

2A. Tasks to be performed (the below lists represent typical tasks that may occur during each shift, but not all tasks will be completed each shift (Listed As Required (AR)). Contractor is only responsible for tasks that can be reasonably completed within the shift):

The operator shall perform the minimum duties listed in the table below as part of their daily activities. Additionally, the operator shall be capable of and will perform the following duties at a minimum as necessary during a shift.

a) Lighting off, warming up, placing in service, and shutting down the boilers;

b) Firing on each of the available fuels;

c) Operating all plant equipment and controls, including start-up and shutdown;

d) Gradual warm-up of hot piping system and placing them into service;

e) Maintaining water quality to protect the equipment and piping from damage;

f) Handling malfunctions and emergency situations. To include emergency or backup generator operation in the central plant;

g) Collecting and organizing the equipment and plant performance records;

h) Operation of boiler plant emergency generators within the central plant and associated electrical equipment;

i) Routine equipment maintenance;

j) Preparation of equipment for inspections;

k) Operation and testing of all safety devices and control equipment;

l) Facilitating and monitoring the receipt of fuels and supplies;

Record or perform task at required interval - *M-Monthly, D-Daily, S - Once per shift, H-Hourly, AR - As Required

Record or perform task at required interval - *M-Monthly, D-Daily, S - Once per shift, H-Hourly, AR - As Required Overall plant operation (Logs must be taken by hand even if automatic logs or SCADA system is in place) *H Record tag number of equipment with any issues H Inlet and outlet temperature and pressure of all equipment, Condensate, DA, economizer, boiler etc.

H Inlet and outlet pressure of all operating pumps H Plant temperature, outside air temperature, and exhaust gas temperature (before and after economizer if installed) H Fuel flow and firing rate for each boiler online H Steam flow to the medical center H Make up water meter totalizer and condensate return rate.

H Fuel train pressures and flows for each boiler that is online H Boiler pressure and temperature H Note any leaks or system problems abnormal operating conditions etc.

H Header pressure, temperature, and if branches pressure and temperature of each branch leaving the plant H Other readings as required or determined by the VA medical facility H Calculated boiler combustion efficiency S Blow down water columns D Testing and adjusting water treatment D Flame scanner M Low-water cutoff (slow drain) M Fire each boiler and the pilot on the alternate fuel for 1 hour M Auxiliary low-water cut-off (slow drain) M High-water alarm M Low-water alarm M Operation of all equipment at the highest cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

This means maintaining pressures, temperatures, and fuel consumption at the minimum necessary for the proper operation of the equipment, plant, and connected loads.

S Handling malfunctions and emergency situations. To include emergency or backup generator operation in the central plant

AR

Switching fuel source from primary to alternate fuel.

AR

Routine equipment maintenance;

AR

Daily testing of the Boiler water treatment S Collecting and organizing the equipment and plant performance records;

S Operation of boiler plant emergency generators within the central plant and associated electrical equipment;

AR

Preparation of equipment for inspections;

AR

Operation and testing of all safety devices and control equipment;

S Facilitating and monitoring the receipt of fuels and supplies

AR

Re-start boiler after a safety shut down

AR

Take the appropriate action when there is low water alarm on boiler

AR

Take the appropriate action when there is loss of water in deaerator

AR

Take the appropriate action when there is loss of water in condensate tank

AR

Take the appropriate action when there is loss of electrical power

AR

Take the appropriate action when there is loss of water supplied to boiler room, AR

Take the appropriate action when there is a loss of water to one boiler

AR

Bypass water around deaerator

AR

Bypass water around condensate tank

AR

Bypass water around softener

AR

Perform mud drum blowdown

AR

Regenerate water softener (this may require filling with salt)

AR

Maintain all water quality parameters within required limits for makeup, condensate, and boiler water S Perform and interpret all required chemical tests S Take the appropriate action when there is an emergency shutdown of boiler plant

AR

Take the appropriate action when there is a CO/Combustible alarm in boiler plant

AR

Ability to understand and follow- standard and emergency Boiler and Boiler Plant operating procedures.

AR

Respond to alarms: fire, emergency generator, medical Air/Oxygen/Vacuum, etc.

AR

Record or perform task at required interval - *M-Monthly, D-Daily, S - Once per shift, H-Hourly, AR - As Required Overall plant operation (Logs must be taken by hand even if automatic logs or SCADA system is in place) *H Record tag number of equipment with any issues H Inlet and outlet temperature and pressure of all equipment, Condensate, DA, economizer, boiler etc.

H Inlet and outlet pressure of all operating pumps H Plant temperature, outside air temperature, and exhaust gas temperature (before and after economizer if installed) H Fuel flow and firing rate for each boiler online H Steam flow to the medical center H Make up water meter totalizer and condensate return rate.

H Fuel train pressures and flows for each boiler that is online H Boiler pressure and temperature H Note any leaks or system problems abnormal operating conditions etc.

H Header pressure, temperature, and if branches pressure and temperature of each branch leaving the plant H Other readings as required or determined by the VA medical facility H Calculated boiler combustion efficiency S Blow down water columns D Testing and adjusting water treatment D Flame scanner M Low-water cutoff (slow drain) M Fire each boiler and the pilot on the alternate fuel for 1 hour M Auxiliary low-water cut-off (slow drain) M High-water alarm M Low-water alarm M Operation of all equipment at the highest cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

This means maintaining pressures, temperatures, and fuel consumption at the minimum necessary for the proper operation of the equipment, plant, and connected loads.

S Handling malfunctions and emergency situations. To include emergency or backup generator operation in the central plant

AR

Switching fuel source from primary to alternate fuel.

AR

Routine equipment maintenance;

AR

Daily testing of the Boiler water treatment S Collecting and organizing the equipment and plant performance records;

S Operation of boiler plant emergency generators within the central plant and associated electrical equipment;

AR

Preparation of equipment for inspections;

AR

Operation and testing of all safety devices and control equipment;

S Facilitating and monitoring the receipt of fuels and supplies

AR

Re-start boiler after a safety shut down

AR

Take the appropriate action when there is low water alarm on boiler

AR

Take the appropriate action when there is loss of water in deaerator

AR

Take the appropriate action when there is loss of water in condensate tank

AR

Take the appropriate action when there is loss of electrical power

AR

Take the appropriate action when there is loss of water supplied to boiler room, AR

Take the appropriate action when there is a loss of water to one boiler

AR

Bypass water around deaerator

AR

Bypass water around condensate tank

AR

Bypass water around softener

AR

Perform mud drum blowdown

AR

Regenerate water softener (this may require filling with salt)

AR

Maintain all water quality parameters within required limits for makeup, condensate, and boiler water S Perform and interpret all required chemical tests S Take the appropriate action when there is an emergency shutdown of boiler plant

AR

Take the appropriate action when there is a CO/Combustible alarm in boiler plant

AR

Ability to understand and follow- standard and emergency Boiler and Boiler Plant operating procedures.

AR

Respond to alarms: fire, emergency generator, medical Air/Oxygen/Vacuum, etc.

AR

Requirements:

a. Follow all appropriate Codes, VHA Directive and VHA Safety Device Testing Manual:

1. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, latest edition;

2. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 85 Boiler and Combustion Systems Hazards Code, latest edition;

3. NFPA 70E Standard for electrical safety in the workplace, latest edition.

4. VHA Directive 1810 (1), as amended September 11, 2018 for high pressure boiler operations in Veterans Health Administration.

5. VHA Safety Device Safety Device Testing Manual 5th edition.

b. Qualifications:

1. Contract operators must have at least 5 years’ documented experience in operations of high-pressure boiler operations (15 PSI and greater).

2. Be able to perform:

a) Heavy work; lifting of 50 lbs. frequently and 75 lbs. occasionally.

b) Work at heights and climb ladders - Conditions of dizziness or vertigo, uncontrolled or poorly controlled insulin dependent diabetes, uncontrolled or poorly controlled seizure disorder or any condition that would interfere with alertness will be disqualifying

c) Work in confined spaces; A history of claustrophobia, any physical limitation(s) interfering with agility or the ability to perform work in awkward and sustained postures such as severe progressive arthritis, or body size larger than the confined space opening will be disqualifying;

d) Work in heat – over 100 degrees F;

e) Work in a noisy environment (will be required to wear hearing protection when necessary);

f) Work involving potential hazardous exposures such as asbestos, machine parts, soot, dirt, grease, chemicals, oil, and fumes;

g) Ability to function safely while wearing a respirator - Work requiring an OSHA approved respirator and proper fit tested.

h) Standing and bending for long periods of time

i) Ability to distinguish between audible alarms (not hearing impaired).

j) Reading warning signs/signals, at least 20/40 vision in worse eye with or without correction and 20/20 in the better eye with or without correction, and unimpaired depth perception; Be able to distinguish between colors – Red and Green.

k) Contractor must provide medical certification that their contract operators meet the above requirements

c. Training: at a minimum depending on operator experience – Contract operators shall take and pass VHA Safe Steamin Course 1 and 2, work with Qualified VA operator for a minimum of 3 weeks prior to standing shift alone, this time period may be more or less depending on experience, and demonstrated skills of contract operators. Operator will be deemed qualified based on completion of training and demonstration of ability to execute required tasks for the chief engineer. Contract operators must also take and pass any other required training for contract operators and meet the requirements of item 6 below. Contractor shall provide operators with required training completed.

d. Monitoring VA Alarm Systems: Contract operators must monitor/respond to alarms received in boiler plant from Emergency Generators, Medical Oxygen, Medical Air, Fire Alarm System, etc. and respond per VA standard operating procedures.

f. Specific Personal Protective Equipment - Contractor workers must wear (provided by contractor):

· Arc rated or natural fiber long pants and long sleeve shirt.

· OSHA approved steel toed foot gear (work boots) - OSHA's foot protection standard 29 FR 1910.136 which requires that the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) standard for Men's Safety-Toe Footwear, Z41.1-1967 be met.

· Hearing protection

· Eye protection

g. OSHA Training - Contractor workers must be trained by contractor in the follow procedures as defined by:

· OSHA Hazard Communication Training including Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

· OSHA Lockout/tagout procedures (VA will provide training in site and equipment specific requirements)

· NFPA 70E (latest edition) Standard for electrical safety in the workplace

4. Non-Functioning Safety Devices – Non-functioning safety device are to be reported immediately per notification process and must be documented each shift in the daily log and must state any additional work to make the plant operate safely.

5. Complete daily logs – Contract workers shall review daily logs with the operator standing shift before them prior at the beginning of each shift and document any significant actions such as: any equipment failures, repairs made, operational difficulties, unusual operational conditions etc. each shift. Documentation shall include any non-functioning safety device/s. Similarly, the operator shall review the same information with the operator following them on shift.

6. Communication Contractor workers shall Communicate VIA 2-way radio and/or telephone as defined by VA policy. Contract workers shall communicate with other VA operators prior to and after each shift to communicate the status of the plant and any operational issues.

7. VA Badge/ID - Contractor will follow VA procedures to receive a VA identification badge.

8. Contractor to provide emergency contacts – Contractor will provide VA will emergency 24/7 emergency contact information to include names and telephone numbers.

9. Reporting Emergency Operation issues – if any issues arises that cannot be resolved in a timely manner that will result in the loss of steam pressure or volume – contractor worker shall immediately contract the VA list of contacts until someone is reached, normally this is the Boiler Plant Supervisor 1st, Chief Engineer 2nd, Assistant Chief 3rd, etc.

10. VA Callback Procedures: Contract operator may be requested to callback VA Personnel to perform Boiler or other VA Engineering task per VA Call back procedures.

11. Notice of shift Change: VA will give contractor 2 weeks’ notice prior to requesting shift change (move to another shift).

12. Facility Locations, Shift, etc. - Contractor shall provide service according to attachment 2 Facility Locations and Shift Information.

13. Hand Tool Set - Contractor shall supply basic hand tool set i.e. plyers, screwdrivers, wire strippers, hammer, etc.

14. Travel expenses – Any necessary travel expenses incurred due to this contract will be reimbursed based upon allowable charges at the Federal Government Travel rates for hotels, meals, etc.

15. Facilities Required to have a Boiler Operator License – None at this time?????

16. Security - The contractor will be required and obtain security screenings and ID badges for employees through VA prior to the start of any work.

17. Period of Performance – The period of performance shall be as listed below

See Attachment 2 – Facility Information and Shift Information

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