Attachment 1 Performance Work Statement and QASP.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture

Attachment 1 Performance Work Statement and QASP Confined Space Assessment

BARC, Beltsville MD

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Background: BARC contains numerous confined spaces across its 6,400 acre research campus, including utility tunnels, wastewater systems, tanks, silos, pits, and agricultural structures. Many of these spaces present atmospheric, engulfment, mechanical, and structural hazards. To maintain a compliant and effective confined space program, ARS requires an external assessment of its confined space inventory, equipment, and staff training.

2. Scope of Work:

2.1. The Prime Contractor shall provide all personnel, transportation, and supervision necessary to provide a one-time, comprehensive evaluation of all confined spaces to ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA, and USDA requirements.

2.2. The contractor shall perform all work described in this Performance Work Statement in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and codes.

2.3. This is a performance-based requirement, the contractor shall perform to the requirements and standards as established by this PWS. The labor mix of employees to perform this contract remains the discretion of the Contractor for all services.

2.4. All in scope requirements are Firm Fixed Price. This is not a Time and Materials requirement.

3. Service performance is on site at a USDA Facility, 10300 BALTIMORE AVENUE

BLDG 003, RM 121, BARC-WEST, BELTSVILLE MD 20705

4. Period of Performance: 364 calendar days/one year.

5. Invoicing and Payment:

5.1. The "Submit Invoice-to" address for USDA orders is the Department of Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

5.2. All invoices shall be submitted via the electronic Invoice Processing Platform. This is a mandatory requirement initiated by the U.S. Department of Treasury. More information is available at https://www.ipp.gov. The Department of Treasury is the point of contact for all IPP Collector account inquiries.

5.3. Payment is in arrears pursuant to the clause at FAR 52.212-4. Note FAR 52.212-4 (i)(1) Items accepted. Payment shall be made for items accepted by the Government that have been delivered to the delivery destinations set forth in this contract.

5.4. Payment will not be made for service in advance of delivery.

5.5. The invoice cycle shall be no less than monthly.

5.6. Advance invoice approval is not required, as required approval tiers exist in IPP.

6. Definitions:

6.1. CLIN – Contract Line Item, numbered. Established in the solicitation schedule, will start with “0001.”

6.2. Contracting Officer’s Representative – USDA Employee Location representative appointed by the Contracting Officer to monitor, evaluate, and communicate to the CO the Contractor’s performance in complying with contract requirements in an efficient and timely manner.

6.3. Calendar Days - Every single day on the calendar (12 AM to 11:59 PM), including weekends, holidays, and non-working days.

6.4. ‘Business Days’ – Standard business days 8AM to 5PM Eastern with holiday exceptions as noted:

Listed below are official Government holidays:

New Year’s Day January 1* Martin L. King Birthday Third Monday in January President's Day Third Monday in February Memorial Day Last Monday in May Juneteenth As Indicated Independence Day July 4* Labor Day First Monday in September Columbus Day Second Monday in October Veterans Day November 11* Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November Christmas Day December 25* Or when the USDA-ARS facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar government-directed facility closings *In accordance with Federal regulations, if these holidays fall on a Saturday, the holiday will be observed on Friday, if Sunday, holiday will be observed on Monday.

CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

7. Technical Requirements/Tasks

7.1. Scheduling

7.1.1. The contractor shall provide a date and time based schedule for the tasks identified in sections 7.2 through 7.5 to the COR within 15 days of contract award.

7.1.2. The contractor shall provide the deliverables identified in section 7.6 no later than 45 calendar days prior to the end date of the period of performance.

7.2. Confined Space Identification and Inventory:

7.2.1. Conduct a full survey of BARC Facilities Unit to identify all confined spaces.

7.2.2. Classify each space as permit-required or non-permit.

7.2.3. Document hazards, configurations, access points, and environmental conditions.

7.3. Equipment Inspection:

7.3.1. Inspect all confined space entry and rescue equipment used by BARC personnel, including:

7.3.1.1. Atmospheric monitors.

7.3.1.2. Ventilation equipment.

7.3.1.3. Retrieval systems.

7.3.1.4. PPE and communication devices.

7.3.2. Verify compliance with OSHA and NFPA standards.

7.3.3. Document deficiencies, calibration issues, and replacement needs.

7.4. Personnel Qualifications and Training Review:

7.4.1. Review the qualifications, certifications, and training records of all BARC staff who perform confined space entry, attendant, or supervisor duties.

7.4.2. Evaluate compliance with OSHA 1910.146 and USDA/ARS training requirements.

7.4.3. Identify gaps in training, expired certifications, or missing competencies.

7.5. Program Evaluation:

7.5.1. Review existing confined space entry permits, procedures, and documentation.

7.5.2. Assess the effectiveness of hazard assessments, atmospheric testing, and entry controls.

7.5.3. Evaluate rescue planning and emergency preparedness.

7.6. Reporting:

7.6.1. Confined Space Inventory Report:

7.6.1.1. Complete list of all confined spaces identified at BARC.

7.6.1.2. Permit vs. non-permit classification.

7.6.1.3. Hazard profiles and entry considerations.

7.6.2. Equipment Inspection Report:

7.6.2.1. Condition assessment of all confined space entry and rescue equipment.

7.6.2.2. Compliance status.

7.6.2.3. Required repairs, replacements, or upgrades.

7.6.3. Personnel Qualification Assessment:

7.6.3.1. Summary of staff certifications and training.

7.6.3.2. Identification of gaps or expired credentials.

7.6.3.3. Recommendations for required training.

7.6.4. Program Compliance Assessment:

7.6.4.1. Evaluation of current confined space program elements.

7.6.4.2. Review of permits, procedures, and documentation.

7.6.4.3. Compliance gaps and risk areas.

7.6.5. Final Comprehensive Assessment Report:

7.6.5.1. Consolidated findings from all assessment areas.

7.6.5.2. Corrective action recommendations.

7.6.5.3. Prioritized implementation plan.

7.7. Personnel Requirements

7.7.1. Contractor’s Key Personnel: The contractor shall provide service personnel with OSHA and NFPA confined space standard expertise and experience. The service personnel shall be able to evaluate and integrate USDA policies and procedures into this requirement.

7.7.2. Privity of Contract:

7.7.2.1. All contractor personnel shall be accountable solely to the Prime Contractor, who, in turn, is responsible for all aspects of contract performance.

7.7.2.2. The USDA is not responsible for, nor will be directly involved in, any Prime Contractor personnel related actions, such as hiring evaluations, position interviews, resume reviews, performance evaluation of individuals, contacting personnel at home, etc.

7.7.2.3. Any requests for the USDA to manage or supervise contract personnel, beyond security escort requirements below, on behalf of the Prime Contractor will be denied.

7.7.3. Security Requirements: All contractor personnel shall sign in at security, provide a valid form of identification such as a driver’s license, and always be in the presence of a USDA escort while on location.

7.7.4. PPE: No PPE is provided by BARC. The contractor shall arrive on site with the PPE appropriate to complete the tasks designated in this Performance Work Statement.

7.8. Insurance Requirements

7.8.1. Workers’ Compensation and Employer's Liability. The Contractor is required to comply with applicable Federal and State workers' compensation and occupational disease statutes. If occupational diseases are not compensable under those statutes, they must be covered under the employer's liability section of the insurance policy, except when contract operations are so commingled with a Contractor's commercial operations that it would not be practical to require this coverage. Employer's liability coverage of at least $100,000 must be required, except in States with exclusive or monopolistic funds that do not permit worker's compensation to be written by private carriers.

7.8.2. General Liability. The Contractor must have bodily injury liability insurance coverage written on a comprehensive form of policy of at least $500,000 per occurrence.

7.8.3. Automobile Liability. The Contractor must have automobile liability insurance written on a comprehensive form of policy. The policy must provide for bodily injury and property damage liability covering the operation of all automobiles used in connection with performing the contract. Policies covering automobiles operated in the United States must provide coverage of at least $200,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $20,000 per occurrence for property damage or loss.

7.8.4. Aircraft Public and Passenger Liability. When aircraft are used in connection with performing the contract, the Contractor must have aircraft public and passenger liability insurance. Coverage must be at least $200,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, other than passenger injury. Coverage for passenger injury must be at least $200,000 multiplied by the number of seats or passengers, whichever is greater.

7.8.5. Proof of insurance shall be submitted to the COR and Contracting Officer pursuant to the clause at FAR 52.228-5 within 5 calendar days of award.

QUALITY CONTROL

8. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): The Government shall establish a QASP as a means of evaluating whether the Contractor is meeting the performance standards/quality levels identified in the PWS to ensure that the government pays only for the level of services received.

Tasks Standards Acceptable Quality Level (AQL)

Technical Requirements and Tasks identified in Section 7

Standards as established in Technical requirements and tasks identified in Section 7.

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