Attachment 4- Statement of Work.docx

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE BELTSVILLE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER

FACILITIES SERVICE

UTILITIES MANAGEMENT UNIT

BUILDING 426A, BARC EAST

10300 BALTIMORE AVENUE

BELTSVILLE, MARYLAND 20705-2350

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

for

CONTRACT FOR OPERATIONS/MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT FOR BARC’S WATER SYSTEM

BELTSVILLE AGRICULTUREAL RESEARCH CENTER

BELTSVILLE MARYLAND

January, 2026

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. GENERAL

1.1. BACKGROUND

The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Services (ARS), Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) owns and operates six (6) Water Wells, a Raw Water System, a Water Treatment Plant (WTP), and a Water Distribution System (WDS) located in Beltsville, MD. The WTP is permitted to operate by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) under the following permits:

· BARC WTP:

· State Water Appropriation and Use Permit No. PG1990G012(04)

· Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Drinking Water Branch, Drinking Water Watch, Samples and Compliance Schedules, Water System No.: MD0160001

· Additional State and Local Regulations Historically, operations and supervision of these plants/systems have been through USDA employees but in the last few years, such operations and supervision have been through contracts.

1.2. PROJECT LOCATION

Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) is located in Beltsville, MD. Work shall be performed within the entire BARC facilities, but the major facilities are as follows:

Water treatment plant – Building 310 BARC Water Distribution System – Entire BARC Campus

1.3. INTENT

The intent of this solicitation is to award one PERFORMANCE-BASED contract for the supervision of operations, maintenance, operations management and direct responsibility in front of the regulating agencies of BARC’s Water Wells, Raw Water System, Water Treatment Plant, and Water Distribution System The performance-based superintendent services for the supervision of operations, maintenance, operations management and direct responsibility of these facilities shall be as stipulated in the Code of Maryland Regulations, Title 26, Subtitle 06 Waterworks and Waste System Operators and detailed in this Performance Work Statement.

1.4. CONTRACTOR’S QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum qualifications for a contractor to be qualified for this job is a combination of the following:

A. Contracting Company

a. Minimum of 7 years as a contracting company

b. Minimum of 7 years performing similar supervision/operations/maintenance contracts for water systems.

B. Superintendent

a. Minimum of 5 years as a licensed superintendent

b. Minimum of 7 years’ experience operating/managing water facilities and systems

c. Minimum of 3 years of direct responsibility managing such types of facilities, similar to this contract, as a superintendent with similar responsibilities.

C. Proof of qualifications should be submitted with contact names and numbers to verify qualifications.

1.5. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

A. Having met the qualifications requirements set above, it is up to the contracting company to determine how many superintendents to dedicate to the supervision of operating and maintaining the facilities.

B. Under this contract, the Superintendent will be reporting internally to BARC’s Utilities Management Unit Manager (UMUM) and BARC’s Compliance Officer. In coordination with, and under the general supervision of the BARC’s management, the Superintendent shall be fully responsible for the supervision of the operation, maintenance, compliance, and compliance reporting to MDE of BARC’s Water system and provide reports required for the system by the regulating agencies. The general responsibilities of this contract include but aren’t limited to:

a. Superintendent:

i. Full Systems’ supervision of all BARC’s water system operations, maintenance and upkeep.

ii. Systems’ operations & maintenance planning, execution, and oversight as dictated by each system design, Operations and Maintenance Manuals, MDE Guidance and industry standards.

iii. Reporting to BARC’s Compliance Officer and Leadership as appropriate to keep BARC team (the OWNER of these systems) fully informed of BARC’s water system’s condition, malfunctions, needs, compliance, permitting entities reporting, violations, updated permit/testing requirements, … etc.

iv. Reporting to MDE as required by the permits of the water system, to include sample collection & analysis, follow up on lab work, preparing and submitting reports as required by the permits and MDE. Reporting to MDE shall include reporting all and any reports required by the system’s permit.

v. Serves as mentor and technical advisor to operator and BARC’s personnel on all water systems and treatment processes.

vi. Water system’s maintenance to include planning and supervision of all preventive and proactive maintenance and simple system maintenance activities that are undertaken by BARC system operators.

vii. Closely coordinates with the company that is under contract with BARC to perform compliance testing and analysis for water systems.

2. ADMINISTRATIVE

2.1. SITE VISIT

A. All prospective bidders may attend a site visit during which a full description of the systems will be provided and a site visit to major systems’ facilities and components will be provided. The site visit date and time are as follows:

B. All questions shall be submitted via email in writing to the Contracting Officer (CO) and answers will be published to the solicitation.

C. Direct contacts with any BARC personnel about this solicitation are not permitted during the advertising period of this solicitation.

2.2. SECURITY

All employees of general contractors and subcontractors shall comply with ARS security management program, obtain permission of the ARS Location Manager, be identified by project and employer by wearing contractor-issued identification badges at all times on ARS property, and restricted from unauthorized access.

2.3. SAFETY/OSHA CERTIFICATION

A. Prior to commencing work, the general contractor shall provide proof that an OSHA identified “competent person” (CP) (29 CFR 1926.32(f) will maintain a presence at the work site whenever the general or subcontractors are present.

"Competent person" means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

B. The BARC facilities identified above and the work to be performed under this contract include many locations and activities that will require certain safety measures (confined space, trip hazard, fall hazard, chemical hazard, …etc.), the contractor is required to have OSHA Certified personnel enter such facilities or perform such activities.

C. Training:

1. All employees of the general contractor or subcontractors shall have the 10-hour OSHA- certified Construction Safety course and /or other relevant competency training. Supervisors shall have completed the 30-hour OSHA training.

2. Submit training records of all such employees to the Contracting Officer for approval before the start of work.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

3.1. DESCRIPTION OF WORK

A. The US Department of Agriculture, BARC is seeking to hire ONE (1) Superintendent, for the supervision and overall responsibility of operations and maintenance of BARC’s Water System, including, Water Wells, Raw Water System, Water Treatment Plant (Building 310), and Water Distribution System located at the USDA BARC Campus.

B. The Superintendent shall be responsible for the management, supervision, operations, and maintenance of the water system noted above, within the applicable rules and regulations of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the permits for these facilities.

C. The Superintendent availability at the facilities shall be as follows:

a. The Superintendent shall be available within a 2-hour notice to respond to emergencies and to be available for BARC’s management if the need arises.

b. The Superintendent shall be available at the plants/systems to perform the services required to satisfy all permits requirements and satisfy all the requirements of this Performance Work Statement (PWS) and operate, maintain, manage, and supervise BARC’s systems and facilities as stipulated in the Code of Maryland Regulations, Title 26, Subtitle 06 Waterworks and Waste System Operators and detailed in this Performance Work Statement.

D. The Superintendent shall act as the USDA BARC superintendent on all permit related reporting to MDE, including periodic reporting, status reporting and violations reporting for the water system. The Superintendent shall include the BARC’s Compliance Officer, UMUM, the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and any other BARC employees or contractors designated by the Compliance Officer in all correspondence with MDE. Acting as the USDA BARC Superintendent shall be under the supervision of BARC’s Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and BARC’s Compliance Officer.

E. USDA, BARC has a separate Laboratory Services Contract to satisfy all analysis and reporting requirements for its water and wastewater systems to MDE. To that end, the Superintendent services shall include coordination of all elements necessary to facilitate such full permit reporting to MDE. Such services shall include but are not limited to:

a. Oversight of sample collection, storage, analysis, and documentation of Well/Raw water, Water Treatment Plant water, Treated water, and Distribution System water.

b. Raw water, Water Treatment Plant water, treated water and Distribution System water samples collection and analysis shall be planned, scheduled, and executed in coordination with the Laboratory Services contracted by USDA, BARC to satisfy all conditions to provide full reporting as required by the:

i. MDE, Drinking Water Branch, Drinking Water Watch, Samples and Compliance Schedules, Water System No.: MD0160001.

ii. Samples collection, analysis and reporting shall also conform to the requirements as required by the Prince George's County.

c. Analysis of collected samples to be performed by the Superintendent in coordination with BARC Operators shall include all sampling, testing and analysis of parameters that do not require laboratory testing and usually tested, recorded and documented at the field. Such analysis and testing include but is not limited to PH, Cl2, Iron, …etc. for water. Such testing and analysis shall include all parameters required to gauge and adjust treatment processes as appropriate to meet permit requirements.

d. The Superintendent shall provide oversight for all sampling, lab services and reporting to MDE as the responsible entity.

e. The Superintendent shall prepare permit documents and specialty paperwork pertaining to water systems related to permitting for the COR and BARC's Compliance Officer’s approval and submittal.

F. The Superintendent shall provide recommendations for treatment process optimization after samples have been analyzed and if such optimization is required. The Superintendent shall advise plants operators and BARC personnel on such optimization and why such operations adjustments are required or recommended.

G. The Superintendent shall be responsible for preparing all written reports to MDE as well as to the BARC’s Compliance Officer and COR.

H. The Superintendent shall provide status updates about the BARC’s water system to the BARC’s Compliance Officer, COR, and other designated BARC employees or contractors specified by the UMUM. To that end, the Superintendent shall:

a. Attend a biweekly Operations and Maintenance Status Update Meeting to be held at the Utilities Management Unit Conference Room

b. Provide weekly maintenance requests

c. Provide daily notifications of critical items I. The Superintendent shall lead, plan, organize, direct and manage the day-to-day operations and maintenance of all water facilities and shall oversee the operations, and routine maintenance of the USDA BARC water systems.

a. Study, understand and develop in-depth knowledge of all systems (raw water, and treated water), become familiar with existing Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals.

b. Assist in creating and writing operational processes, SOPs, procedures and work methods for the Operators to improve operations of the water system. All prepared materials by the Superintendent shall be reviewed and approved by the COR and/or the Compliance Officer.

c. Check and review plant log records, computer data trends and tabulations, lab reports and other data to ensure all equipment is functioning and is being used properly.

d. Monitor supplies and chemical inventory and various other records and reports essential to the operation of the plants. Work with UMU management to order supplies and chemicals.

J. The Superintendent shall evaluate water plant operations and make recommendations on process adjustments and improvements as appropriate based on available information and permit limits. These adjustments and changes in operations shall be in consultation with BARC COR and the Compliance Officer and/or his designated team members.

K. The Superintendent shall serve as technical advisor to Operators on treatment, operations, and maintenance processes for water systems. This technical advice shall include all systems processes with the objective of improving these processes for better optimized workflow and improved treatment.

L. The Superintendent shall report any existing, new, unusual problems, deficiencies and deviations from standards encountered to the UMUM, COR, Compliance Officer and designated UMU personnel.

M. The Superintendent shall make recommendations on proper operations and maintenance documentation, storage and flow management in accordance with statutes of limitations.

N. The Superintendent shall lead, plan, schedule, organize, direct and manage, with the help from BARC personnel and systems operators, a PROACTIVE Preventive Maintenance Program for water systems to help maintain BARC’s facilities and equipment in optimum condition. Examples of such program elements shall include but shall not be limited to:

a. Daily, weekly, monthly and annual inspections, as recommended, of the systems major facilities, processes, pump stations, pump houses, major and minor equipment, water wells, filters, water meters, water towers, water mains flushing, manhole inspections…etc.

b. Keeping a clean work environment, free of safety hazards, and with clean operable equipment

c. Develop, implement, and track inspection and maintenance records

d. Plan, schedule and implement the water plant filters backwash program.

e. Quarterly exercise water distribution system valves.

f. Monthly check of water plant water meters and other instruments and by calibration of the meters and instruments as recommended by manufacturers.

g. Development of regulated substances (chlorine, …etc.) simulated leaks and the proper responses to such emergencies.

h. Perform manufacturers’ recommended chemicals metering pumps calibration.

i. Perform manual checks of Cl2 residuals, O2 levels, PH and comparisons with instrumentation readings.

j. Many other elements not noted above.

3.2. QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

Quality Control Requirements:

The Contractor shall provide a comprehensive Quality Control (QC) Plan as part of their quote submission. The QC Plan must outline the methods, procedures, and processes the Contractor will use to ensure all work performed meets the specifications and requirements outlined in this Statement of Work (SOW). The QC Plan will be evaluated for acceptability during the quote review process. Failure to provide an adequate QC Plan may result in the quote being deemed non-responsive.

The QC Plan should include, at a minimum:

· Inspection and Testing Procedures: How the Contractor will verify compliance with specifications.

· Corrective Action Process: Steps to address deficiencies or non-conformance.

· Documentation and Reporting: How QC activities will be recorded and communicated.

· Personnel Responsibilities: Identification of staff responsible for QC oversight, including work schedule.

Prior to commencing work, USDA-BARC shall interview the Superintendent on their understanding of the Systems’ Permits and their requirements of performance and reporting. Such an interview will be carried out if any change in contractor’s personnel takes place.

All designated personnel shall be included in all correspondence between the Superintendent and the permitting agencies.

3.3. DESCRIPTION OF FACILITIES

A. Raw Water System The BARC’s raw water system consists of six (6) Water Wells and a Raw Water piping that conveys water from the Eight (8) wells to the BARC Water Treatment Plant. Each well has a Well House which houses a check valve, isolation valves, a meter, a sampling point, pressure gauges and switches.

B. Water Treatment Plant & Distribution System BARC’s Water Treatment Plant draws water from the 8 water wells described above. Water is permitted under the State Water Appropriation and Use Permit No PG1990G012(04). The Water Plant is permitted for 750,000 gpd average flow and 1,000,000 gpd average flow at maximum month flow. Its Processes include:

· Aeration Tower

· Chemical addition (Soda Ash for PH)

· Chlorination

· Raw Water Wet Well and Transfer Pumps

· Filtration (6 Pressure Media Filters)

· Treated Water Storage Tank and High Service Pump Station

· 3 Elevated Storage Tanks (elevated towers)

· Distribution Network

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The period of performance for the Superintendent Contract is for a period of NINTY DAYS (90) days and is renewable for ONE (1) period of NINTY DAYS (90) days as desired by BARC for a full term of contract (including the option period) of ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTY DAYS (180) days.

5. ATTACHMENTS

The following is attached for bidders to fully understand the scope of work and performance expectations based on permit requirements, limitations, required testing and lab services, frequencies, …

· BARC WTP:

· State Water Appropriation and Use Permit No. PG1990G012(04)

· Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Drinking Water Branch, Drinking Water Watch, Samples and Compliance Schedules, Water System No.: MD0160001.

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