DRAFT Advanced Utility Metering System PWS-FY25.docx

Attachment A - 36C776-24-Q-0226 DRAFT PWS

1.0 Performance Work Statement

1.1 The Department of Veterans Affairs requires hosting, support & services, and data integration for the VHA Advance Utility Metering System (AUMS). Energy monitoring is a foundation for effective and sustainable improvement. The information provided from the metering project provides insight to improve efficiency, reduce waste and lower greenhouse gas emissions into the environment.

This project includes ongoing management of the Department of Veterans Affairs for network, hosting, managed services, support and assurance for the AUMS for a period of September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2027 (base year + 2 option years).

Electrical & Mechanical Meters

VISNs

The AUMS is managing approximately 40,000 points from approximately 4,100 different electrical and mechanical meters for 18 VISNs across the United States. The software agreement includes hosting of StruxureWare Power Monitoring Expert (PME) and StruxureWare Enterprise Energy Manager (EEM) with the Advanced Visualization Module.

1.2 Network Management and Services

The Network Management Services in this agreement include managing and monitoring the wireless communication system to limit downtime where potential data loss will discredit enterprise reporting.

· Contractor will provide overall management of system complete with quarterly status reports, challenges, issues that need resolution and cost estimates for the same.

· Contractor will provide monitoring services and remote support in order to keep the VA Enterprise Metering Project communications system operating efficiently and reliably. Contractor will provide 5GB of of data per month per site.

· Contractor will monitor the entire network continuously and will use this network management software to aid in remote troubleshooting all wireless devices to include approximately 1,200 meters associated with the Advance Electrical metering project both proactively and as required by hosting contractor.

· Contractor on-line trouble call "ticket" system will be used for entry of trouble tickets and use for viewing and tracking purposes.

· Contractor will monitor the DSL/cell services, radios and meters. As items fail, they will do the preliminary investigation of the problem. If it is the DSL/Cell service or radios, they will try to remotely troubleshoot. If the problem is with a meter, they will notify of their findings within 5 business days and provide this information on the monthly report.

· VHA personnel will work with Contractor to do initial discovery on outages. VHA will provide on-site manpower to do basic troubleshooting steps as guided by contractor such as determine if power has been shutoff, verify connections, identify status lights, reset power, and do minor tasks as asked by Contractor.

· Contractor will attempt to fix all communications issues remotely. Contractor will provide phone support, remote network maintenance and troubleshooting services. Service is expected to be Monday through Friday, 8a – 6pm, with exceptions to government holidays. For instances beyond Contractor ability to fix remotely, contractor will provide a trouble shooting guide for a technician to fix the problem. The technician will be in house or contracted by VISN/facility.

Recognized Holidays: The contractor is not required to provide services on the following Federal Holidays.

2.0 Hosting Services

Task 1 – Provide support and managed services to host and maintain AUMS from September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2027 (base year + 2 option years)

This includes a tier 3 data center and all software, service packs and system monitoring.

1. Contractor will assign a primary senior technical support representative to the account who is available to take live calls and returns calls within one business day. This representative will provide/ coordinate all hosting support and managed services remotely from their location. Contractor shall be available during regular business hours (Monday thru Friday, 8 am to 6 PM EST) for resolution of functionality issues excluding government holidays.

2. Develop statements of work (SOW) to support VA in contracting for in-person technicians to troubleshoot and restore the system where remote support is not sufficient. SOWs shall include a detailed, technical explanation of work required as well as a cost estimate to support local VA staff in quickly resolving the issues. SOWs should be provided within 2 weeks of determination that on-site support is required.

Task 2 – Communication support and proactive watch for interval energy data contained within the enterprise utility meters into VA’s Enterprise-Wide Metering System Database.

Contractor will perform the following services:

Daily:

1. Ensure

· All meter points had activity in the past 24 hours

· Data backups were successful

· Web Interface is available

2. Troubleshoot and solve any incidents that arise from item one.

3. If unable to resolve remotely, an incident report is created, and the COR and other appropriate VA personnel are notified. A full list of incidents and their resolution shall be included in the monthly report.

4. The primary senior technical support representative will work with facility and VISN/VHA energy engineers and facility managers until the system matches the reality on the ground. If remote troubleshooting fails, on site service will be required by the contractor or other 3rd party coordinated by the contractor.

5. Contractor shall be available during regular business hours (Monday thru Friday, 8 am to 6 PM EST) for resolution of functionality issues excluding government holidays.

Monthly:

1. Audit hosted servers memory usage, disk space and event logs.

2. Apply critical updates and virus definitions to the hosted server software.

3. Reviews system diagnostic messages and apply service packs as necessary.

4. Verify data archiving and backups have completed.

5. Verify data quality through variance reports.

6. Reports issued to COR include in the monthly report:

a. Incident/Phone Support – report shall include all incidents including status of incident (Resolved/Unresolved) and actions taken/recommended for resolution.

b. Non-Reporting Meters – report shall include all non-reporting meters, reason for non-function, and recommendation for correction with cost estimate.

Annually:

1. AUMS:

a. Identify any hardware upgrades

b. Identify required database maintenance

c. Identify any applicable software upgrades

2. Provide an annual report on the system status, troubles and actions taken.

3. Provide meter data for each facility for the period of performance.

3.0 Key Personnel

1. Contractor must provide a focused team to include, at minimum, 1 - Senior Project Manager and 1 - Senior Software Technical Engineer. Team names and resumes must be submitted as part of solicitation response.

a. Senior Project Manager: This individual will coordinate all local hardware installations, commissioning, and configuration of existing hardware within the AUMS system. Commissioning requests require after action report and remediation in order to resolve communication and integration issues. Regular reporting and meeting with the COR on status and issues with the system. Individual must possess 5 years working experience with advance metering infrastructure and project management. Preferred 2 year technical school degree, 2 year electronic/electrical/telecommunications degree, or a combination of related work experience/military training. PME (latest edition) is preferred.

b. Senior Software Technical Engineer: This individual will coordinate and support all IT and software related tasks such as software deployments, patches, integrations, and emergency support. Individual must possess 5 years working experience with metering software platforms, preferably PME (latest version).

4.0 Deliverables

Contractor to provide COR and CO following reports:

5.0 Travel

Travel is not authorized under this contract at this time. Work required beyond remote troubleshooting are the responsibility of the VISN/Medical Center. Contractor will coordinate and follow facility acquisition and finance protocol for approval prior to any travel for work commencement.

If Travel funding becomes available at a national level, travel costs are direct reimbursable to the contractor in accordance with GSA Federal Travel Regulations. Before travel occurs, the contractor shall submit Travel estimates to the COR, the justification for the travel, and an e-mail from the VISN/facility with the notification of the upcoming site visit.

When invoicing for travel, contractor shall provide receipts per Federal Travel Regulations which include, at minimum, airline, lodging and rental car receipts. Meals will be reimbursed at the GSA per diem rate.