PST_Cable_Reconfiguration_RFP_v1.05.pdf

v.1.05

Request for Proposal Public Safety Radio Tower Cabling Reconfiguration

DHS/FEMA Region 1, Maynard, MA

June 2019

Contracting Officer's Technical Representative:

Grant Fournier, Telecommunications Specialist

Project Engineers:

Robert K. Reinke, Jr, Telecommunications Specialist John F. Robinson, Jr, Telecommunications Specialist

LOCATION:

DHS-FEMA

Federal Regional Center, Region 1 63 Old Marlboro Road Maynard, MA 01754

Background:

FEMA Region 1 requires a change to the routing for all cabling from the underground facility to a 190’ Rohn Model-80 guyed Public Safety Tower (PST) at the Federal Response Center (FRC) located in Maynard, MA. A certified structural analysis was completed in 2019 and the tower is currently rated at 69.3% structural capacity. The tower holds approximately 20 antennas for Amateur Radio, Public Safety, Emergency Management, and Cellular BDA systems.

The telecommunications and power cables are routed mainly down one leg of the tower and into one of four plastic conduit tunnels at the base of the tower. The plastic conduit proceeds underground, running from the base of the tower, to the inside of a concrete bulkhead. The bulkhead is covered by a wooden shed structure to provide protection from adverse weather conditions. Inside of the bulkhead, the cabling transfers from the plastic conduit to a metal pipe that extends into the underground facility.

Photographs of the site and the current configuration are included in Attachment A.

The new design will remove all cabling from the plastic conduit. FEMA requires that all wiring will be run above ground from the PST to the wooden structure and down into the bulkhead. The new design must not impede personnel from walking between the PST and the wooden structure; minimum height clearance of seven feet. The span from the PST to the closet corner of the wooden structure is approximately 18 feet.

Note 1: Ground penetration must be dug by hand and no deeper than 12 inches except for the ground rod installation location (Reference Attachment B). There is a waterproof membrane under the ground surface to protect the underground facility that must NOT be disturbed. Any exposure of the membrane must be reported to the FEMA COR and all work on that area will stop until FEMA verifies that the membrane was not damaged. Repair of damage to the membrane will be the responsibility of the contractor and conducted in a manner approved by FEMA.

Note 2: Vehicles may only drive on the gravel roads. Lightweight utility vehicles may be used after FEMA approval.

Note 3: Landscaping. If the landscaping around the work area is disturbed, to include added soil, it is the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure that the grass (grass seed planted), gravel, etc. is repaired to FEMA approval prior to conclusion of the project.

Possible preparatory (temporary) work that could be completed by the FEMA staff will include:

1. Cut existing 7/8” cables at the base of the tower.

a. Remove the cut 7/8” cable sections from the base of the tower to the underground facility.

b. Install new N Female connectors on the cut 7/8” cables.

2. Pull and temporarily reconnect all cellular antenna connections to bypass the underground conduit.

3. Pull and temporarily reconnect remaining telecommunications and power cabling to bypass the underground conduit if required.

4. Seal both ends of the plastic conduit to prevent water penetration into the bulkhead.

5. Remove the dead ended cabling inside of the bulkhead to the best of FEMA’s capability.

The Contractor is responsible for:

1. Designing a new pathway for a cable support structure to traverse the span from the PST to the hallway inside of the underground facility. This will include a lightning protection system that will replace the current lightning protection panel that is inside of the facility. The new lightning protection system must be located within the bulkhead or wooden structure and must be weather proof.

2. Installing the new antenna cabling support structure that spans from the PST to a lightning arrestor support structure. Posts, pads, or any other required structural supports may be placed on the ground surface. The Contractor can ADD material to level the ground surface. NO material may be removed from the ground surface to level for a footing.

3. Installing lightning arrestors (Quantity of 32) and lighting protection mounting structure. The lightning arrestors and cables must be installed in a manner that allows for maintenance access. FEMA prefers all RF connections coming off the tower to be installed as 7/16 DIN, unless the contractor has a superior performing recommendation.

4. Installing cable support structure from lightning protection system, into the bulkhead, and terminating at the metal pipe passthrough entrance.

5. Installing antenna cable connection passthroughs in the faraday cage wall located inside the internal hallway. Passthrough location on the wall will be designated by FEMA. FEMA prefers all these pass throughs to be installed as 7/16 DIN.

6. Installing jumpers from the base of the tower to the lightning arrestors for 7/8” cables. Cutting and installing new connectors on all other telecommunications cabling to terminate at the lightning arrestors. Install new jumpers from the lightning arrestors to the internal hallway (one cable each for all lightning arrestors).

7. Grounding all new hardware and cabling as recommended in Motorola R56. A ground rod may be vertically driven into the ground ONLY in the location shown in Attachment B. FEMA must approve ground rod location prior to rod being driven. Ground rod, connection, and cabling must be buried and not exposed. All cabling will be buried at a 12-inch depth and observe all warnings in Note 1.

8. Weather proofing all connections and hardware installed by the Contractor as recommended in Motorola R56.

9. If the antenna cabling support structure connects directly to the tower (not air gapped), a proposed structural modification analysis will be provided by the Contractor prior to work start for FEMA approval. The current structural analysis can be provided to the Contractor as a baseline.

FEMA Requires Two Proposals:

1. First: As stated above.

2. Second: Disregard FEMA cutting the 7/8” cable runs and the contractor installing jumpers for cut cables. The second proposal will instead include replacing each 7/8” cable run (~8 runs) in its entirety, as to avoid having a connection at the base of the tower. (FEMA has a 1,500’ reel of AVA5-50 in stock, a quantity of 20, 78EZNF connectors (for antenna side connection), and bonding hardware in stock on site). Contractor would provide the AVA5-50, 7/16 DIN connectors for the lightning protection side connection.

Coordination: The Contractor will coordinate with the COR on inspection dates and times. The COR or a representative that the COR selects will be present.

Deliverables: Contractor shall provide the following documentation to FEMA:

1. Tower Structural Analysis Report certified by a Professional Engineer, properly licensed in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, if required.

2. Project documentation to include, but not limited to, blueprints, inspection reports, analyses, engineering reports, and manufacturer documentation.

3. The work performed by the Contractor will be covered by a minimum one-year warranty. All purchased products will be covered by either the manufacturer’s warranty or the Contractors one-year warranty, whichever is greater.

Period of Performance:

The period of performance shall be 30 days from awarding of contract.

Place of Performance:

FEMA Region 1 FRC, Building A, Room 204, 63 Old Marlboro Road, Maynard, MA 01754. POC: Grant Fournier, (617) 816-3328

Attachments:

PST Cable Repair RFP - Attachment A PST Cable Repair RFP - Attachment B