SOW_-_Inspection-Assessment_Training_-_Dam_Safety_Webinars_2015-06-15.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

PROVIDE TRAINING WORKSHOPS ON THE INSPECTION AND ASSESSMENT OF

DAMS AND WEBINARS ON DAMS SAFETY TOPICS

I. BACKGROUND

State dam safety agencies generally regulate dams built with Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) assistance as part of watershed projects authorized by section 13 of the Flood Control Act of 1944, 33 U.S.C. 7016-1 and the Watershed Protection and Flood Control Act of 1954, 16 U.S.C. 1001-1012. Watershed sponsors own the dams. Watershed sponsors are local units of government established under state law and work in close partnership with NRCS locally in planning, installing, operating, and maintaining dams as critical parts of many watershed projects. These projects are cooperative undertakings by the federal government with states and their local political subdivisions.

Inspection and Assessment of Existing Dams is an elemental means to evaluate the condition and maintain these structures in good operating condition. Current NRCS policy and many state agency regulations require inspection and assessment throughout the life of all dams; however, as the structure hazard classification increases, the need to do these critical inspections and assessments increases. The training for entry-level NRCS and state dam safety personnel is necessary to develop the proficiency to conduct the inspections and assessments in a skilled and professional manner. Training in topics related to dam design, construction, operation and maintenance, emergency action planning enhances this proficiency.

II. REQUIREMENTS FOR INSPECTION AND ASSESSMENT OF DAMS

The intent of this section of the contract is to provide training workshops for NRCS and state dam safety officials on the inspections and assessments of existing dams. The intended result of this training is to increase the knowledge needed and the proficiency to conduct the evaluation for NRCS personnel, and state dam safety officials, and other professionals on the items to inspect, the procedures to assess, and the process required to complete them on existing dams.

The actions will improve NRCS’s, state dam safety officials, and other professional’s ability to assist watershed sponsors and dam owners in these actions.

The Contractor shall:

1. Update the current curriculum to incorporate the lessons learned from the previous training workshop with the primary objective of preparing the participants to conduct the inspections and assessments.

The workshops shall:

a. Educate state dam safety officials, NRCS employees and other professionals about the items to evaluate for earthen embankments and to a lesser extent other types of structures.

b. Educate state dam safety officials, NRCS employees, and other professionals about their roles, responsibilities, and liabilities related to the evaluation process.

c. Provide training on conducting an evaluation.

Provide a draft of the curriculum and training materials for NRCS concurrence to the NRCS point of contact no later than September 30, 2015.

2. Arrange for qualified instructors. Submit resumes for proposed instructors along with the final draft of the curriculum and training materials. For substitutions of instructors after approval of the resumes, the contractor shall provide written notification to NRCS for approval by NRCS.

The contractor shall not make substitutions within three working days of the start of the workshops.

3. Propose workshop locations, facilities, and dates. Submit proposed locations along with the final draft of the curriculum and training materials. For substitutions or changes to approved locations, facilities, or dates, the contractor shall provide written notification to NRCS for approval by NRCS. The contractor shall not change the approved locations within 21 working days of the start of the workshops.

4. Conduct two workshops consisting of a minimum of 21 hours of instruction each to a total audience of approximately 100 state dam safety officials, NRCS employees and other professionals. The contractor shall conduct the first workshop no later than May 31, 2016 and the second workshop no later than December 31, 2016.

Organize all on-site preparation for the workshops. Oversee marketing of the workshops.

Oversee all registration/participant processes. Pay all expenses associated with arranging for and conducting the workshops, including the instructors, training materials and training facility.

Participants will be responsible for their own travel costs to attend the workshops.

Prepare and provide a copy of all training materials to each participant. Originals of all training materials shall become the property of NRCS upon completion of this contract.

5. Prepare summary workshop reports including final list of participants, evaluation of the training experience, and recommendations for future training needs to include, but not limited to, suggested revisions in the training materials, instruction methods, and locations not later January 31, 2017.

III. REQUIREMENTS FOR DAM SAFETY WEBINARS

The intent of this section of the contract is to provide dam safety webinar training for NRCS personnel, state dam safety officials, dam owners, emergency managers and other participants with an interest in dam safety. Webinar topics shall include training on topics related to dam design, construction, operation and maintenance, emergency action planning. The intended result of this training is to increase the knowledge needed in all aspects of dam safety activities including dam design, construction, operation and maintenance, emergency action planning. The actions will improve NRCS’s, state dam safety officials, and other professional’s ability to assist watershed sponsors and dam owners in these actions.

The Contractor shall:

1. Provide specific webinar topics and curriculum for dam safety webinar training related to dam design, construction, operation and maintenance, emergency action planning.

The webinars shall:

a. Educate state dam safety officials, NRCS employees, and other participants about dam design, construction, operation and maintenance, emergency action planning

b. Educate state dam safety officials, NRCS employees, and other participants about their roles, responsibilities, and liabilities related to the dam design, construction, operation and maintenance, emergency action planning process.

Provide the topic and curriculum for each webinar to the NRCS point of contact at least 45 days in advance of the webinar. In addition, provide the topics and curriculum for all webinars to the NRCS point of contact no later than January 15, 2016.

2. Arrange for qualified instructors. Submit resumes for proposed instructors along with the final draft of the curriculum and training materials. For substitutions of instructors after approval of the resumes, the contractor shall provide written notification to NRCS for approval by NRCS.

The contractor shall not make substitutions within three working days of the start of the workshops.

3. Each webinar shall be internet accessible to at least 100 locations simultaneously throughout the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Propose webinar date and broadcast facilities. Submit proposed date and facilities along with the final draft of the curriculum and training materials. For substitutions or changes to the approved broadcast facilities or date, the contractor shall provide written notification to NRCS for approval by NRCS. The contractor shall not change the approved broadcast facilities within 21 working days of the start of the webinar.

4. Conduct eleven (11) live 2-hour webinars consisting of a minimum of 22 hours of instruction.

The total potential audience includes approximately 100 state dam safety officials, 500 NRCS staff, and other participants. The contractor shall conduct all webinars before December 31, 2016.

5. The contractor shall record and provide NRCS a copy of all webinars for future viewing. The recorded webinars shall have the same content and format as the live webinar.

Organize all content delivery of the webinars. Oversee marketing of the webinars. Oversee all registration/participant processes. The contractor shall pay all expenses associated with arranging for and conducting the webinar, including the instructors, training materials and webinar broadcast facilities. Participants will be responsible for their own computer and internet access to view the webinar.

Prepare and provide a copy of all training materials to each participant. Originals of all training materials shall become the property of NRCS upon completion of this contract.

5. Prepare a summary report of the webinars, including final list of participants, evaluation of the training experience, and recommendations for future training needs to include, but not limited to, suggested revisions in the training materials, instruction methods, and locations not later January 31, 2017.