NWS CO PWS.pdf

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service Central Region Headquarters

Performance Work Statement for the State of Colorado

Weather Radio Network Maintenance Services

December 10, 2019

1.0 General

1.1 Introduction

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS) mission is to provide weather, water, and climate data, forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. In support of this mission, the NWS operates the NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio (NWR) network to provide continuous transmissions of recorded weather and appropriate all-hazards warning information to the public. The NWR transmitter system operates 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-per-year. A NWR system consists of an audio control console, a transmitter system, a communication link, and emergency power generator system. This Performance Work Statement (PWS) pertains to the transmitter and generator portion of the NWR system only.

1.2 Objective

The objective is to provide quality field maintenance services for the NOAA NWR network to ensure continuous transmissions of all-hazard warning information for the state of Colorado.

1.3 Scope of Work

The purpose of this action is to provide corrective actions; regularly scheduled preventative maintenance actions; facilities to house necessary equipment; logistics support; site surveys; system modifications; and a state-wide communications interface so that the NWS may disseminate watch warning and forecast data to the public. The contractor shall provide well-trained personnel, tools, materials, supervision and other items and services as specified in the PWS.

1.4 Contractor Personnel Technical Requirements

The Contractor’s personnel performing routine and corrective maintenance on the NWR transmitter system shall be technically qualified and have experience in performing maintenance work on radio frequency (RF) VHF-FM transmitter systems at power levels listed in Attachment B. These qualifications can be met through appropriate schooling in electronics and associated theory, as well as specific training and/or schooling in job related experience in the maintenance of related-type transmitter equipment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) in writing of any change in technical field personnel assigned to perform maintenance on the transmitters. The Contractor shall provide the technical qualifications, training and related experience for replacement personnel.

2.0 Specific Requirements/Tasks

2.1 Contractor-Maintained Transmitter Sites

The Contractor shall be responsible for providing all maintenance and maintenance support services, including labor and repair parts, for the equipment listed in Attachment B. The Contractor is responsible for purchasing the parts needed to complete the repairs and are available from Centuria Corporation, 200 Mile Crossing Blvd., Rochester, NY 14624, telephone number (585) 247-0260. All replaced parts shall be returned to the Government supply depot at the contractor’s expense. The Contractor shall obtain approval from the controlling Weather Forecast Office (WFO) designated at time of award, before performing any routine or corrective maintenance that might cause disruption of the NWR broadcast.

2.2 Routine Maintenance

The Contractor shall perform routine maintenance every 120 calendar days, at a minimum, in accordance with the requirements stated in the NWS, Engineering Handbook provided in Attachment D. The Government reserves the right to periodically modify the “Maintenance Schedule” set forth in the Handbook and will notify the Contractor of any such changes. In addition, the Contractor is responsible for updating the maintenance data log attached to the transmitters. The Contractor shall submit a copy of the log to the COR after each update to data log. After performing routine maintenance, the Contractor shall ensure that the transmitter system is operational and functional at the authorized output power, within required frequency and modulation tolerance, and is in compliance with all technical descriptions and specifications of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) manuals for the equipment.

Several NWR transmitter sites have NWS-owned emergency power. These generators are set to run an unattended weekly test. While on site performing routine maintenance on NWR transmitters, the contractor shall perform a visual inspection of the generator checking for any oil, coolant, or fuel leaks. Any faults or failures will be noted and reported to the NWS controlling office. The Contractor will log run time, fuel level, any faults, and date of inspection in a NWS supplied logbook for the generator. NWS will perform any and all routine or corrective maintenance on generators. A list of sites with NWS generators is provided in Attachment E.

2.3 Corrective Maintenance

The Contractor shall perform all corrective maintenance, whether discovered by the Contractor while performing routine maintenance or requested through a service call.

When responding to a service call for corrective maintenance, the Contractor shall also complete routine maintenance in accordance with PWS before leaving the transmitter site. Upon completing the maintenance, the Contractor shall test the transmitter system to ensure that the system is operational and functional at authorized output power, within required frequency and modulation tolerance, and in compliance with all technical descriptions and specifications of the OEM manuals for the equipment.

The Contractor shall respond to calls for service and reported outages 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The Contractor shall provide contact information including phone number to the COR and update the COR as needed if information changes.

2.4 System Availability

The NWR transmitter system operates 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-per-year. The contractor shall provide maintenance so that no Contractor-maintained transmitter system will experience site outage in excess of 88 hours per year.

2.4.1 Loss of Operational Capability

A site outage is defined as the loss of the ability to transmit broadcast-quality audio at the required output power. Site outages caused by “Acts of God” or vandalism shall be corrected as soon as possible by the Contractor. Any restoration time shall be coordinated with the COR for those types of outages. Current weather conditions or forecasts for the affected area will determine the urgency of the restoration. All other site outages shall be corrected so that the Mean Time to Restore (MTTR) per site shall not exceed 12 consecutive hours. The maximum restoration time for any site outage shall not exceed 24 consecutive hours (including nights, weekends and holidays, regardless of Contractor’s normal business hours) for all corrective service calls, unless an extended period is granted by the COR. Any extension request shall be made to the COR within 24 hours of the site outage. Outage time starts when the Contractor is notified of a problem or when an attempt is made to notify the Contractor through the specified method outlined in PWS and the Contractor cannot be reached. The outage time ends when: (1) the Government is notified by the Contractor that the system is repaired and is available for use, and that broadcast-quality audio is again being transmitted at full authorized-output power and the transmitting system meets all the required technical specifications of Attachment B and the OEM equipment manuals; and (2) the Government monitoring system, as applicable, verifies the quality of the received signal.

2.4.2 Degraded Operational Capability

A transmitter site configured with a dual transmitter is considered in a degraded operational mode if either transmitter is not capable of operating at full authorized power. The Contractor shall perform corrective maintenance on a degraded site. The Contractor shall respond to an operationally degraded site within 48 hours of notice and restore it to full operation within 72 hours. A site outage is considered an emergency and has precedence over a degraded site.

2.4.3 Notification of Outage

The Government will notify the Contractor of an outage. Upon completion of the maintenance service: (1) the controlling WFO shall be notified that the transmitter is repaired, available for use, and broadcast-quality audio is again being transmitted at full authorized output power; (2) the transmitting system meets all the required technical specifications for the equipment listed in Attachment B; and, (3) the Government monitoring system, as applicable, verifies the monitored transmitter parameters are within the prescribed limits and the received signal is of good quality. The Contractor shall record an outage, the reason(s) for the outage and the corrective action taken, in the Monthly Maintenance Activity Report (Attachment F).

2.4.4 False Repair Calls (FRC)

The Contractor may expect to receive service calls that are not directly related to a failure of the NWR, transmitter system. The Contractor shall notify the COR when it has responded to a service call that is subsequently classified as a FRC. The Contractor shall document the cause and effect of the NWR transmitter outage in the Monthly Maintenance Activity Report (Attachment F).

2.4.5 Annual Signal Strength Measurement

The Contractor shall perform annual signal strength measurements at each Contractor-maintained transmitter site to ensure that overall system performance has not deteriorated. The signal strength measurements shall be made at a minimum of four different land locations that are approximately 90 degrees apart, and a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 20 statute miles radius from the transmitter site (the Contractor shall use the same locations as used the previous year and each year thereafter for continuity). The time interval between the annual measurements shall be no less than 9 months, and no greater than 13 months. The Contractor shall ensure it receives previous signal strength reports from the Government for each site to show the annual signal strength measurement locations. If previous reports are not available or have not been accomplished, the Government will task the Contractor to make an initial field strength measurement. The Contractor shall submit a report on each signal strength measurement to the COR via e-mail or fax within 15 calendar days after completing the measurement. The report shall detail the transmitter site data, antenna date (orientation, height, etc.), the readings (in uV/m), and approximate radial distance of each measurement from the transmitter. The measurements at all sites shall be performed using calibrated test equipment designed to measure radio frequency (RF) field strength in the appropriate units. The calibration of the test equipment shall be traceable to National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST).

2.4.6 Contractor Performance Monitoring

The Government reserves the right to observe the Contractor’s personnel performing routine and corrective maintenance at any NWR transmitter site to ensure compliance with the terms of the contract.

2.4.7 Other Maintenance Support Services

The Contractor shall maintain the Remote Off-Air Monitoring System (ROAMS) if installed at transmitter sites. The Contractor’s maintenance shall involve the replacement of defective units.

2.5 Other Potential In-Scope Requirements

If the need exists, the Contracting Officer (CO) shall request a firm-fixed price proposal from the Contractor for any other potential in-scope work requirements.

Upon successful negation, the CO shall issue a bilateral modification incorporating the work into the contract.

2.5.1 Emergency Services

The Contractor shall respond to verbal and or written requests by the CO to provide emergency work associated with Contractor-maintained NWR transmitter sites listed in Attachment A. Emergency work is that which is required to restore a NWR transmitter system to full operational status, due to the criticality and time-sensitive nature of the NWR transmitter network and Program. Such work may include, but not be limited to, antenna system repair, transmitter system repair or any service(s) specified within the PWS and classified as an “emergency” by the COR.

2.5.2 Non-Emergency Services

The Contractor shall respond with a written technical and cost proposal for the performance of non-emergency services within thirty (30) days following the Government issuance of each request for a proposal. The Contractor shall keep the Government informed promptly of any delays in submission beyond the thirty (30) day response period.

2.5.3 Site Installation and Relocation

The Contractor may be asked to submit a proposal to install a new NWR transmitter system, relocate an existing system, or deactivate an existing system. During the course of site installations and relocations, the Contractor shall take the necessary precautions to eliminate radiation interference to a NWR transmitter system from other transmitting equipment and to eliminate any radiation emanating from the NWR transmitter system that may interfere with the normal services of other communications and broadcast systems, devices, services, or facilities within or outside the United States. Some radiation interference problems may be due to the NWR transmitter operating out of specifications. In this situation, the Contractor shall take corrective action. In other situations, interference problems will be the Government’s responsibility. The Government may request a proposal for correcting interference problems that are not related to the services that are otherwise the responsibility of the Contractor.

2.5.4 Site Surveys

The CO may ask the Contractor to provide a proposal for conducting and documenting detailed technical surveys of specific transmitter facilities within a service area, to determine the suitability for installing a NWR transmitter system. This would include submitting a written survey report within thirty (30) calendar days, unless otherwise agreed upon, after issuance of a bilateral modification. A service area is defined as the geographic area in which an 8.0 micro volt per meter (18 dBuV/m) signal strength (or greater) is present at a distance of 40 statute miles on eight radials over land (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and NW) from the NWR antenna site.

2.5.5 Full Survey

The CO may ask the Contractor to provide a proposal for conducting and documenting a full survey for determining location of prospective sites that may include providing detailed technical survey information on the building for the transmitter equipment and tower facilities for the antenna system. The Contractor will be required to submit a written report documenting the results of the survey, within thirty (30) calendar days, unless otherwise agreed upon, after issuance of a bilateral modification to the contract.

2.5.6 Mini Survey

The CO may ask the Contractor to prepare a proposal for conducting and documenting a mini-survey on a specific tower facility for the purpose of gathering technical information for an installation or relocation of a transmitter system. The Contractor will be required to submit a written report documenting the results of the survey, within thirty (30) calendar days, unless otherwise agreed upon, after issuance of a bilateral modification to the contract.

2.5.7 System Modifications

The Contractor shall have the capability to accomplish modifications to the NWR transmitter system in accordance with instructions and requirements issued by the CO.

2.5.8 Other Miscellaneous Services

Some transmitter locations may not have lightning protection systems. The Contractor shall provide the COR a list of all Contractor-maintained transmitter sites that do not have antenna, A.C. power, or phone line lightning protection equipment or devices installed on the transmitter system.

The CO may ask the Contractor to prepare a proposal for other miscellaneous services, which may include but are not limited to the following:

- Installing vents

- Installing lightning protection kits

- Providing the Government assistance in resolving radiation/intermodulation interference issues

- Installing system upgrades

2.6 Reports

The Contractor shall submit the following reports by the 15th of each month to the address below. Reports may be sent via electronic mail or faxed to the COR. The Contractor shall retain a copy of each report submitted. All data compiled in the performance of this contract becomes the property of the Government. Please submit reports to:

Electronics Program Manager (COR) Central Region Headquarters 7220 NW 101st Terrace Kansas City, MO 64153 Fax Number (816) 891-7810 or Email to COR (see contract clause 1352.201-72 for e-mail address)

2.6.1 Status Report

The Contractor shall provide a report describing all significant actions under the contract, any outstanding items requiring action by the Government, and unresolved problems of importance to the Government. Each report shall include an on-going summary of all significant actions performed under the contract including miscellaneous services. Each report shall contain a column listing the cumulative usage rate of each transmitter part and assembly used.

Each miscellaneous services shall be a major topic heading with all actions performed under that heading listed as subtopics. The subtopics shall be grouped together into like items and summarized at the end of the report with full cross references to the major topic headings and subtopics.

2.6.2 Maintenance Activity Reports

The Contractor shall provide a report summarizing maintenance activities on the transmitter system at each location serviced. The following information shall be included in the report: maintenance activity summary; repair call time summary; false repair call summary; non-transmitter related outage hours;

transmitter-related outage hours; maintenance call type analysis; maintenance action cause analysis; report/unreported transmitter repair summary; and monthly maintenance action documentation to include site data, transmitter maintenance data log and maintenance comments.

2.6.3 Contractor Maintained NWR Transmitter Site Data Report

The Government will provide known NWR transmitter site data to the Contractor on those sites the Contractor is responsible for maintaining. A sample of a NWR transmitter site data sheet is provided in Attachment E of Attachment D. The Contractor shall not assume this data to be complete or correct. The site data report shall contain, as a minimum, all information fields listed on Table 4-3, Maintenance Logging Chart in Attachment F. The Contractor is responsible for verifying the information provided in the Government-furnished report and shall submit all corrections to the COR within 90 calendar days of contract award either through e-mail, fax or regular mail.