Attachment_1_-_Statement_of_Work.doc

Statement of Work Hearing Testing & Training

Channel Islands National Park

1.0 Background

The purpose of the Channel Islands National Park (CHIS) hearing conservation program is to help protect CHIS employees from hearing loss due to occupational noise exposure. Although CHIS attempts to control noise exposures, certain operations and workstations may expose personnel to significant noise levels.

Our park wide safety goal is to promote hearing conservation for all park employees and volunteers. This starts with education and safe work standards and guidelines. Services being procured will include, but not limited to, hearing testing, employee training and noise surveys to meet our goals and objectives.

Audiometric testing monitors an employee’s hearing over time. It also provides an opportunity to educate employees about their hearing and the need to protect it. There are two types of audiograms that are required in the hearing conservation program: baseline and annual audiograms. The baseline audiogram is the reference audiogram against which future audiograms are compared. Annual audiograms are important to test workers’ hearing to identify deterioration in their hearing ability as early as possible. The employee will be provided a referral for further testing when test results are questionable or when related medical problems are suspected. This enables CHIS to initiate protective follow up measures before hearing loss progresses.

2.0 Scope

Channel Islands National Park’s hearing conservation program goal is to prevent personnel from suffering occupational hearing loss due to noise exposure, ensure that personnel recognize the effects of noise on hearing, the purpose of hearing protection and instructions on selection, fitting and use of hearing safety equipment and includes hearing testing, employee training, environmental noise surveys, and record keeping.

All employees whose exposure is equal to or above 85 decibels (dB) measured as 8-hour time-weighted averages (TWA) are included in the hearing conservation program. The divisions that may be at risk to elevated noise levels include the following:

· Maintenance Division

· Transportation Division

· Law Enforcement and Protection Division

· Resource Management Division

· Interpretation Division

3.0 Objectives

Channel Islands National Park requires hearing testing and physical ear examination for approximately forty (40) employees by a board certified audiologist, interpretation of test results by board certified audiologist, written evaluation with recommendation per the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) standards within forty eight (48) hours of reviewing results of employees whose hearing fails to meet standards as outlined in OSHA regulations and hearing conservation training, per OSHA standards, for up to forty (40) employees. All hearing testing at Channel Islands National Park will be completed in fifteen (15) minute increments.

Noise surveys of noise environments will be conducted at Channel Islands National Park. These surveys will include area measurements, personal noise dosimetry and octave band analysis. The survey sites, 6 maximum will be identified by the Park employee, hearing results, and or health care professional conducting the testing based on his or her findings. A comprehensive report outlining specific findings and recommendations for all environments is required. Channel Islands National Park will use these reports to help identify work locations where there are noise problems, employees who may be affected, and where additional noise measurements need to be made.

Two (2) one (1) hour training classes will be provided at Channel Islands National Park for up to thirty (30) participants per class to meet OSHA standards. The hearing training will cover topics such as the effects of hazardous noise on hearing, the types of hearing protection available and the proper way to use those protective devices, and the importance of hearing tests and conservation. Training is very important. Workers who understand the reasons for the hearing conservation programs and the need to protect their hearing will be more motivated to wear their protectors and take audiometric tests.

4.0 Tasks

1. Hearing Testing: A hearing exam with patient counseling will be administered on-site approximately every fifteen (15) minutes utilizing an appropriately calibrated audiometer for all personnel enrolled in the hearing conservation program at Channel Islands National Park. An otoscopic exam will be performed on each employee prior to the hearing test.

All examination will be reviewed and interpreted by a board-certified audiologist. All test results and employee’s questions will be discussed. All requirements for a medical and or audiological referral will be provided and discussed in detail. All tests will be compared to the baseline exam and any change in hearing sensitivity will be provided.

After completing the clinical interpretation of each hearing exam, a report will be provided, to include each employee’s audiometric evaluation with specific recommendations.

2. Employee Training: Workers who understand the reasons for the hearing conservation programs and the need to protect their hearing will be more motivated to wear their protectors and take audiometric tests. The conservation program provides training at least annually in the effects of noise; the purpose, advantages, and disadvantages of various types of hearing protectors; the selection, fit, and care of protectors; and the purpose and procedures of audiometric testing.

The two (2) training sessions will be approximately one (1) hour in length each taught by a board certified audiologist and will cover current topics or updated information legally required by OSHA regulations, to include the following required topics: the effects of noise on hearing, the purpose of hearing protection and instructions on selection, fitting, and use, and the purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of the test procedures.

3. Noise Survey: Noise surveys of noise environments will be conducted at/within Channel Islands National Park. These surveys will include area measurements, personal noise dosimetry and octave band analysis. The survey sites, 6 maximum, will be identified by the Park employee, hearing results, and or health care professional conducting the testing based on his or her findings. A comprehensive report outlining specific findings and recommendations for all environments is required. The test environment at CHIS will be evaluated and certified to meet OSHA requirements for ambient noise levels during hearing testing. Prior to each day of testing, the test environment will be evaluated with a calibrated sound level meter and octave band. These reports will be used to help identify work locations where there are noise problems, employees who may be affected, and where additional noise measurements need to be made.

5.0 Deliverables

1. Electronic copy of the training program.

2. An comprehensive report & electronic copy detailing:

a. In depth evaluation of the noise environments, to include area measurements, personal noise dosimetry and octave band analysis where indicated.

b. Findings and recommendations of noise environments, including specific recommendations regarding acoustical engineering controls needed.

3. An comprehensive report & Microsoft Excel database detailing:

a. A complete audiometric case history of all hearing exams administered for each individual enrolled in the hearing conservation program over the past decade which will be referenced to note any decrease in hearing sensitivity and to make appropriate medical and or audiological referrals. Previous case history will be provided for all individuals.

6.0 Place of Performance

1. All hearing testing, training, and noise surveys are to be conducted at Park Headquarters building located at 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001.

7.0 Period of Performance

1. The period of performance for this contract shall be one base year plus four (4) option years:

a. Fiscal Year 15: 1 June 2015 – 30 September 2015

b. Fiscal Year 16: 1 October 2015 – 30 September 2016

c. Fiscal Year 17: 1 October 2016 – 30 September 2017

d. Fiscal Year 18: 1 October 2017 – 30 September 2018

e. Fiscal Year 19: 1 October 2018 – 30 September 2019

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RFQ P15PS01087

Attachment #1