Performance Work Statement.docx

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE BELTSVILLE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER

FACILITIES SERVICE

UTILITIES MANAGEMENT UNIT

BUILDING 426A, BARC EAST

10300 BALTIMORE AVENUE

BELTSVILLE, MARYLAND 20705-2350

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

for CONTRACT FOR OPERATIONS/MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT FOR BARC’S WATER SYSTEM AND REPORTING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR WASTEWATER SYSTEM

BELTSVILLE AGRICULTUREAL RESEARCH CENTER

BELTSVILLE MARYLAND

July, 2025

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. GENERAL

1.1. BACKGROUND

The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Services (ARS), Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) owns and operates eight (8) Water Wells, a Raw Water System, a Water Treatment Plant (WTP), a Water Distribution System (WDS), a Wastewater Collection System (WWCS), and two Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) located in Beltsville, MD. The WTP and both WWTP are permitted to operate by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) under the following permits:

· BARC WTP:

· State Water Appropriation and Use Permit No. PG1990G012(04)

· Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Drinking Water Branch, Drinking Water Watch, Samples and Compliance Schedules, Water System No.: MD0160001

· Additional State and Local Regulations

· BARC Eastside WWTP:

· State Discharge Permit 15-DP-2525; NPDES Permit MD0020842

· Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization (SSU) Permit No. 2020-SAG-4345

· BARC Westside WWTP:

· State Discharge Permit 17-DP-2787, NPDES Permit MD0020851 Historically, operations and supervision of these plants/systems have been through USDA employees but in the last few years, such operations and supervision have been through contracts.

1.2. PROJECT LOCATION

Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) is located in Beltsville, MD. Work shall be performed within the entire BARC facilities, but the major facilities are as follows:

Water treatment plant – Building 310 Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant – Building 218 Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant – Building 015

1.3. INTENT

The intent of this solicitation is to award one PERFORMANCE-BASED contract for the supervision of operations, maintenance, operations management and direct responsibility in front of the regulating agencies of BARC’s Water Wells, Raw Water System, Water Treatment Plant, and Water Distribution System along with services to support BARC wastewater superintendent with preparing written reports and guiding the BARC’s superintendent through the making of verbal reports. The performance-based superintendent services for the supervision of operations, maintenance, operations management and direct responsibility of these facilities shall be as stipulated in the Code of Maryland Regulations, Title 26, Subtitle 06 Waterworks and Waste System Operators and detailed in this Performance Work Statement.

1.4. CONTRACTOR’S QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum qualifications for a contractor to be qualified for this job are a combination of the following:

A. Contracting Company

a. Minimum of 7 years as a contracting company

b. Minimum of 7 years performing similar supervision/operations/maintenance contracts for water and wastewater systems, with minimum of 5 years of each.

B. Superintendent

a. Minimum of 5 years as a licensed superintendent

b. Minimum of 7 years’ experience managing water and wastewater facilities and systems (at least 3 years each)

c. Minimum of 3 years of direct responsibility managing both types of facilities, similar to this contract, as a superintendent with similar responsibilities.

C. Proof of qualifications shall be submitted with contact names and numbers to verify qualifications.

1.5. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

A. Having met the qualifications requirements set above, it is up to the contracting company to determine how many superintendents to dedicate to the supervision of operating and maintaining the facilities in addition to the support services and training for the compliance wastewater reports noted above to meet the requirements and reporting for such facilities and systems as set by MDE.

B. Under this contract, the Superintendent will be reporting internally to BARC’s Utilities Management Unit Manager (UMUM) and BARC’s Compliance Officer. In coordination with, and under the general supervision of the BARC’s management, the Superintendent shall be fully responsible for the supervision of the operation, maintenance, compliance, and compliance reporting to MDE of BARC’s Water system and provide reports with guidance to BARC’s wastewater superintendent for reporting on Wastewater Systems, the general responsibilities of this contract include but aren’t limited to:

a. Superintendent:

i. Full Systems’ supervision of all BARC’s water system operations, maintenance and upkeep.

ii. Systems’ operations & maintenance planning, execution, and oversight as dictated by each system design, Operations and Maintenance Manuals, MDE Guidance and industry standards.

iii. Reporting to BARC’s Compliance Officer and Leadership as appropriate to keep BARC team (the OWNER of these systems) fully informed of BARC’s water system’s condition, malfunctions, needs, compliance, permitting entities reporting, violations, updated permit/testing requirements, … etc.

iv. Reporting to MDE as required by the permits of the water system, to include sample collection & analysis, follow up on lab work, preparing and submitting reports as required by the permits and MDE. Reporting to MDE shall include reporting all and any permit violations including spills, overflows, … etc.

v. Prepare all wastewater system’s written reports and provide guidance and training to BARC’s wastewater superintendent on making verbal reports and understanding how written reports are prepared.

vi. Serves as mentor and technical advisor to operator and BARC’s personnel on all water systems and treatment processes.

vii. Water system’s maintenance to include planning and supervision of all preventive and proactive maintenance and simple system maintenance activities that are undertaken by BARC system operators.

viii. Closely coordinates with the company that is under contract with BARC to perform compliance testing and analysis for both water and wastewater systems.

2. ADMINISTRATIVE

2.1. SITE VISIT

A. All prospective bidders are highly encouraged to attend a site visit during which a full description of the systems will be provided and a site visit to major systems facilities and components will be carried out. The meeting and site visit date and time are as follows:

B. All questions shall be submitted via email in writing to the Contracting Officer (CO) and answers will be published to the solicitation.

C. Direct contacts with any BARC personnel about this solicitation are not permitted during the advertising period of this solicitation.

D. To register for the site visit, you must register prior to the site visit by emailing the Contracting Officer at Elizabeth.wilson2@usda.gov. Please include company name and the names of all attendees.

2.2. SECURITY

All employees of general contractors and subcontractors shall comply with ARS security management program, obtain permission of the ARS Location Manager, be identified by project and employer by wearing contractor-issued identification badges at all times on ARS property, and restricted from unauthorized access.

2.3. SAFETY/OSHA CERTIFICATION

A. Prior to commencing work, the general contractor shall provide proof that an OSHA identified “competent person” (CP) (29 CFR 1926.32(f) will maintain a presence at the work site whenever the general or subcontractors are present.

"Competent person" means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

B. The BARC facilities identified above and the work to be performed under this contract include many locations and activities that will require certain safety measures (confined space, trip hazard, fall hazard, chemical hazard, …etc.), the contractor is required to have OSHA Certified personnel enter such facilities or perform such activities.

C. Training:

1. All employees of the general contractor or subcontractors shall have the 10-hour OSHA- certified Construction Safety course and /or other relevant competency training. Supervisors shall have completed the 30-hour OSHA training.

2. Submit training records of all such employees to the Contracting Officer for approval before the start of work.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

3.1. DESCRIPTION OF WORK

A. The US Department of Agriculture, BARC is seeking to hire ONE (1) Superintendent, for the supervision and overall responsibility of operations and maintenance of BARC’s Water System, including, Water Wells, Raw Water System, Water Treatment Plant (Building 310), and Water Distribution System. In addition, the contractor is required to provide support to BARC wastewater superintendent (guidance and training) along with preparing all written reports pertaining to the BARC wastewater system compliance which includes Wastewater Collection System, and Wastewater Treatment Plants (Buildings 218, 015), located at the USDA BARC Campus.

B. The Superintendent shall be responsible for the management, supervision, operations, and maintenance of the water system noted above, within the applicable rules and regulations of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the permits for these facilities.

C. The Superintendent availability at the facilities shall be as follows:

a. The Superintendent shall be available within a 2-hour notice to respond to emergencies and to be available for BARC’s management if the need arises.

b. The Superintendent shall be available at the plants/systems to perform the services required to satisfy all permits requirements and satisfy all the requirements of this Performance Work Statement (PWS) and operate, maintain, manage, and supervise BARC’s systems and facilities as stipulated in the Code of Maryland Regulations, Title 26, Subtitle 06 Waterworks and Waste System Operators and detailed in this Performance Work Statement.

D. The Superintendent shall act as the USDA BARC superintendent on all permit related reporting to MDE, including periodic reporting, status reporting and violations reporting for the water system and provide written report along with guidance and training for BARC wastewater superintendent for wastewater systems. The Superintendent shall include the BARC’s Compliance Officer, UMUM, the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and any other BARC employees or contractors designated by the Compliance Officer in all correspondence with MDE. Acting as the USDA BARC Superintendent shall be under the supervision of BARC’s Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and BARC’s Compliance Officer.

E. USDA, BARC has a separate Laboratory Services Contract to satisfy all analysis and reporting requirements for its water and wastewater systems to MDE. To that end, the Superintendent services shall include coordination of all elements necessary to facilitate such full permit reporting to MDE. Such services shall include but are not limited to:

a. Oversight of sample collection, storage, analysis, and documentation of Well/Raw water, Water Treatment Plant water, Treated water, and Distribution System water. Activities related to the Collection System , and wastewater and effluent at both system’s Wastewater Treatment Plants shall be handled by BARC’s wastewater superintendent.

b. Raw water, Water Treatment Plant water, treated water and Distribution System water samples collection and analysis shall be planned, scheduled, and executed in coordination with the Laboratory Services contracted by USDA, BARC to satisfy all conditions to provide full reporting as required by the:

i. MDE, Drinking Water Branch, Drinking Water Watch, Samples and Compliance Schedules, Water System No.: MD0160001.

ii. Samples collection, analysis and reporting shall also conform to the requirements as required by the Prince George's County.

c. Sample collection, storage, analysis, and documentation of Collection System wastewater; Wastewater Treatment Plants influent, effluent and through the plants processes wastewater shall be planned, scheduled and executed in coordination with the Laboratory Services contracted by USDA, BARC to satisfy all condition to provide full reporting as required by the following permits:

i. BARC Eastside WWTP

1. State Discharge Permit 15-DP-2525; NPDES Permit MD0020842

2. Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization (SSU) Permit No. 2020-SAG-4345

ii. BARC Westside WWTP:

1. State Discharge Permit 17-DP-2787, NPDES Permit MD0020851

d. Analysis of collected samples to be performed by the Superintendent (BARC’s wastewater superintendent for wastewater system) in coordination with BARC Operators shall include all sampling, testing and analysis of parameters that do not require laboratory testing and usually tested, recorded and documented at the field. Such analysis and testing include but is not limited to PH, DO, Residual Cl2, clarifier sludge blanket… etc. for wastewater and PH, Cl2, Iron, …etc. for water. Such testing and analysis shall include all parameters required to gauge and adjust treatment processes as appropriate to meet permit requirements.

e. The Superintendent shall provide oversight for all sampling, lab services and reporting to MDE as the responsible entity.

f. The Superintendent shall prepare permit documents and specialty paperwork pertaining to water and wastewater systems related to permitting for the COR and BARC's Compliance Officer’s approval and submittal.

g. The Superintendent shall assist with wastewater and water samples collection and analysis and shall plan, schedule, and manage other operators’ work on taking such samples. Guide, train and oversee plant operators with testing requirements.

F. The Superintendent shall provide recommendations for treatment process optimization after samples have been analyzed and if such optimization is required. The Superintendent shall advise plants operators and BARC personnel on such optimization and why such operations adjustments are required or recommended.

G. The Superintendent shall be responsible for preparing all written reports and guide BARC’s wastewater superintendent in reporting all permit violations, overflows, spills, or any other type of unauthorized discharge to MDE as well as to the BARC’s Compliance Officer and COR.

H. The Superintendent shall provide status updates about the BARC’s water system to the BARC’s Compliance Officer, COR, and other designated BARC employees or contractors specified by the UMUM. To that end, the Superintendent shall:

a. Attend a biweekly Operations and Maintenance Status Update Meeting to be held at the Utilities Management Unit Conference Room

b. Provide weekly maintenance requests

c. Provide daily notifications of critical items I. The Superintendent shall lead, plan, organize, direct and manage the day-to-day operations and maintenance of all water facilities and shall oversee the operations, and routine maintenance of the USDA BARC water systems.

a. Study, understand and develop in-depth knowledge of all systems (raw water, and treated water), become familiar with existing Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals.

b. Assist in creating and writing operational processes, SOPs, procedures and work methods for the Operators to improve operations of the water system. All prepared materials by the Superintendent shall be reviewed and approved by the COR and/or the Compliance Officer.

c. Check and review plant log records, computer data trends and tabulations, lab reports and other data to ensure all equipment is functioning and is being used properly.

d. Monitor supplies and chemical inventory and various other records and reports essential to the operation of the plants. Work with UMU management to order supplies and chemicals.

J. The Superintendent shall evaluate water plant operations and make recommendations on process adjustments and improvements as appropriate based on available information and permit limits. These adjustments and changes in operations shall be in consultation with BARC COR and the Compliance Officer and/or his designated team members.

K. The Superintendent shall serve as technical advisor to Operators on treatment, operations, and maintenance processes for both water and wastewater systems. This technical advice shall include all systems processes with the objective of improving these processes for better optimized workflow and improved treatment.

L. The Superintendent shall report any existing, new, unusual problems, deficiencies and deviations from standards encountered to the UMUM, COR, Compliance Officer and designated UMU personnel.

M. The Superintendent shall make recommendations on proper operations and maintenance documentation, storage and flow management in accordance with statutes of limitations.

N. The Superintendent shall lead, plan, schedule, organize, direct and manage, with the help from BARC personnel and systems operators, a PROACTIVE Preventive Maintenance Program for water systems to help maintain BARC’s facilities and equipment in optimum condition. Examples of such program elements shall include but shall not be limited to:

a. Daily, weekly, monthly and annual inspections, as recommended, of the systems major facilities, processes, pump stations, pump houses, major and minor equipment, water wells, filters, water meters, water towers, water mains flushing, manhole inspections…etc.

b. Keeping a clean work environment, free of safety hazards, and with clean operable equipment

c. Develop, implement, and track inspection and maintenance records

d. Plan, schedule and implement the water plant filters backwash program.

e. Quarterly exercise water distribution system valves.

f. Monthly check of water plant water meters and other instruments and by calibration of the meters and instruments as recommended by manufacturers.

g. Development of regulated substances (chlorine, …etc.) simulated leaks and the proper responses to such emergencies.

h. Perform manufacturers’ recommended chemicals metering pumps calibration.

i. Perform manual checks of Cl2 residuals, O2 levels, PH and comparisons with instrumentation readings.

j. Many other elements not noted above.

3.2. QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

For any performance-based contract, USDA-BARC has a plan to ensure Quality expectations are met and the work is being performed to specifications. For the work being performed under this PWS, the Quality Plan and Quality Assurance Procedures are as follows:

A. All work being performed by the successful contractor will be checked for quality as follows:

a. USDA-BARC shall require the contractor to share their work schedule and periodically check on the availability of the contractor’s personnel per that schedule

b. Prior to commencing work, USDA-BARC shall interview the Superintendent on their understanding of the Systems’ Permits and their requirements of performance and reporting. Such an interview will be carried out if any change in contractor’s personnel takes place.

c. USDA-BARC shall ensure that its designated personnel are included in all correspondence between the Superintendent and the permitting agencies.

d. USDA-BARC personnel shall periodically check on samples collection, storage and analysis for sample collected, tested and documented on site as well as sampling set up for samples to be collected by the Laboratory Services.

e. USDA-BARC personnel shall continuously monitor communication and reporting between the Superintendent and MDE to verify accurate reporting.

f. USDA-BARC personnel shall periodically check the operations record for the operation plans, SOP and schedules completeness, effectiveness execution by the Superintendent and Operator(s) Team.

g. USDA-BARC personnel shall periodically check the maintenance records and proactive maintenance schedules for completeness, effectiveness, and execution.

3.3. DESCRIPTION OF FACILITIES

A. Raw Water System The BARC’s raw water system consists of Eight (8) Water Wells and a Raw Water piping that conveys water from the Eight (8) wells to the BARC Water Treatment Plant. Each well has a Well House which houses a check valve, isolation valves, a meter, a sampling point, pressure gauges and switches.

B. Water Treatment Plant & Distribution System BARC’s Water Treatment Plant draws water from the 8 water wells described above. Water is permitted under the State Water Appropriation and Use Permit No PG1990G012(04). The Water Plant is permitted for 750,000 gpd average flow and 1,000,000 gpd average flow at maximum month flow. Its Processes include:

· Aeration Tower

· Chemical addition (Soda Ash for PH)

· Chlorination

· Raw Water Wet Well and Transfer Pumps

· Filtration (6 Pressure Media Filters)

· Treated Water Storage Tank and High Service Pump Station

· 3 Elevated Storage Tanks (elevated towers)

· Distribution Network C. Wastewater Collection System BARC’s Wastewater Collection System consists of a network of separate sanitary sewer and in portions of the area it has a combined storm/sanitary sewer system. In addition to the sanitary sewer system, the collection system includes:

· 6 satellite lift stations (194, 304, 308C, 1008, 1500, and 1286)

· Eastside WWTP lift station,

· Westside WWTP lift station,

· Overland Flow Storage Pond/Lagoon D. Westside WWTP The Westside WWTP serves the west side of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. It is a small Package Plant rated at an Annual Average Flow of 0.2 MGD. Its major processes and equipment include:

· A duplex influent lift station

· A dual grit removal facility

· A flow equalization tank

· Two treatment units each consist of:

· Activated sludge aeration basin

· A clarifier, and

· An aerobic digester

· WAS/RAS Pump Stations

· Two effluent filters

· A two battery Ultra-violet disinfection followed by cascade aeration

· Effluent pump station

· A sludge holding tank

· Other ancillary equipment E. Eastside WWTP The Eastside WWTP is the major WWTP of the complex and is currently permitted for 0.62 MGD average daily flow. The plant’s main process is an Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) treatment plant, its major processes and facilities include:

· Overland flow storage pond

· Two comminutor channels and a bypass screen channel

· A duplex influent lift station

· A fine bar screen and a bypass channel

· A grit removal unit

· A 5-stage ENR Bardenpho Process

· Two final clarifiers

· WAS/RAS pump stations

· 3 effluent filters

· Chlorination basin

· Sulfur dioxide de-chlorination

· Outfall pumps

· Chemical processes include:

· Pack feed

· Supplemental carbon feed

· Sodium Hydroxide to be replaced with Magnesium Hydroxide

· Two 180,000 gallons sludge holding tanks

· Other ancillary equipment

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The period of performance for the Superintendent Contract is for a period of NINTY DAYS (90) days and is renewable for ONE (1) period of NINTY DAYS (90) days as desired by BARC for a full term of contract (including the option period) of ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTY DAYS (180) days.

Base Period- 8/25/2025-11/23/2025 Option Period One- 11/24/2025-2/21/2026

5. ATTACHMENTS

The following is attached in order for bidders to fully understand the scope of work and performance expectations based on permit requirements, limitations, required testing and lab services, frequencies, …

· BARC WTP:

· State Water Appropriation and Use Permit No. PG1990G012(04)

· Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Drinking Water Branch, Drinking Water Watch, Samples and Compliance Schedules, Water System No.: MD0160001.

· BARC Eastside WWTP:

· State Discharge Permit 15-DP-2525; NPDES Permit MD0020842

· Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization (SSU) Permit No. 2020-SAG-4345

· BARC Westside WWTP:

· State Discharge Permit 17-DP-2787, NPDES Permit MD0020851

6 | Page