PWS BPO.pdf

P a g e | 1 of 8

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Temporary Boiler Plant Operator for on-site High-Pressure Boilers

Station: VA Central Western MA HCS (STA 631)

Service Line: Facility Management Services

1.0 Introduction

VA Central Western MA Healthcare System (VA CWM) is seeking temporary Boiler

Plant Operators (BPOs) to cover staffing shortages while permanent full-time employees (FTEs) are recruited. BPOs must be familiar with the requirements outlined in this document and shall perform routine maintenance, repairs, and process improvements, including documenting standard work instructions as needed.

2.0 Scope

This contract involves operating a fully functional High-Pressure Boiler Plant (15 PSI and greater), including all associated equipment, to produce and distribute high-pressure steam. One Boiler Plant Operator is required. Coverage includes various rotating shifts, which involve days, evenings, nights, weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Contractors will work standard 12-hour shifts, totaling at least 40 hours per week. Operators must remain in the boiler plant during their shifts, confined to the boiler plant area, ensuring safe operation at all times.

The period of performance for this contract is one year.

3.0 Tasks to be performed:

The operator shall perform the following tasks as part of their daily activities. The tasks should be recorded or performed at the intervals specified: M (Monthly), D (Daily), S (Once per Shift), H (Hourly), and AR (As Required).

1 Overall plant operation (Logs must be taken by hand even if automatic logs or SCADA system is in place)

*H

2 Record tag number of equipment with any issues H

3 Inlet and outlet temperature and pressure of all equipment, Condensate, DA, economizer, boiler etc.

H

4 Inlet and outlet pressure of all operating pumps H

5 Plant temperature, outside air temperature, and exhaust gas temperature (before and after economizer if installed)

H

6 Fuel flow and firing rate for each boiler online H

7 Steam flow to the medical center H

8 Make up water meter totalizer and condensate return rate. H

P a g e | 2 of 8

9 Fuel train pressures and flows for each boiler that is online H

10 Boiler pressure and temperature H

11 Note any leaks or system problems abnormal operating conditions etc.

H

12 Header pressure, temperature, and if branches pressure and temperature of each branch leaving the plant

H

13 Other readings as required or determined by the VA medical facility H

14 Calculated boiler combustion efficiency S

15 Blow down water columns D

16 Testing and adjusting water treatment D

17 Flame scanner M

18 Low-water cutoff (slow drain) M

19 Fire each boiler and the pilot on the alternate fuel for 1 hour M

20 Auxiliary low-water cut-off (slow drain) M

21 High-water alarm M

22 Low-water alarm M

23 Operation of all equipment at the highest cost-effectiveness and efficiency. This means maintaining pressures, temperatures, and fuel consumption at the minimum necessary for the proper operation of the equipment, plant, and connected loads.

S

24 Re-start boiler after a safety shut down AR

25 Take the appropriate action when there is low water alarm on boiler AR

26 Take the appropriate action when there is loss of water in deaerator AR

27 Take the appropriate action when there is loss of water in condensate tank

AR

28 Take the appropriate action when there is loss of electrical power AR

29 Take the appropriate action when there is loss of water supplied to boiler room, AR

30 Take the appropriate action when there is a loss of water to one boiler

AR

31 Bypass water around deaerator AR

32 Bypass water around condensate tank AR

33 Bypass water around softener AR

34 Perform mud drum blowdown AR

35 Regenerate water softener (this may require filling with salt) AR

36 Take the appropriate action when there is a CO/Combustible alarm in boiler plant

AR

37 Ability to understand and follow- standard and emergency Boiler and Boiler Plant operating procedures.

AR

38 Respond to alarms: fire, water, emergency generators, medical Air/Oxygen/Vacuum, etc.

AR

4.0 Performance Requirements

4.1 Operational Duties

P a g e | 3 of 8

The operator must be capable of and perform the following duties as necessary:

a) Light off, warm up, place in service, and shut down boilers.

b) Fire boilers on each available fuel (Natural Gas and Fuel Oil).

c) Operate all plant equipment and controls.

d) Gradually warm up hot piping systems and place them into service.

e) Maintain water quality to protect the equipment and piping from damage.

f) Handle malfunctions and emergency situations, including operating emergency or backup generators in the central plant.

g) Collect and organize equipment and plant performance records.

h) Operate boiler plant emergency generators and associated electrical equipment.

i) Perform routine equipment maintenance.

j) Prepare equipment for inspections.

k) Operate and test all safety devices and control equipment.

l) Facilitate the receipt of fuels and supplies.

m) Monitor central track systems.

4.2. Qualifications:

1. Contract operators must have at least 5 years’ documented experience in operations of high-pressure boiler operations (15 PSI and greater).

2. Be able to perform:

a) Heavy work; lifting of 50 lbs. frequently and 75 lbs. occasionally.

b) Work at heights and climb ladders – (Conditions of dizziness or vertigo, uncontrolled or poorly controlled insulin dependent diabetes, uncontrolled or poorly controlled seizure disorder or any condition that would interfere with alertness will be disqualifying.)

c) Work in confined spaces; (A history of claustrophobia, any physical limitation(s) interfering with agility or the ability to perform work in awkward and sustained postures such as severe progressive arthritis, or body size larger than the confined space opening will be disqualifying);

d) Work in heat – over 100 degrees F;

e) Work in a noisy environment (Must be able to wear hearing protection when necessary);

f) Ability to function safely while wearing a respirator - Work requiring an OSHA approved respirator and proper fit tested.

g) Work involving potential hazardous exposures such as asbestos, machine parts, soot, dirt, grease, chemicals, oil, and fumes;

h) Standing and bending for long periods of time.

i) Ability to distinguish between audible alarms (Must not be hearing impaired).

j) Read warning signs/signals, at least 20/40 vision in worse eye with or without correction and 20/20 in the better eye with or without correction, and unimpaired depth perception; Be able to distinguish between colors – Red and Green.

k) Contractor must provide medical certification that their contract operators meet the above requirements.

4.3 Training

P a g e | 4 of 8

Contract operators must take and pass VHA Safe Steamin’ Courses 1 and 2. b) Operators must work with a qualified VA operator for a minimum of 3 weeks before standing shift alone. The training period may vary based on experience and demonstrated skills.

4.4 Monitoring VA Alarm Systems:

Contract operators must monitor and respond to alarms received in the boiler plant from emergency generators, medical oxygen, medical air, fire alarm systems, etc., as per VA standard operating procedures (SOPs). SOPs will be provided after contract award.

4.5. Specific Personal Protective Equipment

Contractor workers must wear (provided by contractor):

• Arc rated or natural fiber long pants and long sleeve shirt.

• OSHA approved steel toed foot gear (work boots) - OSHA's foot protection standard 29 FR 1910.136 which requires that the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) standard for Men's Safety-Toe Footwear, Z41.1-1967 be met.

• Hearing protection

• Eye protection

4.6. OSHA Training

Contract workers must be trained by the contractor in the follow procedures as defined by:

• OSHA Hazard Communication Training including Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

• OSHA Lockout/tagout procedures (VA will provide training on site and equipment specific requirements)

• NFPA 70E (latest edition) Standard for electrical safety in the workplace

4.7 Non-Functioning Safety Devices

Non-functioning safety device are to be reported immediately per notification process and must be documented each shift in the daily log and must state any additional work to make the plant operate safely.

4.8 Complete daily logs

Contract workers shall review daily logs with the operator standing shift before them, at the beginning of each shift and document any significant actions such as: any equipment failures, repairs made, operational difficulties, unusual operational conditions etc. each shift. Documentation shall include any non-functioning safety devices.

Similarly, the operator shall review the same information with the operator following them on the next shift.

P a g e | 5 of 8

4.9. Communication - Contract workers shall Communicate VIA 2-way radio and/or telephone as defined by VA policy. Contract workers shall communicate with other VA operators prior to and after each shift to communicate the status of the plant and any operational issues.

4.10 VA Badge/ID - Contractor will follow VA procedures to receive a VA identification badge.

4.11 Contractor to provide emergency contacts – Contractor will provide VA with emergency 24/7 emergency contact information to include names and telephone numbers.

4.12 Reporting Emergency Operation issues – if any issues arises that cannot be resolved in a timely manner that will result in the loss of steam pressure or volume – contract worker shall immediately contact the VA list of contacts until someone is reached, normally this is the Boiler Plant Supervisor 1st, Assistant Chief Engineer 2nd and the Chief Engineering 3rd.

4.13 VA Callback Procedures: Contract operator may be requested to callback VA Personnel to perform Boiler or other VA Engineering task per VA Call back procedures.

4.14 Notice of Shift Change:

VA will give contractor 2 weeks’ notice prior to requesting shift change (move to another shift) unless an unplanned event occurred.

4.15 Facility Locations, Shift, etc.

Contractor shall provide service according to Facility Locations and Shift Information.

Typical shifts are 12-hours. (7am-7pm, 7pm-7am) Typical work schedule is two days on, two days off, three days on, and two days off (also known as a 2-2-3-2 schedule). An exception may be made by mutual agreement to change shift hours and/or durations. Overtime will be paid after 40 hours worked per week (Sunday to Saturday).

4.16 Hand Tool Set

Contractor shall supply basic hand tool set i.e. plyers, screwdrivers, wire strippers, hammer, etc.

4.17 Security

The contractor will be required to obtain security screenings and ID badges for employees through VA prior to the start of any work.

Contractor Responsibilities:

P a g e | 6 of 8

a. The Contractor shall prescreen all personnel requiring access to the computer systems to ensure they maintain the appropriate Background Investigation, and are able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.

b. Within 3 business days after award, the Contractor shall provide a roster of Contractor and Subcontractor employees to the COR to begin their background investigations in accordance with the PAL template artifact. The Contractor Staff Roster shall contain the Contractor’s Full Name, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, individual background investigation level requirement (based upon Section 6.2 Tasks), etc. The Contractor shall submit full Social Security Numbers either within the Contractor Staff Roster or under separate cover to the COR. The Contractor Staff Roster shall be updated and provided to VA within 1 day of any changes in employee status, training certification completion status, Background Investigation level status, additions/removal of employees, etc. throughout the Period of Performance. The Contractor Staff Roster shall remain a historical document indicating all past information and the Contractor shall indicate in the Comment field, employees no longer supporting this contract. The preferred method to send the Contractor Staff Roster or Social Security Number is by encrypted e-mail. If unable to send encrypted e-mail, other methods which comply with FIPS 140-2 are to encrypt the file, use a secure fax, or use a traceable mail service.

c. Only electronic fingerprints are authorized. The Contractor shall bring their completed Security and Investigations Center (SIC) Fingerprint request form with them (see paragraph d.4. below) when getting fingerprints taken.

d. The Contractor shall ensure the following required forms are submitted to the COR within 5 days after contract award:

1) Optional Form 306

2) Self-Certification of Continuous Service

3) VA Form 0710

4) Completed SIC Fingerprint Request Form

e. The Contractor personnel shall submit all required information related to their background investigations (completion of the investigation documents (SF85, SF85P, or SF 86) utilizing the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) after receiving an email notification from the Security and Investigation Center (SIC).

f. The Contractor employee shall certify and release the e-QIP document, print and sign the signature pages, and send them encrypted to the COR for electronic submission to the SIC. These documents shall be submitted to the COR within 3 business days of receipt of the e-QIP notification email. (Note:

OPM is moving towards a “click to sign” process. If click to sign is used, the Contractor employee should notify the COR within 3 business days that documents were signed via e-QIP).

g. The Contractor shall be responsible for the actions of all personnel provided to work for VA under this contract. In the event that damages arise from work performed by Contractor provided personnel, under the auspices of this contract, the Contractor shall be responsible for all resources necessary to remedy the incident.

h. A Contractor may be granted unescorted access to VA facility and/or access to VA Information Technology resources (network and/or protected data) with a favorably adjudicated Special Agreement Check (SAC), completed training delineated in VA

P a g e | 7 of 8

Handbook 6500.6 (Appendix C, Section 9), signed “Contractor Rules of Behavior”, and with a valid, operational PIV credential for PIV-only logical access to VA’s network. A PIV card credential can be issued once your SAC has been favorably adjudicated and your background investigation has been scheduled by OPM. However, the Contractor will be responsible for the actions of the Contractor personnel they provide to perform work for VA. The investigative history for Contractor personnel working under this contract must be maintained in the database of OPM.

i. The Contractor, when notified of an unfavorably adjudicated background investigation on a Contractor employee as determined by the Government, shall withdraw the employee from consideration in working under the contract.

j. Failure to comply with the Contractor personnel security investigative requirements may result in loss of physical and/or logical access to the VA Facility and systems by Contractor and Subcontractor employees and/or termination of the contract for default.

5.0 Deliverables

1. Unit price per hour for up to 3100 hours Regular Time (typical shift)

2. Unit price per hour for up to 450 hours Sunday/Holiday time.

3. Unit price per hour for up to 450 hours overtime (>84hrs per 2week).

4. Certification and training records showing VA specific qualifications as noted herein (safe steaming, operator licensure, OSHA training etc) to be included in bid.

5. Unused funds from this firm fixed price shall be descoped from the contract.

6.0 Records Management

1. Citations to pertinent laws, codes and regulations such as 44 U.S.C chapters 21, 29, 31 and 33; Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552); Privacy Act (5 U.S.C.

552a); 36 CFR Part 1222 and Part 1228.

2. Contractor shall treat all deliverables under the contract as the property of the U.S. Government for which the Government Agency shall have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest.

3. Contractor shall not create or maintain any records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract using Government IT equipment and/or Government records.

4. Contractor shall not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected by the Freedom of Information Act.

5. Contractor shall not create or maintain any records containing any Government Agency records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract.

6. The Government Agency owns the rights to all data/records produced as part of this contract.

P a g e | 8 of 8

7. The Government Agency owns the rights to all electronic information (electronic data, electronic information systems, electronic databases, etc.) and all supporting documentation created as part of this contract. Contractor must deliver sufficient technical documentation with all data deliverables to permit the agency to use the data.

8. Contractor agrees to comply with Federal and Agency records management policies, including those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974. These policies include the preservation of all records created or received regardless of format [paper, electronic, etc.] or mode of transmission [e-mail, fax, etc.] or state of completion [draft, final, etc.].

9. No disposition of documents will be allowed without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer. The Agency and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701.

Records may not be removed from the legal custody of the Agency or destroyed without regard to the provisions of the agency records schedules.

10. Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (sub-contractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, this contract. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by Government and Agency guidance for protecting sensitive and proprietary information.