SOW_Superintendent and Operators_Combined_02_24_2022.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture

Research, Education, and Economics Agricultural Research Service

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Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 426, Room 101 10300 Baltimore Avenue

Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2230 USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

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

STATEMENT OF WORK AND SPECIFICATION

TO

CONTRACT FOR OPERATIONS/MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT &

OPERATORS FOR BARC’S WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS

BELTSVILLE AGRICULTUREAL RESEARCH CENTER

BELTSVILLE MARYLAND

February 8, 2022

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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:

o State Water Appropriation and Use Permit No. PG1990G012(04) o Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Drinking Water Branch, Drinking Water Watch, Samples and Compliance Schedules, Water System No.: MD0160001 o Additional State and Local Regulations

• BARC Eastside WWTP:

o State Discharge Permit 15-DP-2525; NPDES Permit MD0020842 o Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization (SSU) Permit No. 2020-SAG-4345

• BARC Westside WWTP:

o 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 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

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1.3. INTENT

The intent of this solicitation is to award one PERFORMANCE-BASED contract for the supervision, operations, maintenance, operations management and direct responsibility of BARC’s Water Wells, Raw Water System, Water Treatment Plant, Water Distribution System, Wastewater Collection System and two Wastewater Treatment Plants. The performance-based supervision, 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 Statement of Work.

1.4. CONTRACTOR’S QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum qualifications by a contractor to be qualified to this job is a combination of the following:

A. Contracting Company

a. Minimum of 5 years as a contracting company

b. Minimum of 5 years performing similar supervision/operations/maintenance contracts for water and wastewater systems, with minimum of 3 years of each.

B. Superintendent / Operators

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.

d. At least one operator must be a licensed Class A Wastewater Operator, capable of handling Class A, advanced wastewater treatment plant operations and processes.

e. At least one operator must be a licensed Class 4 Water Operator, capable of handling

Class 4 complete treatment water treatment plant.

f. At least one operator must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience as an operator and minimum of two years’ experience operating water and/or wastewater facilities of the Class noted above.

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

1.5. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

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A. Having met the qualifications requirements set above, it is up to the contracting company to determine how many superintendents/operators to dedicate to the supervise, operate, and maintain the facilities noted above to meet the requirements and reporting for such facilities and systems as set by MDE.

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

a. Superintendent:

i. Full Systems’ supervision

ii. Systems’ operations & maintenance planning, execution, and oversight

iii. Reporting to BARC’s UMUM and Leadership as appropriate to keep BARC team (the OWNER of these systems) fully informed of all systems’ condition, malfunction, need, compliance, permitting entities reporting, violations, updated permit/testing requirements, … etc.

iv. Reporting to MDE as required by the permits of the systems, to include sample collection & analysis, 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. Serves as mentor and technical advisor to operator and BARC’s personnel on all systems and treatment processes.

b. Operators

i. Full Systems operations, maintenance and upkeep.

ii. Systems operations activities as dictated by each system design, Operations and Maintenance Manuals, MDE Guidance and industry standards.

iii. Systems maintenance to include all preventive/proactive maintenance and simple system maintenance activities that are customarily undertaken by system operators.

iv. Reporting to MDE as required by the permits of the systems: The Operator(s) shall coordinate and work with the Systems Superintendent to perform all activities required to meet MDE Permit requirements. Such activities shall include but aren’t limited to samples collection, analysis, lab work, preparing and submitting reports as required by the permits and MDE. The Operator(s) shall

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Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 426, Room 101 10300 Baltimore Avenue report to the Systems Superintendent all and any incidents that warrant reporting to MDE, including reporting all and any permit violations including spills, overflows, … etc.

v. Serves as mentor and technical advisor to Junior operators and BARC’s personnel on all systems and treatment processes.

2. ADMINISTRATIVE

2.1. PRE-BID MEETING AND SITE VISIT

A. All prospective bidders must attend a meeting and 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 performed. The meeting and site visit date and time are as follows:

Meeting Date: March 3, 2022 Meeting Time: 10 AM Meeting Location: BARC Building 426, Conference Room 426 Powder Mill Rd, Beltsville, MD 20705 B. All questions/answers from the meeting will be published as an addendum to the Bid

Documents.

C. Additional questions will be accepted only by email (john.blunt@usda.gov) for a one-week period from the day of the meeting, all submitted questions will be answered as an addendum to the bid documents.

D. Direct contacts with any BARC personnel about this solicitation is not permitted during the advertisement period of this solicitation and will disqualify the bidder.

2.2. SECURITY

All employees of general contractor 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

mailto:john.blunt@usda.gov

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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 includes 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, and Operator(s) for the supervision, operations and maintenance of BARC’s Water and Wastewater Systems, including, Water Wells, Raw Water System, Water Treatment Plant (Building 310), Water Distribution System, Wastewater Collection System, and Wastewater Treatment Plants (Buildings 218, 015), located at the USDA BARC Campus.

B. The Superintendent and Operator(s) Team shall be responsible for the management, supervision, operations, and maintenance of the water and wastewater systems 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 and Operator(s) Team availability at the facilities shall be as follows:

a. The Superintendent shall be available within a 2.5-hour notice to respond to emergencies and to be available for BARC’s management if the need arises.

b. The Superintendent and/or Senior Operator and Operators shall be available at the plants/systems to perform the services required to satisfy all permits

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Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 426, Room 101 10300 Baltimore Avenue requirements and satisfy all the requirements of this Statement of Work and operate/maintain/manage/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 Statement of Work.

D. The Superintendent and Operator(s) Team shall represent and act on behalf of USDA BARC on all permit related reporting to MDE, including periodic reporting, status reporting and violations reporting. The Superintendent and Operator(s) shall include the BARC’s UMUM, the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and any other BARC employees or contractors designated by the UMUM in all correspondence with MDE.

E. USDA, BARC shall have 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 and Operator(s) Team services shall include all elements necessary to facilitate such full permit reporting to MDE. Such services shall include but are not limited to:

a. Sample collection, storage, analysis, and documentation of Well/Raw water, Water Treatment Plant water, Treated water, Distribution System water, Collection System sewage, and wastewater and effluent at both system’s Wastewater Treatment Plants.

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 and analysis shall also conform to the requirements for semi-monthly iron testing as required by the Prince George's County System Engineer.

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

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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 and

Operator(s) Team 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 and Operator(s) Team shall apply for permits and specialty paperwork pertaining to water and wastewater systems.

g. The Superintendent and/or Senior Operator 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 and Operator(s) Team shall provide recommendations for treatment process optimization after samples have been analyzed and if such optimization is required. The Superintendent and/or Senior Operator 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 reporting all permit violations, overflows, spills, or any other type of unauthorized discharge to MDE as well as to the BARC’s

UMUM.

H. The Superintendent and Operator(s) Team shall provide status updates about the BARC’s water and wastewater systems to the BARC’s UMUM, COR, and other designated BARC employees or contractors specified by the UMUM. To that end, the Superintendent and Operator(s) shall:

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a. Attend a weekly 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 and/or Senior Operator shall lead, plan, organize, direct and manage the day-to-day operations and maintenance of all facilities and shall oversee the operations, and routine maintenance of the USDA BARC water and wastewater systems.

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

b. Assist in creating and establishing written processes, SOPs, procedures and work methods for the Operators to improve operations of the plants.

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.

J. The Superintendent and Operator(s) Team shall evaluate plant operations and make process adjustments as appropriate based on available information and permit limits.

These adjustments and changes in operations shall be in consultation with BARC UMUM and his designated team members.

K. The Superintendent and/or Senior Operator shall serve as technical advisor to Operators on treatment, operations, and maintenance processes for both water and wastewater system. 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 and Operator(s) Team shall report any existing, new, unusual problems, deficiencies and deviations from standards encountered to the UMUM.

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

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

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a. Daily, weekly, monthly and annual inspections, as recommended, of the systems major facilities, processes, pump stations, lift 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. Perform annual lift station drawdown tests, document test results and track results for performance measures.

f. Quarterly exercise water distribution system valves.

g. Annual emptying of sludge holding tanks, washing down tanks and inspection of joints’ sealants, appurtenances, platforms and access ways.

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

i. Development of regulated substances (chlorine, sulfur dioxide, …etc.)

simulated leaks and the proper responses to such emergencies.

j. Perform manufacturers’ recommended chemicals metering pumps calibration.

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

l. 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 SOW, 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 and Operator(s) Team on their understanding of the Systems Permits and their

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Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 426, Room 101 10300 Baltimore Avenue requirements of performance and reporting. Such 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 Operator(s) Team 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

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• 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:

o Activated sludge aeration basin o A clarifier, and o 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

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• 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:

o Pack feed o Supplemental carbon feed o Sodium Hydroxide to be replaced with Magnesium Hydroxide

• Two 180,000 gallons sludge holding tanks

• Other ancillary equipment

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4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The period of performance for the Superintendent and Operator(s) Contract is from April 27, 2022, to July 26, 2022 a period of NINTY (90) days, and is renewable for ONE (1) period of NINTY (90) days as desired by BARC for a full term of contract (including the option period) of SIX (6) Months to expire on October 25, 2022.

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:

o State Water Appropriation and Use Permit No. PG1990G012(04) o Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Drinking Water Branch, Drinking Water Watch, Samples and Compliance Schedules, Water System No.: MD0160001.

o Semi-monthly iron testing as required by the Prince George's County System Engineer.

• BARC Eastside WWTP:

o State Discharge Permit 15-DP-2525; NPDES Permit MD0020842 o Maryland Sewage Sludge Utilization (SSU) Permit No. 2020-SAG-4345

• BARC Westside WWTP:

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

6.0 PROJECT CONTACT PERSONS

Name and Address Phone E-Mail Address Contracting Officer (CO) Mark Volk Mark.volk@usda.gov Contracting Officers Representative (COR)

John Blunt (O) 301-504-3590

(C) 202-821-5299

John.blunt@usda.gov

Location Coordinator Andrew Warr (O) 301-504-8025

(C) 202-329-5444

Andrew.warr@usda.gov

Administrative Officer (AO) TBD

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End of Document