SOW Unidirectional Flushing-Backflow Testing-Recertification-07122021.docx

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Unidirectional Water Main Flushing

1. CONDITIONS – Bidders should become familiar with all conditions, instructions and specifications governing their proposal. Once the award has been made, failure to have read all the conditions, instructions and specifications of their contract is not a reason to alter the original contract or to request additional compensation. The term "APG” in these bid documents means Aberdeen Proving Grounds

2. ADJUSTMENTS TO CONTRACT - APG reserves the right to adjust the quantities of work, either up or down, dependent upon the current budget or until budgeted funds are depleted without prejudice to the Contract. Payment is based on accepted unit prices.

3. MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT - Contracts with duration greater than 12 months require annual renewals to be signed by APG and Contractor.

4. DAMAGES TO PROPERTY

4.1 CONTRACTOR is responsible for property damage caused by their work performed for this contract and shall replace or restore it to its original condition at no cost to the occupant, owner or APG. APG shall be held harmless for all liability under the Scope of Work of this contract.

4.2 If damage exists before work begins (i.e. sidewalk, driveway cracks) it is recommended that the COR be notified prior to starting work.

5. COMPLETION TIME, PENALTY AND LIQUIDATED DAMAGES

5.1 If the CONTRACTOR does not complete the work within the specified Contract time or within allowed extended time, the CONTRACTOR is liable to APG for (specified amount), as liquidated damages, for each calendar overrun day from the contract time or allowed extended time.

5.2 Penalty or liquidated damages owed to APG may be deducted from payments to the CONTRACTOR.

6. MEETING BEFORE WORK BEGINS - Contractor must meet with the COR (contracting officer’s representative) or designee(s) before starting work to review the contract specifications, provide project contacts, and the manner that work will proceed, among other items. If APG deems a Contractor’s employee to be unfit or unsuitable to perform the contracted work due to intoxication, drug use, by virtue of abusive or obnoxious behavior, by poor quality of work, poor demeanor, or other similar reasons, then upon written request by COR, the Contractor shall remove said employee from APG work and furnish a suitable and competent replacement.

7. SAFETY - When working in APG rights-of-way, the contractor shall follow IDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction for work zone safety.

SCOPE OF WORK

Bidding requirements, general terms and conditions, scope of work and other special requirements are all part of the bidding document and contract specifications. Standard specifications of technical or professional societies and federal, state or local agencies referred to shall include all amendments as of the date of advertisement for bids.

CONTRACTOR execute APG’s Unidirectional Flushing program to locate, inspect, assess, and operate distribution system valves and hydrants, record water flowed, and create a deliverable GIS format suitable and compatible with APG’s current GIS/Database system. Fire hydrants requiring additional (requiring backhoe excavation) work to make them fully operational shall be told to the COR or designee. Minor repairs to valves and/or hydrants may be required which will be repaired/replaced by CONTRACTOR at the Government’s discretion and billed accordingly. The final report is due within thirty days after project completion. Weekly reports will be delivered to the COR or designee on Monday mornings listing work performed the previous week: sections flushed, water used and other information requested by the COR. The specifications are the minimum APG requirements and any omission shall not relieve the CONTRACTOR of furnishing quality service in a timely manner. CONTRACTOR shall provide the services in a safe, efficient and professional manner. The CONTRACTOR shall provide their own tools and vehicles to execute this scope.

1. MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF PROJECT PERSONNEL:

CONTRACTOR must provide courteous, professional, trained and qualified personnel.

2. SAFETY: A minimum Two Man Crew is required to work together at all times. The use of a one man unit is not acceptable and may terminate contract.

3. UNIDIRECTIONAL FLUSHING SCOPE OF SERVICE: CONTRACTOR shall execute APG’s program to unidirectional flush the water distribution system, create a deliverable database in a suitable format that is compatible with APG’s current GIS/Database system platform. This work essentially consists of:

3.1 Mapping of all flushing sequences in a way that allows their positions and processes to be known and readily re-creatable by APG personnel upon demand.

3.2 Inspection of required fire hydrants for appearance, accessibility, leakage and functionality following the AWWA M-17 manual, NFPA 291 and ISO requirements.

3.3 Inspection of required main line valves for, accessibility, and functionality in accordance with the AWWA M-44 manual.

3.4 Operation of each located required main line valve to insure its ability to operate and fully “close” upon demand. Adherence to the AWWA M-44.

3.5 Enter Fire hydrant, main line valve and flushing sequencing information in an Excel Spreadsheet.

4. Backflow Prevention Devices

4.1 The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform inspection and testing of Backflow Prevention Devices as defined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS).

4.2 Inspection and testing of Backflow Prevention Devices (BFPD) for evidence of dripping, leaking in order to protect drinking water supply and quality for human consumption.

4.3 The contractor will coordinate temporary water shutdowns to equipment or buildings with the COR (Contracting Officer’s Representative)

4.4 The contractor will perform annual compliance inspection, testing, and certification of each backflow prevention device into an authorized Cross Connection Control Management Program.

4.5 A copy of the certification shall be posted at all backflow prevention devices

4.6 The contractor shall not interfere with the normal operations of the current property owner to the extent possible. Contractor must leave all work areas clean and free of debris. Restore any site damages to the mechanical room and to the exterior of the building to its original forms.

4.7 Emergency Service & Repair

The contractor will perform annual maintenance and repairs. Backflow device repairs for failing devices shall be repaired and retested at date and time of original scheduled testing event using backflow rebuild kits for appropriate size backflow device, if repair is just flushing backflow device hourly rate will apply. Contractor to respond to any Complaint/Calls regarding a problem/Leaking Backflow Assembly. Repairs and Re-Certification shall be completed the same time as call in.

4.8 Installer’s Qualification: Qualified firms that are approved, authorized, and licensed by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing. Master Plumbers must be used and be allowed to install products devices, issue certifications, and provide a manufacturer’s warranty. The firm must also be able to provide for testing of mechanical and electrical equipment.

4.9 Backflow Device Recertification:

The contractor will recertify backflow devices annually – Any additions or subtractions to current list will be in writing and put in COR file

Edgewood Area Backflow Devices

5. The CONTRACTOR will not be held responsible for possible valve or hydrant failures during operation, damage done to the water system during water main flushing (i.e. water leaks, discolored water, turbidity, etc.), or possible damage to the APG’s individual water customer unless unsatisfactory or neglectful operations by CONTRACTOR.

6. SEQUENCING ACTION: Before starting field work, a Standard Operating Procedure of action sequencing for the flushing activity shall be set. Contingencies like mitigation of reduced fire flows in critical areas (i.e. medical facilities, schools, etc.) must be included.

6.1 This work may require flushing to be performed after regular duty hours (0700-1600) to not interrupt missions with low water pressure.

6.2 This may require weekend and or holiday work if an emergency arises.

7. CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION

7.1 CUSTOMER BILLING MAILER: CONTRACTOR will assist develop a letter which briefly explains the Unidirectional Water Main Flushing program which must be approved by COR.

7.2MEDIA NOTIFICATION: CONTRACTOR will develop a press release to explain the Unidirectional Water Main Flushing program and affected areas. APG Public Affairs Office will send the press releases. This type of customer notification greatly reduces the number of customer complaints about discolored water.

8. FLUSHING

8.1 VALVES: To increase the water main velocity without opening additional hydrants (to conserve water), specific valves will be closed prior to flushing as per APG’s Unidirectional Plan. These valves will be recorded to insure that all valves are re-opened at the end of each day. A Standard Operating Procedure for valve operations will be included with the plan.

8.2 PRESSURE READINGS: CONTRACTOR will use accurate pressure gauges to determine that the required velocities are achieved during the flushing process. CONTRACTOR shall provide recently-dated proof that the pressure gauges used have been calibrated.

9. DOCUMENTATION AND COMMUNICATION:

9.1 CONTRACTOR’S field crew will meet as agreed, with COR to go over areas of the Unidirectional Flushing program.

9.2 Atlas Corrections and Notations: CONTRACTOR will document and note needed corrections on GIS maps. These notations will be part of the final report so APG can make corrections to their existing GIS files.

9.3 At the end of each day, or as requested, a written list of broken or inoperable fire hydrants or mainline valves will be given to COR. Critical fire hydrants/valves that may be subject to breakage will be discussed as far as operation PRIOR to exercising to prevent loss of fire protection.

9.4 Information collected by the CONTRACTOR and other information provided by APG shall be marked as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and will not be shared without written permission from the APG.

9.5 Submit a Unidirectional Flushing Log with the final report including:

A. Areas where work was performed B. Type of problems observed C. Location of problems discovered D. Mapping errors

9.6 Submit final report to APG by thirty working days after fieldwork is complete.

9.7 Unidirectional Flushing data must be exportable into Excel spreadsheet.

10. ASSUMPTIONS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY APG

10.1 Furnish all maps, atlases, (two copies) and records to properly conduct the Unidirectional Flushing program. Digital copies of the map (AutoCAD, ArcView) will be provided if available.

10.2 Make available, on a reasonable but periodic basis, staff with a working knowledge of the water system to help with inoperable or difficult to operate fire hydrants and with general water system information. This APG employee will not assist the CONTRACTOR on a full time basis.