SOW -Utility Plant Chemical Service and Bulk Chemicals.pdf

Statement of Work (SOW) Project: USDA boiler and chiller bulk chemicals and service

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work:

a) The National Centers for Animal Health requires an agreement to provide bulk chemical for boiler and chiller water treatment and services from a firm that can provide a comprehensive, service-oriented water treatment program for chillers, cooling towers, steam boilers, and the associated condensing water loops, closed chilled loops, steam and condensate piping systems.

b) The requirement for chemicals includes the chemicals needed for proper boiler chemistry with boiler and feed water oxygen scavengers and boiler feed water pH builder, steam header corrosion protection, condensate corrosion protection, cooling tower biocides and corrosion protection and closed loop chilled water corrosion protection and biocides, along with all new chemical controllers for both the boiler system related chemicals and chiller system related chemicals.

c) Bulk Chemicals shall be delivered safely and hands free by a trained and certified delivery specialist into bulk chemical tanks provided by the contractor. USDA employees will not transfer bulk chemicals. The bulk chemical tanks will be of adequate size to ensure prolonged operation between scheduled deliveries and transfers.

The goal of the program is to provide a service-oriented water treatment program that meets the following:

a) Minimize or eliminate chemical handling and safety hazards to plant personnel.

b) Provide professional, knowledgeable service personnel.

c) Provide weekly visits to test water, adjust treatments as needed to maintain proper steam and condensate, chilled water, and condensing water system chemistry, submit reports, and complete other inspections and chemical testing for troubleshooting problems as they arise.

d) Accurately monitor the program’s results and communicate appropriate recommendations with quantifiable, business-oriented justifications. All service reports shall provide the required daily data to indicate that the water treatment program is meeting the requirements as outlined later in the RFP.

e) Thoroughly train all day and night shift plant personnel on the implementation and control of the water treatment programs. There are 4 shifts to train. There are 2 day shifts that work 6 am to 6pm. There are 2 night shifts that work 6pm to 6 am.

f) Reduce the overall water and energy consumption through improved heat transfer efficiency and maximize boiler and cooling tower cycles. This is accomplished by improving the make-up quality and reducing system contaminations, as well as minimizing scale, corrosion, fouling, and microbiological growth, which create deposits on heat transfer surfaces.

g) Minimize the repair and maintenance costs associated with the replacement and cleaning of equipment due to scale, corrosion, fouling, or microbiological activity.

h) Provide competitive water treatment program costs.

i) Request for Proposal Specifications

i. One-year, with options to renew for (4) additional years, to include the following:

PERIOD OF COVERAGE

Base Year – 12 months Option Year 1 – 12 months following Base Year Option Year 2 – 12 months following Option Year 1 Option Year 3 – 12 months following Option Year 2 Option Year 4 – 12 months following Option Year 3

ii. The water treatment supplier shall provide the necessary, new, water treatment feed equipment and chemical pumps to manage the boiler and chilled water treatment programs. It is the supplier’s responsibility to provide new equipment and install as needed. The existing chemical controllers will not be used. Existing automated boiler blow down valves may be used if compatible with the new vendor’s chemical controllers. The vendor will provide new automated boiler blow down valves if the USDA’s existing valves are not compatible with the new vendor’s chemical controllers. Please prepare a list of the equipment you will be providing.

iii. All new chemical feed equipment will be provided by the Water Treatment Supplier as part of the pricing structure. The existing chemical controllers will not be used. All equipment will be installed by the water treatment vendor and/or their subcontractors. USDA will provide power, required piping and pipe taps as needed to the controllers and mini bulk tanks. It is up to the vendor to install the pumps, tanks and new automated valves (if current valves are not compatible with the vendor’s chemical controller.) All the piping and electrical connections are already present. The water treatment supplier will be responsible for maintaining all controllers, pumps, automated valves, probes, and equipment during the contract period. Any repairs to the equipment will be the responsibility of the vendor. The vendor will also be responsible for any probe, sensor, and pump parts replacements.

iv. All chemicals to treat steam boilers, chillers, and cooling towers shall be delivered to point of feed.

USDA personnel do not handle any bulk chemicals. All chemicals will be transferred safely by the vendors Hazmat certified delivery specialist.

v. All chemical controllers and chemical pumps will be leased, and their ownership will remain that of the supplier.

vi. All chemical mini bulk tanks will be leased and provided by the supplier and ownership of the tanks will remain that of the supplier. The tanks be double walled or have 110% capacity spill containment.

a. Current tank sizes are as follows:

i. PO4 (Nalco 22310)-200 gal

ii. SO3 (Nalco 1720)-200 gal

iii. Feed water pH builder (Nalco 8735)-110 gal

iv. Steam line treatment (Nalco 1820)-120 gal

v. Tower scale inhibitor (Nalco 3DT230)-200 gal

vi. Tower chlorine biocide (Nalco ST70)-200 gal

vii. Chilled water loop scale inhibitor and biocide (Nalco Trac 114)-110 gal.

vii. Tanks and spill containments will be provided by the contractor in sizes large enough to accommodate chemical deliveries every other week and not run out of chemicals in between deliveries.

viii. The vendor will remotely monitor tank levels. The chemical contractor will consult with the USDA on a weekly basis to decide what chemicals to order to maintain adequate bulk chemical inventory at USDA site.

ix. Current chemicals in use are, but not limited to, boiler feed water oxygen scavenger, boiler oxygen scavenger, steam line treatment, boiler feed water pH builder, small boiler combined chemical treatment, chilled water and condenser water biocides and scale inhibitors. (Note- steam will be used for humidification of spaces occupied by USDA personnel and animals. All chemical treatment of steam will be compatible with this usage.)

x. Contractor shall lease to the USDA the automatic boiler and chiller chemical feed controllers, sampling probe(s) and associated hardware and lease the boiler conductivity probes, assemblies and automatic valve packages/assemblies. If the USDA’s existing automatic valves are not compatible with the vendors chemical controllers, the vendor will provide new automated valves that are compatible with their chemical controllers. The contract will include two service visits per year for a full-service cleaning, replacement of probes (as needed), calibration of probes weekly, and software updates (as needed). The controllers shall monitor and automatically control the chemicals that the associated controllers are using. All steam system and chilled water system controllers will monitor and automatically control all blowdowns to maintain proper conductivity.

xi. The contractor shall provide all testing reagents, supplies, lab hardware and testing procedures outlined in a Program Operations Manual.

xii. The contractor shall provide all operator log sheet templates and operator training. The contractor shall provide an in-depth training program for USDA personnel. USDA operators shall be trained on properly logging readings on the contractor’s web-based system, water testing, operation and maintenance of all chemical tanks, pumps, probes, sensors, automated valves, and all other contractor supplied and chemical related equipment.

xiii. The contractor shall provide and maintain all chemical pumps and all associated consumable items such as, but not limited to, consumable tubing for peristaltic pumps and diaphragm kits for high pressure pumps.

xiv. Provide all chemical pumps compatible with the vendor’s chemical controllers necessary for the proper volume and pressure ratings for the boiler and chilled water systems.

2.0 Background:

a. The Boiler system consists of a condensate tank, deaerator tank, water softeners and six boilers (operating intermittently) to provide 125 psi steam to a large campus. The steam is used for steam heating, heating water, hot water for cleaning and showers, direct steam humidification of spaces occupied by USDA personnel and animals, autoclaves, and cooking animal waste with direct steam injection into decontamination (cook) tanks, animal carcass renderers and other uses. All boiler chemicals and boiler water will need to be continuously monitored and adjusted by the automatic controllers.

b. Building 401MB has a small steam system that feeds small autoclaves. The small autoclave boiler system consists of one small boiler with a combined condensate/boiler feed water tank that feeds 2 autoclaves. The chemical feed and conductivity of this boiler is monitored and adjusted manually by USDA personnel. No new chemical controller will be needed for this system however the contractor shall provide the necessary bulk chemicals, related testing chemicals, pumps and supplies. USDA personnel will continue to apply chemicals to the system and adjust conductivity manually in this building.

c. The Chilled Water system consists of (3) absorption chillers and (3) electric chillers providing 42-degree F chilled water to a large campus. The condenser water system consists of (6) twin towers cooling the condenser water to the (6) chillers. All chilled water and condenser water chemicals shall be continuously monitored and adjusted by the automatic controllers.

d. Systems to be treated:

a. Cooling Tower and Chilled Water System:

i. (6) Chillers consisting of

1. (2) 1050-ton absorption chillers.

2. (1) 1360-ton absorption chiller.

3. (3) 1600-ton electric chillers.

ii. The chillers typically operate between the months of April to November. During the winter these chillers are not used.

iii. Cooling tower annual evaporation rate (gals) – 19,500,000

iv. Cooling tower blowdown rate (gals) – 6,500,000

v. Cooling tower annual makeup rate (gals) – 26,000,000

vi. Chilled water annual makeup rate (gals) – 200,000

b. Steam Boiler System

i. (6) boilers consisting of

1. (2) fire tube steam boilers of 27,600lb/hr capacity each

2. (3) water tube boilers of 36,000lb/hr capacity each

3. (1) water tube boiler of 19,548lb/hr capacity. (This is a Heat Recovery Steam

Generating boiler unit for a 3.5-megawatt natural gas turbine.)

4. A deaerator and softener as pretreatment.

ii. The steam boilers are in use all year round.

iii. Annual Steam Usage (lbs) – 438,000,000

iv. Average Steam Usage (lbs/hr) – 50,000

v. Average Makeup Water (gpm) – 50

vi. Average Makeup Water (gal / day) – 72,000

c. Small Steam Boiler System

i. (1) Small boiler feeding an autoclave

ii. A softener as pretreatment

iii. A combined condensate/feed water tank

iv. The steam boiler is in use all year round

v. Annual Makeup Rate (gals)- 300,000

e. This requirement includes, but is not limited to, chemicals needed for proper boiler chemistry, steam header corrosion protection, condensate corrosion protection, cooling system bio and corrosion protection and closed loop protection. The boiler system and chilled water system chemicals used shall be tracked and adjusted automatically by automated chemical injection controllers. Chemicals that will need to be purchased in bulk include, but are not limited to, boiler and feed water oxygen scavengers, steam line anti-corrosion treatment, boiler feed water pH builder, cooling tower condenser water corrosion inhibitors and biocides, chilled water corrosion inhibitors and biocides, and small autoclave boiler combined boiler and condensate chemicals. Steam line treatment chemicals shall be rated for use with direct steam injection for humidifying human and animal occupied spaces. Chemical support, training, weekly site visits/inspections and weekly site reports need to be included in the service purchase.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks:

a) The USDA, ARS, MWA, National Centers for Animal Health has a requirement/need for a Utility Plant Bulk Chemical Indefinitie Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contract and Weekly Service Agreement.

b) DELIVERY TO: National Centers for Animal Health 1920 Dayton Avenue Ames, IA 50010

c) Quoted price MUST INCLUDE all Materials, Labor, Equipment, Freight or Shipping, as well as any applicable Duties, Brokerage, or Custom’s fees. It is anticipated that one IDIQ for the chemicals with a firm fixed price line item for the services required will be awarded. Award will be made for a 1-year base period with four optional 12-month option periods.

d) Normal scheduled inspections and service work will be performed during regular workdays, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, local time. Federal holidays excluded. An extension of time before and after normal working hours will be considered upon a 2-week advance written request from the Contractor.

e) Objectives: Provide a cost effective, simplified, and time efficient way to order replacement chemicals and provide service.

f) Response Time: Vendor will include by attachment to the proposal a contact information including an email address, phone number, and cell phone number for each representative assigned to service the account. The chemical provider must have a representative available for phone calls to receive orders for purchasing chemicals during all daytime hours (including weekend hours) with 24 hour or less response time for chemical upsets and other emergencies.

g) Training of Operations Personnel: Training sessions for all operating personnel on chemical safety and handling of chemicals will be held on-site twice per year or more if needed.

h) Equipment Inspections: When any steam or chilled water equipment is opened for maintenance, the vendor shall inspect it. A written inspection report shall be e-mailed to USDA. Any noted deficiencies shall be clearly outlined, and corrective action recommended.

i) Service Reports: Service visits shall be made a minimum of once a week and all treated systems shall be tested. A written report of the service visit shall be e-mailed to the USDA. Any deficiencies shall be noted and recommended corrective action.

j) Program Operations Manual: An operations manual detailing the program, safety information, equipment, chemicals, and equipment operating information will be supplied. This manual will be used as the basis for a continuous training program for operations personnel. The program shall be available in a binder to be kept on-site.

k) Service Personnel Experience: All service personnel shall have a minimum of 2 years of water treatment experience. The contractor shall also have a minimum 2 years of experience in the implementation of boiler treatment, chilled water and condensing water programs. The contractor will have experience in the training of operating personnel. One designated person and a backup person should be designated as representatives for the contractor. One of the two assigned personnel shall include a degreed chemical engineer.

l) Company Experience: The company’s primary business shall be water treatment.

m) New chemicals from the awarded contractor will be compatible with existing chemicals the USDA currently has and uses. The awarded contractor will transfer existing USDA chemicals into their tanks to be used up before switching to the awarded contractors’ chemicals. The awarded contractor will provide all testing chemicals and testing equipment for testing the exiting contractors’ chemicals until the exiting contractors’ chemicals are gone.

n) Once all of the existing chemicals have been used, the USDA will be responsible for disposing of the previous contractors testing chemicals and supplies.

o) The USDA will work with the exiting chemical contractor to return their chemical tanks and spill containments to them once they have been emptied.

p) The awarded chemical contractor will provide all new tanks, new spill containments, new bulk chemicals, and all new testing chemicals for their chemicals.

q) The vendor shall provide all chemical pumps of the proper flow rate and pressure ratings for:

i. PO4 boiler oxygen scavenger.

ii. SO3 feed water oxygen scavenger.

iii. Boiler feed water pH builder.

iv. Cooling tower scale inhibitor.

v. Cooling tower biocide.

vi. Chilled water scale inhibitor.

vii. Chilled water biocide.

viii. Steam line treatment (injected into 125# steam line);

ix. Any other needed chemical pump injector quills and consumable maintenance items.

r) Estimated annual water totals to be treated:

s) Boiler

a. Annual Steam Usage (lbs) – 438,000,000

b. Average Steam Usage (lbs/hr) – 50,000

c. Average Makeup Water (gpm) – 50

d. Average Makeup Water (gal / day) – 72,000

e. Boiler water chemical treatment will include commonly used oxygen scavengers, pH builders, steam line treatments, corrosion inhibitors and any other ASME recommended chemicals.

Application shall follow ASME guidelines.

The boiler chemical controller will be brand new, and it will monitor and control individual boiler water conductivity, corrosion inhibitor, oxygen scavenger, steam line treatment, boiler feed water pH builder, and all other boiler chemical applications.

The chemical controller will communicate an alarm condition to the Johnson Controls building automation system. The operator will have to go to the chemical controller to read and respond to the alarm.

Digital chemical testing equipment will be provided by the contractor. Analog and color wheel type testing will not be acceptable. Color change chemical reactions are acceptable.

t) Cooling Tower

a. Annual Evaporation Rate (gals) – 19,500,000

b. Annual Blowdown Rate (gals) – 6,500,000

c. Annual Makeup Rate (gals) – 26,000,000

d. Cooling tower water chemical treatment will include biocides, corrosion inhibitors and any other

ASME recommended chemical treatments and follow ASME guidelines.

The cooling tower chemical controller will be brand new, and it will monitor and control tower water conductivity, corrosion inhibitor and biocide application.

The chemical controller will communicate an alarm condition to the Johnson Controls building automation system. The operator will have to go to the chemical controller to read and respond to the alarm.

u) Chilled water

a. Annual Makeup Rate (gals) – 200,000.

b. Chilled water chemical treatment will include corrosion inhibitors, biocides and any other ASME recommended chemical treatments and follow ASME guidelines.

v) Small autoclave boiler combined treatment

a. Annual Makeup Rate (gals)- 300,000

b. Boiler chemicals will be formulated for a system with a combined condensate/feed water tank following ASME guidelines.

w) Tanks, bulk chemical

a. All large boiler, cooling tower and chilled water chemical tanks and spill containments will be provided by the contractor in sizes large enough to accommodate chemical deliveries every week and not run out of chemical in between deliveries.

b. Chemical delivery will be hands free meaning USDA personnel will not handle any bulk chemicals and the contractor will provide trained and certified personnel to deliver all chemicals safely.

x) Testing chemicals and supplies

a. The contractor will provide all training, chemical testing chemicals and needed supplies.

b. Digital chemical testing equipment will be provided by the contractor. Analog and color wheel type testing will not be acceptable. Color change chemical reactions are acceptable.

y) Boiler Chemical and Blowdown Automation

a. Operators perform water tests once per day, the results of which are only a snapshot of the system at any given time. Steam demand at various times of the day can result in drastically differing water test results and boilers can easily wander out of control range. As steam demand on campus fluctuates, the boiler system experiences swings resulting in either high conductivity/chemicals out of range and steam carryover or low conductivity/chemicals out of range and high-water use.

b. Automation of chemical monitoring, chemical feed and boiler blow down control will allow for constant real-time control of boiler water quality resulting in more efficient use of chemicals.

c. The automatic controller will need to monitor and react to the conditions inside the boiler system under actual operating temperatures and pressures, allowing proven technology to deliver superior boiler system performance.

d. Each boiler blowdown line will need one conductivity probe, one automated valve and multiple graduated blowdown valves for blowdown control. The contractor may use the USDA’s automated valves with their chemical control system if they are compatible. If the USDA’s valves are not compatible with the contractor’s system, then the contractor will supply new automated valves that will work with their system.

e. Each boiler will operate with continuous or intermittent blowdown as determined by the contractor.

f. The automatic controller needs to be able to be connected to the internet and to building automation systems. The automatic controller will use wireless phone technology to connect and report controller information. This will allow for real-time alarm notifications to be sent out to existing building automation systems during system upsets. The unit will monitor the boiler conductivities and increase or decrease blowdowns to meet the desired set point.

g. The chemical controller will monitor chemical tank levels and report them to the USDA and contractor to facilitate ordering and providing bulk chemical to the USDA in a timely manner.

h. The controller needs to automatically log data which shall be customizable to allow for dissemination of data reports to include performance trending.

i. The automated system will detect the chemical concentrations and control the chemical pumps accordingly to meet the desired set points.

j. The lease agreement will include labor and replacement of all needed automated valves, chemical controllers, probes, and sensors. This includes all reagents, calibration solutions and any other materials needed for this process.

xv. Cooling Tower Requirements:

a. Tanks with spill containment systems for all chemicals are required. Spill containment must be 110% of the volume of chemicals.

b. USDA owned dual, redundant blowdown water meters may be used if they are compatible to with the contractor’s chemical controller to monitor water usage for blowdown. If the USDA blowdown water meters are not compatible, the contractor shall supply new blowdown water meters. The USDA does not currently have a make-up water meter for the cooling tower.

c. The existing motorized blow down valves for automatic blow down control can be used by all contractors if they are fully compatible with their chemical feed automation systems. If they are not, then the contractor shall supply compatible motorized blow down valves and labor to install and test.

d. Chemical feed controller with the following requirements:

i. Internet ready – Must use Cellular Gateway for all Controllers

ii. Daily Dashboards provided to USDA Management

iii. Monitoring and Alarming capabilities

iv. Direct Access to controllers through secured remote cellular gateway

v. Tower conductivity probe

vi. Support water meter inputs

vii. Traced Inhibitor probe for Scale Inhibitor feed and monitoring

viii. pH probe for acid feed (only used if acid is needed as a part of the program)

ix. ORP probe for continuous halogen feed

x. Biocide lock-out

xi. Dual biocide timer to automatically feed two biocides based on a timer.

xii. Capability to alarm to the Johnson Controls building automation system. This means the chemical controller system sends a signal to the Johnson Controls system to let the plant operator know the chemical controller system is in alarm and needs to be responded to.

e. Corrosion coupon rack with rotameter. The goal is to have 5-7 feet-per-second flow rate always.

f. Chemical Pumps Provided

i. To feed scale and corrosion inhibitor

ii. To feed liquid Chlorine and bromine products; the pumps must have a degasifying head to prevent priming problems or use a peristaltic pump.

iii. To feed a non-oxidizing biocide pump capable of delivering the required dose in one hour

xvi. Cooling Tower Water Systems Treatment:

a. All chemicals shall be liquid.

b. All liquid chemicals must be supplied to the point of use and transferred into a permanent stationary mini bulk tank with spill containment.

c. All chemicals will be fed directly from the container to eliminate any utility plant personnel involvement in handling the chemicals.

d. Scale Inhibitor: The cooling tower scale inhibitor will be a PBTC/HEDP or PBTC / Azole /

Polymer based program to provide scale protection at a minimum of 4 cycles of concentration. The phosphonate level will be a minimum of 3 ppm as phosphonate and 1 ppm as free and available azole.

e. Oxidizing Biocide 1 – Feed and maintain a low-level consistent halogenation of 0.5-0.8 ppm free residual using ORP or Free Chlorine Analyzer as a method to maintain continuous low-level halogenation. This is key and will be required to minimize the risk of waterborne pathogens.

f. Non-Oxidizing Biocide – Use a non-oxidizing biocide to be feed weekly. Either the use of Isothiazoline at 100 ppm or Glutaraldehyde at 120 ppm is required.

xvii. Closed Loop - Chilled Water Systems Requirement:

a. Tanks with containment systems for all chemicals is required. Containment must be 110% of the volume of chemicals.

b. Make up water meter to monitor water usage.

c. Corrosion coupon rack with rotameters. The goal is to have 5-7 feet-per-second flow rate always.

d. Chemical pumps provided by vendor.

xviii. Steam System Requirement:

a. Tanks with spill containment systems for all chemicals is required. Spill containment must be 110% of the volume of chemicals.

b. Use existing motorized blow down valves for automated blow down control of boilers. If existing valves are not compatible with contractors’ new chemical controllers, then the contractor will provide, install and test new motorized blow down valves.

c. Chemical pumps provided must be rated to feed suppliers chemicals into the point of injection.

d. An injector quill shall be used so that chemicals are fed in at a point of mixing to allow best distribution. The contractor will use existing injector quills.

e. In some cases, Amine is fed directly to the Steam Header to prevent loss of chemical during boiler blowdown. An appropriately rated retractable injector shall be used in these cases, so that the chemicals are fed in the middle of the steam header and the injector can be serviced.

f. Chemicals shall be fed directly from mini bulk tank to minimize chemical handling.

g. The Amine concentration shall be maintained at ASME levels for direct steam humidification to human occupied spaces.

xix. Steam Boiler System – The steam boiler program will consist of:

a. Sulfite Oxygen control

b. Polymer Scale control

c. Caustic Hydroxide Alkalinity control

d. Condensate pH Corrosion control

The ranges will be controlled as outlined in the KPI’s.

xx. The minimum required tests that must be performed during each scheduled service visit are as follows:

a. Cooling and Closed Loop Chilled & Hot Water Systems:

i. Raw Water

1. pH

2. Conductivity

3. M-alkalinity

4. Calcium or Total Hardness

ii. Tower Water

1. pH

2. Conductivity

3. M-alkalinity

4. Calcium or Total hardness

5. Traced Inert

6. Phosphonate (Quarterly)

7. Iron (Quarterly)

8. Copper (Quarterly)

9. Azole (Quarterly)

10. Free halogen

11. Biological count (by strip method incubated 48 hours)

iii. Chilled Water

1. pH

2. Conductivity

3. Nitrite

4. Iron (Quarterly)

5. Copper (Quarterly)

6. Azole (Quarterly)

7. Free halogen

8. Biological count (by strip method incubated 48 hours prior)

b. Steam Boiler System

i. Soft Water and Feedwater

1. pH

2. Conductivity

3. Total Hardness

4. Iron (Quarterly)

5. Copper (Quarterly)

ii. Condensate

1. pH

2. Conductivity

3. Total Hardness

4. Iron (Quarterly)

5. Copper (Quarterly)

iii. Steam Boilers

1. pH

2. Conductivity

3. Sulfite

4. Hydroxide Alkalinity

5. Polymer – Or Phosphate if using solids

6. Iron (Quarterly)

7. Copper (Quarterly)

c. Corrosion coupon testing shall be conducted each quarter for the cooling tower and chilled water systems to include the following metallurgies:

i. Mild steel

ii. Copper

d. If corrosion coupon racks are needed, the vendor will supply and install them with their equipment.

Performance Standards: The following acceptable performance shall be achieved using the products and services of your company. Each quarter, a summary of the test results will be compiled and reviewed as to how the KPI’s were achieved.

1. Cooling Towers:

a. Corrosion rates mild steel < 1.0 mpy

b. Corrosion rates copper < 0.1 mpy

c. Phosphonate Level / Traced > 90% compliance

d. TDS – Cycles of Concentration > 90% compliance

e. Biological Aerobic Counts < 10,000 cfu

2. Chilled and Hot Water Systems

a. Corrosion rate mild steel < 0.5 mpy

b. Corrosion rate copper < 0.1 mpy

c. Corrosion Inhibitor Levels > 90% compliance

d. Azole Levels > 90% compliance

e. Biological Levels < 1000 cfu

f. Water Usage per month

3. Steam Boilers

a. Feedwater & Condensate hardness > 90% compliance < 0.5 ppm

b. Condensate pH > 90% compliance 8.2-8.6

c. Boiler Sulfite > 90% compliance 30-60 ppm

d. Boiler TDS > 90% compliance 4000-4500

e. Boiler hydroxide Alkalinity > 90% compliance 200-400 ppm

Any deviation from the performance standards will require corrective action quarterly if not sooner. Continued out of performance results will be grounds for termination of contract.

xxi. The primary water treatment account manager will live within 50 miles of the facility. This person will have at least 2 years of water treatment experience and a degree in Chemical Engineering.

xxii. Every (3) months of tower operation, the central chilled water plant at USDA Ames requires a complete in-house laboratory analysis of the cooling tower and chilled water loop. This complete analysis should include but not limited to; Bacteria levels both aerobic and anaerobic, 26 elemental analysis and the chemical actives that are being used.

xxiii. Steam boiler systems may require analysis from time to time based on the results and or identification of water treatment problems. There is no additional cost to for these services. Please add any additional cost for these services in your RFP pricing.

xxiv. Please provide information on the service team and their responsibilities to meet the RFP specifications.

The service team representative(s) shall be available for emergency service on a 24-hour basis (by cellular telephone).

xxv. Service includes the testing of all treated systems, the review of written and/or computerized log sheets, inventory review, inspection of chemical feed equipment, calibration, replacement and repair of all equipment and general inspections. A written report must be completed during every service call and submitted to plant personnel within 24 hours as well as be posted to a WEB based database site provided by the water treatment vendor. The vendor’s technician will discuss the water testing results with USDA personnel before leaving the site to recommend actions if any are needed.

xxvi. The water treatment supplier will provide a WEB based electronic database that stores and manages all service reports, operator log data, water meter usage and other important data. Please provide a detailed description of your electronic WEB based database and its capabilities. The database must be able to upload daily information from the operator’s tests, have alarm features for out of specification data and be accessed by management of the USDA Ames. The program will also have capabilities to print out statistical trends that can be evaluated to improve the water treatment program. The USDA will need access to all USDA chemical testing and other data for a period of 10 years after termination of service. The USDA will provide the computer and internet service to access the vendor’s database.

xxvii. The WEB based database will also provide daily dashboards outlining the key performance standards from the cooling tower controllers. The data should include but not limited to; flow, conductivity, ORP, pH (if applicable) and inhibitor levels. There should be built in monitoring and alarming to the water treatment provider to allow quick response to chemical imbalance. The Water Treatment Supplier will provide an in-depth summary of their capabilities and how they meet the specifications.

xxviii. The vendor shall be responsible for cleaning scaled or fouled equipment that arises as a direct result of the poor implementation of the water treatment by the vendor. It is the supplier’s responsibility to inspect all equipment and evaluate conditions prior to initiating treatment. Any deficiencies must be stated in writing.

xxix. The vendor must maintain adequate chemical inventories always to avoid equipment damage from scale or corrosion.

xxx. The vendor must be able to read bulk chemical tank levels remotely and suggest chemical orders as needed.

xxxi. The vendor will submit a list of tests to be performed during each service visit, a calendar of services to be performed during the year, and a list of tests to be run by the plant each day. This should be summarized in an annual service plan. Please provide your service plan as well as an example of a service report.

xxxii. Prepare a list of the items that shall be monitored periodically (i.e. particle size distribution studies, biological profiles, system volume/leak tests, system audits, elution studies, dissolved oxygen studies, and deposit analyses. Please state the periodicities for each in your annual service plan.

xxxiii. The successful contractor shall be available for quarterly reviews scheduled at the discretion of the

USDA Contracting Officer or Contracting Officers Representative.

xxxiv. Each year the steam boiler, condenser, chiller and some evaporators are open for inspection. All waterside equipment must be inspected and photographed when available for inspection. Condensers and evaporators will be inspected with a Borescope to include pictures of the tube surfaces. All final reports will be provided with key pictures to verify the effectiveness of the water treatment program.

All inspection reports will be submitted within 10 business days of each inspection.

4.0 Government Furnished: Access to the USDA facility at 1920 Dayton Ave, Ames, Iowa 50010 will be during normal business hours only, excluding nights, weekends, and government and other holidays.

Access could be granted on a case-by-case basis with a 2-week notice.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule:

A. Service visits shall be weekly, and all treated systems shall be tested. A written report of the service visit shall be e-mailed to the USDA within 24 hours. Any deficiencies shall be noted and recommended corrective action.

B. Training sessions for all operating personnel on water treatment implementation, chemical safety and handling of chemicals and control and monitoring of the program will be held on- site twice per year. An operations manual detailing the program, control ranges, safety information, test procedures, and equipment operating information will be supplied. This manual will be used as the basis for a continuous training program for operations personnel. The program shall be available in a binder to be kept on-site.

C. The vendor shall inspect as needed all equipment that is opened for inspection including but not limited to boilers, chillers, pumps, piping, DA tanks, condensate tanks and any other boiler or chiller related equipment. A written inspection report shall be e-mailed to USDA. Any noted deficiencies shall be clearly outlined, and corrective action recommended and implemented.

D. Vendor will include by attachment to the proposal a 24 hour, seven days per week, 365 days per year, contact phone number and the cell phone and other contact numbers for each representative assigned to service the account. The chemical provider must have a representative available for emergency phone calls within two hours and emergency site visits due to chemical imbalances or equipment failure within 24 hours of being notified at no additional charge to the government.

6.0 Travel: N/A

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel: All service personnel shall have a minimum of 2 years of water treatment experience and possess a Chemical Engineering degree. The representative shall also have a minimum 2 years’ experience in the implementation of boiler treatment and cooling water programs. The representative will have experience in the training of operating personnel. A backup person should be designated. One of the two assigned personnel shall include a degreed chemical engineer.

8.0 Security Requirements: Vendor personnel shall be US Citizens. The vendor shall set up a chemical testing visit schedule with the COR and any changes to the schedule shall be made at least 2 weeks in advance so the COR has time to approve the changes. All contractors shall be escorted by USDA personnel when in USDA buildings (unless the contractor has a valid Lincpass authorization.) Vendors must have proper identification (such as a valid driver’s license) upon entry into the USDA facility.

9.0 Data Rights: Vendor shall be able to access and adjust their chemical controllers and monitor tank levels remotely.

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards: Vendor shall be able to access and adjust their chemical controllers and monitor tank levels remotely.

Attachment: N/A