Totson_Mt__Power_System_SOW_DRAFT_FY24.doc

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

https://www.blm.gov Alaska Fire Service Totson Mountain Power System Upgrade

AFS Facilities at Totson Mountain, Alaska

Statement of Work

1. PRIVATE Introduction

1.1. General

This statement of work (SOW) issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is for the upgrade and repair of the off-grid DC power system located at the BLM Alaska Fire Service Totson Mountain telecommunications site. This scope of work describes the minimum level of performance required by the government. Alternate locations are not accepted. A complete report of repairs will be required upon completion of the project.

1.2. Location

Work under this project will take place at the BLM Totson Mountain Radio Site, located at N64° 26.8738' W157° 17.9159', approximately a 15-minute helicopter flight from Galena Alaska. Galena is accessible by fixed-wing aircraft from Fort Wainwright Alaska.

1.3. Background

The Totson Radio Site serves as the hub for all BLM Alaska Fire Service radio communications in western Alaska, linking the radio repeaters used for flight-following and wildfire initial attack in the region back to the Galena Dispatch Center. The site is used seasonally, April through September, and then reduced to standby status for a reduced electrical load during the winter. The site features a 24VDC system consisting of 30ea 100 AH batteries for a total battery capacity of 1500 AH. The batteries are currently organized as three sets of 10 batteries that are charged by a solar array. There is a 6kW diesel Northern Lights generator on auto-start feeding a Newmar 95-amp charger as a backup for the solar system. Current wiring for the 6kW generator is 10 gauge, which is inadequate for safe and efficient operation at maximum possible charging rates.

Due to the importance of the site to emergency aviation communications, it requires 99.999% uptime during the summer months. While the site has generally been reliable, it has experienced multiple issues over the years related to its off-grid solar power system. While equipment has been added and replaced over time, the basic configuration of the power system has not been significantly overhauled since the site was installed. The primary problem with this site is the battery bank falling below recommended voltage over the winter, causing the batteries to lose life expectancy and the site to not come online automatically in the springtime. Fixing this will require a combination of increased battery capacity and increased solar capacity with bifacial panels to increase generation during the winter months. The addition of a low-voltage shutoff relay will further reduce the changes of battery damage. In addition, the generator system needs modifications to reduce the potential of damage to the exterior exposed fuel lines, which are currently vulnerable to wild animals and accidental damage, as well as upgrades to the wiring and breakers to ensure safe and efficient charging. The addition of a monitoring system to collect granular data about the performance of the solar and diesel generators, battery banks, and loads will also contribute to a site that is more reliable and easier to maintain and troubleshoot in the future.

1.4. Description of Work

The primary objective is to update the Totson Radio Site’s power system to maintain reliability year-round and minimize the chances of system failures and environmental damage. Contractor will provide, install, and configure new parts as well as adjust programming and configuration of the existing power system components to optimize reliability. The desired outcome is a power system that can reliably last through the winter without loss of power. In addition, the installation of a comprehensive monitoring system for the power system will allow better tracking of system performance and simplify maintenance and troubleshooting in the future. Work will be supervised by at least one BLM Alaska Fire Service Telecommunications representative to assist with logistics.

1.5. Government Furnished Items

Government shall provide batteries required to reconfigure battery banks from 30 batteries to 40.

1.6. Government Furnished Transportation and Lodging

Government shall provide fixed-wing transportation from Fort Wainwright Alaska to Galena Alaska and rotor-wing transportation from Galena Alaska to Totson Mountain for Contractor personnel and equipment. Government will provide ground transportation within Galena Alaska, as well as room and board at Government housing in Galena Alaska for contractor personnel for the duration of the project, not to exceed four days and three nights.

1.7. Equipment Provided by Contractor

See attached Specification Sheet.

1.8. Transportation Provided by Contractor

Contractor will provide own transportation for personnel and equipment to Alaska Fire Service Telecommunication shop on Fort Wainwright Alaska.

2. PROJECT OVERVIEW

Vendor tasks will consist of:

1. Coordination with POC

2. Plan site visit

3. Deliver all parts and supplies to BLM Alaska Fire Service Telecommunications at least two weeks prior to commencement of work.

4. Install new parts and upgraded wiring and configure new power system for correct operation.

5. Provide training and documentation on new equipment and system configuration to Alaska Fire Service POC.

3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Successful bidder will coordinate with Alaska Fire Service POC on proposed work schedule. Scheduling of project will be dependent on weather conditions and availability of Agency contracted helicopter in Galena, AK. All installation and upgrade work must be completed by August 15th, 2024. Hours of operations will be from 0900 to 2200 to accommodate pilot duty hours.

Successful bidder will be responsible for all parts, equipment, tools, and labor to complete the following:

· Delivery and installation of fuel spill containment around existing fuel tank, new armored fuel line system between fuel tank and generator, and spill containment “bathtub” for generator

· Delivery, installation, and testing of 6kW Northern Lights Diesel Generator.

· Complete wiring upgrade where required for NEC compliance and safe operation.

· Delivery, installation, and configuration of Inverter/Charger and Solar Controller

· Configuration of Generator auto-start and remote manual start functionality

· Upgrade of DC wiring from Inverter/Charger and Solar Controller to Battery Banks with gauge appropriate to handle maximum expected load and appropriate circuit protection, matching wire length to each battery bank to ensure equal potential.

· Upgrade intracell wiring on battery banks from current 10 gauge to 2 gauge with crimped terminations and reconfigure battery bank from 30ea 100 AH batteries to 40 ea 100 AH batteries using batteries supplied by Alaska Fire Service.

· Delivery, installation, and configuration of Low Voltage Disconnect relay, controlled by power system controller to disconnect loads when battery bank voltage falls below a level, set conservatively to protect cell lifespan.

· New bifacial solar array installed on existing Uni-Strut Frame, including all new junction boxes and wiring to Solar Controller with appropriate circuit protection.

· Installation and configuration of a comprehensive power monitoring system, including installation of new armored ethernet cable (CAT5E or better) between the Generator Shelter and Radio Shelter to connect power system monitoring to existing network.

4. DELIVERABLES

4.1. Schedule of Deliverables

The vendor will provide all parts and equipment to BLM Alaska Fire Service Telecommunications at least two weeks prior to commencement of work to allow time for shipping to Galena Alaska. All physical work will be completed by August 15th, 2024.

4.2. Project Close-out

Cleaning: Before departing site after each inspection, remove all tools, equipment, surplus materials, and rubbish.

Reports: Provide report of repairs and modifications performed at the site.

5. CONTACTS

The project manager for the Totson Radio Site install will be Ross Atkinson with the Alaska Fire Service Radio Shop. Additional POCs may include Eli Barry-Garland, Lolito Mendoza, Zack Latham and Chris Brown.

Ross Atkinson: (907) 356-5800

Zack Latham: (907) 356-5802

Eli Barry-Garland: (907) 356-5804

Lolito Mendoza: (907) 356-5806

Chris Brown: (907) 356-5803

Attachment 5