TOWER PLATFORM_SOW.pdf

Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOAA Diving Center 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, Bldg 8

Seattle, WA 98115

SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION OF A REMOVABLE

PLATFORM SYSTEM IN THE NOAA DIVING CENTER TRAINING TANK

INTRODUCTION

The NOAA Diving Center, located on the campus of NOAA’s Western Regional Center, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, Seattle, WA 98115-0070, is soliciting bids for the fabrication and installation of a removable platform system in the NOAA Diving Center training tank. The diver training tank, which is located on the north end of Building 8, is used for various purposes including training of divers and testing of equipment.

The structure consists of a 15 foot diameter by 30 foot high ¼” carbon steel tank constructed on a reinforced concrete slab. Three (3) separate deck platforms are attached as external appendages, each having approximately 275 ft2 and spaced at 10 ft intervals from ground level.

A 24 x 36 inch access hatch and two 18 inch diameter view ports at right angles to each other are located at a distance from ground level to facilitate observation and use. A third 18 inch view port is accessible from the platform area on the Level 1 stoop. All electrical boxes, filtration system hardware and components are located on the Level 2 deck. The top deck platform includes a four foot walkway around the tank circumference. This platform has a 1000 lb capacity. Mounted on the platform is a materials-handling jib crane system with a 10 foot boom and a minimum of 39 foot high lift. All deck platforms are linked by a 4-ft wide steel frame stairway and handrails. The interior of the tank area is accessible by either a 30 ft or 6 ft vertical steel frame ladder and holds approximately 38,000 gallons of filtered and chlorinated fresh water. The tank is kept filled and is only drained for maintenance and/or painting approximately every five years.

SPECIFICATIONS

1.0 Scope of Work

This solicitation is to fabricate and install a platform system for use within the tank. The system will be modular, consisting of two (2) semicircular platforms that can be installed horizontally at different depths within the tank, either individually (to allow transit to deeper depths) or together at the same depth to block diver access to deeper portions of the tank. The platform shall allow the passage of water flow for the proper operation of the filter system.

The contractor shall fabricate and install the system in accordance with the specification outlined below.

The contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, and equipment to fabricate and install the system in accordance with this specification. The work is to be performed under a one-year warranty.

All workers shall be skilled in the type of work they are performing. The contractor will be responsible for providing any scaffolding needed to access the work. The work will be conducted in conjunction with the sandblasting and painting of the tower by a third party. If scaffolding is required, arrangements to use the third parties’ scaffolding for a fee may be arranged through direct contact with the third party contractor. Contact the COTR for more information. This is a fixed-cost bid.

2.0 Platform Requirements

Each platform will have a weight capacity of 1000 lbs. Platforms will be grated, lightweight, and made of a durable material. Platforms will have enough tolerance between the tower sides and each other to be able to be moved independently within the tower by divers. Platforms will be constructed to interface with existing tower fixtures including ladders, view ports, and filtration system components. One of the platforms will include a hinged hatch with adequate size for a scuba diver to swim through. The hatch will open upwards and create a flush surface when closed. The hatch will have a clear opening of no less than 30” by 30” square, to allow diver through access.

3.0 Mounting System

The platforms will be completely removable and able to be installed in the tank at three different levels as measured from the bottom of the tank:

● 10 feet

● 18 feet

● 24-27 feet

The exact height of the highest platform (24-27 feet) will be confirmed on-site with the COTR prior to any welding or surface preparation.

The mechanism of attachment of the platforms to the tank will be via tabs welded onto the interior structure of the tank. The platforms and mounting system will be constructed such that the installation and removal of the platforms can be completed by divers underwater using minimal hand tools and hardware (e.g. a bolt or cotter pin system). The tabs will protrude no more than 6 inches from the interior of the tank. The platform must be able to pass the mounting points to allow the platform to pass to all levels.

The Contractor will be responsible for welding of the tabs onto the structure, including any surface preparation prior to welding, namely the removal of paint at the welding site. The contractor will not be responsible for sandblasting or painting of the installed tabs.

4.0 Workmanship

Workmanship will be of the highest quality and consistent with commonly accepted industrial standards used by manufacturers of similar equipment. Workmanship will comply with applicable ASTM, AWS and on-site building and electrical codes and requirements.

5.0 Pre-Bid Submission Inspection of Tank

Prospective bidders are encouraged to view the diver training tank prior to submitting a bid.

Inspection of the training tank can be arranged by contacting the Government’s Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR).

The contractor is required to comply with all applicable state and federal regulations including the proper use and disposal of all materials used.

6.0 Schedule & Timing

The Contractor shall furnish the Government with a copy of a detailed construction schedule for approval within two (2) calendar days after award of contract. The construction schedule shall show all work activities for completion of the work to be performed under this contract and will show the Contractor's general sequential approach to the work. All work shall be accomplished during normal business hours 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work may be performed outside the scheduled hours as approved by the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR).

The work will be conducted in conjunction with the sandblasting and painting of the tower by a third party. Welding of the mounting tabs will need to be performed the week of 25 MAY prior to the sandblasting and painting scheduled in June 2021.

Delivery of the completed tower platforms shall be no later than 20 JUN 2021.

7.0 Safety

The Contractor shall comply with the requirements of the OSHA Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards, 1925, Safety and Health Standards for Federal Service Contracts and other pertinent regulations. The Contractor shall promptly correct any non-complying work or conditions. Contractor shall be responsible to ensure its work does not affect the safety of the public or employees of the Government. Neither the Government nor its representatives shall bear any responsibility for safety precautions at the project work site. If, however, in the opinion of the COTR a life-threatening condition exists, the COTR will orally (to be confirmed in writing) require the Contractor to immediately suspend work in the affected area until the condition is corrected. Whenever Contractor’s operations may create a hazardous condition, it shall at its sole expense, furnish, install and maintain such flagmen, guards, fences, barricades, railings, light, signs, or other devices necessary to prevent accidents, injury or damage to people or equipment.

Personnel will not access the facility if they have a cold or any other symptoms of illness, when they feel sick, or are awaiting a COVID-19 test result. Personnel will not return to campus until after they are no longer displaying symptoms. Personnel will maintain 6 feet of distance whenever possible, including outdoors. Face coverings (these may be surgical or cloth and must be worn over the nose and mouth (without an exhalation valve) Face coverings are required at all times starting from entry on campus at the front gate to departure from campus. Mask-style face coverings are preferred over gaiter-style coverings, which may offer less protection.

8.0 Use of Government Facilities

Water and electricity for construction purposes are available at the work site. Toilet facilities available for the Contractor's use are located in Building 8. The Government will assign to the Contractor a limited amount of enclosed space in Building 8 for storage of materials and equipment during the execution of this contract. Storage space shall be kept in a clean, safe, and orderly manner.

9.0 Protection

The Contractor is responsible for his/her own security arrangement including his/her subcontractor’s material, equipment, and personnel.

The Contractor shall use reasonable care to avoid damaging the building, equipment, vehicles and vegetation at the construction site. If the Contractor’s failure to use reasonable care causes damage to any of this property, the Contractor shall replace or repair the damage at no expense to the Government as the Contracting Officer directs.

10.0 Access to the Worksite

The Contractor's vehicles, his subcontractor's vehicles, employees of the contractor or subcontractors entering the NOAA Western Regional Center shall use the main gate located at 7600 Sand Point Way NE. The gate is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The paved lot where the tower is located is accessed via a second gate which is open Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Vehicles will not be able to access the site outside of these hours.

The Contractor shall make arrangements with the COTR for access on and off the site after these hours. The COTR will provide the Contractor access to Building 8 as deemed necessary.

11.0 Final Inspection and Acceptance

Should the contractor fail to comply with any requirements of this statement of work, the Government will reject the failed items and the contractor will determine the cause(s) at no additional cost to the Government. The contractor will not be held responsible for the replacement of any component that functions in compliance with their related manufacturer’s published specification, unless such replacement is required due to poor workmanship, incorrect installation, structural damage, or other, specified causes for rejection.

The Contractor shall contact the COTR to arrange for an inspection of the tab welding once completed. The Contractor shall contact the COTR to arrange for Final Inspection and Delivery of the platforms at least two calendar days prior to planned completion date. The Contractor is advised that the Government will not accept the work until it determines substantial completion has been achieved.

12.0 Hazardous Materials

The Contractor shall not cause or permit any hazardous material to be brought upon, kept or used in or about the premises by its agents, employees, or subcontractors without the prior consent of the COTR. Hazardous materials that are necessary to the performance of this contract shall be used, kept and stored in a manner that complies with all laws regulating any such hazardous material brought upon or used or kept at this site. Contractor shall provide Material Safety Data Sheets to COTR for any hazardous materials used in the performance of this contract.

As used herein, the term “Hazardous Material” means any hazardous or toxic substance, material, or waste, including but not limited to, those substances, materials, and wastes listed in the Department of Transportation Hazardous Material Table (49 CFR 172.101) or by the Environmental Protection Agency as hazardous substances (40 CFR Part 68.130) and amendments thereto, petroleum products, or such other substances, material, and wastes that are or become regulated under any applicable local, state, or Federal law.