USAGM RFP 951700-21-R-0007 Antenna Maintenance and Repair Services (1).pdf

Antenna Maintenance and Repair Services – USAGM Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station

Date: January 26, 2021

To: Prospective Offerors

Subject: Request for Proposal number 951700-21-R-0007

Enclosed is a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Antenna Maintenance and Repair Services – Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station, Grimesland, NC. If you would like to submit a proposal, follow the instructions in Section L of the solicitation, complete the required portions of the attached document, and submit your proposal via email to Contract

Specialist, Rodney Nelson: rnelson@usagm.gov with a copy to Contracting

Officer, Tisa Harvin: tharvin@usagm.gov.

The U.S. Government intends to award a firm-fixed-price (FFP) commercial IDIQ contract to the responsible offeror submitting a proposal which has been determined to be the best value to the Government. USAGM intends to award a contract based on initial proposals without holding discussions, although USAGM reserves the right to conduct discussions with the offeror or offerors.

The award date and the base period of performance start date for this requirement may be subject to change due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions that may be in effect on those dates.

Proposals are due by Wednesday, February 17, 2021, 12:00 Noon U.S.

Eastern Standard Time.

Sincerely, Tisa Harvin, Contracting Officer

Office of Management Services/Contracts

U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM)

330 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20237 tharvin@usagm.gov

Office Phone: (202) 382-7835 mailto:rnelson@usagm.gov mailto:tharvin@usagm.gov

Document Number: 951700-21-R-0007 Page 1 of 122

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24 & 30

1. REQUISITION NUMBER

1089-21-IQ-00007

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

951700-21-R-0007

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE 4. ORDER NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE

DATE

01/26/2021

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

a. NAME See Text

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (No collect calls) 8. OFFER DUE DATE / LOCAL

TIME

02/17/2021 12:00:00

CODE 951700

United States Agency for Global Media Office Of Contracts 330 Independence Avenue SW Cohen Building, Room 4360 Washington, DC 20237

9. ISSUED BY X UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: % FOR

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (WOSB)

ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

10. THE ACQUISITION IS

SEE

SCHEDULE

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINATION

UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED 0 Days: 0.00 %

0 Days: 0.00 % 0 Days: 0.00 % 0 Days: 0.00 %

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS

RATED ORDER UNDER DPAS

(15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

RFQ IFB X RFP

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

GRS-SITE-BCODE15. DELIVER TO

United States Agency for Global Media Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station 3919 VOA Site B Road Grimesland, NC 27837

CODE 95170016. ADMINISTERED BY

United States Agency for Global Media Office Of Contracts 330 Independence Avenue SW Cohen Building, Room 4360 Washington, DC 20237

FACILITY

CODE

CODE

Telephone No.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

OFFEROR

951700CODE18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY United States Agency for Global Media Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station 3919 VOA Site B Road Grimesland, NC 27837

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN

OFFER SEE ADDENDUM

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS

CHECKED

19. ITEM NO. 20. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

21. QUANTITY 22. UNIT 23. UNIT PRICE 24. AMOUNT

See Lines

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

2021-0206-OCB-1089-3010-2553-13C000-2021

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

X 27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA X ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN ____ COPIES TO

ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH

OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE

TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. _____________________________ OFFER

DATED _________________ . YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5)

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH HEREIN,

IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF THE CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) Tisa Kalena Harvin

31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 02/2012)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

Document Number: 951700-21-R-0007 Page 2 of 122

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: _________________________________

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE 32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

PARTIAL FINAL

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER 35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

COMPLETE PARTIAL FINAL

36. PAYMENT 37. CHECK NUMBER

38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER 39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER 40. PAID BY

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT 42a. RECEIVED BY (Print) 41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER 41c. DATE

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 02/2012) BACK

Document Number: 951700-21-R-0007 Page 3 of 122

Table of Contents

Section Description Page Number

B Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs I Contract Clauses

1952.232-91 Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements - Invoice Payment Platform (IPP) (April 2016)

Document Number: 951700-21-R-0007 Page 4 of 122

Section B - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs

Number Supplies or Services Quantity Unit Unit Price Total ( Inc. disc., tax, and fees)

1 Services 0.000000 YR

Period of Performance: 03/01/2021 - 02/28/2022

Description:

Antenna Maintenance and Repair Services IDIQ, Base Ordering Period Performance Period: 03/01/2021 through 02/28/2022. Services to be performed in accordance with attached SOW.

Reference Line: 1089-21-IQ-00007 - 1

Pricing Options: Base 1

2 Services 0.000000 YR

Period of Performance: 03/01/2022 - 02/28/2023

Description:

Antenna Maintenance and Repair Services IDIQ, Ordering Period Option 1 Performance Period: 03/01/2022 through 02/28/2023.

Services to be performed in accordance with attached SOW.

Reference Line: 1089-21-IQ-00007 - 2

Pricing Options: Option 1

3 Services 0.000000 YR

Period of Performance: 03/01/2023 - 02/29/2024

Description:

Antenna Maintenance and Repair Services IDIQ, Ordering Period Option 2 Performance Period: 03/01/2023 through 02/29/2024.

Services to be performed in accordance with attached SOW.

Reference Line: 1089-21-IQ-00007 - 3

Pricing Options: Option 2

4 Services 0.000000 YR

Period of Performance: 03/01/2024 - 02/28/2025

Description:

Antenna Maintenance and Repair Services IDIQ, Ordering Period Option 3 Performance Period: 03/01/2024 through 02/28/2025.

Services to be performed in accordance with attached SOW.

Reference Line: 1089-21-IQ-00007 - 4

Pricing Options: Option 3

5 Services 0.000000 YR

Period of Performance: 03/01/2025 - 02/28/2026

Description:

Antenna Maintenance and Repair Services IDIQ, Ordering Period Option 4 Performance Period: 03/01/2025 through 02/28/2026.

Services to be performed in accordance with attached SOW.

Reference Line: 1089-21-IQ-00007 - 5

Pricing Options: Option 4

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Document Number: 951700-21-R-0007 Page 5 of 122

ITEM START END

1 03/01/2021 02/28/2022

2 03/01/2022 02/28/2023

3 03/01/2023 02/29/2024

4 03/01/2024 02/28/2025

5 03/01/2025 02/28/2026

Section I - Contract Clauses

1952.232-91 Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements - Invoice Payment Platform (IPP) (April 2016)

Payment requests for all new awards must be submitted electronically through the U. S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Payment Program (IPP).

"Payment request" means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment by the Contractor. To constitute a proper invoice, the payment request must comply with the requirements identified in FAR 32.905(b), "Payment documentation and process" and the applicable Prompt Payment clause included in this contract. The IPP website address is:https://www.ipp.gov.

Under this contract, the following documents are required to be submitted as an attachment to the IPP invoice (CO to edit and include the documentation required under this contract):

Invoice to be submitted in Word or PDF

The Contractor must follow the instructions on the attached Electronic Invoicing Advisory to enroll, access and use IPP for submitting requests for payment.

If the Contractor is unable to comply with the requirement to use IPP for submitting invoices for payment, the Contractor must submit a waiver request in writing to the contracting officer.

(End of Clause)

USAGM Request For Proposals 951700-21-R-0007

Antenna Maintenance and Repair Services

Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station and Radio Marti (Marathon) Transmitting Facility

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1 OVERVIEW

This contract is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract consisting of the following components: (I) Inspections and Reports on Curtain and Rhombic antenna systems located at the Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station, Grimesland, NC; (2) Inspections and

Reports on medium wave 4 tower array at the Radio Marti (Marathon) Transmitting Facility, Marathon, Fla.; (3) Repair Maintenance to include: (a) Corrective repairs to restore antenna integrity; (B) Emergency Services to repair antenna deficiencies to restore operations.

B.2 CONTRACT TERM

The contract term is for a period of performance beginning March 01, 2021 through February 28, 2026 to include five (5) Ordering Periods of one year each. Task/Delivery Orders (TO/DOs) may be issued at any time during the five year ordering period. The performance period will be specified in each TO/DO and may extend beyond the IDIQ period of performance expiration in order to complete the TO/DO.

B.3 CONTRACT TYPE

This is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract and TO/DO awards issued against this contract will be placed using the procedures described in Section G, Contract Administration Data.

The labor categories described in Section B.6, Pricing Table will be required to perform the services described in Section C, Statement of Work (SOW).

The types of Task Orders (TO) / Delivery Orders (DO) issued against this contract will be awarded on a

Firm Fixed Price (FFP) basis in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 16.5, Indefinite-

Delivery Contracts, and also as set forth in Section G, Contract Administration Data, and Section I, Contract Clauses. The performance periods will be specified in the TO/DOs and may include an extension beyond the IDIQ period of performance expiration date by six (6) months.

B.4 SUMMARY OF SERVICES

The contractor shall provide qualified manpower having specialized knowledge, skills, and aptitudes to perform maintenance routines on high powered shortwave and medium wave antenna systems to include: (I) repair and/or replacement of radiating elements, insulators, and associated hardware; (2) replace tower lighting components, i.e., power supplies, LED fixtures; (3) address corrosion issues associated with towers, guy anchors, brackets, and other associated appurtenances. (4) operate standard utility equipment such as winches, man lift devices, and tensioners; and, (5) comply with all Federal, State, and local safety regulations to ensure maximum protection of personnel and equipment.

The Contractor shall manage and supervise all aspects of labor necessary to satisfy the requirements set forth in this contract.

Descriptions of required services are contained in Section C and associated attachments. All work shall be performed in accordance with the terms and conditions of this contract and safety rules set forth by the station Chief Engineer and Safety Officer. Safety of personnel and quality workmanship are an

Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station and Radio Marti (Marathon) Transmitting Facility integral part of this contract.

B.4.1 Non-Emergency Services (Prices as shown in Section B.6 below)

The primary component of this contract is for the contractor's provision of standard maintenance services as defined Section C. The scope includes all work, including furnishing all labor, equipment, tools, and services - unless otherwise specified. The price shall include all labor and overhead.

B.4.2 Emergency Services (Prices as shown in Section B.6 below)

Emergency services are generally corrective repairs by the Contractor to restore station program operations predicated on a failed antenna system. Scope of work for Emergency repair services are similar to those defined in Non- Emergency activities with the exception that both response and mobilization time are critical in these type of actions.

B.5 CONTRACT PRICING

All TO/DOs issued will be subject to the pricing set forth in B.6.2, IDIQ Pricing Table.

The labor rates set forth in the IDIQ Pricing Table reflect fully-burdened hourly rates for each labor category and will apply to all direct labor hours. The fully-burdened labor rates include all direct labor and indirect costs applicable to that direct labor (such as fringe benefits, overhead, G&A), and profit. These fixed hourly labor rates are ceiling rates and will apply to both the prime contractor and its subcontractors.

In any case, proposed rates for TOs/DOs shall not exceed the ceiling rates established in the contract. Any labor categories and rates proposed for a TO/DO that are not established in the

IDIQ contract shall be incorporated within the master IDIQ contact upon approval by the

USAGM Contracting Officer, prior to a TO/DO award.

B.5.1 Labor Categories and Rates

The Contractor shall propose a set of fixed hourly rates for each labor category, fully burdened as stated in section B.5. The rates shall be fixed for the duration of the ordering period with a reasonable escalation rate for each year of the ordering period. All hourly rates must be separately priced and fully burdened. Any proposed rates that are not fully priced out, will not be included in any resulting award.

In order to aid the Government in its evaluation of the proposed rates, the Contractor shall provide supporting documentation to demonstrate how the rates were developed for each labor category.

In consideration of satisfactory performance of all Non-Emergency and Emergency services required under this contract, the contractor shall be paid for performance of all work completed in accordance with guidelines and specifications cited within Section C.

B.5.2 Supplies or Service and Price/Costs

IDIQ PRICING TABLE

Labor Category Ordering

Period 1

Ordering Period 2

Ordering Period 3

Ordering Period 4

Ordering Period 5

Civil Engineer/ Professional Engineer

Project Manager

Tower/Antenna System

Foreman; or

Tower/Antenna Master

Rigger

Lead Tower Mechanic/Lead Rigger

Ground Support Equipment Mechanic

1) For each Task Order issued under this Contract, Contractor may add additional labor categories specific to the requirement of Section C – SOW; however, Contractor’s rates for any additional labor categories added shall not exceed the rates listed above.

B.5.3 Emergency Repairs

Emergency repairs to be performed at the USAGM Transmitting Stations are within the scope of this contract. Antennas and towers can be badly damaged or destroyed by severe weather conditions and natural disasters such as hurricanes. Contractor may be required to perform emergency repairs on short notice. The emergency repairs can range from partial repairs to total repairs or total replacements for damaged antennas and towers, including supply and delivery of materials and/or demolitions of existing damaged antennas and towers and/or installations of new antennas and towers. Emergency repairs may be required during normal operating hours at the USAGM Transmitting Stations or outside of normal operating hours.

B.5.4 Overtime Rates

Normal operating hours are from 07:00am to 5:00pm. Overtime rates will apply for services required outside of normal working hours, weekends and federal holidays. Contractor shall insert its overtime rates in the IDIQ Overtime Rate Table below.

B.5.5 IDIQ Overtime Rate Table

IDIQ Overtime Rate Table

Labor Category Ordering

Period 1

Ordering

Period 2

Ordering

Period 3

Ordering

Period 4

Ordering

Period 5

Civil Engineer

Project Manager

Tower/Antenna System Foreman;

or Tower/Antenna Master Rigger

Lead Tower Mechanic/Lead Rigger

Ground Support Equipment

Mechanic

B.5.6 Service Contract Act and Department of Labor Wage Determinations

This IDIQ Contract will be subject to the Service Contract Act (SCA) and Department of labor

Wage Determinations (WDs) (Federal Acquisition Regulations 22.1006, 22.1007 and

22.1008). The SCA applies to every contract entered into by the United States or the District of

Columbia, the principal purpose of which is to furnish services in the United States through the use of service employees. Contractors and subcontractors performing on such Federal contracts must observe minimum wage and safety and health standards, and must maintain certain records, unless a specific exemption applies.

Every service employee performing any of the Government contract work under a service contract in excess of $2,500 must be paid not less than the monetary wages, and must be furnished fringe benefits, which the Secretary of Labor has determined to be prevailing in the locality for the classification in which the employee is working or the wage rates and fringe benefits (including any accrued or prospective wage rates and fringe benefits) contained in a predecessor contractor's collective bargaining agreement. The wage rates and fringe benefits required are specified in the SCA wage determination included in the contract. If no wage determination has been made applicable to the contract, employees performing work under the contract must be paid not less than the federal minimum wage provided in section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (reference https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/hrg.htm).

All provisions of the SCA except the safety and health requirements are administered by the

Wage and Hour Division.

B.5.7 Geographical Areas Covered Under SCA https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/hrg.htm

The SCA applies to all work performed within the United States. For purposes of the SCA, the term "United States" includes any State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin

Islands, Outer Continental Shelf lands as defined in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, American Samoa, Guam, Wake Island, Johnston Island, and the Commonwealth of the

Northern Mariana Islands. The SCA does not apply to work performed in any other territory under the jurisdiction of the United States or any United States base or possession within a foreign country. Also, the SCA does not apply to work performed on ships operating in international or foreign waters. If a portion of the contract services is performed within the

United States and a portion is performed outside the United States, the SCA applies to the portion performed in the United States.

The minimum wage rates and fringe benefits applicable to the first twelve months of the contract period are outlined in the applicable U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determinations

(WDs) for Pitt County, North Carolina and Monroe County, Florida. Wage determinations are available at: https://beta.sam.gov

B.6 OTHER DIRECT COSTS (ODC’s)

If authorized in the task or delivery order, travel will be reimbursed at actual direct costs in accordance with the limitations set forth in FAR 31.205-46, Travel Costs and all other limitations on the allowability of costs stated in FAR subpart 31.2. No profit is allowed for travel. Subject to the ceiling rates in the table, indirect costs may be applied to travel in accordance with the Contractor’s established accounting practices consistent with FAR 31.2, Contracts with Commercial Organizations. Travel will be awarded as a separate Not-to-Exceed CLIN on task or delivery orders.

B.7 TYPICAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN TASK/DELIVERY ORDERS

Repair/Replace Broken Rhombic Radiator elements

Replace Rhombic Side Tower Strain Insulators

Replace Rhombic Apex Strain Insulator

Replace Rhombic Feedline Stand-off

Insulator Replace Curtain Strain Insulator

Replace Curtain Stand-off Insulator

Repair/Replace Broken Curtain Reflector Screen Wires

Repair/Replace Broken Curtain Dipole Wires

Perform Plum and Twist Corrections on Towers

(End of Section B)

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

ANTENNA MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICES

C.1 INTRODUCTION

The Contractor shall provide for inspection and maintenance activities for forty shortwave antenna arrays located at the United States Agency for Global Media, Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station (ERM), 3919

VOA Site B Road, Grimesland, NC 27837 and one each four (4) tower medium wave antenna system located at the Radio Marti (Marathon) Transmitting Facility in Marathon, Florida. Antenna compliment at the ERM location includes 16 Curtain, 20 Rhombic, two Log Periodic, and two Dipole arrays. Services incorporate work at ground level and at levels up to 400 feet in height. The Contractor shall furnish supervisory, administrative and direct labor services having Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) necessary to accomplish the work specified under this contract.

C.2 TYPE OF SERVICES

This contract is an IDIQ requirements vehicle whereby the Station/s, at their sole discretion, shall select the appropriate service/s to be performed. Types of services shall include: (1) Antenna inspections and reporting requirements and (2) Maintenance and Repair requirements.

C.3 GENERAL CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

C.3.1 Management

The Contractor shall manage the total work effort associated with all services required herein to assure fully adequate and timely completion of services. Included in this function will be a full range of supervisory duties including but not limited to planning, scheduling, cost accounting, report preparation, establishing and maintaining records and inventories and quality control. The Contractor shall provide an adequate staff of personnel with the necessary expertise to assure the performance of the work in accordance with sound and efficient management practices.

C.3.2 Personnel

(1) All contract workers performing maintenance services shall be employees of the Contractor subject to the rights and privileges of local labor laws and customs. Subcontracting of repair services shall be permitted but is subject to prior review and approval by the COR and at no additional cost to the Government.

(2) The Contractor shall provide a qualified, skilled work team having experience, knowledge, skills and aptitudes (KSAs) to safely carry out routine preventative and corrective actions to antenna systems at ground level and at varying levels up to 400 feet above ground level. If any personnel performing work are deemed by the COR to lack the necessary KSAs for antenna maintenance services, for quality and/or safety reasons, that person will not be permitted to work.

(3) The Contractor shall remove and replace an employee working under this contract whose continued employment is deemed by the Contracting Officer to be contrary to the public interest and/or is inconsistent with the best interests of Station safety or security. Also, any employee under the influence of alcohol, drugs or general misconduct will be barred from the work site immediately.

C.3.3 Work Control

The Contractor shall implement all necessary work control procedures to ensure timely accomplishment of work requirements, as well as to permit tracking of work in progress. The Contractor shall plan and schedule work to assure material, labor and equipment are available to complete the work requirements as stated her within.

C.3.4 Scheduling

(a) The Contractor shall schedule and arrange work so as to cause the least inconvenience and interference with the normal routine operations of the stations. The Contractor shall never shut down utilities (water or electrical) without prior approval from the COR, except in the cases of emergencies where person or persons are in danger.

(b) All antenna maintenance work shall be scheduled and performed to minimize interruptions to the

Station program schedule. No maintenance shall take place or be conducted without the knowledge of the Station’s Transmitter Plant Supervisor and Facilities Manager who for safety purposes, issues the keys for lock out and tag out requirements.

(c) All Non-Emergency activities shall commence within two weeks of the Notice to Proceed on completed task order unless otherwise agreed upon by the COR.

C.3.5 Site Supervisor

The Contractor shall designate an on-site employee as “Lead” to: provide overall direction of the

Contractor’s workforce; be responsible for quality control; provide interim reports; and, serve as the

Contractor’s liaison with the Station COR. The designated Lead shall be on-site during all periods when rigging activities are being performed. The lead must have the ability to effectively define assignments; delegate authority and responsibility; review work of others; establish and maintain high standards for quality and quantity of work performed; motivate, train, develop and direct employees of varied backgrounds and skill levels.

C.3.6 Contractor and Government Relations

The Contractor’s key personnel shall meet, as necessary, with Government personnel designated by the

Contracting Officer to discuss immediate and/or potential problem areas. Should contractual interpretations occur, the potential resolution will be brought to the attention of the Contracting Officer and the Contractor.

C.3.7 Safety

The Contractor shall comply with all Federal and local safety guidelines. The COR and/or Station

Manager reserve the right to inspect for unsafe conditions. The contractor employees will not be permitted to climb if an unsafe condition is observed. This rule applies especially to the climbing belts, clothing, tools and ropes. When performing work on any antenna or feed line, the rigging team shall utilize a heavy gauged bare stranded copper wire to electrically short the feed line elements together.

For accessing the towers in Marathon, the base insulator shall be shorted to ground by a heavy duty copper strap.

In addition to Federal and State OSHA standards, Contractor employees shall comply with the following local Station safety rules and guidelines as follows:

(a) The employee shall not enter electrically interlocked areas until such areas are determined to be safe by the Station Shift supervisor on duty. Safety equipment such as hard hats, eye protection, gloves, safety shoes shall be provided by the contractor and will be worn/utilized as appropriate.

The Station Manager, the COR or the Station Safety Officer will not allow Contractor employees to work unless proper safety equipment is donned.

(b) No Contractor employee will clean, paint or repair or touch any antenna part, feed line or tower unless the Shift Supervisor or COR has determined that such work can be done without risk to the employee or equipment.

(c) At least one contract employee within the work zone shall be required to wear RF personnel protection monitors while performing any activity within the antenna fields. Should the contractors not possess adequate monitoring devices, the station will provide monitors for the duration of the work. Contractor shall assume responsibility/liability for the monitoring devices and replace all lost or damaged units. NOTE: This is not required at the Marathon site provided the transmitter has been turned off and tagged out. No access on or near the

Marathon towers is authorized unless the transmitter is off.

(d) All work shall be suspended should RF levels within the work zone exceed the Maximum

Permissible Levels (MPL). Lead shall inform the COR and shift supervisor immediately of excess RF levels in order for the remediation as necessary.

(e) The Contractor shall provide a qualified, skilled rigging team having experience, knowledge, skills and aptitudes to safely carry out routine preventative and corrective actions to antenna systems at ground level and varying levels up to 400 feet above ground level. The Contractor shall adhere to all OSHA and State regulations in determining the number of personnel required to perform specified tasks and routines.

(f) No tower climbing shall take place unless:

(1) Activities have been coordinated with the Station’s operational shift supervisor.

(2) Sufficient personnel are available and proper climbing gear is donned

(3) Antenna feed lines are shorted, or towers at Marathon shorted, and the rigging team supervisor has physical control of the lock out and tag out key.

(4) Conditions are safe for climbing

(5) When performing work on any antenna or feed line, the rigging team shall utilize a heavy gauged bare stranded copper wire to electrically short the feed line elements together.

C.4 DEFINITIONS

Contracting Officer (CO) - The CO has the overall responsibility for administration of the contract. The CO, without right of delegation, is the only authorized individual to take actions on behalf of the Government to amend, modify or deviate from the contract terms, conditions, requirements, specifications, details and/or delivery schedules. Unless otherwise delegated, only the designated CO has oversight of the contract as a whole.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) – Locally designated Government employee assigned responsibility for day-to-day technical oversight of the contract and routine liaison with the Contractor’s on-site representative.

Competent Person: A person who is capable of recognizing existing and predictable hazards and has the authority to take corrective action. Additionally, a person who is capable of identifying hazardous or dangerous conditions in the personal fall arrest system or any component thereof as well as in their application and use with related equipment.

Emergency Services: Services required outside normal business hours and/or required on a time critical basis in order to restore scheduled program operations. Emergency services shall be provided within 48 hours of a task order issued by the CO. Emergency services shall include corrective actions to repair/restore antenna operations due to structural failures and will, but not be limited to, such activities as: elimination of arcing at elevated levels; repair of broken support cables; replacement of broken support insulators, and broken solder connections.

Government Furnished Material: Supplies and materials that are acquired directly by the government and then made available to the contractor for use. May include specialized components, i.e., insulators, braces, support cabling, etc.

Task Assessment: A task assessment is a joint assessment between the Contractor, Station COR, Station

Facilities Manager and Contracting Officer whereby the Contractor, Station and Contracting Officer formulate task requirements for specific maintenance initiatives. Task assessments accommodate the initial basis for the development of specific repair strategies, additional equipment that may be required in a specific repair, and joint sharing of subject matter expertise related to the repair process.

Task/Delivery Order: A task, delivery, or call order for supplies and/or services placed against an established contract. The task order shall be the formal vehicle employed when ordering specific antenna inspection/maintenance requirements. A task order shall be required for all elements that directly involve contractor cost or cost adjustments.

Qualified Climber: a person who by virtue of physical capabilities, training, work experience and job assignment who is authorized by the employer to routinely climb fixed ladders and step bolts on structures such as towers and poles that do not have ladder protection devices such as cages and rest platforms.

Work Sites: 2,715 acre site at: Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station

3919 VOA Site B Road

Grimesland, NC 27837.

Radio Marti (Marathon) Transmitting Facility

US Government Road

Marathon, Fla. 33050

C.5 EXISTING ANTENNA SYSTEMS (ERM)

The station is comprised of 40 antenna systems, consisting of twenty (20) Rhombic, sixteen (16) Curtain, two

(2) Log Periodic, and two (2) Dipole antenna systems. This contract addresses the standard maintenance services for nine (9) Rhombic, fifteen (15) Curtain, and two (2) Dipole systems. Non-standard services may apply for up to forty (40) systems as operational requirements demand. Refer to attachments for general antenna specifications.

C.5.1 Rhombic Antennas

Figure 1

Rhombic Array

The rhombic antenna arrays consist of four guyed (4) towers, end and side towers, of heights up to 375 feet.

Each of the four towers has three triangulated guy points with up to five guy levels depending on tower heights.

The transmitting elements consist of three parallel radiators supported by each of the towers. Most of the rhombic arrays are equipped with ground termination/dissipation networks.

C.5.2 Curtain Antennas

Figure 2

Curtain Array

The standard curtain antenna array consists of four guyed (4) towers of heights up to 375 feet. The arrays. The radiating portion of the antenna is constructed in a 2 x 4 wire screen array consisting of two individual side-by-side banks of dipole antennas, 4 high. The radiating antenna assembly is suspended between the two front towers. Only two of the current antennas are equipped with ladders and safety climbs.

The antennas are also equipped with a reflector screens constructed in a mesh lattice pattern and suspended on the two rear towers. The antenna structures are equipped with a maintenance catenary line and pulley system.

Figure 3

B31/B32 TCI Curtain Array

The station also employs a TCI tandem array consisting of two antenna arrays, B31 and B32, supported on three towers with heights up to 411 feet. The TCI curtain is equipped with climbing ladders and fall protection rails.

The B31/32 shall be considered as one curtain for the purposes of this SOW.

C.5.3 Log Periodic Antennas

Figure 4

Log Periodic Array

The log periodic antennas are multiple tower and line pole arrays constructed in a triangulated, incremental height arrangement with radiating elements distributed between the triangle faces.

C.5.4 Dipole Antennas

Figure 5

Dipole Array

The dipole antennas are simple four pole (wooden) tower constructed antennas. Maintenance and inspection of the antennas is generally performed from man lift or boom/bucket equipment. Poles are equipped with step bolts for climbing and lowering antenna arrays.

C.6 EXISTING ANTENNA SYSTEMS (MARATHON)

The Marathon station employs a four tower guyed tower array consisting of four towers in line and each approximately 240 feet in height. These are uniform cross section guyed towers that are insulated from ground by a ceramic base insulator and form the antenna system of an AM radio station.

Figure 6

Marathon Array

C.7 ANTENNA INSPECTION AND REPORTS

C.7.1 General

Services include the routine inspection and reporting on forty ERM antenna systems and a four tower array at the Marathon station. All ERM antenna systems with the exception of the B31/32 curtain array

(3 towers only) employ four towers per antenna structure. Refer to Attachments for site layout locations and specifications for each of the ERM antenna systems. Due to the nature of the B31/B32 construction, B31 and B32 antennas shall be considered a single curtain antenna for the purposes of inspection.

C.7.2 Inspection Routines

(a) Contractor shall arrange and use experience and qualified antenna tower inspectors and surveyors to conduct inspections for each scheduled antenna tower structure. All field activities and tower climbing activities must be fully in compliance with OSHA, North Carolina, Florida, and IBB requirements. Not all of the station antennas are equipped with climbing ladders or fall arrest systems. Free climbing is prohibited. Climbers shall comply with OSHA requirements of 100% tie-off when climbing the antenna towers.

(b) Inspection routines vary based on the construction type of the antenna array. Curtain antenna inspections shall require inspection of both the radiating and reflector screens in addition to towers and guys. The B31/32 curtain and all rhombic and dipole inspections shall be limited to towers, tower connection points, and foundation elements (see (d)(2) below).

(c) All inspections conducted at the Marathon facility shall include measurements of antenna Twist and Out-of-Plumb. (T&OP), guy wire tension measurements, and guy wire corrosion inspections.

Whereby T&OP or guy tensioning is determined to be out of specification or a severe guy wire corrosion issue exists, Contractor shall notify the COR immediately for subsequent repair task order development and any correction activities.

Contractor shall use a transit to determine twist and out-of -plumb for each antenna tower structure in accordance with EIA-222-F. Excerpts from TIA/EIA-222-F for calculating twist and out-of-plumb are provided in Attachment 3.

(d) Antenna Inspections include but not limited to:

(1) Standard Single Curtain Antennas (Excluding B-31/B-32)

i. Line Safety Deficiencies

• Assess conditions of climbing ladders and fall protection devices

• Assess condition of service catenaries, where applicable, including end terminations of turnbuckles, shackles, pins, and cotter pins.

• Perform safety testing of service catenary systems. Catenary load test requirements shall be conducted with loads equal to a minimum of three times the weight of equipment and personnel working load, not to exceed specified catenary workload, for a period of not less than 2 hours.

• Assess conditions of tower lighting as applicable to including conduit and junction boxes.

ii. Structural Components

• Climb each tower, inspect for signs of corrosion and or damage.

• Inspect condition of guy connection hardware, bridge sockets, and wire conditions at sockets on the towers and ground anchor points.

• Identify locations of rust.

• Identify broken grounding wires, vibration dampers, etc.

• Identify broken or damaged foundations.

• Identify broken insulators in feed line or ground works.

• Identify broken or damaged feed line and ground works supports.

• Inspect reflector screen support cables and locations where screen attaches to support cable.

• Inspect attachment points for all support cables.

• Identify cables having broken strands.

• Identify broken antenna elements, broken or cracked insulators, missing nuts and bolts, broken or cracked solder joints, and broken or damaged miscellaneous support hardware.

(2) Curtain Antenna B-31/B-32

• Assess conditions of climbing ladders and fall protection devices

• Assess condition of service catenaries to include end terminations of turnbuckles, shackles, pins, and cotter pins.

• Perform safety testing of service catenary systems. Catenary load test requirements shall be conducted with loads equal to a minimum of three times the weight of equipment and personnel working load, not to exceed specified catenary workload, for a period of not less than 2 hours.

conditions at sockets on the towers and ground anchor points.

• Identify locations of rust.

• Identify broken grounding wires, vibration dampers, etc.

• Identify broken or damaged foundations.

• Identify broken insulators in feed line or ground works.

• Identify broken or damaged feed line and ground works supports.

• Inspect reflector screen support cables and locations where screen attaches to support cable.

• Inspect attachment points for all support cables.

• Identify cables having broken strands.

• Identify broken antenna elements, broken or cracked insulators, missing nuts and bolts, broken or cracked solder joints, and broken or damaged miscellaneous support hardware.

(3) Rhombics, Log Periodics, and Dipoles

• Where applicable, assess conditions of climbing ladders and fall protection devices.

• Assess condition of service catenaries including end terminations of turnbuckles, shackles, pins, and cotter pins.

conditions at sockets on the towers and ground anchor points.

• Identify locations of rust.

• Identify broken grounding wires, vibration dampers, etc.

• Identify broken or damaged foundations.

• Inspect attachment points for all support cables.

• Identify cables having broken strands.

(4) Marathon Tower Array (4 Towers)

• Where applicable, assess conditions of climbing ladders and fall protection conditions at sockets on the towers and ground anchor points.

• Identify locations of rust.

• Identify broken grounding wires, vibration dampers, etc.

• Identify broken or damaged foundations.

• Inspect attachment points for all support cables.

• Identify cables having broken strands.

• Perform Twist and Out of Plumb measurements.

• Guy Wire Tension and Corrosion

Figure 7 Figure 8

Typical Marathon Double Anchor Typical Marathon Single Anchor

C.7.3 Reports

(a) Field Reports

(1) Field Reports shall be prepared and modified during the course of the scheduled activities to define anomalies discovered within the inspection routines.

(2) These field reports shall/may serve as scope of work statements for the initiation of real time maintenance task order actions should station elect to initiate repair activities in conjunction with the scheduled inspection services.

(3) Field reports may consist of simple log entries with a description of the anomaly, parts required for the repair, and level of effort required for the repair.

(4) Field reports may be discussed with the COR at any time during the inspection process, however, Contractor and COR will meet upon completion of the antenna inspection prior to the removal of the rigging apparatus to discuss necessary repairs. A task order shall be prepared within 24 hours to address any necessary repair activities.

(b) Final Inspection Reports

Contractor shall prepare and submit two (2) copies of a formal report for each of the antennas inspected. At a minimum, the report shall address each antenna tower with descriptions of field activities, names of inspectors, field observations and/or findings, color photos, assessment and analysis of findings, recommendations of repairs, and costs estimates associated with each repair.

(1) Report Format (See Attachment 5 for Example)

i. A separate report shall be provided for each antenna structure. Reports shall be prepared in standard 8.5 x 11 format and bound in a clear front report cover.

Exposed front page shall reflect Contractor name, address, and phone number, the antenna designation, report date, and names of personnel involved in the inspection and report preparation.

ii. Reports shall provide at a minimum, the following sections:

Introduction: Provide general information regarding the description of the structure, date of inspection, time spent on the inspection, conditions, personnel, procedures employed in the inspection, and other pertinent data, i.e., fall arrest systems employed, etc.

Summary: Contractor shall provide an overall summary of observations to address general condition of the structures, critical anomalies or defects, Photographic Log: Contractor shall provide color photographs of all anomalies detected in the inspection. An index to all photographs shall be provided at the front of this section to indicate location and sections depicted in the photographs.

Photographs shall be presented on thumbnail proof sheets in a landscape aspect containing a maximum of nine (9) photos per page.

Measurements: Contractor shall provide all empirical measurements and values taken during the inspection routine. Data shall include the design specification values and the actual value during the inspection. Measured values outside of design tolerances shall be specifically denoted on the measurement sheets. Design specifications shall be drawn from station drawings where available.

Observations and Recommendations: Contractor shall prepare a summary of noted observations on each tower of the antenna and radiating elements. Contractor shall establish a priority for each recommendation based on the urgency factors:

NONE, Marginal, Caution, or Critical. Urgency factors will be cited for each observation/recommendation. Recommendations shall be sorted by urgency factors and Contractor shall provide cost estimates for the remediation of each anomaly.

iii. Reports shall be prepared in the Microsoft Word and Excel (or equivalent) word processing and spreadsheet programs.

iv. Contractor may substitute established corporate inspection reports in lieu of the format as prescribed above provided that all information

(2) Delivery

i. Final reports shall be delivered within 45 days following the completion of each inspection activity.

ii. Contractor and COR shall jointly review the report to discuss various anomalies discovered during the inspection routines and clarify all Contractor cited recommendations.

C.7.4 Execution of Inspection Services

(a) Prior to the execution of any inspection service routine, the Contractor and COR will coordinate the activity with the operations supervisor to ensure that all lock out and tag out procedures are fully implemented and that the activity will not impact the broadcasting mission requirements.

(b) Contractor and COR will jointly perform a ground inspection of the array elements to initially define any obvious anomalies that could/should be addressed during the normal scheduled routine.

(c) Contractor shall fully brief all climbers of the scope of work and provide general safety briefings and equipment inspections.

(d) Contractor shall complete all tower inspections to include visual inspection of the catenary cables prior to commencing inspection activities on the array segments.

(e) Contractor shall perform load testing for all catenary devices.

C.8 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICES

C.8.1 Overview

Maintenance and repair services include maintenance and repair services predicated on either formal inspection reports or local inspections performed at the facility and Emergency Repair Callouts to address requirements that are considered to be critical to station's mission. The scope of the repair for either Non-Emergency or

Emergency service is delineated only by the critical time requirements and mission impact associated with each repair requirement.

NOTE: Repairs or modifications that might change ANY characteristics of the Marathon towers above the base insulators, MUST be approved by the Government in advance. Such changes would include but not be limited to, changing light fixtures, changing guying configuration or number of insulators, or adding anything, such as lightning rods or dissipaters, etc.

Figure 9

Marathon Medium Wave Antenna Base

C.8.2 Non-Emergency Maintenance and Repair Services

(a) Typically non-emergency repair services will be formally addressed in conjunction with inspection service routines whereby contractor equipment and antenna rigging will be in place.

Services may be called for to address issues noted by the contractor on delivered inspection reports or to correct deficiencies on a noncritical time basis.

(b) Contractor, COR and Contracting Officer will coordinate the selected repair activities to result in a 'firm fixed price' Task Order. Task Orders must be signed by both the Contractor and

Contracting Officer (see Section C.9) before any work shall take place.

(c) Contingent on funding availability, established urgency and impact of the repairs, and/or other factors, the Contracting Officer (only the Contracting Officer can issue a Notice of Proceed) may initiate a written Notice to Proceed to the contractor to commence repair activities pending award of a Task Order. A formal Task Order, shall be initiated within three work days by the

Contracting Officer.

(d) It is recognized that the implementation of repair services is dependent upon numerous factors, i.e., availability of repair parts, contractor resource availability, scheduling with Standard services, etc. The COR and Contractor shall coordinate mutually acceptable performance periods for each task assessment activity.

(e) Task Orders for Non-Emergency Maintenance and Repairs may include a funded Not to Exceed

(NTE) CLIN if deemed appropriate up to the amount of $2,500 per task order to cover necessary repair costs discovered during inspection but not anticipated at the time of award.

(f) Repair services may apply to any of ERM’s forty or Marathon’s four tower antenna systems.

(g) All maintenance and repair services shall be performed during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m-5:00 p.m.

C.8.3 Emergency Services

(a) Emergency services are those repair and maintenance requirements that may be required outside normal business hours and/or required on a time critical basis in order to restore scheduled program operations. Emergency services shall be provided within 48 hours (ERM) or 5 days

(Marathon) following the issuance of a Task Order or written Notice to Proceed by the

Contracting Officer. Emergency services shall include corrective actions to repair/restore antenna operations due to structural failures and will, but not be limited to, such activities as: elimination of arcing at elevated levels; repair of broken support cables; replacement of broken support insulators.

(b) Emergency Services shall take precedence over any Non-Emergency or Inspection services that may be in progress at the station.

(c) Task Orders for Emergency Services may include a funded Not to Exceed (NTE) CLIN if deemed appropriate up to the amount of $2,500 per task order to cover necessary repair costs discovered…