PWS_professionalDiveServices.docx

SCOPE OF WORK FOR PROFESSIONAL DIVING SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE USACE FIELD RESEARCH FACILITY, IN DUCK, NC

C-1 Scope of Work

The work to be performed under this contract consists of furnishing all labor, fuel, transportation, equipment, and supplies (not identified elsewhere as government furnished) necessary for the performance of contract diving services. The work to be performed under this contract will be in support of coastal research and scientific measurements conducted by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Field Research Facility (FRF) located in Duck, North Carolina, but may include diving services at off-site locations.

C-2 Performance Period

The period of performance shall be for a base period of twelve (12) months with four (4) twelve (12) month option periods, as follows:

C-3 Cost/Duration

Due to the weather dependencies, a minimum of three and up to a maximum of 20 dives are required per year. The costs associated with a one day dive would include the service of a 4 man dive team, boat rental, per diem ME&I based on current government rates, and the government rate for mileage reimbursement for a 500 mile round trip.

C-4 Area of Coverage

This contract covers diving services in the near-shore regions of the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent sounds, most often at the FRF, but also along the coast and inland waterways of the Mid Atlantic Seaboard.

C-5 Description of Diving Services

The diving will be in open water and will not require entry into confined spaces or enclosures. Most dive sites are accessible by boat but some dives may be accessed from the shore.

The Contractor shall determine the methods with full regard for safety and efficiency. The diving services to be performed for FRF projects include, but are not limited to the following:

Divers are expected to be observant and attentive to details to meet safety requirements and scientific mission objectives. Typically, divers will be fully briefed on-site by the dive contract monitor and/or a member of the FRF staff on how equipment is to be deployed, and the techniques for the correct installation and maintenance procedures.

To provide continuity, it is preferred that at least one member of the dive team be familiar with the project and equipment from prior dives or training.

Documentation of each dive action including logs and drawings are required to ensure precise and thorough communication between dive team, dive inspector, and scientific staff.

C-6 Diving Conditions

Water depths for dives may vary from three feet to one hundred feet. Divers should expect to encounter conditions that affect the ease or safety of operations. Some challenging conditions that may be encountered include reduced or zero visibility, cold water, wind, waves, and strong currents.

C-7 Diving Equipment

All normal diving equipment shall be provided by the Contractor, including some special equipment that may be required for a given dive. Normal equipment that shall be provided at no additional cost to the Government includes two-way communications, air compressors and ancillary equipment, bail-out bottles, harnesses, helmets, wet or dry suits, hoses, fuel, knives, hand tools, rope, etc. Both scuba and surface air may be used, with the preferred method being surface air.

C-8 Special Diving Equipment

This equipment can include: underwater video equipment, underwater cutting and welding equipment, water jet pumps, and support equipment. The FRF will be providing working platforms such as a LARC-V or the CRAB for the majority of dive projects. When necessary, the contractor will provide a vessel suitable to be launched off the beach and large enough to support a properly manned dive team.

C-9 Maintenance of Diving Equipment

All maintenance to be performed on diving equipment shall be performed during non-duty hours. All diving equipment shall be delivered to the work-site in a ready-to-operate condition.

C-10 Diving Operations Protocol

Diving companies providing services to the Corps are required to submit documents such as a Safe Practices Manual; dive operations plan, Activity Hazard Analysis, and Emergency Management Plan for each activity; in addition, they must provide certifications to the Agency Diving Coordinator to demonstrate the dive team’s state of viability.

Besides recordkeeping, a completion report shall be prepared following all inspection or survey dives, which includes a description of the condition of all items surveyed or inspected. Clear, readable sketches shall be prepared to supplement the text descriptions. The completed report shall be delivered to the designated employee and shall remain the property of the Government.

NOTE: All diving equipment, procedures, manning levels, and submittals shall comply with Section 30 of the Corps Health and Safety Requirements Manual EM 385-1-1 (Nov 03 or most current version). The current version is available at http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/safety/.

C-11 Other Expenses

Other expenses include per diem, travel, and costs not otherwise identified.