Retrofit - Electric

a. Acquisition, by noncompetitive contract, of services to repair (by replacement) the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) existing 1200 Amp switchboard. The Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) is the national research laboratory of the United States Forest Service, which is part of USDA.

b. Proposed vendor: Square D through Schneider Electric

3. DESCRIPTION OF WORK, INCLUDING ESTIMATED VALUE

a. History: The purpose of the project is to upgrade an existing fusible switch and retrofit with a fixed mounted circuit breaker to address safety concerns. The bolted pressure switch is the main disconnect for facilities at FPL. For safety and warranty issues the old component must be replaced by components of the same company, Square D. Square D will not work directly with the Government and has offered, through their local partner, Crescent Electric. Square D will provide the materials and some of the labor requirements of the contract, but they will only be provided through the Crescent Electric contract.

b. Reason for the proposed Action: The existing switch is outdated and a safety concern in the event that power needs to be disconnected at the FPL. The circuit breaker is brand name mandatory to maintain current configurations/controls. The circuit breakers must conform to the design, materials, size, and operations requirements as they pertain to the electrical switchboard panels at the FPL.

c. General description of requirement: Remove (3) existing 1200A Bolt-Loc 120/208VAC, single phase fusible switch and retrofill with (3) fixed mounted Masterpact NW circuit breaker. The circuit breakers will allow an immediate discontinuation of electrical flow. The reliability of the circuit breakers is critical to mission and personnel safety.

.