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SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE The US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District is seeking interested business sources for a construction project entitled: McNary Isophase, HV Bus & Switch Upgrade. The wor... SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE The US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District is seeking interested business sources for a construction project entitled: McNary Isophase, HV Bus & Switch Upgrade. The work is located at the McNary Dam, Umatilla, Oregon. This will be a firm fixed-price with Economic Price Adjustment construction contract. Construction magnitude is estimated between $25,000,000 and $50,000,000. 100% performance and payment bonds will be required. The expected period of performance will be 1345 days in duration. The government expects to award a contract around May of 2021, with an approximate on-site installation work window of 06 January 2022 through 12 September 2025. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this project is 238210 and the associated small business size standard is $16.5M. Scope of Work Each of the 14 generating units at McNary powerhouse are currently rated 74MVA. The generators send power at 13.8kV (medium-voltage) to the generator step-up (GSU) transformer banks through isolated-phase bus, or isophase bus, from the main unit circuit breakers inside the powerhouse. The indoor three-phase runs of isophase bus from the generators to EL. 346.0 is rated 4,000A. In the EL. 333.0 gallery, the three-phase configuration changes to single-phase configurations in what is called the delta bus. The single-phase runs of 2,500A isophase bus runs up through the transformer deck using transition bushings, and becomes outdoor 2,500A isophase bus to each single-phase transformer in the GSU transformer bank. The GSU transformers send 115kV and 230kV power (high voltage) through 2” tubular aluminum bus to steel latticework takeoff towers. From the towers, power is delivered through aerial conductors (Lines 1 through 6) to the BPA switchyard further up the shore of the river. The work consists of the following major elements: Isolated Phase (Isophase) Bus: The isophase bus has become weathered and deteriorated over its sixty year lifespan, which leads to the possibility of rainwater leaking into the isolated-phase bus housings and circulating ground currents in the housings, both inside and outside the powerhouse. The non-continuously-grounded enclosures also contribute to circulating ground currents in the powerhouse. The indoor 3-phase isophase bus is rated 4,000A but will be required to carry a maximum 4,404A. The delta bus (indoor bus) and single-phase risers (indoor and outdoor bus) to the GSU transformers are rated 2,500A but will be required to carry a maximum 2,543A. The necessary standard current ratings according to IEEE C37.23 would be 5,000A and 3,000A respectively. Existing conductors are copper and has been verified that standard 5,000A and 3,000A copper isophase bus suitable for the main unit uprates can pass through the existing openings at the generator barrel and in the floor at each level, including the transformer deck. This would avoid extensive structural design and modifications to the powerhouse structure, which would likely be required in order to use aluminum isophase bus with these current ratings. The aluminum conductors would have to be roughly 40% larger in physical size, forcing the need for a much larger enclosure that would likely not allow passage through existing openings without modification. High Voltage Tubular Bus: The tubular bus has developed some cracks in places due to water ingress and subsequent freezing, limited to the 230kV Lines 1 through 4. Cracks may have happen at other locations but none are known yet. The steel latticework structures supporting the tubular bus have lost some structural members and fasteners. Conventional high voltage tubular bus design allows for drains in long lengths of bus to prevent the accumulation of water and subsequent risk of freezing water damaging the tube wall. However, as-built details of the existing high voltage tubular bus at McNary do not show such provisions. Unlike the isophase bus on the 13.8kV side of the GSU transformers, the existing 2” tubular bus is well capable of the highest anticipated uprate, being able to carry 1,100A at a 30ºC rise. High Voltage Disconnect Switches: The seven existing high voltage disconnect switches (six of which have grounding switches) at the McNary Powerhouse are vertical-break type. They are roughly 60 years old and are beyond their expected life span. The transformer magnetizing currents and transmission line capacitance currents that the switches must break even under no load are higher than what the disconnect switch arcing horns can handle, which has contributed to switch contact degradation over the years. Such arcing results in high frequency and high magnitude surges applied to the transformer windings. High Voltage Surge Arrestors: At McNary there are two high voltage classes of surge arresters 115kV class and 230kV class. The existing high voltage surge arresters will be replaced with new modern MOV type arresters and installed at existing locations. The new surge arresters will have adequate ratings to handle the increased power generation and improve system reliability. GSU Transformers Synchronizing Potential Transformers (PT): Each GSU transformer bank is powered by a pair of main units: Units 1 and 2 for transformer bank 1, Units 3 and 4 for transformer bank 2, etc. Each single-phase transformer making up a transformer bank has two 13.2kV windings, each being powered by one of the main units of the pair. At present, only the odd-numbered main units have synchronizing PT's because the voltage at either 13.2kV transformer winding is backfed through the delta bus and is available to the synchronizing PT's for closing either of the paired main unit breakers. There are no operational issues with using a single set of PTs for synchronizing both units. However, removing one unit from service requires the synchronizing PTs to stay in service (racked in) for the adjacent unit. The unit out of service will still have an active synchronizing system. Additionally, there is no delta bus voltage protection under this configuration of a single set of PTs. A new set of rack-out type synchronizing PT cubicles with potential transformers (PTs) for the seven even-numbered main units will be provided to improve synchronizing and protection systems. The existing voltage regulating and metering/sync PTs are in good shape and are not intended to be replaced in this scope of work. Disconnecting links will be provided in the delta bus risers to the 13.2kV transformers to allow either the even numbered unit or the odd-numbered unit of the pair to safely power the transformer with the sister unit completely isolated. Objectives Replace seven (7) high-voltage manual disconnect switches with motor-operated disconnects switches with integral high voltage surge resistors. Replace high voltage manual grounding switches on six (6) of the disconnect switches, and install one (1) additional ground switch. Total of seven (7) to be installed. Provide remote control and indication utilizing switches and status indication installed by others for the MOD switches in the Control Room SC-boards and Main Unit S-boards. Replace the high-voltage surge arresters. Replace high-voltage tubular bus that has shown signs of cracking. Replace the medium-voltage isophase bus between the main unit generator barrels and generator step-up (GSU) transformers. Replace the In-Line Metering and Exciter Current Transformers. Provide one set of new 3 phase PT rack-out type cubicles for the seven even-numbered main units. Connect new PT signals to existing metering, excitation, protection and control systems, specifically the synchronizing systems. These include the S/SC-board metering (synchronizing panel), generator auto-synchronizer (SEL-700G), and GSU transformer protection (SEL-7873E). This sources-sought announcement is a tool to identify businesses with the capability to accomplish the work. This is not a solicitation. Please provide the following: A list of at least three (3) projects for each, (a) and (b), performed within the last ten (10) years demonstrating experience with the installation and commissioning of: a. 15kV or higher isolated-phase bus relevant with the scope and complexity required in the scope of work and b. 115kV or higher disconnect switches relevant with the scope and complexity required in the scope of work. i. For each project submitted, provide a brief narrative statement of the work involved, how it relates to the described herein and your firm’s role in the project, the dollar value, and the completion date. ii. Include a statement detailing any special qualifications and certifications applicable to the scope of this project, held by your firm and/or in-house personnel. 2. A reference list for each of the projects submitted in 1) above. Include the name, title, phone number, and email address for each reference. 3. A statement of your firms ability to self-perform and/or sub-contract, indicating that you will be the construction firm performing at least 25% of the work with your own forces. 4. Provide a statement of your firm’s business size status (HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, 8(a), small disadvantaged, or woman-owned) with regards to the NAICS code listed above. 5. Provide a statement that your firm intends to submit an offer on the project when it is advertised. 6. Provide a statement of your firm’s bonding capacity. A statement from your surety is NOT required. 7. Cage Code and DUNS number. This sources sought synopsis is for market research and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to pay for information submitted in response to this request. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the market analysis and debriefings will not be available. It is the reader's responsibility to monitor the Government Point of Entry (GPE) via beta.sam.gov for any resultant or future solicitation package(s) that may be issued. Submit this information to Cynthia Jacobsen, Contract Specialist, via email to cynthia.h.jacobsen@usace.army.mil and LeAnne Walling, via email to Leanne.r.walling@usace.army.mil. Your response to this notice must be received on or before 2:00 PM PST on February 28, 2020. All on-site work shall be performed in accordance with the Corps of Engineers Safety and Health Requirements Manual (EM 385-1-1). Establish and manage an effective on-site Safety and Health program in accordance with EM 385-1-1 that will require the development and submission of a comprehensive project specific Accident Prevention Plan for Government acceptance. In addition, develop and submit for Government acceptance Activity Hazard Analyses for each phase of work and a project specific Fall Protection Plan that comply with EM 385-1-1. A Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) employed by the prime contractor is required for each shift of the contractor's on-site operations. The SSHO shall possess a minimum of 5-years’ experience in construction safety on similar projects, shall have completed the 30-Hour OSHA Construction Safety training within the last 5 years, and shall have completed at least 24 hours of safety training from accredited safety training sources each year for the past 5 years. Establish and manage an effective Contractor Quality Control (CQC) System that will require the development and submission of a comprehensive project specific CQC Plan for Government acceptance. A CQC System Manager employed by the prime contractor is required to be on-site for each shift of the Contractor's operations. The CQC System Manager must possess a minimum of 5 years relevant experience in a supervisory or management position such as Quality Control Manager, Quality Assurance Manager, or Construction Manager directly involved in the management of construction quality at the project site. In addition, the CQC System Manager shall have completed the course entitled “Construction Quality Management for Contractors” within the last 5 years. Use the Government-furnished Resident Management System (RMS) – Contractor Mode to record, maintain, and submit various information throughout the contract period. RMS is a Windows-based program capable of operating on a stand-alone personal computer or on a network. The Government will make the QCS software available to the Contractor at time of notice to proceed. The project involves the development and management of Contractor furnished submittals for items such as pre-construction plans, contractor-prepared shop drawings, product data, test reports, and contract close-out documentation as required by the technical specifications of the contract. Miscellaneous work within the project includes the delivery of As-Built Drawings, O&M Manuals, and spare parts to the customer.