SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- Special Studies and Analysis Engineering Services
- Notice Date
- 7/11/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541380
— Testing Laboratories
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Acquisition and Assistance Field Branch (Pittsburgh), Post Office Box 18070 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15236-0070
- ZIP Code
- 15236-0070
- Solicitation Number
- MLM000HCC26-2005-23371
- Response Due
- 8/10/2005
- Archive Date
- 8/25/2005
- Description
- CDC, NIOSH, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory intend to issue a request for quotation (RFQ) to provide engineering services to assist in the development of a test protocol, execution of the test protocol at NIOSH's Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL), documentation of the test results, and submission of the test report and supporting documentation. Background and Need Many of the electrocution deaths in the construction, mining and other industries arise when employees bring high reaching mobile equipment, such as mobile cranes, dump bed trucks, and drill rigs into contact with overhead power lines. During a recent ten year period, approximately 20% of electrocution deaths could be attributed to contact between high reaching mobile equipment and overhead power lines. Proximity warning systems, advertised to be able to alert operators when they approach too close to a power line, have been commercially available for 30 years. Such systems have not found widespread acceptance in industry due perceived performance deficiencies and, in part, to a lack of regulatory requirements. The only known comprehensive study of power line proximity warning systems was published by the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1982. It documented some serious performance limitations. Proximity warning system manufacturers claim to have substantially improved product performance since then. In addition, recent OSHA efforts are underway to improve the 29CFR Crane and Derrick Standard. The proposed language allows the use of proximity warning systems as a means of maintaining OSHA?s required clearance distances from power lines, provided such systems are approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. To allow approval by a third party testing laboratory, objective data must exist from which to develop a standard for use by such laboratories. NIOSH plans to undertake such work via this solicitation. OSHA, the International Union of Operating Engineers AFL-CIO, and equipment manufacturers have expressed interest in such a standard. This work will establish the basis for such a national standard and it supports proposed OSHA regulations that call for the use of overhead power line proximity warning alarms as an alternate means of preventing power line electrocution. Scope of Work The vendor will provide the technical oversight, expertise and labor to complete the following tasks: 1. The selected vendor will participate, along with technical representatives of NIOSH, OSHA, manufacturers of power line proximity warning alarms, labor groups, and other interested parties, in the development of a test protocol. The first meeting will take place approximately 30 days after the award at the PRL. Several subsequent teleconferences and email will be used to minimize travel expenses. The protocol should be completed within 120 days after award. 2. The selected vendor will interface as needed with the Government?s Project Officer and/or his representative to provide test facility design recommendations to NIOSH. NIOSH will construct, at Government expense, an outdoor test facility at PRL that can serve as a standard overhead power line test area for current (and future) power line proximity system evaluations. The first interface teleconference will take place within two weeks of the award and as needed thereafter. The facility design will be finalized within 90 days after award. 3. The selected vendor will execute the performance tests, per the test protocol developed in Item 1, at the Government-supplied outdoor facility including directing a Government-supplied crane operator, interfacing with the proximity warning system manufacturer?s engineers, and ensuring site safety for all personnel involved. The vendor will supply all instrumentation and equipment not specifically called out as Government supplied in Section V, below. 4. At the conclusion of the tests, the selected vendor will submit an objective draft report to NIOSH that describes tests results for of each product tested. In addition, the selected vendor will make recommendations for important performance and construction characteristics of proximity warning systems that should be considered in a future standards document. The draft report graphics should be prepared to adequately describe the test setup, equipment, test results, and recommendations. These recommendations should consider input from manufacturers, labor, industry groups, and OSHA, and NIOSH. The vendor should expect (and budget) to make one revision to the draft report after issue. 5. Upon approval of the draft report by NIOSH, a final report shall be provided by the vendor within 13 months of award. MINIMUM VENDOR QUALIFICATIONS 1. The vendor?s proposal must show evidence of knowledge regarding the complex electric field distribution around single and multiple power line sets, a basic understanding of power line proximity warning alarm systems, a basic understanding of safe working practices around energized power lines, and demonstrate efficient use of time and personnel. The vendor's proposal must state that they are available to travel as needed to PRL (suburban Pittsburgh, PA area) to fulfill the requirements of the protocol development and the proposed test program. 2. The vendor?s Project Officer shall be qualified to practice electrical engineering by training and experience closely related to the requirements of this project. He/she should have demonstrated experience electrical field testing. Other proposed personnel should be qualified by appropriate training and experience to assist the vendor?s Project Officer. The vendor shall supply a Curriculum Vitae for each person proposed for the project as part of the proposal. 3. The vendor shall document experience in projects similar to this proposed effort. Such documented experience should show evidence of participation in consensus test or standards development, field testing and evaluation, and report documentation. Consideration shall be given to recent corporate participation and thr role (Chairman, committee member, consultant, etc.) played by the vendor's proposed Project Officer in similar consensus test or standards development programs. Reference: USBM Contract No. J0188082 - Evaluation of Proximity Warning Devices. A PDF copy is available via e-mail from the Government?s Project Officer, Jcawley@cdc.gov. This is a simplified acquisition with an estimated value of less than $100,000. The entire scope of work, requirements and evaluation factors will be addressed in the solicitation when issued. This procurement is being issued as a small business set aside. The NAICS code for this action is 541380. Request for Quotation (RFQ) MLM000HCC26-2005-23371 will be issued on or after July 26, 2005 and proposals will be due by August 10, 2005. No telephone requests for the solicitation will be accepted. Organizations interested in responding may visit this web site on or after July 26, 2005, to download the solicitation at that time. If you cannot use electronic access, but are interested in receiving a copy of the solicitation, you may address your inquiries to Margaret Mooney at CDC/PGO/AAFB/Pittsburgh, (412)-386-6431; fax (412) 386-6843, or E-mail zia3@cdc.gov. All responsible sources may submit a response which shall be considered by the agency.
- Record
- SN00844451-W 20050713/050711211756 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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