This notice is being amended to extend the due date for capability packages to June 3, 2024.
This is a Sources Sought announcement for acquisition planning purposes and no formal solicitation for this requirement exists at this time. All businesses, regardless of size; capable of providing these services are invited to respond to this announcement and submit a capability statement for consideration. Capability statements received will be reviewed to determine a firm's previous experience performing similar work. The capability statements will be reviewed and used to determine an appropriate procurement strategy, in particular, whether a small business set-aside is warranted or an alternate procurement strategy. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice or otherwise pay for information solicited.
Proposed Project:
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), Lower Colorado Region has a requirement for an Archimedes Screw Pump Station that draws water from the Colorado River. The water is lifted into an outlet sump where sufficient hydraulic head will be maintained to effectively convey water through a reinforced concrete pressure pipe to the existing Fire Break Canal where it will then be gravity fed to the marsh. Work is located at Topock March Fire Break Canal, within the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, approximately 9.0 miles southeast of Needles, California in San Bernadino County. The goal of the project is to provide pumped water from the Colorado River to Topock Marsh in order to meet specific elevation requirements crucial for the conservation of endangered wildlife species habitat.
Primary features of work:
Sheet Pile Installation and Dewatering/Unwatering:
Permanent sheet piles are to be installed along the Colorado River at the Fire Break Inlet creating a retaining wall for the service yard and to prevent uncontrolled Colorado River water from entering the inlet. Furthermore, the sheet piles are driven deep to facilitate dewatering/unwatering efforts by creating a cutoff wall to lower the phreatic water surface in the Fire Break Inlet. The sheet piles are integrated with the Pump Station to ensure water from the Colorado River will be drawn into inlet sump through two openings controlled by slide gates. At these openings a temporary sheet pile ¿cofferdam¿ will be required to facilitate construction of the reinforced concrete substructure, externally mounted trash racks, and slide gates and will be removed once constructed. Simultaneously, strategically placed additional sheet piles act as formwork, with headed stud anchors ensuring secure integration with the reinforced concrete substructure. These sheet piles also serve a need in the dewatering/unwatering effort as water is removed from the area of construction. It is crucial that the contractor has significant experience in dewatering and unwatering and in-river construction of sheet piles to facilitate the construction as noted.
Reinforced Concrete Substructure:
A critical focus of the project involves the construction of a reinforced concrete pump station that supports the screw pumps and auxiliary mechanical and electrical equipment that is primarily below grade. The reinforced concrete substructure has an inlet and outlet sump to ensure proper hydraulic conditions are present. The substructure has a substantial slab supported by H-piles. The ground beneath the pad will undergo compaction with structurally engineered materials. Advanced forming techniques for the vertical walls, such as single-sided formwork or the integration of ties with the sheet piles, may be required for optimal constructability. Contractor experience in these areas is required.
Archimedes Screw Pumps and Concrete Troughs:
Specialty contractors will construct open concrete troughs to facilitate the Archimedes screw pumps construction. The screw pump troughs will be formed using the screws themselves with specialty techniques provided by the manufacturer. The screw pumps will have upper and lower bearings supported by the reinforced concrete substructure and will be spun with a 100-125HP motor on the pump deck. It is critical that the contractor has a good working relationship and experience with the Archimedes screw pumps and the respective manufacturer to ensure proper construction and installation.
Miscellaneous Metals:
Metal platforms, framed with structural steel wide flanges and featuring metal grating, will be installed above the Archimedes screw pumps. The lower platform is enclosed by guardrail and will provide necessary access to the slide gate operators and will allow for visual inspection of the inlet sump. . Additionally, the lower platform will provide access via a safety ladder into the inlet sump for O&M. The pump deck itself will include a steel-framed canopy supported by steel moment frames, housing two monorails suspended below for maintenance activities. Contractor experience in these areas is required.
Reinforced Concrete Pressure Pipe:
The outlet sump of the pump station will transition to a reinforced concrete pressure pipe, laid on a geomembrane and Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM). This critical infrastructure component must be laid and aligned to ensure seamless water flow with the Fire Break Canal. Existing conveyance piping underneath the levee road will be required to be demolished and removed and a new reinforced concrete headwall installed at the Fire Break Canal Inlet where a flow meter will be installed. Contractor experience in these areas is required.
Trash Racks and Sliding Gates:
(2) Trash racks and (2) Slide Gates will be installed on the river side of the pump station. Contractor experience in these areas is required.
Electrical Infrastructure:
The contractor is responsible for the installation of comprehensive electrical infrastructure. This involves the construction of a transformer pad, installation of a 480V Main Panel board, incorporation of control boards integral to the operation of Archimedes screw pumps, and the inclusion of soft starters to ensure smooth and controlled motor starting. The contractor will also be responsible for bringing permanent power to the pump station from a determined drop point near the levee road crossing. Contractor experience in these areas is required.
Earthwork:
The project includes significant earthwork, involving excavation for the concrete pump station, concurrent installation of sheet piles, and supporting earthwork activities associated with dewatering/unwatering procedures. Backfilling of the substructure and pipeline will utilize on-site materials. Excavation of the levee road is imperative for existing conveyance pipeline removal and new pipeline installation. The site planning incorporates a service road and a gravel yard. Contractor experience in these areas is required.
Perimeter Security:
A chain-link fence installation around the perimeter of the site. Contractor experience in these areas is required.
The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 237110, Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction with a corresponding small business size standard of $45M.
Interested firms are requested to submit the following information:
1. Name and address of Firm
2. Phone number
3. Email Address
4. DUNS Number
5. Size status/SBA certifications (Small business, Women Owned Small Business, HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, other)
6. Capability Statement (not to exceed 10 pages). A brief summary of capabilities to include demonstration of the firm¿s previous experience as a prime or subcontractor performing this type of service in the southwestern US. Previous procurements performed of similar size and complexity to include references with point of contact information. Firm shall provide the project title, location, and detailed description of the efforts and how it was similar, the project dollar value, contract award number, completion date, and the customer name, phone number and email address. In addition, you should include information on the key personnel who will work on this project and information regarding their qualifications.
7. Where subcontractors are used for the significant technical elements of the work outlined in this notice, it will be important that the prime contractor and subcontractor have previous successful experience working with each other on similar projects.
For consideration, all responses must be submitted via email no later than 2:00 P.M., Pacific Time, May 24, 2024. Email address: DLRodriguez@usbr.gov. Include the reference number (140R3024R0028) in the subject line. All questions concerning the sources sought announcement should be directed to Diane Rodriguez by email at DLRodriguez@usbr.gov. No phone calls please.
When it is determined that a formal solicitation will be issued, the pre-solicitation notice will be posted on Contract Opportunities at sam.gov web site at http://sam.gov/.
