Stationary Plant Engineers

Contracting Office Address: Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Room B112, Mail Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899-1640. Background and General Requirements: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks to procure the services of stationary engineers qualified to operate boilers and gas steam turbines at its campus in Gaithersburg, MD. The contractor shall provide all the necessary skilled labor and supervisory direction necessary to supply NIST with shift stationary engineers covering three (3) sequential 8-hour shifts per 24-hour period (7 to 3, 3 to 11 and 11 to 7) to ensure the safe operation of NIST's Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP) and Industrial Boiler. Period of Performance: The base period to be covered is anticipated to be six (6) months. It is anticipated that the requirement will include nine (9) separate sequential six-month optional periods, that, if exercised, would take the contract out to a total maximum period of five (5) years. It is anticipated that an award will be made by August 2018. Qualifications: Minimum experience to meet the qualification for each stationary engineer is one (1) year as an independent operator. Specific Requirements: This requirement will have operators working set shifts that coincide with the NIST shift rotation. With NIST oversight (not supervision), the operators shall perform a variety of duties to support the CHP and boiler. They would be responsible for the operation and routine maintenance (as performed during shift) of four (4) high pressure steam generators (generating 44,000 pounds of steam per hour at 150 psi), two (2) high pressure steam generators (generating 80,000 pounds of steam per hour at 150 psi), four (4) centrifugal electric motor driven air compressors (furnishing compressed air at 110 psi) and one (1) gas CHP turbine generator (generating 8 MW and 80,000 pounds of steam per hour). Typical operation duties would include, but are not necessarily limited to the following; maintaining the correct steam pressure and water level in the steam generators by proper operation of the control system; inspecting feed water regulatory controls and gauges; ensuring proper combustion by maintaining the required O2 levels in the exit gasses; maintaining an established chemical program by performing tests and adding the required chemicals to each system and adjusting system blow down rates; operation of all auxiliary equipment associated with steam generation; maintaining correct air pressure by proper adjustments to the air compressors. Typical maintenance duties would include, but are not necessarily limited to the following; troubleshooting, repair, and preventative maintenance of all equipment that provides steam, and compressed air found in the steam and chilled water generation plant; measuring, cutting and threading pipe, and cleaning the water and fire sides of the steam generators; troubleshooting and repairing control issues associated with direct digital, pneumatic and electric controls; and repacking valves and performing pump repairs and maintenance. NIST will require each operator to cross-train for a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to being responsible for independent operation. This will afford them the opportunity to ask questions of the NIST operators and shift supervisor, to learn NIST standard operating procedures and to become familiar with the NIST plant. Acknowledging that personnel may be replaced over the course of the contract by the contractor, NIST will pay for overlap periods of training for up to eight (8) operators during the contract period. If more than eight (8) operators are required to be trained to meet the contractual requirements, the contractor shall bear all expenses associated with training such additional personnel. NIST will retain the right to request an operator be replaced if NIST finds the operator not to be performing his or her duties satisfactorily, to be working in an unsafe manner or to be consistently tardy or not at his or her appointed place of duty. Operators are required to report to work with all required safety equipment to perform their duties. These items include but are not limited to: hard hat, hearing protection, eye protection, hand protection and safety shoes. All meals will be taken on site and at the respective operator's appointed control booth. NIST has a small kitchen area for meal prep and storage while on shift. Security: NIST is a federal facility and access is controlled at all entrances to the campus. Only Government employees may grant access to non-government employees. All non-government employees must be registered with security prior to site access. Contractor shall notify the NIST contracting officer's representative (COR) a minimum of 48 hours prior to site access. For all personnel requiring access to the NIST campus, Contractor shall provide the COR with first and last names, country of citizenship, and whether the individual possesses a permanent resident alien visa. If any individuals are in the United States on a work visa, they will need to complete a NIST 1260 form and return it to the COR. Due to security requirements, NIST will require each of the operators to have a background check to receive a NIST badge. This process takes more than one month. Keep this timeframe in mind when selecting operators to mitigate problems associated with personnel turnover in order to meet your prospective contractual obligations of providing operators each day. NAICS: 561210 - Facilities Support Services (Small Business Size Standard of $38.5M). Companies that are interested in this notice are encouraged to submit information setting forth specific capability to meet this requirement, by email, to dennis.bailey@nist.gov by 3:00PM EST on Friday, March 9, 2018. Also, the following information is requested to be provided as part of the response to this sources sought notice: 1. Please include your company's size classification and socio-economic status in any response to this notice. 2. Whether your company currently holds one or more GSA Federal Supply Schedule contracts and, if so, the GSA FSS contract number(s). 3. Any other relevant information that is not listed above which the Government should consider in developing its minimum specifications and finalizing its market research. NOTE: THIS NOTICE IS RELEASED FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT SEEK A QUOTATION, BID, OR PROPOSAL AT THIS TIME. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT BOUND IN ANY WAY TO RELEASE A SOLICITATION BUT SEEKS RESPONSES IN ORDER TO FURTHER DEVELOP ITS REQUIREMENT. ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH RESPONDING TO THIS NOTICE WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED BY THE GOVERNMENT.