TDA Transformer 9-11 Interim Repair

Active

Contract Opportunity

TDA Transformers 9 thru 11 repairs

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, PORTLAND DISTRICT

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.

The proposed NAICS code for this procurement is 238210 – Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors

The size standard: $19.0M

Federal Service Code: Z2KA, Repair or Alteration of Dams

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Portland District is searching for Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction Contractors who can provide construction services for The Dalles Dam. As part of its market research, USACE Portland District, is issuing this Sources Sought to determine if there exists an adequate number of qualified interested contractors capable of providing the requirement. The Government may use the responses to this Sources Sought for information and planning purposes.

The Dalles T9, T10, and T11 transformers are identical 230,000/132,790-13200 Volt, 233,000 kVA class FOA three-phase transformers manufactured by General Electric’s Pittsfield, Massachusetts facility in 1972. The T10 transformer was forced out of service in 2018 due to a failed high-voltage neutral conductor internal to the tank between the H1 and H2 windings. All three transformers are located outside on the powerplant intake deck on the Columbia River.

A previous identical transformer, T8, also failed in the same manner in 2016 and was dissected during a forensic teardown for root-cause of failure. The neutral conductor is housed in a support tube which reduces oil flow and leads to an eventual complete blockage as the neutral lead thermally upgraded Kraft insulating paper overheats and degrades. Loss of cooling oil further increases conductor temperature leading to an eventual mechanical failure during switching events.

The proposed proposed procurement will perform a repair of the failed T10 transformer and improve the neutral conductor support to improve cooling. Via the same action, perform the same improvements of the T9 and T11 transformers to prevent the in‐service failure due to the neutral conductor design issue. If there is physical evidence of overheating, replace the neutral conductor.

In general, the Government is expecting the following overall work concept for a single transformer with the same action performed on all three transformers:

Repeat steps for T9 and T11 except for step 4: there may not be any failed sections.

1. Perform electrical pre‐testing of as-found condition and remove two oil samples for analysis by two independent laboratories. USACE will make available any reports, photos, and test data and allow inspection. The Dalles Project will manage lock out / tag out responsibilities.

2. Drain the approx. 14,600 gal. transformer oil into clean, dry baker tanks provided by Contractor including all secondary containment and spill prevention measures. The oil is chased by dry air meeting ASTM D 3283 dew point requirements and the tank positively always pressurized there is no active work ongoing. Transformer T10 has 3,142 gallons already removed and stored onsite in a dirty oil storage tank that will not be reused. Transformer T9 and T11 indicate a normal oil level.

3. The neutral may be repaired with the in the manner most feasible to achive a long-term repair solution. The Contractor can decide which will provide the best solution based on their equipment, personnel, and experience. The Government prefers minimal handling and disassembly, but recognizes the challenges of internal transformer repairwork involving cutting and re-brazing or crimping internal connections.

3a. Option 1: In Situ repair. Perform an internal tank entry and repair the neutral(s) without removing the transformer cover. All work is to be performed per EM385-1-1 safety requirements.

3b. Option 2: Repair with the transformer cover removed. If performed on The Dalles intake deck, temporary screening and weather protection must be provided and appropriately anchored against wind to prevent debris ingress. If performed in The Dalles assembly bay, the Contractor is responsible for all disconnection, secondary containment, transport evaluation and calculations, heavy haul transloading, movement, dunnage, and protection of assembly bay features. The Dalles overhead bridge crane would be made available in the assembly bay area.

4. Remove the netural conductors and support tube between H1-H2 and H2-H3. Undamaged conductor external to the support tubing may remain.

5. Install new high-strand copper into the existing neutral circuit. Re‐insulate with any combination of Kraft “crepe,” cellulose pressboard, or NEMA graded glass polyester materials, or similar using modifications to the wood superstructure for mounting to provide the necessary BIL clearance.

6a. Re‐seal the transformer with new Buna-N nitrile gaskets for all disturbed gasketed connections

6b. If the lid was removed, re‐weld the tank cover weld and pressure test to 10 psi for 24 hours, identify and remediate any leaks in the cover or disturbed gaskets. Re-nstall all bushings and removed accessories and return the transformer to its operating location. .

7. Vacuum process the tank in accordance with IEEE C57.93 for at least 48 hours, then fill with oil handled through a maximum 5-micron filter under continuous high vacuum (Method 2 Clause 5.8.2 in IEEE C57.93).. Perform additional dryout, as necessary. The contractor is responsible for any leaks through disturbed connections and to provide any necessary makeup oil, plus flushing oil, plus the ~3,142 gallons drained to perform the internal inspection that have not been added back in.

8. Electrically test transformer.

9. Reconnect all removed high voltage, low voltage, and control connections. Re-anchor the transformer to the deck.

9. Coordinate with the Government to remove the clearance and energize the transformer for an 8 hour no‐load soak and 24-hour full load operation before return to commercial operation. Provide qualified onsite oversight for the full soak and 24-hour period.

***** Please see attached DRAFT PWS and associated documents *****

All Documents are in draft form and may be chnaged prior to any solicitation.

The anticipated magnitude for this project will be between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000.

NO AWARD WILL MADE FROM THIS INITIAL NOTICE. THIS IS NOT AN INVITATION FOR BIDS OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.

Submission Instructions: Please send responses with the subject heading TDA Transformer Repair 9 thru 11 to Joseph Jarvis at Joseph.B.Jarvis@usace.army.mil

CAPABILITY STATEMENT TO SHOW INTEREST AND INTENT:

Respondents interested in performing the proposed project as a prime contractor should submit a capability statement for consideration that include the following: (In A through F).

A. Offerors' name, address, points of contact with telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.

B. DUNS number and CAGE code.

C. Firm's small business category and Business Size: Small Business (SB), Small Disadvantaged (SDB), including 8(a) firms, Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), including Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small business (SDVOSB).

D. A Statement of Capability (SOC) stating your skills, experience, and knowledge required to perform the specified type of work as described above. This SOC should be a brief description of your company's capabilities. The potential bidders should provide the magnitude and brief references of relevant work they have performed. 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. including the following;

• Previous transformer repairs or modifications requiring tank entry


• Previous transformer repairs or modifications involving brazing or modification


• Previous transformer oil processing and filling operations


• Previous transformer site movement and operations

E. Indicate whether your company will perform the work directly or intends to subcontract the work. If subcontracting, identify the percentage of work to be subcontracted. Identify the percentage of work your firm may be capable of directly performing.

F. Any other information that would assist in determining your company's capability in performing the described construction work.

Responses to the Sources Sought will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Sources Sought. USACE Portland District will not pay for information received in response to this Sources Sought.

Do not submit pricing information in response to this Sources Sought.

All responses must be submitted in either Microsoft Word or Adobe Portable Document Format by no later than 2:00 pm Pacific Standard Time on Friday, 20 March 2024. Do not include proprietary information in your response.

The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate.

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