Request for Proposals for a Cathodic Protection Training Program for the Propane Workforce Phase 1: Script Development.

Transcription

1 Request for Proposals for a Cathodic Protection Training Program for the Propane Workforce Phase 1: Script Development March 2, 2007 GENERAL INFORMATION The Propane Education and Research Council, Inc. (PERC) is a non-profit 501(c)6 trade organization authorized by the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 (PERA), Public Law PERC was created to enhance consumer and employee safety and training, to provide for research and development of clean and efficient propane utilization equipment, and to inform and educate the public about safety and other issues associated with the use of propane. A twenty-one member Board of Directors appointed by the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and the Gas Processors Association governs PERC. Members include propane retail marketers, producers, transporters and agricultural cooperatives, as well as representatives of allied service and supply industries. PROJECT BACKGROUND Cathodic protection is an important method that the propane industry uses to guard against corrosion of underground propane tanks and black iron or steel piping.. However, aside from some information in the industry s Certified Employee Training Program (CETP) there appears to be no industry-wide instructional program on cathodic protect that gets down to the grass roots level so field employees will understand the importance, and the why & what if s of cathodic protection. The application of cathodic protection systems for this project is limited to galvanic systems on underground tanks less than 2000 water gallons capacity and aggregate capacities of 4000 water gallons or less plus their associated piping systems, if required. PERC s Safety & Training Advisory Committee (STAC) recognized a need for a stand-alone cathodic protection program provided in VHS/text and DVD/CD formats. PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE SERVICES SOUGHT/SCOPE OF WORK PERC is currently seeking qualified third parties to develop a script that will be used as the basis for the production of a stand-alone/self-study cathodic protection program that will ultimately be developed in two formats/packages: (1) VHS with accompanying text and (2) DVD with an accompanying CD/CD formats/packages (phase 2) A separate Request for Proposal will be sent out for phase 2 work following the completion of phase 1 (script development )

2 THE CATHODIC PROTECTION PROGRAM SCRIPT MEET AND PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Basics of corrosion 1.2 The principle of cathodic protection 1.3 Advantages in applications to the propane industry 1.4 Methods to achieve protection 2.0 Galvanic Protection 2.1 Description 2.2 Basic Requirements 2.3 Pre-installation Site Work 2.4 Installation Procedures 2.5 Anodes types, materials, sizes 2.6 Electrical isolation 3.0 Impressed Current 3.1 Brief overview for purposes of familiarization only. These systems must be designed, installed, and maintained by corrosion specialists. Include maintenance requirements. 4.0 Propane System Protection 4.1 Description 4.2 Underground propane tanks 4.3 Gas piping (general). 4.5 Selecting anodes 5.0 Monitoring and Maintenance 5.1 DOT requirements for jurisdictional systems. 5.2 Testing equipment 5.3 Tank-to-soil tests 5.4 Testing dielectric unions and piping systems 5.5 Maintenance of copper-copper sulfate reference cells and other test equipment. 6.0 Testing 6.1 Written tests 6.2 Proficiency demonstrations. The script will serve as the basis of the instructional materials, including interim and end of course quizzes. They must meet the following criteria: 1. Basic information, as provided above, regarding cathodic protection with references to codes only where critical for the understanding of cathodic protection principles and practices 2. Written for those with a maximum 8 th grade reading level. 2

3 3. Include placeholders for graphics, schematics, etc., where needed. The offereor will also provide illustrations and cover art. The offereor will work in coordination with PERC s Safety & Training Advisory Committee. OTHER REQUIREMENTS In addition to the above, responding proposals must include the following: 1. A detailed project timeline. 2. A proposed budget covering the entire project period on a separate budget page. The proposed budget will provide a cost breakdown in sufficient detail by the following cost categories, where applicable: a. Personnel Wage rates, salaried rates, hourly rates, etc. Briefly specify the duties of the professionals to be compensated under this project. State the total amount of compensation for each position for the total project. b. Fringe Benefits Explain how the fringe benefit rate is computed and what base (i.e., labor costs or labor hours, or other) it is applied to. c. Administrative General and administrative overhead, facilities capital cost of money, etc. d. Travel e. Equipment NOTE: Any proposed equipment will be carefully reviewed relative to the need and appropriateness for the proposed project. f. Supplies Itemize supplies as to the types, quantities, unit price, and total price. g. Contractual Describe the purpose and qualifications of each subrecipient/subcontractor and why they are required. h. Other (must detail) 3

4 3. The offeror shall also include a description of the background and qualifications of all key personnel who will be performing under any resulting contract. This shall include persons familiar with propane safety issues especially as they relate to cathodic protection. 4. The offeror will provide a client list and/or completed project list, for itself and for any major proposed sub-recipient/sub-contractor. 5. The offeror will also have experience in video and DVD production. 6. The offeror shall also provide costs and narratives for a turn-key operation whereas the bidder will also be required to provide all required equipment and expertise to actually develop the program, as well as provide a solid showing of technical experience in the areas that this proposal covers. This may be done by the bidder either in-house of via a sub-contractor. ADDITIONAL OFFEROR QUALIFICATIONS The offeror must demonstrate and describe its ability to anticipate, coordinate and carry out all aspects of the project, including its in-depth familiarity with the issues addressed in this RFP as well as expertise in adult education, communications, knowledge of the propane industry and understanding of pertinent laws, legal liabilities and issues, regulations, and codes as they apply to the propane industry. Documented experience in producing and supporting a similar project is also highly desired. The offeror should also demonstrate that the offeror, as well as its officers, directors, and individuals proposed to perform the services called for through this RFP, all possess the highest integrity and business ethics. NOTICES 1. Given the various skill sets and requirements surrounding this RFP, the Council may divide the work between more than one vendor. In so doing, the Council, in its sole discretion, may elect to have one offeror serve as the general contractor and another as sub-contractor. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Proposals will be subject to an objective merit review procedure of the Safety & Training Advisory Committee. Eligible applicants for this solicitation are profit organizations, not-for-profit institutions and organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Registration is a prerequisite to the submission of an application and applicants are encouraged to register their interest as soon as possible with Stuart Flatow, PERC s Vice President, Safety & Training; stuart.flatow@propanecouncil.org. Questions regarding this Request for 4

5 Proposal must be transmitted electronically to the address of Mr. Flatow. Only questions and comments coordinated with Mr. Flatow will be considered. For copies of the following Council documents, please visit our web sites at Propane Education and Research Act Various information on PERC-funded safety & training programs. Use this information as a baseline for the development of the project being requested in this RFP. SUBMITTING PROPOSALS Proposals are required to be contained in a single file and must be sent in electronic PDF or Microsoft Word format to:stuart.flatow@propanecouncil.org. They are due at the Council s office no later than COB Friday, March 9, 2007 A disk may also be mailed to: Stuart Flatow, Vice President, Safety & Training Propane Education & Research Council 1140 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC