Engineering Support Program (ESP) Engineering Support …pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00N3G5.pdf · ESP...

Engineering Support Program

(ESP)

CONTRACT NO. AID-306-C-16-00010

BI-WEEKLY REPORT NO. 11

SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 – SEPTEMBER 28,

2017

SUBMITTED: OCTOBER 1, 2017he

Engineering Support Program (ESP)

CONTRACT NO. AID-306-C-16-00010

BI-WEEKLY REPORT NO. 11

SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 – SEPTEMBER 28, 2017

SUBMITTED: OCTOBER 1, 2017

DISCLAIMER

This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was

prepared by Tetra Tech. The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of

the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.

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Contract No. AID-306-C-16-00010

i Bi-Weekly Report No. 11: Report Ending 2017-09-28

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CLIN 0003: Technical Services .............................................................................................................................. 1

JO-TS-0003 AMD 3 Sardar Kabuli Girls High School (SKGHS) QA Services ......................................... 1

JO-TS-0003 AMD 8 Kandahar Solar Phase I Project Startup ...................................................................... 2

CLIN 0004: Power Transmission Expansion & Connectivity (PTEC) ............................................................ 3

JO-P-0005 SEPS Completion Transmission Line ............................................................................................ 3

JO-P-0006 SEPS Completion Substations ......................................................................................................... 4

JO-P-0008 Arghandi-Ghazni Transmission Line ............................................................................................. 5

JO-P-0009 Arghandi-Ghazni Substations .......................................................................................................... 7

JO-P-0010 NEPS-SEPS Connector Transmission Lines ................................................................................ 8

JO-P-0011 NEPS-SEPS Connector Substations ............................................................................................. 10

JO-P-0012 Salang Tunnel Substation ............................................................................................................... 11

CLIN 0005: Vertical Structures (VS) .................................................................................................................... 13

JO-VS-0013 American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) QA Services ................................................. 13

CLIN 0006: Roads (R) ............................................................................................................................................. 15

CLIN 0007: Other Energy & Water .................................................................................................................... 16

CLIN 0008: Internship & Capacity Building (ICB) ............................................................................................. 17

JO-ICB-0007 Internship Program for Afghan Women in Engineering and Architecture ................... 17



1 Bi-Weekly Report No. 11: Report Ending 2017-09-28

CLIN 0003: TECHNICAL SERVICES

JO-TS-0003 AMD 3 SARDAR KABULI GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL (SKGHS) QA SERVICES

1. ACCOMPLISHMENTS, EVENTS, PROGRESS

Nothing to report.

2. ISSUES

Nothing to report.

3. UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

Tt ESP will conduct the Warranty Inspection of the Sardar Kabuli Girls High School (SKGHS)

fire doors with the contractor and USAID on October 10, 2017, ten months after the Final

Inspection date. Tt ESP will then provide the related deliverable for this task, which is a Final

Warranty Punch List containing at least two high resolution photos that represent the status

of any items that need to be rectified by the contractor.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Nothing to report.




JO-TS-0003 AMD 8 KANDAHAR SOLAR PHASE I PROJECT STARTUP


On September 27, 2017, Tt ESP requested that USAID share the technical proposal from the

contractor.

As of September 28, 2017, preparation of the pre-construction conference write up is in

progress.

2. ISSUES

Nothing to report.


USAID is expected to provide the contractor’s technical proposal to Tt ESP.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Nothing to report.




CLIN 0004: POWER TRANSMISSION EXPANSION & CONNECTIVITY (PTEC)

JO-P-0005 SEPS COMPLETION TRANSMISSION LINE


DABS received an official letter from the National Procurement Commission (NPC), and Tt

ESP shared the letter with USAID on September 19, 2017. In the letter, NPC did not provide

approval for the Job Order award to the recommended bidder in the Bid Evaluation Report

(BER) due to unsettled observations from the National Procurement Authority (NPA). NPC

instructed that DABS shall undertake a detailed review of the bidder’s documents and submit

a report with recommendations to NPC.

On September 20, 2017, the DABS Chief Executive Officer (CEO), per NPC instructions,

nominated a new committee for re-evaluation of the bidder documents and instructed the

committee to submit a report with recommendations within ten working days.

On September 24, 2017, Tt ESP shared contact information with USAID regarding the

responsible department (Directorate for Economic Cooperation) in the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs (MOFA) for verification of financial resources and specific work experience for XPEC.

As of September 28, 2017, the new Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) has not commenced with

the re-evaluation process. In an email to USAID on September 26, 2017, the DABS

Procurement Director requested USAID permission to commence the re-evaluation process.

Decision of the BEC, after re-evaluation, may come out in favor of the current proposed

bidder, or the committee may recommend another entity as the winning bidder.

In an email to USAID on September 26, 2017, the DABS Procurement Director denied Tt ESP

involvement in the re-evaluation process. USAID is to confirm Tt ESP’s role in the process.

2. ISSUES

Finalization of NPA comments on the BER has been pending since November 26, 2016.

DABS Procurement said it may take three to four months (November to December 2017)

for MOFA to verify the line of credit and specific work experience for XEPC.


USAID is to issue authorization for re-evaluation of the bidder per DABS Procurement

Department’s request.

New BEC to commence re-evaluation of the bidders and submit a report to USAID for

approval.

USAID, in consultation with the DABS Procurement Department, is to decide Tt ESP

involvement in the re-evaluation process of the bidders in the capacity of Observers.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Nothing to report.




JO-P-0006 SEPS COMPLETION SUBSTATIONS


On September 17, 2017, per Tt ESP’s request, the DABS Procurement Department submitted

the Personnel Information Form (PIF) to the recommended bidder for vetting of key corporate

personnel as per Grantor requirements. As of September 28, 2017, DABS Procurement has

not yet received the filled PIF from the recommended bidder.

On September 23, 2017, Tt ESP, per USAID’s request, prepared and submitted the complete

draft contract package for USAID review with updated sections for Earned Value Management

(EVM) and edited political risk clauses in the Special Conditions of Contract (SCC).

On September 25, 2017, USAID Observers signed the revised BER, and Tt ESP handed over

the original BER to the DABS Procurement Director on September 26, 2017.

On September 27, 2017, the DABS Procurement Department submitted the USAID-accepted

BER as per Provision 53(2) of the Procurement Procedure to NPA for review and approval.

2. ISSUES

Nothing to report.


Per USAID’s request, Tt ESP is to incorporate additional wording for SCC to include lessons

learned during the close out of JO-P-0008 (Arghandi-Ghazni Transmission Line) and JO-P-

0009 (Arghandi-Ghazni Substations). This was requested as the current contracts contain

vague language regarding project closeout and what constitutes commissioning requirements

for paying retentions to the contractor at the end of the project. The revised SCC shall be

available for USAID review by September 30, 2017.

Once the draft contract is finalized and reviewed by USAID, Tt ESP will provide the draft

contract to the DABS Procurement Department. The Procurement Department will officially

submit the draft contract for USAID On-Budget Monitor (OBM) review.

Tt ESP will submit the complete PIF to the USAID Vetting Support Unit (VSU) for vetting of

the recommended bidder.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Nothing to report.




JO-P-0008 ARGHANDI-GHAZNI TRANSMISSION LINE


The USAID Point of Contact (POC) for the Job Order requested information on verification

of the TL testing and commissioning. On September 25, 2017, the Tt ESP Quality Assurance

(QA) inspector conducted a site inspection for the verification, and Tt ESP provided the site

verification report to the USAID POC the same day.

On September 27, 2017, Tt ESP two QA inspectors continued to work with the DABS Project

Manager (PM) to finalize the transmission line final inspection punch list for project closeout.

Tt ESP continued to work on project close out activities and reviewed contractor Invoice No.

C-432/DABS-92-ICB-004(LOT-1)/RA-027.

Tt ESP continued to prepare a project completion timeline, completion requirements, and

invoice summary for project close out activities.

2. ISSUES

DABS finished the physical inspection of the TL on August 31, 2017, but did not finalize the

project punch list. The delay in completion of the punch list will negatively impact completion

of the project.

The contractor has not yet handed over project spare parts to DABS. This delay will negatively

affect approval of the project completion certificate.

Transmission line Circuit No. 281 is not ready for energization due to unrepaired war damages

and tree trimming within the Right of Way (ROW).


The contractor will continue to make TL Circuit No. 281 ready for testing and commissioning.

Testing and commissioning of TL Circuit No. 281 will be conducted by DABS.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo #1: TL Circuit Nos. 281 and 282 ROW

clearance, Arghandi-Ghazni. KG, 2017-09-25.


clearance. Arghandi-Ghazni, KG, 2017-09-25.





clearance, Arghandi-Ghazni. KG, 2017-09-25.


clearance. Arghandi- Ghazni, KG, 2017-09-25.




JO-P-0009 ARGHANDI-GHAZNI SUBSTATIONS

1. ACCOMPLISHMENTS, EVENTS, PROGRESS DURING THIS REPORTING PERIOD

Tt ESP processed all remaining invoices, except for five that required additional supporting

documentation from the contractor.

Tt ESP is working on project close out activities for the Job Order.

2. ISSUES

Effective August 31, 2017, USAID financial support for the contract between DABS and the

contractor ended. Tt ESP will continue to process and verify invoices and as-built drawings

for work completed up to August 31, 2017, unless directed otherwise by USAID. Tt ESP will

then perform required close out functions until December 31, 2017.

Tt ESP ended QA and Construction Management Services (CMS) on the substations as of

August 31, 2017.


Tt ESP will continue to complete the review and finalization of as-built drawings that are

relative to invoices submitted on or prior to August 31, 2017.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Nothing to report.




JO-P-0010 NEPS-SEPS CONNECTOR TRANSMISSION LINES


On September 17, 2017, Tt ESP, DABS, and contractor representatives witnessed the long

rod composite 160 kilonewton (kN) and 300 kN Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) at the Dalian

manufacturing company in China. Tt ESP will submit the Insulator FAT Report to USAID for

review on October 2, 2017.

On September 20, 2017, Tt ESP submitted the Tower Type DA, DB, DC, and Nuts and Bolts

Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) Report to USAID for review.

On September 23, 2017, Tt ESP finished review of the contractor’s schedule, which was

submitted on September 10, 2017. Tt ESP retuned the schedule and suggested that DABS ask

the contractor to take corrective action on it.

From September 24, 2017 to September 28, 2017, DABS, the contractor, and Tt ESP

engineering personnel witnessed the aluminum conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) FAT test

for Lot 2 (second batch) at the manufacturing company in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. The

test results are not yet finalized. Tt ESP will submit the FAT Report next reporting period.

2. ISSUES

On February 26, 2017, the contract was signed between DABS and the contractor. However,

full Notice to Proceed (NTP) was issued to the contractor on August 1, 2017, with a contract

completion date of January 1, 2020, based on a 29-month period of performance (POP). This

is three months after the project’s fund cancellation date of September 30, 2019. Given the

delay in issuing full NTP, on May 3, 2017, DABS issued a conditional NTP to the contractor

for project design approval, FATs, and line route survey to minimize the schedule POP delay.

On August 16, 2017, the contractor submitted the initial line route survey report for three

out of five TL sections. DABS has not finished review of the initial line route survey. Until

DABS releases approval of each section of the survey, the detail line route survey is delayed.

This will affect critical path activities for the overall project, including initial and detail line

route surveys (preparation, submission, and selection approval), design, procurement of tower

materials, construction of the foundations, towers and lines, stringing of the conductor and

OPGW, and testing and commissioning.

The contractor has not finished the initial line route survey for the remaining two sections of

the TL. Delay in completing the remaining two sections will negatively impact and delay the

line route detail survey. To mitigate delays to the project, it was suggested to DABS that the

contractor complete the detail survey in less time than originally planned, and the contractor

should plan to add additional resources to affected, succeeding construction activities.

To negate various schedule delays to date, the contractor, at its own risk, procured and

released for fabrication over half of the tower materials, based on the unapproved initial line

survey versus the future approved detail line survey. Should the initial line survey require

revision from DABS due to Land Acquisition Resettlement Plan (LARP) issues or other

unforeseen conditions, this may affect material quantities.

Once the contractor completes the detail line route survey, any delay in the availability of

compensation funds for ROW and LARP resolution will delay contractor materials

procurement and construction activities. To date, DABS has not provided an estimated budget

for these payments. It is suggested that USAID stimulate DABS to prepare an estimated budget

plan for LARP and ROW payments to mitigate the impact that delays in the payment process

will have on construction activities.





Physical site verification and approval of initial line route survey of three sections (Ghazni to

Qarabagh, Qarabagh to Moqor, and Moqor to Shahjoy) by DABS.

The contractor will continue the initial line route survey for the remaining two sections

(Shahjoy to Qalat and Qalat to Kandahar).

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo #1: Lot 2, ACSR mass per unit length test,

Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. SS, 2017-09-26.

Photo #2: Lot 2, ACSR layers ratio test,


Photo #3: Lot 2, ACSR conductor resistance test,


Photo #4: Lot 2, ACSR steel strand tensile test,





JO-P-0011 NEPS-SEPS CONNECTOR SUBSTATIONS


Nothing to report.

2. ISSUES

Nothing to report.


Nothing to report.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Nothing to report.




JO-P-0012 SALANG TUNNEL SUBSTATION


To date, Tt ESP has received 183 out of 583 anticipated Rev0 submittals from the contractor.

This includes 73 resubmittals.

Tt ESP has received 22 Rev0 requests for information (RFIs). All of them have been responded

to and forwarded to DABS. Currently, RFI Nos. 0022 and 0021 are under DABS review.

Formwork, steel reinforcement fixing, and concrete placement for retaining wall No. 1

(counterfort wall), retaining wall No. 3 (cantilever wall), and concrete stairs are in progress.

Trench excavation, conduit laying, sand bedding, and compaction for the medium voltage (MV)

distribution system are in progress.

Delivery of type 5 cement is in progress.

Delivery of backfill materials to the site is in progress.

2. ISSUES

The contractor’s Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) has not been approved. Absence of an

approved plan severely limits Tt ESP inspectors’ ability to assess work against an approved

standard. However, the contractor is in the process of addressing USAID and Tt ESP

comments on this plan.

The cold weather plan is not yet approved. On September 28, 2017, the contractor

resubmitted it for Tt ESP review and DABS approval. The plan is currently with Tt ESP for

review and evaluation.

The plywood formwork shop drawing submittal is not yet approved. The contractor is

addressing Tt ESP comments on this submittal.


The contractor is to address Tt ESP and USAID comments on the EPP, cold weather plan, and

plywood formwork shop drawing submittals as soon as possible.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo #1: Steel fixing and formwork for the

counterfort retaining wall, Salang Substation. HA,

2017-09-16.

Photo #2: Shuttering and form removal for the

counterfort retaining wall, Salang Substation. HA,

2017-09-19.




Photo #3: Switchyard site preparation, cutting and

removing debris, Salang Substation. FW, 2017-09-24.

Photo #4: Concrete curing for the cantilever wall and

concrete stairs, Salang Substation. FW, 2017-09-26.




CLIN 0005: VERTICAL STRUCTURES (VS)

JO-VS-0013 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF AFGHANISTAN (AUAF) QA SERVICES

1. ACCOMPLISHMENTS, EVENTS, PROGRESS.

During this reporting period, review of construction submittals was ongoing.

A closeout process map for the project was generated and shared with USAID per USAID

direction on September 26, 2017.

This reporting period, the following activities were completed:

o Installation of the split air conditioner.

o Installation of the well submersible pump.

o Installation of the booster pump.

o Installation of dampers and accessories.

This reporting period, the following activities were in progress:

o Installation of the cast iron boiler.

o Installation of the prefabricated water tank.

o Installation of wall exhaust fans.

o Installation of the fire alarm system.

o Installation of the chlorination system.

o Installation of toilet plumbing fixtures.

o Interior walls final paint.

o Installation and adjustment of suspended ceilings.

o Installation of smoke detectors.

o Installation of electrical water heaters.

o Installation of the booster pump and accessories.

o Exterior walls final paint (touch up work).

o Installation of safe room sliding doors.

o Installation of interior electrical switches, receptacles, and lighting fixtures.

o Installation of ventilation ducts, grills, registers, and louvers.

o Application of compressible material for wall joints.

o Site cleaning activity.

This reporting period, the following meetings were held:

o September 16, 2017: Safety toolbox meeting on cold weather effects on personnel.

o September 23, 2017: Weekly progress meeting on improving housekeeping practices.

2. ISSUES

The majority of activities planned for progress are either not yet started, are delayed, or have

had no progress for many consecutive days. This trend of slow progress has been consistently

observed throughout all look ahead plans the contractor has submitted to date.




Although all long lead items have been delivered to the site, there are still activities with no

progress due to lack of workforce or lack of materials that are available in the local market. It

is critical to follow up each single activity for which no progress is reported on daily basis to

finish the project with fewer impacts on delay.


All ongoing activities will continue in the next reporting period.

A pre-final inspection will be conducted on a date to be specified by the contractor.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo #1: Dormitory building, front side view, AUAF.

YK, 2017-09-23.

Photo #2: Cast iron boiler installation, AUAF. MA,

2017-09-25.

Photo #3: Roof water tank installation, AUAF. MA,

2017-09-26.

Photo #4: Third floor interior walls, final paint

application, AUAF. YK, 2017-09-27.




CLIN 0006: ROADS (R)

There are currently no active Job Orders under CLIN 0006.




CLIN 0007: OTHER ENERGY & WATER

There are currently no active Job Orders under CLIN 0007.




CLIN 0008: INTERNSHIP & CAPACITY BUILDING (ICB)

JO-ICB-0007 INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR AFGHAN WOMEN IN ENGINEERING

AND ARCHITECTURE


From September 16 to 21, 2017, a Tt ESP civil engineer provided construction management,

quality control, and quality assurance training for the interns. This training is ongoing.

From September 16 to 21, 2017, interns completed water supply training assignments and

submitted them for review.

From September 16 to 28, 2017, interns completed electrical wiring training that was provided

by the Tt ESP Electrical Department.

From September 16 to 28, 2017, interns received geographical information system (GIS)

software training.

On September 27, 2017, the Tt ESP Procurement Department purchased and provided the

Tt ESP villa three-dimensional (3D) model project material to the interns.

From September 16 to 28, 2017, interns continued revisions of their assignment memos based

on comments provided by reviewers.

2. ISSUES

Nothing to report.


On September 30, 2017, interns will begin creation of the Tt ESP villa 3D model under the

supervision of the Tt ESP architect.

On September 30, 2017, interns will begin practical plumbing training assignments based on

instructions provided by a Tt ESP mechanical engineer.

From October 2 to 12, 2017, construction management, quality control and assurance, and

site experience training will continue for the interns.

On October 2, 2017, interns will begin electrical wiring training assignments.

From October 2 to 12, 2017, GIS software training will continue.

On October 12, 2017, interns will meet with the NPA Engineering Department after receiving

confirmation.




4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo #1: Interns during electrical wiring training.

MNG, 2017-09-17.

Photo #2: Interns during GIS software training. MNG,

2017-09-17.

Photo #3: Interns during GIS software training. MNG,

2017-09-20.

Photo #4: Interns during construction management

training. MNG, 2017-09-25.




USAID/AFGHANISTAN

U.S. Embassy

Great Massoud Road

Kabul, Afghanistan

Tel:

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