Engineering Support Program (ESP) - United States …pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00N3G4.pdfWire (OPGW) repair and tree trimming to keep the transmission line (TL) ready for testing and

Engineering Support Program (ESP)

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

BI-WEEKLY REPORT NO. 10

SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 – SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

SUBMITTED: SEPTEMBER 17, 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. 10: Report Ending 2017-09-14

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 ................................................................................ 9

JO-P-0011 NEPS-SEPS Connector Substations ............................................................................................. 11

JO-P-0012 Salang Tunnel Substation ............................................................................................................... 12

CLIN 0005: Vertical Structures (VS) .................................................................................................................... 14

JO-VS-0013 American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) QA Services ................................................. 14

CLIN 0006: Roads (R) ............................................................................................................................................. 16

CLIN 0007: Other Energy & Water .................................................................................................................... 17

CLIN 0008: Internship & Capacity Building (ICB) ............................................................................................. 18

JO-ICB-0007 Internship Program for Afghan Women in Engineering and Architecture ................... 18



1 Bi-Weekly Report No. 10: Report Ending 2017-09-14

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

The Final Warranty Inspection, of which USAID will be notified, will take place no later than

October 20, 2017.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Nothing to report.




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


Nothing to report.

2. ISSUES

Nothing to report.


Nothing to report.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Nothing to report.




CLIN 0004: POWER TRANSMISSION EXPANSION & CONNECTIVITY (PTEC)

JO-P-0005 SEPS COMPLETION TRANSMISSION LINE


In the National Procurement Commission Meeting (NPC) held September 11, 2017, which

was chaired by the President, NPC did not provide approval for Job Order award to the

recommended bidder in the Bid Evaluation Report (BER) due to the latest, unsettled National

Procurement Authority (NPA) comments. The comments relate to verification of specific

work experience and confirmation of financial resources through the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs (MOFA) for the China-based firm, Xinjiang Electric Power Company (XEPC). The

official letter from NPC has still not been received by DABS Procurement.

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 and DABS are to discuss the next step, which is to either re-bid the Job Order or re-

evaluate the bidders.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Not applicable at this time.




JO-P-0006 SEPS COMPLETION SUBSTATIONS


On September 5, 2017, DABS Procurement submitted the revised Bid Evaluation Report

(BER) to the USAID On Budget Monitor (OBM) for review and approval.

In an email on September 11, 2017, USAID confirmed that the BER is acceptable and consistent

with procurement procedures, and USAID will provide consent once the complete draft

contract package is submitted by DABS Procurement.

On September 11, 2017, USAID tasked Tt ESP with assisting DABS in drafting the complete

contract package for DABS for submission to USAID by DABS Procurement for approval and

consent. Tt ESP began assisting DABS with suggestions for the draft contract package, which

will be ready for submission to USAID by September 18, 2017.

2. ISSUES

Nothing to report.


Tt ESP will provide input to DABS’ completion of the draft contract package so DABS

Procurement can complete in time for submission to USAID by September 18, 2017.

As per Section 5, Grantor’s Requirements, Tt ESP will commence the vetting of the key

personnel for RGM-MBH JV with the USAID Vetting Support Unit (VSU).

DABS Procurement is to submit the USAID-accepted BER to NPA.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS





JO-P-0008 ARGHANDI-GHAZNI TRANSMISSION LINE


Tt ESP is working on project close out activities for the Job Order and completed review of

this period with a total net amount of around claimed by contractor.

All of the invoices are cleared, and no more invoices are pending with Tt ESP.

2. ISSUES

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

ended. Tt ESP will continue to process and verify all invoices for work completed up to August

31, 2017 until completion, unless directed otherwise by USAID. Tt ESP will continue to

perform required close out functions until December 31, 2017.

Although the contract between DABS and KEC has ended, DABS allowed the contractor to

continue war damage Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR) and Optical Ground

Wire (OPGW) repair and tree trimming to keep the transmission line (TL) ready for testing

and commissioning. Tt ESP will not conduct further site Quality Assurance (QA) or

Construction Management Services (CMS) work for construction work on the TL.

Unresolved Right of Way (ROW) issues prevented placement of wire mesh gabion baskets

for concrete culvert construction at Tower No. 32/4 along the Arghandi-Sayedabad section.

Unresolved ROW issues prevented war damage repairs along the Arghandi-Sayedabad and

Sayedabad-Ghazni sections. Until damaged ACSR and OPGW are repaired, the complete TL

will not be ready for testing and commissioning. Unrepaired war damage OPGW spans include

Tower No. 12/0 to Tower No. 14/0. Unrepaired war damage ACSR spans include:

o Tower No. 19/2 to Tower No. 19/4, Tower No. 17/0 to Tower No. 18/0, Tower No.

27/0 to Tower No. 28/0, all along the Arghandi-Sayedabad section.

o Tower No. 6/0 to Tower No. 7/0, Tower No. 9/0 to Tower No. 10/0, Tower No.

10/0 to Tower No. 12/0, Tower No. 12/0 to Tower No. 13/0, Tower No. 13/0 to

Tower No. 14/0, Tower No. 14/0 to Tower No. 14A/0, Tower No. 16/3 to Tower

No. 16/4, Tower No. 17/0 to Tower No. 18/0, Tower No. 20/0 to Tower No. 21/0,

Tower No. 21/0 to Tower No. 22/0, and Tower No. 22/0 to Tower No. 23/0, all

along the Sayedabad-Ghazni section.

Ongoing insurgent activities will result in additional damages. For maintenance of the TL, DABS

has to procure spare parts. Lack of spare parts will negatively affect war damage repair and

testing and commissioning of the TL.

Available spare parts do not currently include +2 meter, +3 meter, +4 meter, +6 meter, and

+7 meter leg extensions to be used for war damage repairs. Until project spare parts are

handed over by the contractor to DABS, project completion cannot be done.

Late approval of Contract Amendment No. 3, signed by DABS on April 26, 2017, is having a

negative impact on materials procurement and delivery, war damage repairs, and invoice

processing. The contractor was unable to conduct all necessary procurement of materials.

Tree trimming is pending due to compensation by DABS. Until tree trimming is completed,

the complete TL will not be ready for testing and commissioning.


Tt ESP will perform required close out functions until December 31, 2017.




4. PHOTOGRAPHS

No longer applicable.




JO-P-0009 ARGHANDI-GHAZNI SUBSTATIONS

1. ACCOMPLISHMENTS, EVENTS, PROGRESS DURING THIS REPORTING PERIOD

This reporting period, the contractor submitted the following 17 invoices with the amount of

, which were processed and sent to USAID and DABS by Tt ESP:

o C-433/Local Supply/USD-008

o C-433/Local Supply/USD-007

o C-433/Lightning System/USD-41(S)1

o C-433/Disconnect/USD-29(S)1

o C-433/Temp/USD-067(S)1

o C-433/Disconnects/USD-25 (S)1

o C-433/Temp/USD66(S)1

o C-433/SA/USD-07(S)1

o C-433/Lightning System/USD-41(S)2

o C-433/SA/USD-04(S)1

o C-433/Supply/USD-10A

o C-433/Supply/USD-012A

o C-433/DABS-92-ICB-004(LOT-2) /RA-004(S1)

o C-433/Lighting System/USD-63

o C-433DABS-92-ICB-004(LOT-2) RA-016

o C-433DABS-92-ICB-004(LOT-2) RA-016P

o C-433/DABS-92-ICB-004(LOT-2) /R -018

This reporting period, the contractor submitted the following 19 design submittals (* indicates

submittals that were sent back to the contractor):

o DTS 116: Site Grading Layout Plan for Sayedabad Substation*

o DTS 550: Equipment Test Report for Sayedabad Substation*

o DTS 555: Asphaltic Wearing Course Design for Ghazni Substation*

o DTS 584: Equipment Test Report for Ghazni Substation*

o DTS 589: Pre-Commissioning Checklist Equipment for both Ghazni and Sayedabad

substations*

o DTS 590: Pre-Commissioning Checklist Civil Works for both Ghazni and Sayedabad

substations*

o DTS 591: Pre-Commissioning Operation & Maintenance Manual for both Ghazni and

Sayedabad substations*

o DTS 593: As-Built of Civil Drawings for both Ghazni and Sayedabad substations*

o DTS 595: As-Built of Foundation Drawings for both Ghazni and Sayedabad

substations*

o DTS 597: As-Built of Guard Tower Drawings for both Ghazni and Sayedabad

substations*




o DTS 599: As-Built of Foundation Drawings for both Ghazni and Sayedabad

substations*

o DTS 604: Pre-Commissioning Plan for both Ghazni and Sayedabad substations*

o DTS 600: As-Built of FAT Test and Training Report of Equipment for both Ghazni and

Sayedabad substations*

o DTS 605: As-Built Drawings of SA Electrical Equipment for both Ghazni and Sayedabad

substations*

o DTS 606: As-Built for Gantry and Structure for both Ghazni and Sayedabad

substations*

o DTS 607: As-Built of Gantry Foundation Drawings for both Ghazni and Sayedabad

substations*

o DTS 608: As-Built of Electrical Equipment Drawings for both Ghazni and Sayedabad

substations*

o DTS 594: As-Built of Structure Drawings for both Ghazni and Sayedabad substations*

o DTS 596: As-Built of Control and Switchgear Building Drawings for both Ghazni and

Sayedabad substations.

2. ISSUES

In October 2016, DABS issued a limited stop work order to the contractor to stop work on

any construction of substation civil works that had not been reviewed and approved by Tt

ESP. This stop work order is still in effect.

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

ended. Tt ESP will continue to process and verify invoices 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 stopped further Quality Assurance (QA) or Construction Management Services (CMS)

on the substations as of August 31, 2017.


The contractor will continue testing and pre-commissioning activities for electrical equipment

at Ghazni Substation. The expected completion date for these activities is September 18, 2017.

The contractor will continue work on gantry structure modifications at Ghazni Substation.

The expected completion date for these modifications is September 31, 2017.

The contractor will continue work on construction of the retaining walls, roads, and drainages

at Ghazni Substation. The expected completion date for these activities is September 31, 2017.

Tt ESP will continue to completion the review and finalization of design submittals and as-built

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

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

No longer applicable.




JO-P-0010 NEPS-SEPS CONNECTOR TRANSMISSION LINES


On September 5, 2017, Tt ESP reviewed and returned to DABS the contractor’s organization

chart as “Returned for Correction”. The Tt ESP Project Manager (PM) is following up with

the DABS PM for resubmission of the contractor’s organization chart.

On September 10, 2017, the contractor submitted the draft schedule to DABS for review.

The draft baseline schedule is not yet cost loaded, but Tt ESP, on behalf of USAID, is

proceeding with technical review of the schedule. After Tt ESP and DABS finish reviews, the

contractor will make required schedule revisions and resubmit the schedule for review and

acceptance.

Tt ESP, DABS, and contractor representatives are at a manufacturing company in Dalian, China

to witness the factory acceptance test (FAT) of long rod composite insulators. The FAT test

is scheduled from September 12, 2017 to September 17, 2017.

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 POP). This is three months after

the project’s fund cancellation date, 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 transmission line sections. DABS is not finished with review of the initial line route

survey. Until DABS releases approval of each section of the initial route survey, the detail line

route survey is delayed. This will affect critical path activities of the overall project, which

include 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

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

route detail survey. To mitigate delays to the project, it has been suggested to DABS that the

contractor must complete the detail survey in less time than originally planned and 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) 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 the contractor’s 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.

DABS is to confirm the physical location of the five planned substations. Any changes in the

substation locations will negatively impact the initial line route survey completed by the

contractor and would require the contractor to survey again for revised substation locations.




Security risks delayed completion of the remaining two sections of the initial line survey.

Security risks affecting the remainder of the project are an ongoing concern.

Security risks delayed site verification of the three sections of the initial line route survey

submitted by contractor.


Upon resolution of site security concerns, the contractor will start the initial line route survey

for the remaining two sections.

Upon resolution of site security concerns, DABS will start physical verification of the initial

line route survey for the submitted three sections.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS





JO-P-0011 NEPS-SEPS CONNECTOR SUBSTATIONS


On September 7, 2017, a meeting held was held at the Tt ESP Villa between Tt ESP, USAID,

and DABS to discuss possible, feasible options for expediting the implementation of the JO-P-

0011 project.

2. ISSUES

Nothing to report.


DABS is to explore options discussed in the September 7, 2017 meeting and select the best

one.

DABS should present to USAID their selected option with a high-level timeline, risk and risk

mitigation considerations, pros and cons on the implementation schedule, and a persuasive

argument documenting the achievability of the option.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS





JO-P-0012 SALANG TUNNEL SUBSTATION


To date, Tt ESP has received 169 submittals out of 583 anticipated Rev0 submittals from the

contractor. This includes 67 resubmittals.

Tt ESP has received 17 Rev0 requests for information (RFIs). All of them are closed/responded

to by Tt ESP.

On September 6, 2017, concrete placement for the generator room column footings at the

south entrance of the tunnel was completed.

On September 10, 2017, the first step of concrete placement for stems and counterforts of

the 12 meter (m) high retaining wall, station 1+95.47 – 1+66.23, was completed.

On September 11, 2017, the contractor submitted calibration certificates for onsite laboratory

equipment.

On September 12, the contractor submitted the updated progress schedule with Earned Value

Management (EVM) requirements for Tt ESP review.

Formwork and steel reinforcement fixing for retaining wall No. 1, retaining wall No. 3

(cantilever wall), and concrete stairs are in progress.

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

system is in progress.

Delivery of cement Type 5 is in progress.

Delivery of plywood and forms for the retaining walls is in progress.

Delivery of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) electrical conduits, spacers, and warning tape is in

progress.

2. ISSUES

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

approved plan severely limits the ability of Tt ESP inspectors 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 contractor is to submit the EPP to DABS, USAID, and Tt ESP for review and approval.




4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo #1: Concrete pouring for generator room

column footings, Salang Substation. FW, 2017-09-06. Photo #2: Concrete pouring for stems and

counterfort retaining wall, Salang Substation. FW,

2017-09-10.

Photo #3: Steel fixing and formwork for cantilever

wall and concrete stairs, Salang Substation. HA,

2017-09-13.

Photo #4: Laying conduit and compacting sand

bedding for medium voltage cable distribution

system, Salang Substation. HA, 2017-09-13.




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.

The following activities were completed:

o Walkway preparations and concreting.

o Formwork and concreting of the planters.

o Installation of the motion sensor switch.

The following activities were in progress:

o Application of compressible material for the wall joints.

o Installation of ventilation system grills, louvers, and dampers.

o Installation of electrical single sockets.

o Installation of fire extinguishers.

o Installation of bollards around the dry wells.

o Exterior walls final paint (touch up work).

o Installation of door hardware.

o Building exterior expansion joint cover.

o Installation of safe room sliding doors.

o Installation of fire sprinkler heads.

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

o Installation of ventilation ducts.

o Installation of suspended ceilings.

o Interior walls final paint.

During this reporting period, the following meetings were held:

o September 10, 2017 - safety toolbox meeting on electrical hazards.

o September 5, 2017 - weekly progress meeting was held on construction progress,

legal, contractual, quality, and schedule issues.

2. ISSUES

The majority of activities planned for progress have 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.

Lack of progress is due mainly to lack of materials, workforce, and adequate supervision on

the job site. The contractor’s procurement practice, at this point, is crucial and requires

further planning efforts to complete the project on time.


All ongoing activities above will continue in the next reporting period.




Remaining heating and fire sprinkler activities currently await delivery of material from abroad.

These materials are expected to arrive on September 20, 2017.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo #1: Second floor electrical outlet installation,

AUAF. MH, 2017-09-09.

Photo #2: Second floor interior walls, final paint

application, AUAF. YK, 2017-09-12.

Photo #3: Stucco application of window treatments,

AUAF. MA, 2017-09-14.

Photo #4: First floor toilet fixture installation,

AUAF. YK, 2017-09-14.




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 4 to 14, 2017, interns continued water supply training and began the

associated assignment.

From September 4 to 14, 2017, electrical wiring training continued with the Tt ESP Electrical

Department.

From September 4 to 14, 2017, interns worked on preparing lists of required materials for a

three-dimensional (3D) model of the Tt ESP villa.

On September 10, 2017, geographical information system (GIS) software training was initiated

by the Tt ESP Quality Assurance Department.

On September 13, 2017, the interns had a career development opportunity with the DABS

Human Resources (HR) Department.

2. ISSUES

Nothing to report.


From September 16 to 28, 2017, a Tt ESP civil engineer will present information on

construction management, quality control and assurance, and site experience with the interns.

From September 16 to 21, 2017, interns will work to complete water supply training

assignments.

From September 16 to 21, 2017, electrical wiring training will be continued by the Tt ESP

Electrical Department, and interns will be provided with a training-related assignment.

From September 16 to 28, 2017, geographical information system (GIS) software training will

continue.

From September 16 to 28, 2017, interns will continue plumbing and heating, ventilation, and

air conditioning (HVAC) training assignments and work on the 3D model of the Tt ESP villa.

On September 27, 2017, the interns will meet with the Afghanistan NPA Engineering

Department after receiving confirmation of the appointment.




4. PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo #1: Interns during water supply training.

MNG, 2017-09-04.

Photo #2: Interns during electrical wiring training.

MNG, 2017-09-05.

Photo #3: First group of interns during GIS software

training. MNG, 2017-09-11.

Photo #4: Second group of interns during GIS

software training. MNG, 2017-09-12.




USAID/AFGHANISTAN

U.S. Embassy

Great Massoud Road

Kabul, Afghanistan

Tel:

Documents

Engineering Support Program (ESP) - United States …pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00N3G4.pdfWire (OPGW) repair and tree trimming to keep the transmission line (TL) ready for testing and