2004 Specifications CSJ 6228-45-001 & 6248-06-001 SPECIAL SPECIFICATION 8802 Radio Communication Tower Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair 1. Description. This specification describes service to provide inspection, maintenance and repair to existing Texas Department of Transportation-owned radio communication towers located within the Paris District. 2. Materials. The Department will furnish the following materials; Transmission Line, Transmission line Connectors, Antennas, Grounding Kits, Mounting Hardware for antennas, Port Entry and Ground Bars. Vendor furnish the following materials; weatherproofing, 2/0 tinned bare stranded copper conductor, exothermic welding, conductor connectors, Conductor AWG 10 solid copper with black insulation, equipment, tools, test equipment and other incidentals necessary to complete the work. 3. Qualifications. Vendor is required to have a minimum of ten continuous years of experience with radio communication tower erection, removal, repair, painting, installation of antennas and transmission lines, connectors and associated hardware. The principal employees cited as the project manager, and the crew leader/foreman are permanent staff employee(s) of the vendor s firm for a minimum of two years. Each individual employee has a minimum of ten years experience in all phases of radio communication tower erection and removal, repair, painting, installation of antennas and transmission lines, connectors and associated hardware. Other employees (general repair crew) involved in the tower work are required to have a minimum of three years experience in the erection and removal, repair, and painting of radio communication towers, installation of antennas, transmission lines, connectors and associated hardware. A minimum of one employee per crew shall be English speaking and able to fully communicate in English by written and oral means. Provide written documentation for the following: a. Tower training, fall protection and safety program in accordance with applicable Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and any state of Texas requirements related to work at a wireless communication tower site. 1-8 8802
b. Plan for site hazard assessment, mandated safety meetings including daily safety meetings, fall protection, Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) fall restraint techniques, fixed ladder usage, Personal protection equipment (PPE) and Occupational Protective Equipment (OPE) and emergency contingency planning including rescue techniques. c. How the vendor will provide continued compliance with OSHA training requirements through ongoing training according to the specific area of OSHA regulations. d. Policies and procedures that ensure employees follow appropriate safety guidelines and are knowledgeable of the ramifications if they do not follow company policies and procedures. e. Certified tower climbing, safety and rescue training, and refresher courses for all employees who will be working on Department radio communications towers. The Department will only allow vendor employees who are in possession of proper documentation of certified training to climb on or work around the Department s towers. f. Documentation of regular scheduled training and safety meetings with the contractor providing proof of such training and meetings (dates, times, names of employees attending). Note: The vendor is required to have a current copy of their plan, safety and training documentation in company vehicles when they are working on Department tower sites. 4. Service Requirements. Provide the following radio communication tower inspection and repair services for the Department. 4.1 The Department requires a four person work crew for all inspection and repair activities as required in the specification. A minimum requirement of one employee on the ground at all times when employees are on the tower. 4.2 Have a routine response time of 24 continuous hours of notification from the Department by issuance of work order. Fill out work order of work completed, sign, and date. Completed work order (signed original copy) returned to the Department representative to verify the work has been completed and accepted for payment. 4.3 If after three failures to respond within the respective call out response periods by the vendor, the Department reserves the right to cancel the contract with no notice due to failure to meet the response time s requirements of the contract. 4.4 The vendor is subject to testing and quality control standards as deemed by representatives of the Department. This includes, but is not limited to the methods used in inspection of towers, installation of antennas, coax s, connectors, weatherproofing of connectors, safety issues, conduct and responses of employees in work with Department employees. 2-8 8802
4.4.1. The transmission lines and antenna systems are tested using either the Anritsu Site Master or Bird Site Analyzer. The testing equipment must be in current calibration. Persons performing these test must hold certifications in sweeping and testing procedures from the manufacturer of the equipment being used or a nationally recognized training program as approved by the Department. Proof of this training is required to be provided to the Department representative prior to beginning testing. Perform the sweeps at the appropriate frequency(s) for the antenna system that will be connected to the transmission line. In most cases, the frequencies to be sweep will be 136 to 174 MHz and 900 to 930 MHz. The Department representative will provide the needed frequency range(s) for testing of the antenna and transmission line. The antenna sweep results must conform to the following minimums: 1. Antenna System Sweep test: -15dbm or better at antenna resonance point. 2. SWR Sweep test: 1.5:1 or better at antenna resonance point. 3. Return Loss Sweep Test of Coax (using Load termination): -30dbm or better for frequency range(s) being tested. This will be a joint test with the Department representative observing the test. 4.4.2. As an alternative method of testing (at the discretion of the Department representative) shall be forward and reverse power testing as well as a SWR test. Accomplish this with radio online under normal operating conditions. Make SWR test first with a dummy load on the antenna end of transmission line, then with the antenna used in system connected to transmission line. Frequencies to be tested will be 150 to 160 MHz or 900 to 930 MHz dependant upon the use of the system being tested. On the VHF systems a 1.5:1 or less direct reading or calculated SWR reading is required. On the 900 MHz systems a 1.5:1 or less direct reading or calculated SWR reading is required. This will be a joint test with the Department s representative operating the transmitter during the test. 4.4.3. Existing transmission lines that have connectors replaced require pre and post installation tests performed by the vendor using one of the test procedures as outlined in 4.4.1 or 4.4.2. 4.4.4. New transmission line installation requires post installation test performed by the vendor using one of the test procedures as outlined in 4.4.1 or 4.4.2. 3-8 8802
4.4.5. Perform testing with the Department representative present and the results documented with copies submitted to the Department representative. Communicate oral test results to the Department representative while at site during test. Work will continue if test are ok, otherwise the vendor will rectify problem prior to departing the site. Provide all test results to the designated Department representative in both hard copy and soft copy no less than 48 hours after completion of testing. 4.4.6. Provide all tools and equipment necessary to conduct inspections, repairs and maintenance. 4.4.7. Ensure equipment calibration is current during the entire course of this contract. 4.4.8. Provide calibration information certifications to Department personnel prior to any work or site visits. 4.4.9. All testing of antenna/transmission line systems is subsidiary to various items. 4.5. Coordinate site inspection visits and work to be performed with Department personnel. 4.6. Perform the inspections and repairs observing OSHA requirements for safety of department property and the tower personnel involved. 4.7. Coordinate site visits for repairs, replacement, and installation with Department personnel. An on-site meeting between Vendor s crew leader and the Department representative is required at tower site prior to beginning any work, to make sure Vendor knows exactly what repair/installation to be done at site. 5. Reporting: Reports in Electronic Format (Photographs), written documentation of Tower inspection, repairs, and any work done is required within 48 hours of completion at each tower site sent to the Department representative. 5.1. Photographs: Take digital photographs before and after each tower s repair(s), inspection(s) and provide an electronic file for each tower photographed, and send to the Department representative. 5.1.1. Logically name each file with a number designation indicating the order in which the photographs were taken. Provide an additional index file to match each tower photograph file name designation with the identification of the tower, location of the tower, tower height, and the reason for taking the photograph. 5.1.2. Provide electronic files in standard JPEG files (JPG) or other suitable format on CD-ROM or via e-mail 4-8 8802
5.1.3. Ensure electronic files are readable using Microsoft Windows Photo Editor or Internet Explorer. A minimum of two mega-pixels or better picture resolution is required. 5.1.4. If files sent via regular mail, send to the designated Department representative. 5.1.5. Photos that clearly show areas inspected, and confirm inspector s results. 5.2. Reporting: Submit completed original Department tower inspection and maintenance report forms to the designated Department representative in accordance with the time table established but not limited to: 5.2.1. Submit to the Department representative a recommended list of needed parts for repair of each tower inspected. 5.2.2. Submit to the Department representative the repair prioritization matrix indicating the level of required action for each tower inspection. 6. Safety: Established training and safety program is required for employees. Per OSHA requirements, copies of the vendor s safety program shall be at each job site. 6.1. Observe all construction area safety requirements, including, but limited to, hard hats, vest, safety shoes, goggles, and safety harness. The wearing of short pants, cutoffs, or no shirt is prohibited. T-shirts are allowed as long as they are in good condition and there is no offensive writing or graphics on it. 6.2. Provide all required safety equipment for the vendor personnel. 6.3. Ensure that all safety equipment is in good working order throughout the duration of the contract. 6.4. Ensure the safety equipment is properly used by vendor personnel. 6.5. Comply with all Department and Federal OSHA safety requirements. 6.6. Hold on-site safety meetings before any work is performed to insure tower crew is familiar with safe working procedures. 7. Department Responsibilities: The Department will: 7.1. Provide a detailed list of towers to be inspected and proposed work. 7.2. Provide the Department s maintenance and inspection forms to vendor. 5-8 8802
7.3. Coordinate access and schedules with the vendor to complete the work described above. 7.4. Issue work orders to the vendor for work to be completed. Process the returned signed original completed work order for payment at the end of each month after work has been completed and accepted. 7.5. Inspect work in progress and may accompany vendor representatives while repairs are completed. 7.6. Provide vendor with a list of Department contacts. 7.7. Schedule preconstruction meeting between the Department and the vendor before work begins. 8. Work Methods. A. Inspection of Communication Tower. Inspect each Department owned tower site using the Department s Tower Inspection and Maintenance Report Forms, Department procedures and requirements and develop a repair prioritization matrix based on the Federal, State and Local codes and Safety Standards applicable to radio communication towers. The matrix shall have a minimum of three levels of priority with Level 1 requiring the immediate action and level 3 requiring the least action. Perform the inspections observing OHSA requirements for safety of department property and the tower personnel involved. Develop a list of needed parts for repair of each tower. Inspection documented on the required Department forms. Photograph of each tower before and after inspection including any discrepancy found. B. Replace of Antenna. Removal of existing antenna and install new antenna. This includes the removal and/or installation of mounting hardware, disconnecting and reconnecting the transmission line to antenna, weatherproofing transmission line connection. Pre-testing and post testing of system. Photograph of antenna, coax connectors, and tie points before and after of work completed. C. Install of Antenna. Installing antenna at location directed by the Engineer. This includes installing antenna mounting hardware, making connection of transmission line to antenna and weatherproofing the connection. Post test of system. Photograph of antenna, coax connectors, and tie points during and after work completed. D. Removal of Antenna. Remove antenna and/or mounting hardware as directed by the Engineer. This includes disconnecting the transmission line from the antenna. Weatherproofing the transmission line connector, if existing transmission line is not being removed from tower. Photograph weatherproofing of transmission line connector. E. Realignment of Antenna. Loosen mounting clamps, plumb vertically for omni side or top mounted antennas or reposition yagi antenna to correct position as directed. 6-8 8802
F. Replace of Transmission Line. Remove existing transmission line from tower and install new transmission line on tower by approved method or as directed by the Engineer. This includes the installation of grounding kits, grounding, securing the transmission line to tower by approved method and terminate transmission line inside radio building. Pretest of existing system. Photograph points of transmission line attachments to tower, grounding kits installed, ground connections, during and after work is completed. G. Install of Transmission Line. Install Transmission line on tower by approved method and as directed by the Engineer. This includes securing the transmission line to the tower by approved method, installing grounding kits, grounding and terminate transmission line inside radio building. Photograph points of attaching transmission line to tower, grounding kits installed, ground connections, during and after work completed. H. Removal of Transmission Line. Complete removal of transmission line from the tower and from radio building. This includes the removal of attachment hardware and grounding kit(s) conductors of transmission line from the tower. I. Rpl of Transmission Line Connector Ant end. Remove existing connector and install new connector on existing transmission line according to manufacture specifications. This includes removing weatherproofing and installing weatherproofing on new connector, Pre-test and posttest of system. Photograph of connector before and after completion. J. Rpl of Transmission Line Connector radio end. Remove existing connector and install new connector on existing transmission line according to manufacture specifications. Including Pre-test and posttest of system. K. Insl of Transmission Line Connector ant end. Install connector on transmission line according to manufacture specifications. This includes weatherproofing the connector by The Department approved method, post testing of system. Photograph of transmission line end prior installing connector, after connector has been installed. L. Insl of Transmission Line Connector radio end. Install connector on transmission line according to manufacture specifications. Including post testing of system. M. Install of transmission line port entry. Install port entry on building by approved method or as directed by the Engineer. This includes installing transmission line through the port entry and install grounding kits on transmission line if required and grounding. N. Install of Ground Bar. Install ground bar where specified or as directed by the Engineer. This includes grounding and make connections of conductors. O. Install of Ground Conductor 2/0 tinned copper. Install Ground conductor on tower and/or between tower and radio room as directed by the Engineer. This includes making connections by an approved methods or as directed by the Engineer. Photographs of all contact points of tower, and other conductor connections to the 2/0 conductor. 7-8 8802
P. Mobilization. Work order issued by the Department serves as notification of vendor call out for service work to be performed. Mobilization will be from the vendor office to the assigned work tower site and from tower work site to vendor office. This does not include from tower site to tower site within the same workday or return trip(s) for work not completed on a work order. 9. Measurement. This Item will be measured as follows. A. Inspection of Communication Tower by the each completed tower inspection. B. Replace of Antenna by the each complete in place. C. Install of Antenna by the each complete in place. D. Removal of Antenna by the each removed. E. Realignment of Antenna by each antenna aligned or repositioned. F. Replace of Transmission Line by the foot of transmission line complete in place. G. Install of Transmission Line by the foot of transmission line complete in place. H. Removal of Transmission Line by the foot of transmission line removed. I. Rpl of Transmission Line Connector ant end by the each complete in place. J. Rpl of Transmission Line Connector radio end by the each complete in place. K. Insl of Transmission Line Connector ant end by the each complete in place. L. Insl of Transmission Line Connector radio end by the each complete in place. M. Install of Transmission Line Entry Port by the each complete in place. N. Install of Ground Bar by the each complete in place. O. Install of Ground Conductor 2/0 tinned copper by the foot of conductor complete in place. P. Mobilization by the each call-out for service response. 10. Payment. The work performed and the materials furnished in accordance with this item and measured as provided under Measurement will be paid for at the unit prices bid for the various designations. This price must be full compensation for furnishing of materials, equipment, tools, all labor and incidentals necessary to complete the work. 8-8 8802