Western Area Power Administration Upper Great Plains Region -- Technical Support Services
Background and Objectives
The Western Area Power Administration (Western) Upper Great Plains Customer Service Region (UGPR) is responsible for the marketing and transmission of Federal and contract electric power generated at Federal and contractor sites to wholesale customers in seven states (Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa). This includes responsibilities for maintenance and operations of a high-voltage transmission system that delivers Pick-Sloan Project power through nearly 100 substations across Western's seven-state region. In accomplishing this mission, the work consists of power marketing, operation and maintenance, engineering and construction. Western's central or headquarters office is the Corporate Services Office (CSO), located in Lakewood , Colorado . The work required by this Statement of Work (SOW) supports the UGPR located in Billings, Montana; three field maintenance division offices located in Huron, South Dakota; Fort Peck, Montana; and Bismarck, North Dakota; and one Operations Office located in Watertown, South Dakota.
UGPR has five main offices and approximately 20 duty stations. The main offices have the majority of personnel and the duty stations personnel roster varies between 1 person to over 15 people at one location. All of the main offices and a majority of the duty stations are a part of the Wide-Area-Network (WAN).
UGPR's computer environment consists of file/system servers, PCs, and miscellaneous peripherals such as printers, scanners, digital cameras, plotters, jukebox CD-ROM systems, and other such peripheral devices. Production file servers are dispersed within the main offices. Desktop computers are dispersed within the main offices, the duty stations, and other miscellaneous locations.
Contract Scope of Work
The work required within this SOW includes computer system support, and drafter/CAD services support.
Computer Systems Support
Training is provided to the functional users, federal technical staff, and the TR on products or systems that are maintained, designed, or installed by the contract staff.
SRG assists with installation/or if requested installs, administers, and maintains communications, backup processes, hardware, and security measures, including Operating systems, Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) software, in-house developed software, utilities, compilers, and proprietary software packages.
Preventative examinations for all software, hardware, and data communication materials and equipment are provided as well as web page design and creation.
Documentation includes performance and functional requirements, system design/specifications, integration and implementation plans, data specifications and data models, operational and maintenance procedures/instructions, user manuals and training materials and aids, security procedures, configuration management and production control procedures, contingency and continuity plans, risk analyses, user interfaces, user instructions, standard operating procedures, installation procedures, or other documents.
SRG provides technical assistance and advice to Western on technology and investigates new technology on new systems. Feasibility studies, cost/benefit studies, market research, sources of supplies, cost estimates, project management plans, resource studies, impact studies, migration studies, or other such studies are provided to the government. Recommendations of new application systems, available commercial software, and alternative solutions and processes are made by analyzing user and data requirements.
SRG services the entire Region with technical assistance and customer service. We assist and help users in both local and remote capacities, and represent UGPR on technical committees and teams as necessary.
SRG is responsible for database development and database administration activities associated with new and existing applications and systems, including database administration activities, monitor and optimize performance, establish and maintain an UGPR-wide data dictionary, establish data quality and certification standards associated with the contents of the database, and plan, implement, and maintain the best physical organization and location(s) for data storage to meet UGPR's program and data-accessibility requirements.
Proactive day-to-day technical support for all hardware and software systems is provided. We record and track problems, record status of problems, and record solutions to problems. SRG also provides configuration management, hardware maintenance and new hardware installations, cabling changes, software and hardware interface issues, provide user training and post implementation support, and assess current and new off-the-shelf software packages.
We maintain IS standards, reference, and procedure manuals, vendor and technical libraries, and provide the appropriate number of copies of software release documentation for UGPR's computer users. We maintain equipment and software inventory databases, prepare and track purchase requests for equipment, software, supplies, and vendor maintenance, and maintain a user information center and helpdesk web site to address issues such as hardware, software, applications and other program questions and concerns.
SRG works with the federal IS staff in the administration and support of the UGPR computer systems and networks.
SRG provides system development with detailed design documentation. Application software development is performed using one or more productivity tools. We plan and perform software and data conversion of existing software applications from one language or system to another, and/or from one hardware platform to another.
Plan and perform IT security functions including: risk analyses, vulnerability assessments, contingency planning, system accreditation, security audits, security training, analysis of physical and software security operations, both active and passive, developing anti-intrusion systems for software, virus/worm/etc. detection and neutralization, preventive measures.
Maintenance Engineering Support
Documents to be drafted include electrical schematic and wiring diagrams, system switching and single line diagrams, civil, mechanical and architectural diagrams as well as many miscellaneous diagrams, sketches and plans. New drawings are typically created electronically utilizing AutoCAD (present software) software on Microsoft compatible workstations. Some older drawings require manual “board” drafting utilizing ink pens. Drafting work requires creating new drawings and revising existing drawings. Drafting work may also consist of special assignments.
SRG provides AutoCAD drafts for both new drawings and revisions to existing drawings, with the capability to produce manual drafts if necessary. We use the latest version of AutoCAD drafting software and standards as required by the customer.
SRG provides control and tracking of drawings in the drafting System, maintaining revision levels, physical location, and status of all projects.
SRG provides CAD and CAE System Operation and Administration on Western's systems, maintaining backups in tape libraries, and associated peripherals, software and drivers. We maintain, support and manage disk space and file transfers on local and remote servers. Upgrades and software releases are coordinated throughout the region, and technical instruction and user training support is provided to new users.
Summary
The Government has given several awards to the personnel on this contract to commend them for a job well done. SRG's performance has led to the government exercising all option periods early, demonstrating a confidence in SRG's capability to continue to perform for multiple years.