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Emergency oil spill support service for power plants sought
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Posted on Mar 28 2012
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is seeking experienced contractors on island that are capable of performing emergency oil spill containment of up to 1,000 gallons for power plants 1 and 2, including their surrounding areas and the one-mile long fuel pipeline from the supply point.
Based on the emergency request for proposal, the service is primarily intended for Saipan. However, CUC may require the same services for its Rota and Tinian power plants.
CUC executive director Abe Utu Malae told Saipan Tribune yesterday that this contract will enable CUC to comply with a 2009 court order to create an infrastructure for safe storage, handling, and transfer of fuel, including environmental site cleanup.
“In accordance with Stipulated Order No. 2, the CUC has to have a contract and develop procedures to conduct immediate assessment, response and proper cleanup of onshore oil spills. The CUC is in the process of updating its plans and procedures, obtaining the appropriate equipment and completing the requisite training,” he said.
According to Malae, the existing contract for these services expires in April 2012 and an extension is being requested to July 2012.
He said the existing contract was a sole source award in October 2010 due to the limited number of interested who would be able to provide the required services and respond within the time allotted. The sole-source contract has a limit of $60,000 and funding was sourced from the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs.
“The emergency procurement is necessary to ensure that a contract is in place prior to the current contract expiring, otherwise CUC will be without emergency oil spill response capabilities,” Malae explained.
Until CUC has a fully functional and equipped response team with approved plans and procedures, the agency will have to rely on an outside contractor to perform these services.
CUC said it will consult with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other stakeholders prior to the final selection of a contractor.
