What this opportunity is
The U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura, Burundi, is seeking a contractor to replace a faulty Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) for its Domestic Water Treatment Plant, including integration with a Building Automation System via BACnet communication. This solicitation is open to all vendors, as there is no set-aside for small businesses. Interested parties should prepare detailed quotations covering staff services, materials, and installation, ensuring compliance with the attached Statement of Work. Note that this is a solicitation notice, so tracking the opportunity is essential for potential bidders.
Analysis by Mindy, grounded in the SAM.gov notice.
Description
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STATEMENT OF WORK
PROJECT TITLE: NEC DWTP PLC REPLACEMENT.
LOCATION: NEC UTILITY BLDG. 50 AV DES ETATS UNIS
REFERENCE:2026 – NEC WATER TREATEMENT SYM – V.02
DATE:22-APR-2026
1. Project Statement
Post Bujumbura has a need to replace a faulty domestic water treatment plant (DWTP)
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and add BACnet to it to upgrade communication to
Building Automation System (BAS) of which FAC team will be able to monitor real time
levels, production and water distribution to the buildings.
The current PLC Model Allen-Bradely MicroLogix 1200 has suffered from a fatal internal
failure.
1.1 Work Description
Post wants the service of a contractor who can.
1.1.1 Provide new unlocked Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and HMIs for the
controller.
1.1.2 Provide all hardware and software equipment (Laptop with carrying case,
software loaded on PC, programming cable, and support connections to the
installed Allen Bradley PLC.)
1.1.3 The PLC ultrasonic level sensor hardware shall be Ladder Diagram (LD), also
known as Ladder Logic.
1.1.4 Provide and upgrade any input/output cards and new ethernet cables for the PLCs.
1.1.5 Provide all parts and materials associated with BAS interface with the new
BACnet converter.
1.1.6 Provide the recommended software for the water tank production and level
management system and include the labor required to install.
1.1.7 Provide a minimum of eight (8) hours of hands-on training for Facility personnel.
Training shall cover software, system operations including system monitoring and
alarm management, and basic troubleshooting procedures
1.2 Project Description:
1.2.1 For the PLC Work:
1.2.1.1 The contractor must replace and repair
• the main cabinet PLC that has suffered from a fatal internal failure.
• the RS232 port that is not functioning. This resulted in not being
able to pull the current PLC program off for replacement.
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• Power to the input/output cards not functioning.
• The built-in screen on the PLC is not functioning. The PLC goes
immediately into a fault state upon power cycle, indicating an
internal PLC error on the board/power distribution rail of the PLC.
1.2.1.2 Perform re-wiring in the main panel and label all the cables.
1.2.1.3 Contractors must ensure footprint of the new PLC, along with all of it’s I/O
cards will fit into the existing cabinet or if there will be need to have an
additional cabinet.
1.2.2 For the BAS Integration:
1.2.2.1 Main cabinet does not have enough room to mount the BAS module. The
contractor will perform conduit work between one of the pump cabinets
and the upgraded BAS module in order to utilize it. Cat 5/6 would need to
be run from the pump panel to the BAS system, and 5 conductors ran from
the main plc to the new BAS module.
1.2.2.2 The contractor must capture all points from the potable plant into the BAS
system with the current design.
1.2.2.3 The contractor must capture all points from the pump panels (Booster and
Triplex pumps) and relay to BAS system through upgraded BAS Module
(BACnet).
1.2.2.4 The contractor will add an ethernet switch to make sure both points for
Potable panel and pump panel are relayed to BACnet for BAS system.
1.2.2.5 Note that certain points are already hardwired from the RO plc’s to the
main PLC, the contractor must confirm if the wiring is still usable and in
good condition.
1.2.2.6 The PLC sourcing and sinking points are detailed in wiring diagram from
page 12 to 30.
2.0 System Overview
2.1 System Description
This system is designed as five skids including bag filters and chlorination skid, media and
carbon filters skid, two RO skids and PH adjustment skid.
The complete treatment system is designed to provide up to 9000 gallons per day of potable
quality water. Using city water or well water as the feed source. See system P&I Diagram in
figure 1.0.
2.2 Sequence of Operation
Feed water is supplied to the RO unit at dynamic pressure. Feed water enters the system through
an Inlet valve. Next, the feed water passes through a pre-filter for removal of suspended particles
5 microns or larger.
The filtered water enters a high-pressure pump which increases the water pressure to RO
operating levels.
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Inside the membrane assembly, a portion of the feed water, referred to as product, passes through
a membrane barrier that rejects suspended and dissolved solids. The remaining portion of feed
water, referred to as reject, carries concentrated contaminants out of the membrane assembly.
The product water from the membrane assembly is monitored for conductivity. A Programmable
Logic Controller (PLC) controls the RO functions to maintain most efficient operation within the
design parameters of the system.
Recovery, an important operating parameter, is the ratio of the product water to the feed water
flow. Designed recovery rate for this system is 52%. See the System Specifications section 2.2 of
this SOW for details.
2.2 System Specifications
6.25 GPM
These specifications are based upon computer generated projections. The projections are
determined by feed water chemistry, temperature, predicted capacity and anticipated 3-year
flows.
Supply to Reverse Osmosis Unit (1”)......................................................................... 12 GPM (45.4 LPM)
RO Product to Service/Storage (3/4”) ...................................................................... 6.25 GPM (23.7 LPM)
RO Reject to Drain (3/4”) ......................................................................................... 5.75 GPM (21.7 LPM)
Daily Total Permeate Production ...............................................................................................9,000 GPD
Expected
Feedwater TDS ..........................................................................................................................1000 MG/L
RO Product Water TDS .......................................................................................…
Source: SAM.gov, as posted. Verify the current solicitation before responding.