SPECIAL NOTICE
S -- Utility Infrastructure Services - Request for Information/Sources Sought (US Air Force Academy)
- Notice Date
- 2/18/2004
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- Contracting Office
- General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service (PBS), Energy Center of Expertise (WPE), 7th & D Street, SW, Room 4004, Washington, DC, 20407
- ZIP Code
- 20407
- Archive Date
- 3/4/2005
- Description
- Utility Infrastructure Services – Request for Information/Sources Sought. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) on behalf of the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is seeking sources that are capable and interested in participating in privatization of the USAFA utility distribution infrastructure. The purpose of this announcement is two fold: 1) to ascertain if there is a viable interest from industry in participating; and 2) to ascertain if any of the privatization solicitations can be set aside for a) small business, b) 8a small business or c) HUBZone small business. Decisions will be made by GSA and USAFA on a utility-by-utility basis. If viable interest is not shown for a particular utility system, a solicitation for that utility will not be issued. North American Industrial Classification Codes of 221122 (Electric Power Distribution), 221210 (Natural Gas Distribution), 221310 (Water Supply Systems) and 221320 (Sewer Treatment Facilities) apply. Corresponding small business size standards are 4 million megawatts, 500 employees, $6M in sales, and $6M in sales, respectively. Parties interested in acquiring utility systems and providing utility distribution services at USAFA should provide a separate statement of interest for each utility. Each separate statement of interest shall identify the specific system(s) for which there is interest and for which industry provides separate responses to the questions identified below. Firms that are either small business or 8a or HUBZone small business need to identify that fact and indicate in which of the three listed small business categories they qualify. The USAFA utilities involved are electricity; natural gas; water; and wastewater (collection, treatment and non-potable water distribution). If an offeror is interested in multiple systems, separate responses should be provided for each system. In addition, interested parties are required to provide information regarding experience and qualifications for operating utility systems for each of the systems of interest. Contractor selection will NOT be made on the basis of information submitted, rather we will decide if sufficient viable interest exists to warrant issuing RFPs or if any limitation of participation to small business, 8a or HUBZone small business applies. Each utility system will be separately solicited. Please be advised the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) apply to this procurement and interested parties should reference the draft Request For Proposal (RFP) template at the following website for information regarding terms and conditions. The draft template RFP can be found at http://www.afcesa.af.mil/Directorate/CEO/Contracts/UtilPrivatization/UPTemplates.htm. Specifically, parties are advised the Federal Disputes Clause FAR 52.233-1, Alt I, found at http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm will apply when the entity is providing services where the rates are not set by law or regulation and acknowledge understanding that acceptance of this clause is required to be considered responsive to any subsequent RFP. Responses will be used to assist in refining the acquisition strategy and subsequent decisions regarding future issuance of a full and open competitive RFP, a set-aside RFP, a sole source RFP, or, if no viable interest, not issuing an RFP. If viable responses are not received, the Government has the discretion to determine no market interest exists and no subsequent RFPs be issued (again, on a utility-by-utility basis). Specific responses to the following are needed in order for your firm to be considered “viable” in providing an offer for services under this program. Provide: (1) System of interest: (a) Electric Utility Distribution System; (b) Natural Gas Utility Distribution System; (c) Potable Water Utility Distribution System; (d) Wastewater Utility Distribution System; (2) Your status regarding your authority to support this service: (a) Regulated utility and service is within certificated area of service; (b) Regulated utility providing nonregulated service for this area of service; (d) Regulated utility and service is not within certificated area of service; (e) Non-regulated utility for the service of interest; (3) Classification of your company: (a) Publicly owned utility; (b) Investor owned utility; (c) Cooperative owned utility; (d) Publicly owned and traded company – not a utility; (e) Privately owned company; (f) Limited Liability Corporation; (g) C-Corp; (h) Other, Please Describe; (4) Offeror acknowledges acceptance of application of the Federal Acquisition Regulation terms and conditions included in the RFP template. (5) Acknowledgement that you may be required to comply with the Cost Accounting Standards; (6) If you propose to provide nonregulated service within your proposed service area, will your entity accept the Federal Disputes Clause FAR 52.233-1 Alt 1; (7) Indicate if your firm or entity is or is not a small business, or 8a or HUBZone small business. (Not-for-profit entities cannot be a small business.) - Responses that indicate insufficient capabilities will not be further considered. Offeror is put on notice that the government anticipates making a best value source selection where past performance and a strong financial balance sheet will be significantly more important than price. Descriptions of Utility Infrastructure Systems – The Air Force Academy (AFA) is located north of the city limits of Colorado Springs, CO. There are 18,455 acres of land within the AFA boundaries at an average elevation of 6,700 feet above sea level. The electric, natural gas and water distribution systems and wastewater collection system are being considered for privatization. The utility system information provided here is an estimate only and is subject to change. Electrical System: The City of Colorado Springs provides and wheels power to two substations owned by the AFA. The City owns and operates the 34.5kV overhead lines and equipment in the substations. The AFA owns and operates the 34.5kV - 12.47kV substation transformers and all 12.47kV distribution equipment. The 12.47kV equipment at the substation is metal-clad switchgear. The electrical distribution system consists of 14 feeders in concrete encased duct banks with selection and interrupt switches located in manholes and transformer vaults. Most transformers are double-ended unit substation type (dry or oil-filled) in vaults within the buildings. Pad-mounted transformers are used in housing, commercial, and industrial areas. Overhead single-phase lines serve remote facilities. Natural Gas System: The natural gas distribution system consists of a network of approximately 189,000 lineal feet of coated and wrapped steel ranging in size from 1 to 14 inches in diameter cathodically protected by three-deep anode bed systems with rectifier units. Recent extensions have used polyethylene piping. The City of Colorado Springs supplies natural gas at 50 psig through a single metering station east of Interstate 25. The 50 psig distribution piping is protected with galvanic anodes. There are 11 pressure regulating valve pits within the Military Family Housing (MFH) areas where the gas pressure is reduced to 15 psig for further distribution. The 15 psig piping is protected by sacrificial anodes. The gas pressure is reduced to a few ounces by individual regulators at each building such as residencies in the MFH areas. Meters and regulators will be included with the privatization effort. Water System: The potable water distribution system consists of approximately 283,000 lineal feet of water mains ranging in size from 4 to 24 inches. All potable water is purchased from the City of Colorado Springs and stored in the AFA's five underground reservoirs, which have a total storage capacity of approximately 4.2 million gallons. A chlorinating system is located at each reservoir. The system was originally installed during 1958-1960. The underground piping systems are protected against external corrosion with cathodic protection. Wastewater System: The AFA owns and operates a wastewater system consisting of a collection system, a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), and a non-potable water distribution system. The wastewater collection system consists of approximately 330,000 lineal feet of vitrified clay, reinforced concrete, cast iron, and PVC pipe ranging in diameter from 4 to 21 inches. There are three lift stations which have backup power generators. The wastewater treatment plant is a 2.0-MGD activated sludge plant operating at approximately 1.0 to 1.4 MGD. The WWTP 30-day average biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids limits are 25 and 10 respectively with varying seasonal discharges to nearby Monument Creek. The WWTP consists of preliminary, primary, and secondary treatments, filtration, disinfection, and sludge handling. The wastewater system also includes a nonpotable water distribution system consisting of four surface reservoirs and four pump stations. The Contractor(s) shall furnish all facilities, labor, materials, tools, and equipment necessary to own, maintain and operate the utility system(s) in a safe and reliable condition. The Contractor(s) shall manage the maintenance, repairs, replacement, etc., of the system(s) to ensure continuous, adequate, and dependable service for each Government or tenant connection within the service area. Real property interests will be conveyed in the form of a Right of Way as an attachment to the RFP. The utility system(s) will be conveyed via a Bill of Sale upon award of the contract. Due date for response is 04 March 2004. Responses should be addressed to: Linda L. Collins, Contracting Officer, U.S. General Services Administration, PBS Energy Center of Expertise (WPE), 301 7th Street, SW' Room 4004, Washington, DC 20407; telephone numbers are shown below. For assistance in interpreting the FBO announcement, please see the FBO Reader’s Guide. The Place of Performance is the United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840-2315. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.
- Web Link
-
Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.eps.gov/spg/GSA/PBS/NCR/RFI18February2004/listing.html)
- Record
- SN00524716-F 20040220/040218225358 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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