Privatization of the Water, Wastewater, Electric and Natural Gas Utility Systems at Schriever AFB, Colorado

The Defense Logistics Agency Energy (DLA Energy) seeks to identify and obtain information from responsible sources in connection with the privatization of the following utility systems: water (NAICS 221310), sewer (NAICS 221320), electric (NAICS 221122), and natural gas (NAICS 221210) at Schriever Air Force Base (AFB), CO. Privatization is defined as the conveyance of a utility system to a municipal, private, regional, district, or cooperative utility company or other entity. The conveyance may consist of all right, title, and interest of the United States in the utility system(s). Utility Privatization (UP) will be accomplished in accordance with 10 U.S.C. � 2688 - Utility Systems: Conveyance Authority. It is intended that privatization will reduce the Government's life cycle costs. The resulting privatization will include the ownership interest, operation, and maintenance of the system(s). The new owner shall operate and maintain the system(s) and provide utility services to the Government. The Contractor/System Owner shall furnish all management, supervision, permits, equipment, supplies, materials, transportation, and any other incidental items or services required for the complete ownership and provision of utility services by the use of these utility systems being privatized, including operation, maintenance, repair, upgrades, and improvements to the utility systems. All responsibility for maintaining reliable service, including such items as environmental compliance, maintenance costs, major system renovations, construction, equipment, manpower, and overhead costs shall become the responsibility of the new utility system(s) owner(s). This is a Sources Sought Notice (hereinafter "Notice"). This Notice is an essential step in determining market interest and feasibility in accordance with FAR Part 10 and is for information and planning purposes only. This Notice is solely for the Government's use as a market research tool. This Notice does not constitute a request for proposals, a solicitation, or a request for quotes. If determined appropriate, then both a synopsis and a solicitation may be anticipated in the February - April 2013 timeframe. All responsible sources are encouraged to submit a response to this Notice. All information received will be considered. Failure to respond to this Notice does not preclude a firm from offering on any resultant solicitation; however, a lack of interest in this requirement may keep this effort from moving forward competitively. The potential opportunity for set-asides for small businesses and small disadvantaged businesses will be considered on the basis of the responses received. This Notice shall not be construed as a commitment or authorization to incur costs in anticipation of an award. Interested parties should provide a statement of interest on company letterhead by no later than 4:00 pm ET on March 1, 2013. Responses are preferred via email, but hard copies will also be accepted. If the statement of interest will be provided via hard copy, please notify the primary or secondary point of contact listed above in advance to ensure receipt. At a minimum, the statement of interest shall address the following criteria: (1) capability and experience in the ownership and/or leasing, operation, and maintenance of sewer, water, electric, and/or natural gas systems; (2) financial capacity with regard to leasing or ownership interest, expansion, and operation of utility systems; (3) understanding of any applicable state or local utility law or franchise requirements, and capability of complying with such requirements; (4) understanding of the federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations and its familiarity and experience with environmental compliance procedures and regulations for the state of Colorado; (5) a primary point of contact, including phone number and email address; (6) business size (other-than-small, small, or any subcategory of small business) relative to the NAICS codes 221320, 221310, 221122 and 221210; and (7) status as a regulated or non-regulated utility (if non-regulated please state, to the extent known, whether regulation will be sought if awarded a contract). If you are interested in this effort, please provide the information requested above to the DLA Energy Contracting Office. Installation Description Schriever Air Force Base (SAFB) is located approximately 13 miles east of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado and approximately eight miles east of Peterson AFB, in El Paso County, Colorado. The area surrounding SAFB is rural; the nearest community is the village of Ellicott, also located in El Paso County, approximately five miles west of the base. SAFB is comprised of 3,840 acres, of which 640 acres are developed for mission use. About half (estimated as 320 acres) of the developed land is in the controlled-access restricted area (RA). Schriever AFB does not include an airfield, or buildings designated for community services. Military-Family housing is privatized, and other housing needs are met using facilities at Peterson AFB and the Air Force Academy. SAFB employs approximately 7,500 personnel. The Base is developing industrial, administrative and community/commercial areas outside the Restricted Area, with a warehouse currently under construction in the planned industrial area. There are about 2,000 acres of land available for development at SAFB, constrained by the mission requirements and environmental concerns. Additional construction has been delayed until 2017 due to USAF construction budget constraints.