S -- Sources Sought for Privatization of Electrical and Water Distribution Systems and the Wastewater Collection System at Fort Myer, Virginia.

The Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), in conjunction with the Defense Logistics Agency, seeks to identify responsible potential sources and obtain information in regards to privatization of utility systems in accordance with 10 USC 2688, ?Utility Systems: Conveyance Authority? for Utility Privatization at the Fort Myer Installation in Virginia. The potential privatization actions will include transfer of ownership, operation and maintenance, and the obligation to serve. OBJECTIVE: Should privatization occur, the ownership of the entire utility plant and equipment to include, all capital investments, operation, maintenance and repair responsibilities, shall transfer to a publicly or privately owned utility provider. All responsibility for maintaining reliable service, including such items as environmental compliance, operation, maintenance, major systems renovation, construction, equipment, manpower and overhead shall be the responsibility of the utility provider. INSTALLATION AND UTILITY SYSTEMS DESCRIPTIONS: Note: (1). All technical data and information listed below is to be considered either an estimated quantity or an approximate order of magnitude. This data was developed using data provided from the Fort Myer Army Installation?s Property Records. DESC is not responsible for the accuracy of the information at each site-specific installation. Companies responding to this notice of interest are responsible for verification of all inventory data. (2). Companies responding to this notice of interest can either respond to interest in one utility system at one site specific installation or any combination of utility systems and locations thereof. Fort Myer, VA, Electric Utility Distribution System Description and Requirements Current Service Arrangements. Fort Myer, VA currently purchases electricity from Virginia Power (VP) under the Rate Schedule MS ? Federal Government Installations, through a single main substation at 13.8 kV. The main substation consists of a 13.8 kV metal clad switchgear housed in a masonry building. The substation is supplied from three (3) VP underground feeders (Feeders #891, #896 and #907). The switchgear assembly consists of eight (8) primary circuit breakers arranged in a split bus configuration and related metering and relaying equipment. The substation provides control and over-current protection for four (4) 13.8 kV underground feeders. The Fort Myer electric distribution system contains approximately 74,342 feet (14.1 miles) of underground conductor. This Contract does not include the procurement of electricity and shall not affect the current electricity contract with Virginia Power. Electrical Distribution System. The Fort Myer substation is composed entirely of underground facilities and utilizes duct/manhole type construction practices. The primary system utilizes a loop configuration. Service transformers consist of both exterior padmount type equipment and interior secondary unit substation type equipment. An order-of-magnitude inventory report (Inventory Report), containing estimated linear feet and other information for the electrical distribution system and is shown in the following tables. The sources of information contained in these tables include electric distribution system maps, the real property records and discussions with utility system supervisors. This Inventory Report is provided to assist the Contractor, however the Government assumes no responsibility for any conclusions or interpretations made by the Contractor based on the information made available by the Government. A number of areas of the electric distribution system may require replacements, improvements or upgrades to conform to commonly accepted industry standards and practices such as the National Electric Safety Code (NESC). In addition to these potential improvements are the improvements and replacements that are required of an underground electric distribution system that has an average age of over 25-years on its components. Figure 1, Fort Myer, Electric Inventory: Substation and Transformer Figure 2, Fort Myer, Electric Inventory: Line, Service and Light Electrical System Point of Ownership Requirements. The Contractor shall assume ownership at the point of attachment on the eight-(8) circuit breakers in the main substation. Transmission Voltage / Demarcation Requirements. Transmission voltage shall be distributed throughout the Installation for transformation to a primary voltage of 13.8 kV. The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring proper distribution of primary voltage for final transformation to typical operating voltages of 120, 208, 277/480 V single- and three-phase at 60 Hz for each building or facility served. The Government shall assume responsibility at the service entrance (weatherhead typically) for all aerial services and up to and including the main breaker (disconnect or panel), within a building on the secondary side. Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) is not included in this Contract and all facilities entering ANC will be retained by ANC at the Fort Myer/ANC boundary. Fort Myer, VA, Potable Water Utility Distribution System Description and Requirements Current Service Arrangements. The Fort Myer potable water distribution system consists exclusively of a water line distribution system and no water treatment facilities exist. Fort Myer is supplied with potable water by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Washington Aqueduct Division (Dalecarlia), and during emergency situations Arlington County, Virginia Department of Public Works. The potable water distribution system is owned and maintained by Fort Myer. Potable water is delivered to Fort Myer at two (2) delivery points. One delivery point is not utilized and is a standby connection point. Potable water is delivered to the active delivery point at Pump Station, Building #301. The annual potable water requirement for FY 1997 at Fort Myer was estimated at 169,600 Kgal. This Contract does not include the procurement of potable water and shall not affect the current potable water contract. Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) is not included in this Contract and all facilities entering ANC will be retained by ANC at the Fort Myer/ANC boundary. Potable Water Distribution System. The potable water distribution lines from the three delivery points are cast iron except where replacements have been made of ductile iron. There are approximately 51,000 linear feet of water lines, 200 valves and 76 hydrants in the distribution system. Water system pressure is approximately 55 pounds per square inch on average but ranges between 45 and 60 pounds per square inch. The elevated water storage tank provides system pressure and water storage for both normal use and fire protection. The water storage tank has a 500,000 gallon capacity and was refurbished in 1998. An order-of-magnitude inventory report (Inventory Report), containing estimated linear feet and other information for the potable water distribution system and is shown in the following tables. The sources of the information contained in these tables include potable water distribution system maps, real property records, and discussions with utility system supervisors. This Inventory Report is provided to assist the Contractor, however the Government assumes no responsibility for any conclusions or interpretations made by the Contractor based on the information made available by the Government. The potable water system is fairly new, the majority of the system having been constructed in the 1970s. As with any potable water system of any age, there is the constant need for upgrades to maintain the system in good reliable condition. Figure 3, Fort Myer, Potable Water Inventory Potable Water System Fire Protection Requirements. The total potable water demand will also include fire protection. The required fire demand at Fort Myer is for a single fire four (4) hours in duration, requiring 1,500 gallons per minute in addition to 50% of the peak domestic flow that could occur during an emergency. Service Laterals. The privatized potable water distribution system shall include service laterals. A service lateral is defined as the smaller-diameter (normally 2 inch or less) lines that connect each building to the upstream distribution mains. The distribution mains are the larger-diameter (normally greater than 2 inch) lines. Service laterals extend to the cutoff valves of the building served by the lateral. The Contractor shall assume ownership at the points of delivery from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Washington Aqueduct Division (Dalecarlia), and Arlington County, Virginia Department of Public Works to the cutoff valve of the facility being provided potable water. Fort Myer, VA, Wastewater Utility Collection System Description and Requirements Current Service Arrangements. The Fort Myer wastewater utility system consists exclusively of a collection system and one (1) lift station. Fort Myer installation does not own or operate any sewage treatment facilities. Arlington County, Virginia, Department of Public Works, treats all sewage generated at Fort Myer. The northern portion of Fort Myer?s collection system flows into Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). The southern portion of the collection system flows into Henderson Hall (U.S. Marine Installation). Both portions eventually enter the Arlington County collection system and treatment facilities. Fort Myer?s estimated total wastewater collection for FY 1997 was 156,150 Kgals. This solicitation does not include the procurement of wastewater treatment and shall not affect the current wastewater treatment contract with Arlington County, Virginia. Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) is not included in this Contract and all facilities entering ANC will be retained by ANC at the Fort Myer/ANC boundary. Wastewater Collection System. The Fort Myer wastewater collection system dates back to the 1950s when the Installation was constructed. The pipe material is either terra cotta, concrete, High Density Poly-Ethylene (HDPE), and or Poly-Vinyl Chloride (PVC). Recent repairs and replacements have been made with PVC. The wastewater collection system consists of approximately 39,850 feet (7.55 miles) of pipe and approximately 221 manholes. The piping ranges in size from 12 inches to less than 4 inches with the most common size of 8 inches. The single lift station is a located near Building T-270. An order-of-magnitude inventory report (Inventory Report), containing estimated linear feet and other information for the wastewater collection system and is shown if the following tables. The sources of the information contained in these tables include wastewater collection system maps, real property records, and discussions with utility system supervisors. This Inventory Report is provided to assist the Contractor, however the Government assumes no responsibility for any conclusions or interpretations made by the Contractor based on the information made available by the Government. Figure 4, Fort Myer, Wastewater System Inventory Wastewater Collection System Requirements. The Fort Myer wastewater collection system shall be operated and maintained in accordance with the State of Virginia and other applicable health, safety, environmental and operational laws, regulations or standards. The Contractor shall modify its service practices as required when applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or standards are changed, or new ones are placed into effect. Service Laterals. The privatized wastewater collection system shall include service laterals. A service lateral is defined as the smaller-diameter (normally 6 inch or less) lines that connect each service building to the wastewater force mains. The collection mains are larger-diameter (normally greater than 12 inch) lines. Service laterals extend to the exterior walls of the building served by the lateral. The Contractor shall assume ownership of the wastewater collection system from the exterior wall of the facility to the connection points with ANC and Henderson Hall. PROCESS: This request is to gather information from interested parties and is an essential step in determining market interest for the privatization of the utility systems at the affected installations. In order to minimize costs both to potentially interested parties and the government, this notice is issued to determine market interest and feasibility as well as determining marketing strategies for privatizing utility systems. Should insufficient credible interest be identified for a privatization action, it is highly likely that no formal solicitation will be issued. Should interest be determined sufficient, a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) may be forthcoming. Interested parties should provide a statement of interest on company letterhead. The statement of interest must not exceed a total length of 15 pages plus 1 page per type of utility system of interest. Parties may express interest in a range of ownership possibilities, from a single utility systems of interest to interest in all utility systems. The statement shall include as a minimum, the following information: (1) capability and experience in the ownership, operation and maintenance of similar systems; (2) financial capability to purchase, upgrade, expand, operate and maintain utility systems; (3) specific utility systems(s) of interest and desired bundling of utilities systems to purchase; (4) conceptual rate plan (i.e., will charges for utility service be made from existing rates or from rates developed specifically for service at the individual installation(s); (5) discussion of your conceptual basis for a proposed purchase price (capitalized earnings value, replacement cost new less depreciation, original cost less depreciation, or other); (6) understanding of any applicable state or local utility laws or franchise requirements, and capability of complying with such requirements; (7) understanding of the federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations and familiarity and experience with environmental compliance procedures and regulations for the applicable states and US Environmental Protection Agency Regions and Capability to mitigate environmental conditions relating to similarly situated utility systems; (8) Business size: Large, Small, Small Disadvantaged Business or 8(a). SITE VISIT AND DATA: Neither a site visit nor the provision of additional data on the utility systems is considered necessary for the preparation and submittal of statement of interest. If a site visit and the provision of additional data are later determined necessary, notification will be provided by way of an amendment to this announcement. PLEASE NOTE: This Request for Information (RFI) is in conjunction with the Fort Belvoir, VA and Fort McNair, DC RFIs. DUE DATE: Statements of interest must be submitted to Defense Energy Support Center (DESC-EPP) by April 11, 2002 by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Sources may address responses to: Defense Energy Support Center, 8725 John J Kingman Rd., Suite 4950, ATTN: Montrez Nicholson, DESC-EPP, room 3830, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6222.