The Navy seeks information from responsible sources in connection with the potential privatization of the natural gas transmission pipeline servicing Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Sugar Grove, West Virginia

IMPORTANT NOTICE: THIS SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS IS INFORMATIONAL AND FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND A SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED AT THIS TIME. THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THIS ACQUISTION AT ANY TIME. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS INCURRED IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS. ALL INFORMATION SUBMITTED IS AT THE OFFEROR'S OWN EXPENSE. Description The Navy seeks to obtain information from responsible sources in connection with the privatization of the natural gas transmission pipeline servicing Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Sugar Grove, West Virginia. 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 right, title, and interest of the United States in the utility system. Utility privatization will be accomplished in accordance with 10 USC 2688, Utility Systems: Conveyance Authority, as amended. Any resulting privatization will include ownership interest of the system, operation, maintenance, and recapitalization. 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 utility provider's responsibility. 10 USC 2688 also allows the Navy to enter into utility service contract upon privatization. However, the privatization of the transmission pipeline may or may not result in a utility service contract for the transportation of natural gas to the main base. NIOC is expected to close it operations on the main base around September 2015. It is intended that privatization will reduce the Government's life cycle costs. 1. This sources sought notice is being issued to determine market interest and feasibility. Qualified firms desiring to state their interest in this solicitation should provide a Statement of Interest on company letterhead (not to exceed 10 pages in length) on or before 04 September 2013 to Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Attention: Code ACQ22, Blake Wittmann , 6506 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, Virginia 23508-1278. Responses may be emailed in PDF format to blake.wittmann@navy.mil and katie.fogle@navy.mil. The statement shall include as a minimum the following criteria: (1) capability and experience in the ownership, operation, and maintenance of similar system; (2) financial capacity to with regards to ownership interest, expansion, and operation of a utility system; (4) understanding of any applicable state or local utility law or franchise requirements, and capability of complying with such requirements; and (5) 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 for which the utility is located and US Environmental Protection Agency, Region - Three (3). Respondents should also indicate the size of the business (large or small). If a small business concern, please also provide information on which, if any; of the sub-categories of small business (certified by SBA as a HUBZoneSB, self-certify as either a SDB, WOSB, VOSB, and/or SDVOSB) you qualify. All responsible sources are encouraged to submit a response to this notice. All information received will be considered. Failure to respond to this Notice will not prevent a firm from offering on a resultant solicitation. Answers to questions received about this notice will be made available to all responders. A general description of the sites and the systems are given below: Site: NIOC Sugar Grove is located in the Appalachian Mountains in Pendleton County, West Virginia 35 road miles west of Harrisonburg, Virginia. The main base is located on West Virginia State Route 21 just north of Sugar Grove, West Virginia. NIOC Sugar Grove consists of approximately 69 buildings covering 117 acres. Just over 250 military and civilian personnel work at NSGA Sugar Grove, while total population of the base, including military residences is approximately 425. System Description: Natural gas is supplied to the main base through a Government owned 24.5-mile 6-inch steel pipeline which was installed in the 1960's. This pipeline is fed from a tie-in point which draws natural gas off of a pipeline owned by the Mountaineer Gas Company. This tie-in is along Route 7 approximately one mile north of Peru, West Virginia. The gas is used for residential and commercial loads at residences and common buildings.