The Defense Logistics Agency Energy (DLA Energy) seeks to identify and obtain information from responsible sources in connection with the privatization of Electric and Natural Gas distribution systems (NAICS 221122) and (NAICS 221210) at Fort Hood, Texas. 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. 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 of the system(s), operation, and maintenance. The new owner shall operate and maintain the system(s) and provide utility services to the Government. The Contractor 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 system(s) being privatized, including operation, maintenance, repair, upgrades, and improvements to the utility system(s). 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 system(s) new owner's responsibility. 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 June -July 2011 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. This Notice shall not be construed as a commitment or authorization to incur costs in anticipation of an award. The Government is not bound to make any awards under this Notice. Interested parties should provide a statement of interest on company letterhead no later than 4:00 pm ET on 09 May 2011. Responses are preferred via email, but hard copies and facsimiles will also be accepted. 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 Electric and/or Natural Gas system(s); (2) financial capacity with regard to leasing or ownership interest, expansion, and operation of a utility system(s); (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 in which the utility is located; (5) a primary point of contact, including telephone number and email address; and (6) business size (other-than-small, small, or any subcategory of small business) relative to the NAICS code 221122 and NAICS code 221210. The potential opportunity for set-asides for small businesses and small disadvantaged businesses will be considered on the basis of the responses received. Installation Description Fort Hood is the largest single site employer in Texas. Fort Hood trains, maintains and sustains a corps-level headquarters, two army division level headquarters, a corps sustainment command, six brigade combat teams (BCTs), five other brigade-size formations and numerous other major organizations. Fort Hood exists to train its assigned units, as a mobilization station for Army Reserve and National Guard units and as a strategic power projection platform. The installation serves a wide variety of tenant organizations and ensures the highest quality of life support for a diverse community of over 297,000 soldiers, family members and retirees. With 45,414 assigned soldiers or airmen and 8,909 civilian employees, Fort Hood occupies 335 square miles of Bell and Coryell Counties, 60 miles north of Austin and 50 miles south of Waco. Seven surrounding cities with a regional population of 335,000 are partnered with and provide substantial quality of life support to Fort Hood. The Army has consistently demonstrated its commitment to long term infrastructure improvements at Fort Hood. These include 98 new or renovated barracks, state of the art command and control facilities, the 21st-century Krueger Soldier Development / Education Center, the one stop Copeland Soldier Service Center, an aggressive range modernization program and modern Installation support facilities. The Installation encompasses 214,968 acres; 136,094 acres are used for maneuver, 63,000 acres as a Live Fire Impact area and 15,874 acres for the installation's Cantonment Areas. The largest single on-post training segment is called the Western Maneuver Area, an area stretching 20 miles from north to south and from the western boundary of the Installation eastward to the live fire impact area. Fort Hood is capitalized to fully support current and future Army, joint and combined force mission requirements. Additional installation information may be located at: http://www.hood.army.mil/facts/FS%200703%20-%20Fort%20Hood%20Overview.pdf
