Utility Privatization of the Electric, Natural Gas, Water and Wastewater Utility Systems at White Sands Missile Range, NM

The Defense Energy Support Center (DESC) seeks to identify, and obtain information from, responsible sources in connection with the privatization of the electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater utility systems at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. 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. In conjunction with the conveyance of the systems, the Contractor will be required to provide utility services, including improvements, upgrades, repairs, expansions, investments, and plant replacement, as well as continued operation and maintenance of the utility distribution systems. Additionally, the Contractor shall furnish all necessary labor, management, supervision, permits, equipment, supplies, materials, transportation, and any other incidental services for the conveyed systems. Utility Privatization (UP) will be accomplished in accordance with 10 U.S.C. - 2688 - Utility Systems: Conveyance Authority. This Sources Sought Notice (hereinafter - Notice) is an essential step in determining market interest and feasibility. Responses received will be used to develop marketing strategies for the potential privatization of utilities at this installation. Should interest be determined sufficient, a formal solicitation may be forthcoming. Interested parties should provide a statement of interest on company letterhead by no later than 4:00 pm E.T. on Thursday, March 12, 2009. Responses are preferred via e-mail, but hard copies and facsimiles will also be accepted. At a minimum, the statement of interest shall address: (1) capability and experience in utility privatization or owning and operating utility systems; (2) financial capability to justify potential award of such a contract; (3) a primary point of contact, including phone number and e-mail address; and (4) an indication of the size of the business (small, including any sub-category of small business, or other than small). The potential for set-asides for small businesses and small disadvantaged businesses will be considered on the basis of the responses received. This Notice is solely for the Government's use as a market research tool. As such, the issuance of a competitive solicitation is not guaranteed. If determined appropriate, then both a synopsis and a solicitation may be anticipated in the June-July 2009 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 announcement 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. If you are interested in this project, please provide the information requested above to the DESC Contracting Office. Installation Description White Sands Missile Range, "Birthplace of America's Missile and Space Activity" is a multi-service test range whose main function is the support of missile development and test programs for the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), other government agencies and private industry. The White Sands range is under operational control of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (TECOM), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. TECOM is the Army's test laboratory for planning and conducting engineering and service tests of all materials from missiles to rifles, tanks to trucks, clothing to radios, aviation to fire control equipment. The missile range is in the Tularosa Basin of south-central New Mexico. The range boundaries extend almost 100 miles north to south by 40 miles east to west. At almost 3,200 square miles the range is the largest military installation in the country and could easily encompass the states of Delaware and Rhode Island. The main cantonment area is 20 miles east of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and 45 miles north of El Paso, Texas. Additional installation information may be located at: http://www.wsmr.army.mil The applicable NAICS Codes for this Utility Privatization action are: 221122 - Electric Power Distribution 221210 - Natural Gas Distribution 221310 - Water Supply and Irrigation Systems 221320 - Sewage Treatment Facilities The points of contact for this action are: Brian Koessel, Contract Specialist, Phone: 703.767.1595, Fax: 703.767.2382, E-mail: Brian.Koessel@dla.mil Hilmar K. Sourwine, Contract Specialist, Phone: 703.767.5166, Fax: 703.767.2382. E-mail: Hilmar.Sourwine@dla.mil Martha Gray, Contracting Officer, Phone: 703.767.9415, Fax: 703.767.2382, E-mail: Martha.Gray@dla.mil