Utility Privatization of the Potable Water Distribution, Service Water Distribution, and Wastewater Collection Utility Systems at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

The Defense Energy Support Center (DESC) seeks to identify, and obtain information from responsible sources in connection with the privatization of the potable water distribution, service water distribution, and wastewater collection systems at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ. 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 3:00 pm EST on Thursday, March 19, 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, or 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 Situated on a 6,500-acre military installation located in the northwest corner of New Jersey, Picatinny plays a unique role in the United States' ability to wage war. There is no other comprehensive armaments facility like it in the country; it is a one-of-a-kind facility that provides virtually all of the lethal mechanisms used in Army weapon systems and those of the other military services. Picatinny indeed is a joint service armament research and development center. Through the years, Picatinny's major developments in manufacturing and technology have reduced dependence on foreign sources and provided our service members with a range of weapons. During World War II, it was the only facility in the United States producing ammunition larger than 50 caliber. While some applied research in explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics was conducted, funding for overall research and development was almost nonexistent during the first half of the century. This all changed in the years following World War II when Picatinny was given a leadership role in the research, development, engineering, and production support for advanced weapon systems. From fuzes, propellants, fire control systems, and energetics to the lethal power of mortars, tanks, and artillery, Picatinny manages the process from birth to battlefield. Picatinny's mission is to support Army transformation goals. In an effort to streamline the acquisition process and deliver the armaments soldiers need exactly when they need them-and at an affordable price- Picatinny has established increasingly close partnerships with universities and industry partners, involving them in collaborative efforts early in the research and development process. Picatinny uses unique laboratories and special facilities to evaluate prototype designs, thus reducing development cycle time. These facilities are also available to Picatinny's contractors and other government agencies that are part of the national energetic consortium established by Picatinny and the Army Research Laboratory. Additional installation information may be located at: http://www.pica.army.mil/PicatinnyPublic/index.asp Original Point of Contact The points of contact for this action are: Cassandra Mullen, Contract Specialist, Phone: 703.767.9403, Fax: 703.767.2382, E-mail: cassandra.mullen@dla.mil Hilmar Sourwine, Contract Specialist, Phone: 703.767.5166, Fax: 703.767.2382, E-mail: hilmar.sourwine@dla.mil Carla Biver, Contracting Officer, Phone: 703.767.3298, Fax: 703.767.2382, E-mail: carla.biver@dla.mil LINK DESC: For future Privatization solicitation information LINKURL: http://www.desc.dla.mil/DCM/DCMPage.asp?pageid=246