This market research is performed in accordance with FAR parts 5.101, FAR 10.001, and FAR 10.002. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is considering the award of a contract to install three (3) electrical sub-stations in northern Afghanistan. These sub-stations will tap into existing high voltage overhead 500KV power lines and then construct new transmission lines (either overhead or underground) to three (3) existing Afghan National Army/Afghan National Police (ANA/ANP) complex's. The contract will also require the selected contractor to terminate the new transmission lines on the ANA/ANP complexes to move the facilities from the existing generator farms onto prime power. This includes the installation of a substation on the complex, automatic transfer switching gear to enable the complex to automatically revert back to generator power should the need arise. The contractor will be required to provide all equipment, material, and personal to turn over a complete turnkey system to the facility commanders. The possibility also exist that more than one complex could be connected to the transmission line and the contractor(s) would be responsible to provide multiple sub-stations and all required equipment. The offeror(s) shall have full responsibility of design and construction. The project consists of the design and construction of a single-circuit 220KV electrical transmission system to include cable and tower structures or underground lines from the nearest connection point to the ANA/ANP facilities. This notice is to determine the available of a pool of skilled/experienced contractors capable of completing this type of work. USACE reserves the right to issue three (3) separate contracts and to award them to either a single or multiple contractors to perform this task. The Offerors interested must be able to demonstrate the ability, experience, and resources (financial, logistical, and equipment) necessary to work in a harsh mountainous terrain on northern Afghanistan. They must demonstrate an understanding of the tribal customs of the Afghan people and their social, political, and religious customs. The selected contractor(s) must demonstrate the ability and expertise in working with 500KV high voltage transmission lines. The overhead power lines currently are feed from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan - the selected contractor(s) will also be responsible for coordinating the connection of the sub-stations with the appropriate government agencies of these countries as well as the Afghan governmental ministries. Contractors should take into account the extreme weather conditions, logistical challenges due to lack of developed roadways, and the ever present hostile forces that operate in northern Afghanistan prior to expressing interest in this project. Contractors will be required to carry Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance. Afghan Contractors, note that you will be paid in Afghan currency which will be converted at each progress payment from USD to Afghan currency at the 3-day International Treasury Rate. The proposed procurement will result in the award of one (1) and up to three (3) Firm-Fixed Price Construction contract(s). This is a Design-Build Construction project with a magnitude of construction between $25M - $100M. Each individual Contract will have a magnitude of construction between $5M - $25M. This project consists of the design, site adaption, and construction of new substations and distribution/transmission lines to connect seven (7) Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) facilities to the national electrical grid at the following locations: 1. 220/15kV Camp Shaheen Substation, connecting; The 209th Corps Garrison, Camp Shaheen, Balkh, Dihdadi (ANA) Provisions for a future connection for 209th Corps Garrison Airstrip at Balkh, Dihdadi 2. Dashti Shadian 220/20kV Substation Addition, connecting; UP Zone HQ and Logistics Center, Balkh (ANP) ANCOP, Balkh (ANP) ANCOP Expansion area, Balkh (ANP) 3. 220/20kV Kunduz Distribution Substation, connecting; 2/209th Garrison, Kunduz (ANA) New Border Police HQ and BP Airport Security, Kunduz (ANP) 4. 220/20kV Pul-e Khumri Distribution Substation, connecting: The 3/3/209th with provisions for future growth and to provide utility power to non-identified installations in the vicinity currently under construction. The design and construction (or rehabilitation) of three 220 kV to 20 kV distribution substations, the distribution system and equipment required to connect the substation to the existing installation power plant and distribution system inside the NAA/ANP facilities. The design, specification of equipment and construction at the four ANP installations to receive 20kV utility distribution power, 20kV to 380V transformers and equipment to connect the utility power to the existing power plants and existing distribution systems. The design and construction of utility interface power poles at or near the base perimeter wall of the ANA/ANP facilities for connection of the utility power. Design and construction of cabling from the utility interface power poles to the substation/power plant connection to accommodate the final utility connection. The design and construction of the distribution infrastructure of the base camps to include: construct overhead dead end pole from line of demarcation (edge of wire) to the riser pole which feeds to pad mounted distribution transformer. Low voltage side (220VAC/50Hz) of the distribution transformer will connect to a double-throw switch to tie into existing generators. The design and construction of the transmission lines connecting into the electrical grid, to include step-down transformers, switches, connections etc. to connect the ANA/ANP facilities to the electrical power grid. The work to be completed outside the ANSF bases (transmission) will connect to the DABS transmission lines without utilizing and/or taking any capacity at the substations that DABS has planned for the civilian loads. This project includes survey, design and management to provide all labor, tools, materials, equipment, transportation, and supervision to construct. Response to this sources sought are due by 8 Feb 2015 - 17:00 Afghanistan time. ** This is only quote mark Sources Sought quote mark for market research purposes - no funding has been approved at this time and there is no guarantee that the project will ever be constructed at this time.
