Commanding Officer, Southern Division,Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 2155 Eagle Drive, P. O. Box 190010, North Charleston, SC 29419-9010

J -- PRIVATIZATION UNDER 10 USC 2688, "UTILITY SYSTEMS: CONVEYANCE AUTHORITY" AT NAVAL AIR STATION, MERIDIAN, MS. DUE 120798 POC Cathy Wilber, Contract Specialist (843) 820-5698 PURPOSE: The Navy seeks to identify responsible sources and obtain information in regard to privatization of utility systems in accordance with 10 USC 2688, "Utility Systems: Conveyance Authority." Naval Air Station Meridian, Meridian MS is seeking interest and information specifically for the privatization of the wastewater collection utilities system(s). The resulting privatization will include assumption of ownership, operation and maintenance, and obligation to continue the service for an indefinite and ongoing period. OBJECTIVE: Should privatization result, the ownership of the entire utility plant and/or distribution system, including all operating responsibility shall transfer to a regional or municipal utility or to a private company. 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. It is intended that privatization will reduce the Navy's life cycle costs. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION: The following is provided only to give an approximation of the size and general description of the system. Any numbers may only be estimates for this purpose. The NAS Meridian's wastewater collection system consists of approximately 4,986 L..F. of 10-inch, 33,445 L.F. of 8-inch, and 2,754 L.F. of 6-inch gravity sewer lines; 219 manholes; and three major and one minor lift stations with 6-inch, 8-inch, or 10-inch forcemains. The gravity sewer lines are constructed mainly of vitrified clay pipe (VCP) with a few sections of PVC, cast iron, and transite pipe. Most of the PVC pipe is located in the Family Housing area where some of the lines have been replaced. The wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) built around 1961 has a NPDES permitted capacity of 0.78 million gallons per day (mgd). The average flow is around 0.51 mgd with the maximum daily flow measured as high as 1.13 mgd. The WWTP consists of communitor/bar screen, aerated grit chamber, primary clarifiers, trickling filter, secondary clarifiers, aerobic digester, and gas chlorination with a contact chamber. A contract has been signed with the City of Meridian for wastewater treatment. The city will design, construct, own, and operate a lift station that will receive and pump the air station's wastewater to a proposed off-site treatment plant . Upon completion of the connection, expected in 2000, the existing WWTP will be closed out. PROCEDURES: This request for interested parties is for gathering information and is one required component of a complete and systematic process to evaluate interested parties under the Department of the Navy's utilities privatization program. In order to minimize costs both to potentially interested parties and the government, this notice is being issued to determine the interest and feasibility of proceeding with a formal request for proposals. Should insufficient credible interest be identified for a privatization action, it is highly likely that no formal solicitation will be issued. SHOULD INTEREST BE DETERMINED SUFFICIENT, A FORMAL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS MAY BE FORTHCOMING. Interested parties should provide a statement of interest on company letterhead (not to exceed 20 pages in length). The statement shall include as a minimum the following criteria: (1) capability and experience in the ownership operation and maintenance of similar systems; (2) financial capacity to purchase, expand, and operate a utility system; (3) a statement showing its understanding of an obligation to provide continuous utility service; (4) understanding of any applicable state or local utility law or franchise requirements, and capability of complying with such requirements; (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 of Mississippi and US Environmental Protection Agency, Region -- 4. Elaborate proposals or pricing information is neither required nor desired. Any innovative and new conceptual ideas to achieve stated objectives are encouraged. It should be noted that individual RFIs for different utility systems may be issued in the same time frame. A separate response to each RFI is required. SITE VISIT: A site visit will be held at 10 AM on 18 November, 1998. The point of contact concerning the site visit is Mr. Chuck Monie at 601-679-2417. Posted 10/22/98 (W-SN264532). (0295)

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