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

M -- PRIVATIZATION UNDER 10 USC 2688, "UTILITY SYSTEMS: CONVEYANCE AUTHORITY" AT NAVAL AIR STATION, KEY WEST, FL. 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." Southern Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command is seeking interest and information specifically for the privatization of the Wastewater utilities system located at Naval Air Station, Key West Florida on Boca Chica Key. 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 sewer system at Boca Chica is composed of a collection system, lift stations with force main and a treatment plant. The wastewater collection system is comprised of approximately 14,000 feet of gravity sewer and 19,400 feet of force main with 12 pump stations. The wastewater is treated at a .45 MGD complete mix activated sludge plant consisting of automatic bar screen/grit removal system, flow equalization basin, secondary clarification, aeration basins, aerobic digester, sludge drying beds, chorine contact chamber with dechlorination. The discharge is by gravity to 6 shallow injection wells." 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 Florida and US Environmental Protection Agency, Region -- four. 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 on Tuesday the 24th of November at 10:00 AM. The point of contact concerning the site visit is Mr. Anthony Tee, who can be reached at (305) 293-2070. Posted 10/22/98 (W-SN264596). (0295)

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