US ARMY MATERIEL COMMAND ACQUISITION CTR, WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE DIVISION, STEAA-WS (BLDG 126W), WSMR NEW MEXICO 88002-5201

S -- PRIVATIZATION OF GOVERNMENT OWNED POTABLE WATER AND WASTEWATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS, UNDER 10 USC 2688, "UTILITY SYSTEMS CONVEYANCE AUTHORTY" AT WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NEW MEXICO. SOL W04WPR-8324-0003 POC Contract Specialist James Parnham (505) 678-5536 (Site Code DAAD07) POTENTIAL SOURCES SOUGHT: The US Army, White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) seeks to identify responsible sources and obtain information in regard to privatization of Government owned potable water and wastewater utility systems in accordance with 10 USC 2688, "Utility Systems Conveyance Authority". The resulting privatization will include assumption of ownership, operation, and maintenance, and obligation to continue the service for an indefinite and ongoing period. 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 WSMR's life cycle costs. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION: The following is provided only to give an approximation of the size and general description of the systems. Any numbers provided should be used for estimating purposes only. POTABLE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM: Water is supplied exclusively from deep wells in the Tularosa Basin. The Tularosa aquifer is supplied from 4 surrounding watersheds. The universal problem of declining static water levels is a particular concern at WSMR because of the close proximity of salt water. Water quality from all wells is poor because of the salt content. Numerous monitoring wells help WSMR personnel monitor and correlate well drawdown and salt water infiltration. The Stallion Range complex, located approximately 128 miles north of the main Post, also uses well water. This water is also highly saline and must be treated prior to storage and distribution. Generally, it must be recognized that potable water, regardless of the quality, is a precious commodity in this water-starved region, especially in view of the burgeoning requirements of the El Paso/Juarez municipalities. The Army is vitally interested in protecting existing Tularosa basin water rights for the WSMR installation. There are an approximate total of 1.3 million lineal feet of mains and lateral lines. The distribution system is comprised of various sizes and material types, includes main valves, air relief valves, back flow preventors, post indicator valves, monitoring and warning systems, fire hydrants, and storage tanks. The Main Post distribution system, located in the extreme southwest corner of WSMR, covers approximately 1,650 acres and accommodates housing, administrative, and technical facilities. Fourteen potable wells serve the Main Post Area and, collectively, produced 700 million gallons of water in 1994. Wells 10A and 13 have emergency backup engines. Water from wells not equipped with chlorine injectors is pumped through two, new, parallel 50,000 gallon sedimentation tanks. The water is then chlorinated and fluoridated before entering the ground storage tanks. Water storage for the Main Post Area is provided by 2, one million gallon elevated storage tanks, and two 400,000 gallon ground storage tanks. The structures are equipped with cathodic protection, depth indicator, warning systems, and altitude transmitters. The Booster station is comprised of a high and low pressure system. The high pressure side has 3 pumps, one rated at 4,000 GPM, the other two at 3,000 GPM. Two of the pumps have emergency backup with gas-operated auxiliary engines. The low pressure side has one pump rated at 1,750 GPM. The water system operates automatically by a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system, located in a maintenance building. Four potable wells and a booster station serve the Soledad Canyon area. The Soledad Booster Station consists of 3 booster pumps and a 20,000 gallon storage tank. A 10 inch water line from WSMR Main Post area supplies the "Downrange" and "Orogrande" areas from the two 400,000 gallon ground storage tanks to the 200,000 gallon elevated tank at Launch Complex (LC) 38. A booster station then pumps an 8 inch line to the Orogrande Area. The "Lower Range Booster Station" consists of 3 pumps whose capacities range from 200 to 750 GPM. The elevated storage structures are equipped with cathodic protection, depth indicators, warning systems, and altitude transmitters. At the Stallion Range Area water is pumped from two wells. Well No. 2 is the primary source with Well No. 1 serving as backup. A third well is under construction. The wells are approximately 800 feet deep with submersible pumps set at 400 feet. Wells No. 1 and No. 2 produce about 90 GPM each; the new well is expected to produce approximately 180 GPM. Distribution is through 6 and 8 inch transite pipe. Because of the high salt content, an ion-exchange plant provides drinking water at the Stallion Range and surrounding areas. Plant capacity is 120,000 GDP and is comprised of 3 independent units. Well water is pumped to the surface and then flows by gravity into an underground 20,000 gallon tank. Booster pumps move the treated water from the ground storage tank to a 150,000 gallon above-ground tank where it is boosted again to a 100,000 gallon elevated tower located near the treatment plant. A new 500,000-gallon above-ground storage tank is under construction and will be at the same elevation as the existing elevated tower. This tank will replace the existing elevated storage tank which will eventually be demolished. Water is supplied from the Stallion Range to several surrounding sites by tank trucks. WASTEWATER COLLECTION AND TREATMENT SYSTEM: The wastewater collection system at WSMR is a conventional series of gravity flow laterals, mains, and manholes; no lift stations are required except for two small lift pumps near the front gate. All wastewater treatment is by either the main treatment plant at the Main Post area, package units at various range locations, or isolated septic tanks. Several hundred septic tanks service remote range areas. The approximate number of septic tanks is 651 systems. The collection system is comprised of approximately 183,000 lineal feet of vitrified clay, transite, and PVC piping with associated manholes. Pipe sizes range from 4 to 21 inches. Building services are predominantly by 4, 6, and 8 inch piping. Sewage is almost exclusively sanitary with minor amounts of industrial waste. The Main Post Area is serviced by a 1-MGD sanitary treatment plant with trickling filter. The 21 inch inlet flows into the headworks fitted with a mechanically cleaned bar screen. Waste then enters the partial flume where it is split and directed to the two 35 foot diameter, primary clarifiers. The plant contains 4 splitter boxes, two 100 foot diameter trickling filters, two 35 foot diameter primary and secondary digesters, 2 pump houses, and two 35 foot diameter secondary clarifiers, a sludge recirculation pump, heat exchanger, and 11 sludge drying beds (beds have no underdrain system). A project is underway to replace existing drying beds with a new, three-cell, reinforced polymer concrete system. Stallion Range, located approximately 128 miles north of the main Post, is the primary facility complex in the upper Range area. The collection system consists of 4, 6, and 8 inch pipe plus manholes; 6 inch piping is the most common size. Sewage is collected by an 8 inch primary main and then flows into a central septic tank. A distribution box distributes the effluent into 4 small evaporative lagoons. PROCEDURES: This request for information is a required component of a complete and systematic process to evaluate interested parties under the US Army Center for Public Works 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 unlikely that a 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 to: U.S. Army Materiel Command Acquisition Center, White Sands Missile Range Branch, ATTN: STEAA-WS-C (Mr. James Parnham), White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico 88002-5201. The statement shall include as aminimum the following criteria: (1) capability and experience in the ownership, operation, and maintenance of similar water utility systems. (2) financial capacity to purchase, expand, and operate a water utility system. (3) a statement showing an understanding of the obligation to provide continuous utility services. (4) understanding of any applicable federal, state, and local utility laws, regulations or franchise requirements affecting utilities in the State of New Mexico, and capability of complying with such requirements. (5) understanding of federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations and familiarity and experience with environmental compliance procedures and regulations for the State of New Mexico and US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9. Elaborate proposals or pricing information are neither required nor desired. Any innovative and new conceptual ideas to achieve the stated objective are encouraged. No solicitation document exists for this request for "Sources Sought". This notice is for informational purposes only; it is not a request for proposals nor should it be construed as a commitment by the Government. The Government will not pay for any effort expended in to responding to this sources sought announcement. Responses must be submitted not later than 3:00 P.M. MTZ, 28 Jan 1999. It should be noted that individual "Sources Sought" for different utility systems may be issued in the same time frame. A separate response to each "Sources Sought" is required. The point of contact concerning this sources sought action is Mr. James Parnham at (505) 678-5536. Posted 12/02/98 (I-SN276327). (0336)

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