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 ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, UNDER 10 USC 2688 "UTILITY SYSTEMS CONVEYANCE AUTHORTY" AT WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NEW MEXICO. SOL W04WPR-8324-0001 POC Contract Specialist James Parnham (505) 678-5536 (Site Code DAAD07) POTENTIAL SOURCES SOUGHT: The U.S.Army, White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) seeks to identify responsible sources and obtain information in regard to privatization of a Government owned electrical utility distribution system in accordance with 10 USC 2688, " Utility Systems: Conveyance Authority" at WSMR, NM. Should privatization result, ownership of the entire WSMR electrical distribution system, operation and maintenance, and obligation to continue the service for an indefinite and ongoing period will transfer 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 will become the private company's responsibility. It is intended that privatization will reduce the Army's life cycle cost. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION: The following information is provided only to give an approximation of the size, scope and general description of the electrical distribution system on WSMR. Any numbers provided should be used for estimating purposes only. WSMR covers an area roughly 120 miles long and 40 miles wide located in New Mexico. The electrical distribution system at WSMR is currently owned, operated, and maintained by WSMR Directorate of Public Works (DPW). The approximate electrical distribution system on WSMR is as follows: (1) six distribution substations. (2) approximately 4 circuit miles of 115 kV overhead transmission lines. (3) approximately 153 circuit miles of overhead power distribution lines. (4) approximately 11 circuit miles of underground power distribution lines. (5) approximately 12 circuit miles of overhead/underground street lighting circuits. White Sands Missile Range currently purchases electric power from several power suppliers and takes delivery at multiple service points. The Main Substation (also referred to as Las Cruces Substation) is a 115 -- 12.470-kV substation owned and operated by El Paso Electric Company (EPEC). It has two incoming 115-kV wood pole, H-frame transmission lines, one owned by EPEC and the other by WSMR (which provides alternate power service from the Plains Electric Cooperative). WSMR owns and operates the low-side portion of the main Substation consisting of 12.5-kV circuit breakers and control equipment. Seven distribution feeders exit the WSMR portion of the Main Substation and provide power service to the main cantonment area as well as other service areas. WSMR owns Substation LC 38 (also called ALA-5) which is supplied from an EPEC 115-kV transmission line. This substation consists of two 5000-kVa 115-12.470-kV power transformers and eight distribution class circuit breakers. Distribution Feeders 2,3,6,7, and 8 serve various facilities in the Lower Range Area from the ALA-5 substation. The Anti Missile Radar Army Defense (AMRAD) Substation and Multiple Array Radar (MAR) Substation are owned by EPEC. They receive 115-kV incoming voltage and transform it to 12.470kV and 24.9 / 4.160 kV, respectively. The AMRAD andMAR substations feed various facilities in the east and middle portions of the Missile Range Area -- Zone 1. WSMR owns the Small Missile Range (SMR) Substation. This is a 12.470 -24.16-kV transformation. SMR feeds up-range to midway of the range. The "Up-Range Area" is fed by four sources: Stallion (90-,Mile Area) is served by Soccorro Electric Cooperative at 14.4 kV from a Coop-owned 24.5 -- 14.4- kV step-down transformation. Bat Track, Rob Site, and Salinas Peak areas are served by Sierra Electric Cooperative. Voltage is 14.400/24.940 kV. The Oscura Range Center (ORC) area is served by Otero Electric Cooperative. Voltage is 14.400/24.940 kV. Tulie Gate and Wilde Site are served by a Government-owned line from Holloman Air Force Base. Voltage is 7.680/13.800 kV. The street light system is a mixture of several types, predominantly HPS and Metal Halide. Most street lights are located on the main post cantonment area. Street lights are from 15 to 20 years old. PROCEDURE: This request for interested parties is for gathering information only and is a required component of a complete and systematic process to evaluate interested parties under the U.S. Army Center for Public Works. 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 88OO2-5201. The statement shall include as a minimum the following criteria: (1) capability and experience in the ownership, operation, and maintenance of similar electrical utility systems. (2) financial capacity to purchase, expand, and operate an electrical utility system. (3) a statement showing an understanding of the obligation to serve in regards to 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 12/03/98 (I-SN276804). (0337)

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