US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering and Support Center Huntsville, 4820 University Square, Huntsville, AL 35816-1822

S -- PRIVATIZATION OF GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AT FORT BRAGG, NC SOL DACA87-99-R-0017 DUE 051799 POC Contract Specialist Sue Werner (256)895-1170 E-MAIL: Jonathan.N.Etheridge@HND01.usace.army.mil, Susan.W.Werner@HND01.usace.army.mil. The U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville intends to procure a contract for privatization of the natural gas distribution system at Fort Bragg, NC. Fort Bragg is located just outside of Fayetteville, NC. Fort Bragg covers an area of approximately 130,000 acres. The total daytime population can be approximated at 100,000 (active duty military, retirees, dependents, and civilian workforce). The effective population utilized for planning studies is estimated to be 50,177, which includes 4,442 people at Pope Air Force Base. The natural gas distribution system serves approximately 1,303 buildings throughout the installation. It consists of approximately 262,700 LF of pipe, ranging from less than 2" to 8" in diameter. The system was constructed for the most part in the 1970s (coated and wrapped steel) with some additions in the 1990s (polyethylene). The Natural Gas Privatization contractor shall assume ownership of all Government-owned pressure reduction valves, flow/isolation valves, transmission piping, regulators, meters, and natural gas distribution facilities on Fort Bragg. Ownership shall begin at the termination point between North Carolina Natural Gas and Fort Bragg lines. System pressure distributed to the post varies at different locations. For all services, the Government (or housing privatization contractor) shall assume responsibility after the building regulator connection point. The regulator will be the responsibility of the Natural Gas Privatization contractor. Fort Bragg's firm requirements over a three year period (1994-1996) averaged almost 1,174,600 Dekatherm (Dth). Although Fort Bragg has a firm service contract maximum daily quantity (MDQ) of 5,800 Dth, the actual peak day requirements reached 7,808 Dth in March 1995. Based on actual peak-day demand, Fort Bragg had a system load factor of 41.2% during this time period. The contract will no include the purchase of commodity. Privatization is a process by which the Government sells its utility systems to a private entity and contracts with the entity to own, operate, maintain and improve the utility systems as commercial systems. The contract for the operation of the distribution system is considered a utility service contract with an ititial term of 10 years. It is anticipated that the Request for Proposals will be issued on or about March 15, 1999. A preproposal conference/site visit will be scheduled shortly after release of the RFP. Technical evaluation factors will be set forth in the solicitation. The RFP will be available electronically through the Internet at www.hnd.usace.army.mil/contract. **See Numbered Note 26. Posted 02/22/99 (W-SN300953). (0053)

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