Directorate of Contracting, Bldg 4340, Fort Jackson, SC 29207-5494

S -- NATURAL GAS UTILITY DISTRIBUTION SERVICE POC Douglas I. Metzger, 803/751-2589 E-MAIL: Directorate of Contracting, jmetzgerd@jackson.army.mil. COST OF SERVICE NATURAL GAS RFP. The U.S. Army Training Center and Fort Jackson (collectively referred to as "Fort Jackson", "Installation" or "Post", South Carolkna, seeks to identify responsible potential sources and obtain information in regards to privatization of its natural gas distribution system in accordance with 10 USC 26888, "Utility Systems: Conveyance Authority" for Utility Privatization. The potential privatization actions will transfer ownership, operation and maintenance and obligation to serve. Fort Jaackson intends to retain ownership of all land associated with the utility. OBJECTIVE: Should privatization occur, the ownership of the entire natural gas distribution system to include all capital investments, operation, maintenance and repair responsibilities, shall transfer to a publicly or privately owned utility provider. All responsibility for maintaining adequate dependable natural gas distribution service within the installation's boundaries, including such items as environmental compliance, operation, maintenance, major system renovation, construction, equipment manpower and overhead, shall be the responsibility of the utility provider. These services shall be in accordance with South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and other applicable health, safety, envoronmental and operational laws, regulation or standards. It is anticipated that a cost of Service type of contract will be solicited. No telephone requests will be accepted, only written, facsimile, or e-mail. INSTALLATION AND UTILITY SYSTEM DESCRIPTION: Note: (1). All technical data and information listed below is to be considered an estimated quantity. The natural gas distribution system serves the Fort Jackson main cantonment area to include family housing. -- Natural Gas Distribution System: 259,579 linear feet -- Building services: 579 -- In line meters: 38 -- All service is interruptible (three categories of interruption) -- One main meter with 3 interruptible service sub meters PROCESS: This request is to gather information from interested parties and is an essential step in determining market interest for the privatization of the natural gas distribution system at Fort Jackson, SC. In order to minimize costs both to potentially interested parties and the government, this notice is issued to determine market interest and feasibility as well as determining marketing strategies for privatizing the natural gas distribution system. Interested parties should provide a statement of interest on company letterhead. The statement of interest must not exceed a total length of 16 pages. The statement shall include as a minimum, the following information: (1) capability and experience in the ownership, operation, and maintenance of similar systems; (2) financial capability to purchase, upgrade, expand, operate and maintain natural gas utility systems; (3) conceptual rate plan (i.e., will charge for utility service be made from existing rates or from rates developed specifically for service at Fort Jackson. (4) discussion of your conceptual basis for a proposed purchase price (capitalized earnings value, replacement cost new less depreciation, original cost less depreciation, or other); (5) understanding of any applicable state or local utility laws or franchise requirements, and capability of complying with such requirements (6) understanding of the federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations and familiarity and experience with environmental compliance procedures and regulations for South Carolina and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region; (7) Business size: Large, Small, Small Disadvantaged Business or 8(a). SITE VISIT AND DATA: Neither a site visit nor the provision of additional data on the natural gas is considered necessary for the preparation and submittal of statement of interest. If a site visit and the provision of additional data are later determined necessary, notification will be provided by way of an amendment to this announcement. DUE DATE: Statements of interest must be submitted by November 19, 1999, 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Sources may respond by mail to USATC&FJ, Directorate of Contracting, ATTN: Doug Metzger, 4340 Magruder Avenue, Fort Jackson, SC 29207. Facsimile: 803/751-5429. Posted 10/06/99 (W-SN389608). (0279)

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