Talisman Partners, Ltd., 5460 South Quebec St., Suite 100, Englewood, Co 80111-1916

S -- PRIVATIZATION UNDER 10 USC 2688, UTILITY SYSTEMS: CONVEYANCE AUTHORITY AT CHARLESTON AFB, CHARLESTON, SC. DUE 110499 POC Carie Lowry or Rod Hunt, 303/771-3103 E-MAIL: email to POC, clowry@talpart.com. The Air Force seeks to identify responsible potential sources and obtain information in regards to privatization of utility systems in accordance with 10 USC 2688, "Utility Systems: Conveyance Authority". The Air Force is seeking interest and information specifically for the potential privatization of the natural gas distribution system at CHARLESTON AFB, CHARLESTON, SC. OBJECTIVE: Should privatization result, the ownership of the CHARLESTON AFB natural gas distribution system, operation and maintenance and obligation to continue to provide utility service for an indefinite and ongoing period will transfer to a utility service provider. All responsibility for maintaining reliable utility service, including such items as environmental compliance, maintenance costs, major system renovations, construction, equipment, manpower and overhead costs will become the utility service provider's responsibility. It is intended that the privatization will ultimately reduce the Air Force's life-cycle costs for operating and maintaining utility systems and services. SYSTEM DESCRIPTIONS: The following is provided only to give an approximation of the size, scope and general description of the system. Any numbers should only be used for estimating purposes. The following system parameters are approximations: CHARLESTON AFB: Base Size: 3733 acres, 893 buildings. CHARLESTON AFB Natural Gas System: System installed 1955 through 1995. Approximately 30.7 miles of steel and plastic (PPE) mains ranging from 6" to 1". No cathodic protection. Natural gas supplied to the base at 150 psi and distributed at 25 psi via 6" main. Annual consumption: Base & Housing: 75,502 mmbtu Steam Plant: 124,000 mmbtu PROCEDURES: This request to interested parties is for gathering information and is a required component of a systematic process to evaluate the interested parties under the Air Force's utilities privatization program. In order to minimize costs both to potentially interested parties and the government, this notice is being issued todetermine the interest and feasibility of proceeding with a formal request for proposal. 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. Small Business interests shall note the FAR Part 19 Standard Industrial Codes (SIC) and Size Standards for the utility systems identified in this announcement. Some, all, or any combination of the following may apply. SIC/SS: 4911/4 Million (M) Megawatt hours, 4922/$5M, 4923/$5M, 4924/500, 4925/$5M, 4931/$5M, 4932/$5M, 4939/$5M, 4941/$5M, 4952/$5M, 4953/$6M, 4959/$5M, 4961/$9M, 4971/$5M. REQUESTED RESPONSE: Interested parties should provide a statement of interest on company letterhead (not to exceed 20 pages in length). The statement should include as a minimum the following criteria: (1) capability and experience in ownership, operation and maintenance of similar utility systems, (2) financial capacity to purchase, expand and operate the utility systems; (3) statement detailing the understanding of the obligation to serve in regards to continuous utility service; (4) statement detailing the legal right to serve, own, operate, and maintain utility systems within state laws and an understanding of any applicable federal, territorial and local utility laws, regulations or franchise requirements affecting utilities in the territory, and capability of complying with such requirements; and (5) statement detailing the understanding of federal, territorial, and local environmental laws and regulations and familiarity and experience with environmental compliance procedures and regulations for the State of South Carolina and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Elaborate proposals or pricing information is neither required nor desired. Under no circumstances will cost data for the existing systems be provided. Any innovative and new conceptual ideas to achieve the stated objective are encouraged. 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. It should be noted that RFIs for different utility systems may be issued in the same time frame. A separate response to each RFI is required. The point of contact is Carie Lowry or Bill Gruen, 303/771-3103. Posted 10/08/99 (W-SN390272). (0281)

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