Directorate Of Contracting, Bldg 9504 MS 19, Box 339500, Fort Lewis WA 98433-9500

S -- PRIVATIZATION UNDER 10 USC 2688, UTILITY SYSTEMS: CONVEYANCE AUTHORITY AT FORT LEWIS, WASHINGTON DUE 031500 POC Olive Lenney, Contract Specialist, (253) 966-3481 PURPOSE: The Army 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". Fort Lewis is seeking interest and information specifically for the potential privatization of the Installation's water distribution system. OBJECTIVE: Should privatization result, the contractor shall accept full ownership and liability to operate, maintain, repair and improve the water treatment and distribution system; and to ensure safe, adequate, and dependable water service is supplied to each point of service. Fort Lewis retains water rights and exclusive use of water for Fort Lewis. These services shall be in accordance with local, state, and Federal laws, rules and regulations as well as industry standards. The services shall also be in accordance with state and federal safety, fire, and environmental laws/codes and as stated herein for the Fort Lewis Military Installation, Fort Lewis, WA. The contractor shall be responsible when state and federal laws/ regulations are changed or new ones are put into effect. The contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, and facilities to provide water service at Fort Lewis, WA consistently, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The contractor shall assume ownership of all Government-owned treatment and distribution facilities, distribution lines, and distribution storage facilities on the Fort Lewis reservation, but not the underlying real property or water rights. The distribution system includes, but is not limited to: three water systems; The main water system which serves 30,000 people in the 7,000 acre main cantonment area; The second water system provides potable water to the Fort Lewis golf course (FLGC), clubhouse and associated facilities excluding irrigation; The third water system provides potable water for the ammunition storage point (ASP). The FLGC and ASP systems are Class A Transient Non-Community water systems. PROCEDURES: This request to interested parties is for gathering information and is a required component and systematic process to evaluate the interested parties under the Army's 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 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. 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, maintenance and construction of similar water systems; (2) financial capacity to purchase, expand and operate the utility system; (3) statement detailing the understanding of the obligation to serve in regards to continuous utility service; (4) statement detailing the company's interest in owning, operating and maintaining water distribution system; (5) statement detailing the legal right to serve, own, operate and maintain utility systems within the state laws and an understanding of any applicable federal, state and local utility laws, regulations or franchise requirements affecting utilities in the state, and capability of complying with such requirements; (6) statement detailing the understanding of federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations and familiarity and experience with environmental compliance procedures and regulations for the State of Washington and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Elaborate proposals or pricing information is neither required nor desired. Under no circumstances should cost data for the existing systems be provided at this time. Any innovative and new conceptual ideas to achieve the stated objective are encouraged. For technical issues please contact Mr. Leon Wittner at (253) 966-1709. It should be noted that the 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 Ms. Olive Lenney at (253) 966-3481. Posted 02/09/00 (W-SN423642). (0040)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0100 20000211\S-0006.SOL)