E -- PRIVITATIZATION OF NATURAL GAS SYSTEM AT WATERVLIET ARSENAL, WATERVLIET, NY

Notice Date

December 12, 2000

Contracting Office

HQ OSC, Attn AMSOS-ACI, Bld 350, 5th Floor Middle Bay, Rock Island IL 61299-6000

ZIP Code

61299-6000

Response Due

December 29, 2000

Point of Contact

Jodie Bennett, (309) 782-8541

E-Mail Address

Click here to contact the contract specialist via (bennettj2@osc.army.mil)

Description

SOURCES SOUGHT FOR THE POTENTIAL PRIVATIZATION OF THE NATURAL GAS SYSTEM AT WATERVLIET ARSENAL, WATERVLIET, NY. The Operations Support Command (OSC) 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. OSC is seeking interest and information specifically for the potential privatization of Watervliet's Natural Gas system. The potential privatization action will include the transfer of ownership, operation and maintenance, and the obligation to serve. The Army intends to retain ownership of all land and will grant easements and leases for access to land associated with the utility system. OBJECTIVE: Should privatization occur, the ownership of Watervliet's natural gas system, operation and maintenance and obligation to continue to provide utility service for an indefinite and ongoing period will transfer to a publicly or privately owned 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 Army's life-cycle costs for operating and maintaining the natural gas system. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION: The following is provided only to give an approximation of the size, scope and general description of Watervliet's natural gas system. Any numbers may be used for estimating purposes only. The natural gas at Watervliet Arsenal provides natural gas primarily for space heating and industrial uses. The natural gas system is unique to most U. S. Army systems because over 50% of the natural gas piping is located inside buildings. All natural gas pipe lines located inside a Government building will NOT be the included in this privatization process and shall remain the under Government property. The natural gas is provided by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. Their meter and pressure regulator are near the southern side of the Arsenal, south of building 55. Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation supplies pressure at this point at 50 psi. At the regulator it is reduced to the Arsenal distribution pressure of 10 psi. From the meter and regulator, the system branches out to the various service points. Real property records for Watervliet Arsenal indicate the natural gas system was install in 1962, and maybe as early as 1940's or even as early as the 1910's. The natural gas piping is coated and wrapped steel. Where underground, the installation line depth is between 1 and 2 feet. A leak detection survey is conducted on an annual basis. From the drawings provided by the Arsenal, the measured length of gas lines in the main arsenal area is approximately 5,865 feet with 8 main isolation valves, with approximately 3,200 feet of gas lines contained within buildings. 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 U.S. 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 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 (SS) for the utility systems identified in this announcement.. SIC/SS: 221210/500 employees. 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 potable water treatment and distribution and wastewater collection and treatment 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 services; (4) statement detailing the legal right to serve, own, operate and maintain utility system within the state laws and an understanding of any applicable federal, territorial and local utility laws, regulations or franchise requirements affecting utilities in the state, and capability of complying with such requirements; (5) 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 New York 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 the RFIs for different utility systems may be issued in the same time frame.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001214/ESOL004.HTM (W-347 SN5086U4)