Contracting Office Address Air Force Educaton Training Command (AETC) CONS/LGCT, AFCESA Support Flight, 136 Barnes Drive, Suite 1, Building 856 Annex, Tyndall AFB, FL 32403 Description AETC CONS/LGCT seeks to identify, and obtain information from, responsible sources in connection with the privatization of the natural gas distribution system (NAICS 221122) at Dobbins Air Reserve Base (ARB), Georgia. Privatization is defined as the conveyance of a utility system to a municipal, private, regional, district, or cooperative utility company or other entity. The conveyance may consist of all right, title, and interest of the United States in the utility system. Utility Privatization (UP) will be accomplished in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2688 Utility Systems: Conveyance Authority. Contractor will be required to assume ownership of the natural gas distribution system at Dobbins ARB, GA and as the new owner, shall operate and maintain the system and provide utility services to the Government. Contractor shall furnish all necessary labor, management, supervision, permits, equipment, supplies, materials, transportation, and any other incidental items or services required for the complete ownership of and provision of utility services via these utility systems, including operation, maintenance, repair, upgrades, and improvements to the utility systems. This Sources Sought Notice (hereinafter "Notice") is an essential step in determining market interest and feasibility. Responses received will be used to develop marketing strategies for the potential privatization of utilities at this installation. Should interest be determined sufficient, a formal solicitation may be forthcoming. Interested parties should provide a statement of interest on company letterhead by no later than 4:00 pm CST on Monday, April 13, 2009. Responses are preferred via e-mail, but hard copies and facsimiles will also be accepted. At a minimum, the statement of interest shall address: (1) capability and experience in utility privatization or owning and operating utility systems; (2) financial capability to justify potential award of such a contract; (3) a primary point of contact, including phone number and e-mail address; and (4) an indication of the size of the business (large, small, or any sub-category of small business). The potential opportunity for set-asides for small businesses and small disadvantaged businesses will be considered on the basis of the responses received. This Notice is solely for the Government's use as a market research tool. As such, the issuance of a competitive solicitation is not guaranteed. If determined appropriate, then both a synopsis and a solicitation may be anticipated in the August 2009 timeframe. All responsible sources are encouraged to submit a response to this Notice. All information received will be considered. Failure to respond to this Notice does not preclude a firm from offering on any resultant solicitation; however, a lack of interest in this requirement may keep this effort from moving forward competitively. This announcement shall not be construed as a commitment or authorization to incur costs in anticipation of an award. The Government is not bound to make any awards under this Notice. If you are interested in this project, please provide the information requested above to the AETC/LGCT Contracting Office. Dobbins ARB Natural Gas Distribution System: Natural gas service is provided by Atlanta Gas and Light at a pressure of five (5) pounds per square inch gauge (psig). The gas main passes through a metering station presently located just outside the Main Base entrance on the east side of Cobb Parkway near the Visitor’s center. This facility is not owned by the USAF and is positioned behind chain-link fencing. All equipment downstream of the meter is presently owned, operated, and maintained by Dobbins ARB personnel. There are five metering points and several additional meters throughout the base. Natural gas is distributed through approximately 36,000 linear feet of underground pipeline, comprised of polyethylene and steel piping. There are approximately 120 valves and approximately 30 meters connected to the system. The average depth of burial is approximately three (3) feet. The gas main runs north of the Visitor’s Center and west along the north side of Atlantic Ave. to the Air Force POL facility and along Industrial Drive to Base Civil Engineering. Black steel lines (two and six-inch Schedule 40 piping) date from the 1950s. Newer PVC lines (two to four-inch HDPE piping) were installed in projects completed from the mid-1990s to 2005. A three-inch black steel gas main that runs on the south side of Atlantic Ave was abandoned after the four-inch HPDE pipe was installed. An additional four-inch PVC pipe exists on the far southeast side of the base servicing the US Army Reserve Area and Firing Range. Those portions of the system that are owned by Lockheed Martin, by the US Navy, and by the National Guard are excluded from this privatization solicitation. There are no known severe leaks or problems with any gas lines or laterals. Under current DoD direction, meters are to be added to all service locations. Central Point of Contact The point of contact for this action is: Robert Gable, Contracting Officer, Phone: 850.283.6605, Fax: 850.283.6466, E-mail:
[email protected]