S -- UtilityInfrastructureServicesRequest for Information/Sources Sought

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is seeking sources that are capable and interested in participating in privatization of on-base utility distribution infrastructure. The purpose of this announcement is two fold: 1) to ascertain if there is a viable interest from industry in participating; and 2) to ascertain if any of the privatization solicitations can be set aside for a) small business, b) 8a small business or c) HUBZone small business. Decisions will be made by USAFA on a utility-by-utility basis. If viable interest is not shown for a particular utility system, a solicitation for that utility will not be issued. North American Industrial Classification Codes of 221122 (Electric Power Distribution), 221210 (Natural Gas Distribution), 221310 (Water Supply Systems) and 221320 (Sewer Treatment Facilities) apply. Corresponding small business size standards are 4 million megawatts, 500 employees, $6M in sales, and $6M in sales, respectively. Parties interested in acquiring utility systems and providing utility distribution services at USAFA should provide a separate statement of interest for each utility. Each separate statement of interest shall identify the specific system(s) for which there is interest and for which industry provides separate responses to the questions identified below. Firms that are either small business or 8a or HUBZone small business need to identify that fact and indicate in which of the three listed small business categories they qualify. The USAFA utilities involved are electricity; natural gas; water; and wastewater (collection, treatment and non-potable water distribution). If an offeror is interested in multiple systems, separate responses should be provided for each system. In addition, interested parties are required to provide information regarding experience and qualifications for operating utility systems for each of the systems of interest. Contractor selection will NOT be made on the basis of information submitted, rather we will decide if sufficient viable interest exists to warrant issuing RFPs or if any limitation of participation to small business, 8a or HUBZone small business applies. Each utility system will be separately solicited. Please be advised the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) apply to this procurement and interested parties should reference the draft Request For Proposal (RFP) template at the following website for information regarding terms and conditions. The draft template RFP can be found at http://www.afcesa.af.mil/Directorate/CEO/Contracts/UtilPrivatization/UPTemplates.htm. Specifically, parties are advised the Federal Disputes Clause FAR 52.233-1, Alt I, found at http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm will apply when the entity is providing services where the rates are not set by law or regulation and acknowledge understanding that acceptance of this clause is required to be considered responsive to any subsequent RFP. Responses will be used to assist in refining the acquisition strategy and subsequent decisions regarding future issuance of a full and open competitive RFP, a set-aside RFP, a sole source RFP, or, if no viable interest, not issuing an RFP. If viable responses are not received, the Government has the discretion to determine no market interest exists and no subsequent RFPs be issued (again, on a utility-by-utility basis). Specific responses to the following are needed in order for your firm to be considered “viable” in providing an offer for services under this program. Provide: (1) System of interest: (a) Electric Utility Distribution System; (b) Natural Gas Utility Distribution System; (c) Potable Water Utility Distribution System; (d) Wastewater Utility Distribution System; (2) Your status regarding your authority to support this service: (a) Regulated utility and service is within certificated area of service; (b) Regulated utility providing nonregulated service for this area of service; (d) Regulated utility and service is not within certificated area of service; (e) Non-regulated utility for the service of interest; (3) Classification of your company: (a) Publicly owned utility; (b) Investor owned utility; (c) Cooperative owned utility; (d) Publicly owned and traded company – not a utility; (e) Privately owned company; (f) Limited Liability Corporation; (g) C-Corp; (h) Other, Please Describe; (4) Offeror acknowledges acceptance of application of the Federal Acquisition Regulation terms and conditions included in the RFP template. (5) Acknowledgement that you may be required to comply with the Cost Accounting Standards; (6) If you propose to provide nonregulated service within your proposed service area, will your entity accept the Federal Disputes Clause FAR 52.233-1 Alt 1; (7) Indicate if your firm or entity is or is not a small business, or 8a or HUBZone small business. (Not-for-profit entities cannot be a small business.) - Responses that indicate insufficient capabilities will not be further considered. Due date for response is 30 April 2003. Responses should be addressed to: Margaret Wages, USAF Academy, 10MSG/LGCA, 8110 Industrial Drive, Suite 200, USAF Academy CO 80840-2315; telephone numbers are shown below. For assistance in interpreting the FBO announcement, please see the FBO Reader’s Guide. The Place of Performance is the United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840-2315.THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. Original Point of Contact Margaret Wages, Contracting Specialist, Phone: (719) 333-6572, DSN 333-6572, FAX (719) 333-4747, Email [email protected]. Address small business program questions to Sherry Pittinger, Small Business Specialist, Phone: (719) 333-4561, DSN 333-4561, FAX (719) 333-4404, Email [email protected].