S -- Notice of intent to privatize the natural gas distribution utility system at Manchester Fuel Depot, Manchester, Washington

Notice of intent to privatize the natural gas distribution utility system at Manchester Fuel Depot, Manchester, Washington pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2688, as a sole source procurement with the local utility provider, Cascade Natural Gas Corporation. The Government's intent is to convey the utility system and award a long-term firm fixed price utility services contract. On 27 Sep 2002, a Request for Proposal, N44255-01-R-8021, was issued as a competitive procurement to privatize this system. Proposals were due on 10 Jan 2003. No proposals were received in response to Request for Proposal, N44255-01-R-8021. In accordance with Department of Defense Guidance for Privatizing Defense Utility Systems issued on 09 Oct 2002, the local utility provider, Cascade Natural Gas, was contacted to determine if Cascade Natural Gas would be interested in entering into an agreement with the Navy to privatize the natural gas distribution system at Manchester Fuel Depot, Manchester, Washington. As this procurement will now be a non-competitive action, this sole source negotiation will be accomplished under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, which allows for the use of other than competitive source selection procedures when only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This notice is to provide any other parties an opportunity to indicate an interest in the privatization of this utility system. All responses must be received within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice. All information shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. No contract will be awarded on the basis of information received in response to this notice, but will be used to determine if a qualified comparable source is available and more advantageous to the Government in a future procurement. If no acceptable interest is received, the Navy shall conclude that the only entity that can, as a practical matter, enter into an agreement to privatize the natural gas distribution system at Manchester Fuel Depot, Manchester, Washington, is Cascade Natural Gas. Responses to this notice as well as any questions should be directed to: Engineering Field Activity Northwest (EFANW), Attention Donald Myers, Utility Privatization Lead, 19917 7th Avenue NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370-7570. Phone (360) 396-0236, FAX (360) 396-0954.