S -- UTILITIES PRIVATIZATION AT VANDENBERG AFB CA

Notice Date

October 12, 2000

Contracting Office

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Space Command, 21CONS (Bldg 365), Specialized Flight-IT, O&M, Tech Serv, IT Resources, 135 E ENT Ave STE 101, Peterson AFB, CO, 80914-1385

ZIP Code

80914-1385

Solicitation Number

F05604-01-R-9002

Response Due

November 3, 2000

Point of Contact

Carroll Thompkins, Contract Specialist, Phone 719-556-4321, Fax 719-556-4756, Email carroll.thompkins@peterson.af.mil -- Rick Orona, Contract Specialist, Phone (719) 556-7506, Fax (719) 556-7396, Email

E-Mail Address

Carroll Thompkins (carroll.thompkins@peterson.af.mil)

Description

DESC: This is not a Notice of Solicitation. Rather, this is a follow-up notice to the announcement published in the Commerce Business Daily (CBD) on 03 March 1999 regarding the privatization of the utility systems at Vandenberg AFB, CA. The intent of this pre-solicitation notice is to determine Small Business interest. A lack of sufficient response from Small Business will result in this acquisition being solicited on an unrestricted basis (full and open competition). Background: Based on the 1997 Defense Reform Initiative Directives (DRID), the Air Force is studying the feasibility of privatizing the wastewater collection system at Vandenberg AFB in accordance with 10 USC 2688, Utility Systems: Conveyance Authority. Privatization is defined as the transfer of ownership and operations and maintenance responsibilities of Government owned systems to a municipal, private, regional, district or cooperative utility company or to another entity. Operation and maintenance includes such items as environmental compliance, maintenance costs, major systems renovations and upgrades, construction, equipment and manpower. The goal of the process is to privatize the utility infrastructure if it is determined to be economically feasible and does not adversely impact the mission . It is intended that privatization will ultimately reduce the Air Force_s life-cycle costs for operating and maintaining utility systems and services. All privatization projects will be supported by an economic analysis based on accepted life-cycle costing procedures that demonstrate the long-term economic benefit and reduced long-term costs. If the economic analysis determines that privatization is uneconomical, a contract will not be awarded and bid and proposal costs will not be paid. The Air Force is currently only funded at a portion of the estimated contract value. This funding issue must be resolved by the Air Force prior to contract award. If awarded, the contract may have a term as long as 50 years. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION: Wastewater is collected throughout Vandenberg AFB from the pump station. Servicing most of the Main Base area, a 24-inch main sewage pipeline runs underground. A portion of the wastewater generated in the Main Base area flows by gravity to the 18-inch line and on to the treatment plant. In other areas, the wastewater flows to a lift station where it is pumped up into the gravity system. From there it flows by gravity to the 18-inch line and on to the Treatment Plant. Within the Main Base wastewater collection system there are seven distinct collection areas. In the largest area, all of the generated wastewater is collected and flows by gravity to the Treatment Plant. North and South Vandenberg facilities rely on septic tanks and package plants for sewage disposal. Raw sewage is moved through the system via 15 Base-wide lift stations and is pumped through a pipeline running to the City of Lompoc_s Wastewater Plant. A large number of Base-wide septic systems have reached their life expectancy. Replacements of septic systems on Base are being conducted on a three-phase plan. Currently 10%-15% of the septic tanks on Base have been replaced or modified to fit current usage. The wastewater collection system consists of clay tile, cast iron, asbestos-cement, and orange (a form of compressed tarpaper) piping. There are 118 miles of underground sewage pipelines on Vandenberg AFB ranging in diameter from 6-inches to 24-inches. The average sewage flow from the Base is approximately 1.32 million gallons per day. The total volume of sewage treated for Vandenberg AFB at the Wastewater Treatment Plant for FY 98 was 654.0147 million gallons. The average monthly flow was 54.5012 million gallons and the average day flow was 1,797,200 gallons. The replacement cost new less depreciation of this system is $6,453,927. PROCEDURES: This sources sought synopsis is being issued to determine the feasibility of setting aside this potential acquisition for small business. Business interests shall note the FAR Part 19 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and Size Standards (SS) for the utility systems identified in this announcement. Some, all, or any combination of the following may apply. NAICS/SS: 221320/$5.0. REQUESTED RESPONSE: Interested parties should provide a statement of interest on company letterhead not to exceed 30 pages in length. Firms that previously replied to the 03 Mar 99 CBD announcement need not resubmit their information. The statement should include, as a minimum, the following information: (1) specific utility system(s) of interest and desired bundling/grouping of utilities to purchase; (2) capability and experience in ownership, operation and maintenance of similar utility systems; (3) financial capability to purchase, expand, and operate the utility systems; (4) conceptual rate plan (excluding numerical analysis or proposed rates) (i.e. will charges for utility services be developed specifically for service at the individual base?) (5) ideas regarding conjunctive metering and billing for service on base (excluding numerical analysis or proposed rates); (6) discussion on how you plan to finance the purchase price of the system(s); (7) statement detailing your understanding of federal, territorial and local environmental compliance procedures and regulations for the state of California and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; (8) business size (large, small, small-disadvantaged, 8(a), woman-owned). Elaborate proposals or pricing information is neither required nor desired. Any innovative and new conceptual ideas to achieve the stated objectives are encouraged. This request for information is a component of a systematic approach to implement the Air Force_s privatization program. If responsive statements are received, clarification requests and/or an industry conference may be scheduled at Vandenberg AFB in the future. This announcement is based upon the best information available, may be subject to future modification, is not a request for proposal and in no way commits the Government to take action. Responses to this notice as well as any questions must be directed to 21 CONS/LGCZA, Attention: Carroll Thompkins, 135 East Ent Avenue, Suite 101, Peterson AFB, CO 80914-1385. Phone (719) 556-4231. Alternate POC: Rick Orona Phone (719) 556-7506. Responses are due by 3 Nov 2000.

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www2.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=R&ProjID=F05604-01-R-9002&LocID=532)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001016/SSOL009.HTM (D-286 SN504256)