Description
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 Pittsburgh International Airport (IAP) Air Reserve Station (ARS), Pennsylvania. 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 Pittsburgh IAP ARS, PA 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. 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 May-June 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. Pittsburgh IAP ARS Natural Gas Distribution System: Peoples Natural Gas Company supplies natural gas to the 911th AW. Gas is brought to the Base through a 6-inch coated and wrapped steel feeder pipe operating at 40 psi. The 6-inch supply line enters the Base southeast of the main gate and runs parallel along Defense Avenue to the metering station located at Building 119. At the metering station, pressure is reduced to 10 psi, and then distributed to Base facilities through piping ranging from 0.5 to 4-inches. Thirty-two buildings have gas meters installed. The existing 15,826 LF of pipe is polyethylene, some of which has been inserted in the original steel lines. The remaining polyethylene pipe has a tracer wire to facilitate locating this pipe. The metering station is the only entry point for natural gas, and other than the building regulators, this is the only point where pressure is reduced. Peoples Natural Gas owns all natural gas lines and the meter and regulator system to the point of pressure reduction; 911th AW assumes ownership of the gas lines on the “low-side” of the reducing station. Plastic isolation valves located at each building and throughout the system enable portions to be isolated for maintenance. The system was extensively replaced in FY 1991. No code violations were observed during the site visit, and the system is in good condition.