THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION NOTICE. RFI Response Due: 30 JULY 2014, NLT 11:59 PM ET 1.0 SUBJECT: The Headquarters Department of the Army, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics (G-4) is conducting a market survey to identify the capabilities and availability of sources in the market place to meet the Government's requirements to modernize the Army rail program. This Request for Information (RFI) may also assist with the further development and/or refinement of future Government requirements. Responses to this RFI are due no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Time, July 30th, 2014. 2.0 DISCLAIMER: This is neither a Request for Proposals (RFP) nor a Request for Quotations (RFQ). This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kind of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled in accordance with applicable Government regulations. Responses to the RFI will not be returned to the provider/sender. At this time, questions concerning the composition and requirements of a possible future RFP will not be entertained. Funding is currently not available at this time. Submitting your company information does not bind the Government or the Army to any future solicitations or contracts resulting from this RFI. 3.0 DESCRIPTION: The Army seeks to develop public-private partnerships (Title 10 U.S.C. 2474) to modernize, gain efficiencies, and adopt best-business practices for operating its railroad enterprise. The Army seeks to accomplish the following by entering into one or more public-private partnership(s): 1) right-size the rail assets the Army owns, 2) operate the right-sized rail assets at demand levels commensurate with their capacity, with the objective that the operations tempo required to support peak military requirements is the normal operations tempo, and 3) maintain the assets and accommodate the demand in an efficient manner. 4.0 SCOPE: Respondents to this RFI should look across the entire Army rail enterprise for ways both parties can benefit from partnering. The Army desires to explore any areas where partnering may be mutually beneficial. Therefore, respondents should not limit themselves to the areas and actions listed below, nor are they expected to respond to all points. The Army seeks information to determine the interest, availability, and capability of members of the commercial industry to: 1. Share Army rail facilities - the Army looks to more effectively employ underutilized but necessary facilities. The facilities available include, but are not limited to: trackage, including main track (both on and off installations), sidings, and yards; loading facilities, including ramps, container handling facilities, and paved staging areas; and auxiliary facilities, including small office buildings, repair facilities, warehouses, and unimproved land. 2. Move and/or switch trains - the Army wants to reduce its locomotive ownership. The Army will require short notice 'power by the hour' agreements for the use of locomotives and crews. The primary objective is keeping a proper balance between owned and leased locomotive power. 3. Provide maintenance support to the Army - the Army has locomotives, freight cars, and trackage on its installations. The Army is interested in alternative ways of providing scheduled maintenance and unscheduled repair. Locomotive, rail car, and trackage maintenance includes, but not limited to: refurbishment, emergency response, engine overhaul, upgrades, and scheduled maintenance. 5.0 AUTHORITY: Per Title 10 USC 2667 gives military departments authority to: 1) Enter into long-term or short-term leases, 2) lease land and/or buildings, and 3) receive income on leased property, which can be used to fund other new construction and does not have to be invested in the leased property. 6.0 RESPONSES: Because this is an RFI and not an actual solicitation, respondents need not submit a proposal. Respondents should explain the details, and pros/cons of a partnership venture in which the contractor would be willing to enter into with the Government. Submission of a non-binding (draft) cost proposal is helpful. The Government appreciates any provided responses to all three RFIs under paragraph 4.0 above or just one. Information provided by respondents that they do not consent to limited release must be clearly marked and segregated from other response material. Response to this RFI or lack thereof does not constitute any obligation on the Government to pursue a follow-on effort, in part or whole, with specific vendors or otherwise. Please do not cut and paste your responses into this RFI. Remit any and all responses as a separate document. Any questions regarding this RFI may be directed to the POC below. Please e-mail your response by the due date to LTC John Wilson, (e-mail:
[email protected]). RFI Response Due: 30 JULY 2014, NLT 11:59 PM ET E-Mail:
[email protected]