US Government Contract for Privatization of Electric Power Distribution System

This is a Sources Sought Notice (hereinafter "Notice"). This Notice is an essential step in determining market interest and feasibility in accordance with FAR Part 10 and is for information and planning purposes only. This Notice is solely for the Government's use as a market research tool. This Notice does not constitute a request for proposals, a solicitation or a request for quotes. If determined appropriate, then both a synopsis and a solicitation may be anticipated in the 2024 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. 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 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. Interested parties should provide a statement of interest on company letterhead by no later than 3:00 pm EST on February 02, 2024. Responses are preferred via email, but hard copies will also be accepted. If the statement of interest will be provided via hard copy, please notify the primary or secondary point of contact identified herein. At a minimum, the statement of interest shall address the following criteria: (1) capability and experience in the ownership and/or leasing, operation and maintenance of an electrical distribution system; (2) financial capacity with regard to leasing or ownership interest, expansion, and operation of a utility system; (3) understanding of any applicable state or local utility law or franchise requirements and capability of complying with such requirements; (4) understanding of the federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations and its familiarity and experience with environmental compliance procedures and regulations for the state of Virginia; (5) the Government requests the sources capabilities and estimated total timeframes to initiate and complete extensive medium voltage supply infrastructure Initial System Deficiency Correction (ISDC) projects, to include financing, procurement, installation (including necessary phasing to maintain Government operations), commissioning, and initial system operation; (6) a primary point of contact, including phone number and email address; (7) business size (other-than-small, small, or any subcategory of small business) relative to the NAICS codes 221122; and (8) status as a regulated or non-regulated utility. If you are interested in this effort, please provide the information requested above to the Defense Logistics Agency Energy (DLA Energy) Contracting Office. Requirement: The Defense Logistics Agency Energy (DLA Energy) seeks to identify and obtain information from responsible sources in connection with the acquisition of utility services for the privatization of electric power distribution system (NAICS 221122) at Naval Station Norfolk (NSN), Norfolk, VA; Naval Support Activity (NSA) Hampton Roads (HR) Headquarters, Norfolk, VA; and Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), Portsmouth, VA (includes associated Annexes Saint Juliens Creek and Scott Center). Utilities Privatization (UP) 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 rights, title and interest of the United States in the utility system(s). UP will be accomplished in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2688 - Utility Systems: Conveyance Authority. It is intended that privatization will reduce the Government's life cycle costs; expand capabilities; repair failing equipment; improve and sustain SAIDI and SAIFI measured operational values to NAVFAC P-602 3 Pillars of Energy Security (Reliability, Resiliency, & Efficiency) standards or better within 5 years after conveyance. The resulting privatization will include ownership, operation, and maintenance of the system. The new owner shall operate and maintain the system and provide utility services to the Government. The Contractor/System Owner shall furnish all management, supervision, permits, equipment, supplies, materials, transportation and any other incidental items or services required for the complete ownership and provision of utility services by the use of these utility systems being privatized, including operation, maintenance, repair, upgrades and improvements to the utility systems. All responsibility for maintaining reliable service, including such items as environmental compliance, maintenance costs, major system renovations, construction, equipment, manpower and overhead costs shall become the responsibility of the new utility system owner. Installation Description NSN and NSA HR NSN is geographically located in the Southeastern corner of the Commonwealth of Virginia and is situated in the Sewells Point area of the City of Norfolk. NSN supports the operational readiness of the US Atlantic Fleet, providing facilities and utility services to enable mission accomplishment. Established in 1917, NSN encompasses over 474 acres and is the largest naval complex in the world. NSN is the home port of four carrier strike groups and their assigned ships. In addition, NSN hosts several Military Sealift Command ships, as well as the submarines of the Atlantic Fleet. See Map 1 for the general geographic location. NSN and NSA HR is supported by approximately 59,000 military personnel, 14,500 civilians, and 3,300 contractor personnel. Major facilities at NSN includes one (1) airfield and fourteen (14) piers. Supporting facilities include security, government housing, office space, recreational support services, and supporting utilities. NSA HR is located on Hampton Blvd and Terminal Blvd. NSA HR has the largest concentration of fleet headquarters facilities for administration and communication outside of Washington, D.C. NSA HR is home to more than 6,000 personnel that includes major tenant commands: U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Joint Staff Hampton Roads, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, Naval Submarine Forces, Atlantic; and Naval Reserve Forces Command. NSA HR consists of several special areas, and they are excluded at this time. According to the FY20 CNRMA Economic Report, the economic impact of NSN and NSA HR on the region is approximately $7.9 billion annually. System Description NSN and NSA HR The system includes, but is not limited to substations, switching stations, transformers, poles, conductors, cables, duct banks, manholes, circuit breakers, meters, lightning arrestors, batteries and chargers, switchgear, voltage regulators, fuses, cabinets and panel boards, and backup generators. The NSN and NSA HR electrical network comprises approximately 4,936 and 1,179 electrical poles, respectively. AMI metering is provided at substations that capture the electrical consumption on most facilities. The electrical distribution system for NSN and NSA HR headquarters is a contiguous electrical system. The distribution system utilizes three distribution voltages at 4.16kV, 11.5kV, and 34.5kV. 34.5kV Distribution: Three substations and sixteen 1200A, 34.5kV vacuum circuit breakers supply the 34.5kV distribution system. The distribution system is a 3 wire, sub-transmission system delivered by 750kcmil, 35kV, and 133% EPR insulated copper conductors with a taped shield. The 34.5kV system is the primary system feeding the piers, all 11.5kV distribution substations and the CD area at NSN. Overall, this system encompasses 3,211 LF of overhead and 292,766 LF of underground distribution for NSN and 28,782 LF of overhead and 20,161 LF of underground distribution for NSA HR. 11.5kV Distribution: The 11.5kV distribution system is a 3 wire, resistively grounded network fed by multiple circuits using 3-1/C 500kcmil, 15kV, 100% EPR insulated copper cable with a taped shield. Older 15kV, 500kcmil PILC (paper insulated lead cable) and cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cable comprises about 35% of the existing 11.5kV cable plant. Six substations serve this distribution system. Overall, this system encompasses 61,564 LF of overhead and 345,776 LF of underground distribution for NSN, and 31,920 LF of overhead and 98,913 LF of underground distribution for NSA HR. 4.16kV Distribution: Overall the system encompasses 4,823 LF of overhead and 76,408 LF of underground distribution for NSN. Installation Description NNSY and Annexes NNSY has the distinction of being the oldest shipyard that is a U.S. Navy Shipyard; it dates to 1767 and includes construction of two Continental Navy ships. Located in Portsmouth, Virginia, NNSY stands on the west bank of the Elizabeth Rivers Southern Branch. NNSYs 1,275-acre operational base includes the 533-acre main site and four nearby noncontiguous annexes, also sited alongside the Elizabeth River, in Portsmouth and Chesapeake. The NNSY main site consists of waterfront ship repair facilities (dry docks, wet slips, berths, and so forth), a Controlled Industrial Area, Public Works, administration and supply facilities, housing, medical facilities, and personnel and community support services. The main sites waterfront Industrial Area Precinct includes ship berthing, maintenance, and repair facilities, with five operable dry docks and four major piers. Approximately 5,500 military personnel and 11,000 civilians work at NNSY. Between 1,500 and 3,000 contractors work at the shipyard daily, providing support and services. See Map 2 for the general geographic location. NNSYs mission is to improve the US Navys fleet abilities through repairing, overhauling, and modernizing ships, aircraft carriers, and submarines. Throughout the shipyards two centuries, its mission has changed several timesshipbuilding, education, munitions production but it has remained steadfast to continuously serving the fleet with quality work, on schedule, and within budget. With the proposed changes under shipyard modernization, NNSY will focus on modernizing the shipyards dry docks; conceptualizing facilities layout to increase efficient production and service to the fleet; and investing in innovative equipment and technology. St. Juliens Creek Annex (SJCA) - SJCA is a 490-acre facility situated at the confluence of St. Juliens Creek and the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River in the City of Chesapeake, located in southeastern Virginia. SJCA began operations as a Naval facility in 1849. The current primary mission of SJCA is to provide a radar-testing range and various administrative and warehousing facilities and light industrial shops for nearby Norfolk Naval Shipyard and other local naval activities. Defense Logistics Agency, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Fleet Logistics Norfolk, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Detachment, and a cryogenics school are currently located within SJCA. See Map 3 for the general geographic location. Scott Center Annex is a 63-acre recreational complex for NNSY personnel. It is located southwest of NNSY and connects via a raised walkway. System Description NNSY and Annexes NNSY and Scott Center - The system includes, but is not limited to substations, switching stations, transformers, poles, conductors, cables, duct banks, manholes, circuit breakers, meters, lightning arrestors, batteries and chargers, switchgear, voltage regulators, fuses, cabinets and panel boards, and backup generators. Electrical power for NNSY is provided by the Service Providers Substation and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant (in construction at present). The Service Provider connects two (2) 34.5 kV points of service, while the RDF Plant Substation provides three (3) 34.5 kV points of service. The primary distribution system is a mix of overhead and underground construction. The Distribution consists of voltages 34.5 kV, 13.8kV, 11.5kV, 4.16kV & 2.3 kV. Overall, this system encompasses 288,104 LF of underground and 7,425 LF of aboveground distribution. The service from the Service Providerubstation is distributed to the Navy owned Tie Station via underground cables. The service from the RDF Plant Substation is also distributed to the same Navy owned Tie Station. The 34.5kV service is distributed via a loop to the Waterfront and four (4) distribution stations. Voltage at the distribution stations are transformed from 34.5 kV to 11.5 kV. Voltage is also transformed from 34.5kV to 13.8kV/4160V for use at the Shore Power Facilities. The 11.5kV service is distributed via a loop to nine (9) distribution substations. These substations distribute 11.5 kV to most NNSY facilities and the waterfront via substation feeder circuit breakers. The 11.5 kV system is resistance-grounded at each of the four 34.5 kV delta 11.5 kV wye-grounded transformers. These transformers are equipped with LTCs (Load Tap Changers). The 11.5 kV load feeders are fed from metal-clad switchgear located at eight distribution stations. In addition, voltage at these substations is transformed from 11.5 kV to 2.3 kV. The 2.3 kV is distributed to Waterfront Facilities and to NNSY westside Facilities. The 2.3 kV system is three-wire ungrounded and fed from 11.5 kV 2.3 kV delta delta transformers. SJCA - Overall, this system encompasses 1,219 LF of underground and 31,064 LF of aboveground distribution. Secure Documents If sufficient interest is identified and this requirement proceeds in a competitive action, access to many solicitation attachments will be controlled. In order to view and download controlled attachments, interested parties will need to request access in the Contract Opportunities system. The process of obtaining access requires a Unique Entity ID (UEI) a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), a Contractor and Government Entity (CAGE) Code, a login.gov account, and Joint Certification Program (JCP) Certification. The process to obtain the required elements can be somewhat lengthy, therefore interested parties are encouraged to begin the process as soon as possible. Users are required to be registered in SAM. A CAGE Code is created through the SAM registration process at https://www.sam.gov/. For those currently registered in SAM, verify that all information is correct and current. Users can request a UEI without registering (if already a registered SAM or as a part of the registration process. For instructions see video on Sam.gov homepage How to get a Unique Entity ID. In order to complete; ensure you have the following before beginning: 1. Legal Business Name 2. Physical Address (no P.O. Boxes) 3. Start year or year of incorporation 4. State of incorporation 5. National identifier (entities based outside of the U.S.) 6. Sam.gov user account (see below for login.gov account instructions) Users must create a login.gov account in SAM.gov. Instructions are below. For additional help, contact the Federal Service Desk at https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp or toll free at 1.866.606.8220. 1. To link to an existing login.gov account a. From https://SAM.gov/ go to sign in on the toolbar. b. Enter your email address and password for your existing login.gov account. c. You will then receive an email to associate your existing login.gov account with SAM. You will now use this login.gov account to sign into SAM.gov. New users will be asked to complete their SAM.gov profile. 2. To create a new login.gov account a. From https://SAM.gov/ go to sign in on the toolbar b. Select create an account c. Enter your email d. You will receive a link with a security code via email. Go to the link and enter that security code and press continue. e. Create your password. Press continue. f. Select the method by which you wish to receive one-time security codes in the future. Note: The recommended method is Text message/SMS. As part of the registration process, you will be prompted to select a second authentication method. 3. Once your login.gov user account is created, sign in at SAM.gov and navigate to the solicitation using the Search Contract Opportunities link. a. Click on a controlled attachment to initiate your request for access. b. A Secure Attachment message will appear stating You are not on Authorized Parties List. To get added to the Authorized Parties List Contractors must submit DD Form 2345 or you can request for Request access. c. Enter your Reason for Access and click Submit. You will be notified of the response to your request. d. Please note that you will now need to request access for each attachment individually one request will not provide access to all controlled attachments. 4. DLA Energy will review the request for access and the JCP certification of the requestor. Parties who already have JCP Certification are encouraged to verify their information in the JCP system at https://www.dla.mil/Logistics-Operations/Services/JCP. Incorrect information may result in rejection of request and delays in access to controlled documents. 5. Instructions for obtaining JCP certification or for correcting a current JCP certification are as follows: a. Applicants for JCP certification are required to have a current DUNS Number, SAM registration, CAGE Code, and login.gov account b. Download the DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement by clicking on a controlled attachment in the solicitation listing or by accessing the form through the link on https://www.dla.mil/HQ/LogisticsOperations/Services/JCP/ or directly at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd2345.pdf c. Complete the DD Form 2345 and submit a hard copy of the original form, together with all required documentation, to the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS), U.S./Canada Joint Certification Program (JCP), at the address listed on the form. Alternately, the completed, signed, and dated DD Form 2345 can be emailed as a .pdf file with supporting documentation to: jcp-admin@dla.mil . Please note that delays may be incurred if forms and/or required documentation are incomplete or incorrect. d. Notify the DLA Energy Solicitation POCs of your request submission together with company name and CAGE Code used on the request form. e. JCP will return an approved and signed certified form, which will include your certification and expiration date. f. For assistance with the DD Form 2345 or to inquire about the acceptability of providing documentation electronically, please contact the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Office, DLIS: U.S./Canada Joint Certification Office Logistics Information Services Federal Center, 74 Washington Ave., North Battle Creek, Michigan USA 49037-3084 Phone: 877-352-2255 E-mail: JCP-Admin@DLA.MIL g. Once approval is received, it can take up to 24 hours for the JCP information to reach all systems. 6. Once you receive the approved DD Form 2345 from the Joint Certification Office, verify your status and ensure all information is correct and matches the SAM registration for the same CAGE Code at Joint Certification Program (dla.mil). 7. Follow the steps for requesting access to controlled documents in #3, above.