REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, CUC RFP # 07-001
Part 1: Invitation to Apply for Pre-Qualification,
and
Pre-Qualification Requirements for Proposals, for the Privatization
of the CNMI's Power Business
The COMMONWEALTH UTILITIES CORPORATION (“CUC”) of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (“CNMI”), hereby invites interested persons, including project developers, electric power generators, and operation and maintenance (O&M) service providers, consortia and joint ventures, to apply to be pre-qualified to submit a proposal for the privatization of CUC's power business through a 25-year franchise agreement, namely generation, transmission and distribution systems, billing, collection and customer service.
Beginning February 12, 2007, a copy of the “Pre-Qualification Requirements” document will be available, upon receipt of a non-refundable payment of $1,000.00 (US). Payment of the $1,000 is a prerequisite to submission of a Pre-Qualification Proposal. The document may be obtained electronically, from this website, per payment instructions to be posted here.
Then, persons who seek to pre-qualify shall submit a Pre-Qualification Proposal. The CUC’s receipt of a non-refundable pre-qualification fee of U.S.$25,000 (US) is a condition of the CUC's acceptance of the Pre-Qualification Proposal.
All payments must be made to “Commonwealth Utilities Corporation” and must be immediately creditable to CUC's bank account, and not subject to a clearing period. Payment via wire transfer is preferred. Wire transfer information will be made available here.
CUC’s principal goals for privatization are:
- Maintain low electric rates;
- Deliver reliable, high-quality service;
- Reduce dependence on expensive imported oil;
- Ensure that CUC gets maximum value for the investment to date;
- Minimize negative environmental impacts.
- Maximize efficient employment of local citizens; and
- Help enhance economic development of the CNMI.
Evaluation will proceed quantitatively. The evaluation will award points on a predetermined scale to various aspects of the Pre-Qualification Proposal. The principal areas are:
- Technical capability ------------------57%
- Financial capability ------------------23%
- Business experience ----------------10%
- Other objectives ----------------------10%
A Pre-Qualification Proposal must be received no later than March 12, 2007, midnight, Saipan local time, by electronic filing (“e-filing”), and follow-up via hand-delivery or courier. A hard copy of an e-filed Pre-Qualification Proposal must be received by CUC no later than 7 working days after the deadline. No material variation from the e-filed version shall be permitted.
Correspondence and the Pre-Qualification Proposal shall be addressed and later delivered to: Attn: Privatization Pre-Qual c/o ANTHONY C. GUERRERO Executive Director Commonwealth Utilities Corporation P.O. Box 501220 3rd Floor, Joeten Dandan Building Saipan, MP96950 Phone: (670) 235-7025 to 7032; Questions should be submitted in writing via the contact form.
Offerors who meet CUC’s pre-qualification requirements will be issued a Certificate of Pre-Qualification and will be eligible to bid for privatization. The RFP will be made available only to a pre-qualified Offeror and only upon payment of non-refundable $50,000 (US).
CUC takes no responsibility to compensate a person for expenses incurred in the preparation or submission of the Pre-Qualification Proposal. The CUC reserves the right to reject a Pre-Qualification Proposal for any reason and to waive any non-material defect in a proposal or its submission, if, in its sole opinion, to do so would be in the best interest of CUC. A submitted Pre-Qualification Proposal shall become the property of CUC.
Authority: Executive Order No. 2006-4 dated May 5, 2006 (Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 2006). This solicitation complies with the CNMI Procurement Regulations, 70 NMIAC §§ 30.3-001 - 760, specifically § 3-210 (competitive sealed proposals)
- ANTHONY C. GUERRERO Executive Director