Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF DECEMBER 19, 2004 FBO #1119
MODIFICATION

R -- Sub-Saharan Africa Regional: West Africa Mining Sector Definitional Mission

Notice Date

12/17/2004
 

Notice Type

Modification
 

NAICS

541611 — Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
 

Contracting Office

United States Trade and Development Agency, TDA Contracts Office, USTDA, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1600, Arlington, VA, 22209-3901
 

ZIP Code

22209-3901
 

Solicitation Number

USTDA-05-Q-11-068
 

Response Due

1/7/2005
 

Archive Date

1/22/2005
 

Small Business Set-Aside

Total Small Business
 

Description

*Amendment 2 ? Part II 3.12 Terms of Reference (1-5 Pages) The Contractor shall provide Terms of Reference (TOR) for the feasibility study or technical assistance. The TOR which must be endorsed by the Project Sponsor, shall include, at a minimum, the following: 3.12.1 Purpose and objective of the feasibility study or technical assistance. This section should contain a concise statement. 3.12.2 A technical assessment. This section should include relevant background information that is pertinent to the technology selection. 3.12.3 An economic analysis of the project. This section will usually include a cash flow analysis, attention to market conditions, raw material availability, supply agreements, off-take agreements, and competing alternative methods of achieving the same or similar project objectives. 3.12.4 A financial analysis of the project. This section should consider the availability of equity and debt financing as well as the views of potential public and private financing organizations such as World Bank, Ex-Im and OPIC. 3.12.5 An appropriate environmental analysis of the project. The FS/TA Contractor shall make a preliminary review of the project?s anticipated impact on the environment with reference to local requirements and those of multilateral lending agencies (such as the World Bank), if these funding sources are likely to be used. This review would identify potential negative impacts, discuss the extent to which they can be mitigated, and develop plans for a full environmental impact assessment if and when the project moves forward to the implementation stage. This includes the identification of steps that will need to be undertaken by the project sponsor subsequent to the Study?s completion and prior to project implementation. 3.12.6 A review of regulatory issues related to the project; 3.12.7 An analysis of key host country economic benefits (Infrastructure/Industry, Human Capacity Building, Technology Transfer and Productivity Improvement and/or Market Oriented Reform). These Development Impact factors are intended to provide the project?s decision-makers and interested parties with a broader view of the project?s potential effects on the Host Country. The FS/TA Contractor shall focus on what Development Impact is likely if the project is implemented according to the Study recommendations. While specific focus shall be paid to the immediate impact of the project, the FS/TA Contractor shall include any additional developmental benefits that may result from the project?s implementation, including spin-off and demonstration effects. Accordingly, the FS/TA Contractor shall assess each of the following categories with respect to the project?s potential Development Impact: (1) Infrastructure/Industry: Provide a statement on the infrastructure impact, giving a brief synopsis. For example, ?The project would result in the construction of a power plant that would provide 500MW of power. This plant would serve ___ [number] additional households in ____ [area].? (2) Market- Oriented Reform: Provide a description of any regulation, laws, or institutional changes that are recommended and the effect they would have if implemented. (3) Human Capacity Building: Assess the number and type of local positions that would be needed to construct and operate the proposed project as well as the number of local people who would receive training; describe such potential training program. (4) Technology Transfer and Productivity Enhancement: Provide a description of any advanced technologies that would be utilized as a result of the project. A description of any efficiency that would be gained (ex. ?By upgrading the power plant?s old boilers, efficiency will be increased from x% to y%?). (5) Other: Describe any other developmental impacts or benefits that would result from the project, for example, follow-on or replication projects, safer workplace or improved financial revenue flows to the Host Country. For specific information regarding USTDA?s Development Impact goals and measures, please contact the COTR at USTDA, or see the Guidance on USTDA Development Impact Measures at www.tda.gov/resources ) 3.12.8 US sources of supply. The FS/TA Contractor, while aiming at optimum specifications and characteristics for the project, shall identify the availability of potential U.S. sources of supply. Business name, point of contact, address, telephone, e-mail, and fax numbers shall be included for each source. 3.12.9 An implementation plan (anticipated next steps necessary to implement the Project); and 3.12.10 Final Report. The FS/TA Contractor shall prepare and provide to the Grantee and to USTDA a Final Report in accordance with Clause __ of Annex II of the Grant Agreement. Each of the above tasks in this Terms of Reference must be distinctly set forth in the Final Report in a substantive and comprehensive manner, and shall include all corresponding deliverables. The Final Report shall contain an executive summary. In addition to any other required deliverables in accordance with Clause ____ of Annex II of the Grant Agreement, the Contractor will provide both the Grantee and USTDA with 6 copies (each) of the final report on CD-ROM. The CD-ROM version of the final report will include: Adobe Acrobat readable copies of all documents; Source files for all drawings in AutoCAD or Visio format; and Source files for all documents in MS Office 2000 or later formats. The TOR must be designed to meet the requirements of the most likely source(s) of implementation financing. The requirements of some of the potential financing sources may be found at the following web sites: www.opic.gov/finance.home.html www.exim.gov/tools.index.html www.ifc.org/proserv www.adb.org/PrivateSector/finance/default.asp www.ebrd.com/applyindex.html www.iadb.org/iic/english/pdf.htm www.afdb.org/opportunities/business_generic_proc_notices_country.htm 3.13 Feasibility Study/Technical Assistance Budget (2-3 Pages) The Contractor shall provide a detailed budget and task breakdown for the feasibility study prepared in accordance with the Feasibility Study Budget Format and Budgeted Labor Requirements. The budget should be supported with sufficient detail to enable USTDA staff or others reviewing the material to understand completely, not only the budgeted amounts, but also the methodology that justifies the budget amounts. The budget should include: 1. Labor, budgeted by both position title and task for each of the positions on the feasibility study team. Positions should be identifiable, with descriptions of the positions and proposed team members included in the proposal. Person-Days should reflect the proposed number of days of work effort proposed for each position for each task. The unit cost should be the actual loaded daily rate for each position. The proposed budget may not include fee or profit. 2. Itemization should be prepared for per diem, transportation, communications, subcontracts, translation of Final Report, and other direct costs. Per Diem must be based on U.S. Government rates, which are available on the State Department web site (http://www.state.gov/www/perdiems/index.html). The budget should support the feasibility study terms of reference. 3.14 Recommendations (1-2 Pages) The Contractor shall provide recommendations as to: 3.14.1 whether or not the project meets USTDA?s basic funding criteria; 3.14.2 the appropriate TOR for the proposed study; and 3.14.3 the appropriate budget for the proposed study. 3.15 Contacts The Contractor shall submit a list of individuals contacted during the DM, with their addresses, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. 4 Contractor Interim Status Reporting and Deliverables The Contractor shall provide verbal updates to the COTR when necessary. The deliverables may also take the form of information, advice, opinions, alternatives, analyses, evaluations, recommendations, interim and final reports, or other oral or written work products needed for successful performance. 5 Contractor -- Definitional Mission Reports The Contractor shall prepare a report to USTDA that addresses all the issues in the Definitional Mission requirements as outlined in Section C.3.1 through C.3.15. Since this report will be available for public distribution, any sensitive or business proprietary information shall be included in a separate confidential attachment to the report. 5.1 Report Draft -- COTR Approval The Contractor shall provide the report in draft form to USTDA for COTR review within ten (10) working days after completion of the overseas visit. The report should be clearly marked ?Draft? on the cover. 5.2 Revised Report Draft ? COTR Approval Within five (5) working days after receiving the COTR?s comments on the draft report, the Contractor shall submit a revised copy for COTR review. The Contractor shall revise the report as necessary until securing final COTR approval. 5.3 Final Report ? COTR Approval The final report shall incorporate all mutually agreed upon material and revisions. The report shall include any supporting documentation. It shall be grammatically and factually correct in all respects, internally consistent, and all statements and tables shall be clear and easily understood by a competent reader, and contain no typographical errors. Upon notification from the COTR that the report is considered acceptable, the Contractor shall submit twenty (20) copies, and one (1) unbound original to USTDA. All reports must be paginated and submitted in Microsoft Word on a 3.5-inch disk or on a CD-Rom. The Contractor shall also submit the report to the COTR as an e-mail attachment, and also in Microsoft Word format. 6 Project Descriptions and Profile USTDA is looking to hire a DM team to travel to Senegal, Mali, and Mauritania to investigate mining and mining infrastructure sector opportunities for possible USTDA assistance. The definitional mission will analyze potential opportunities involved with major mining operations or principle mining companies in each country. The definitional mission will also consider infrastructure development projects that are related to current and/or planned mining operations. USTDA assistance could open new opportunities for U.S. firms and support the development priorities for this important sector in these countries. The selected DM consultant will be expected to travel to the region by late winter/early spring of 2005. It is recommend at less a week of travel be allotted for each country. Senegal The minerals industry represents over 20% of Senegal?s GDP and 20% of its annual exports. Senegal?s mineral resources include: phosphates, gold, and iron ore. Phosphate production currently dominates the mining sector in Senegal. The industry is vertically integrated with phosphates being converted into phosphoric acid and fertilizer within the country at respective factories. After conversion, phosphoric acid and fertilizer is exported primarily to India and Japan. Industries Chimiques du Senegal (ICS) is one of the two largest companies in Senegal. ICS is a private company that has served in the past as a USTDA grantee. ICS has requested USTDA consider providing assistance towards three activities: a pilot project for the development of a process to remove cadmium from phosphoric acid, an HSF plant which would convert fluosilicic acid to anhydrous hydrofluoric acid, and involvement with the planning of new $100 million phosphate mine at Matam. The DM consultant would review these three opportunities, as well as provide a brief report on the status of the results of the previous feasibility study for which USTDA provided funding. Senegal is promoting a new iron ore mining project, which is commonly referenced as the Miferso project. Miferso is a government of Senegal-owned project development company with rights to develop the Faleme iron ore project. The Faleme project consists of three elements: a mine and associated infrastructure, strengthening of existing rail line and 311km of new rail line, and a new deepwater port complex able to process iron ore exports. Preliminary total project cost estimates are $950 million, with the mine accounting for $306 million, rail and rolling stock accounting for $537 million, and the port complex accounting for $107 million. Kumba Resources (South Africa) has been selected by the GOS to develop the mine and related infrastructure. Since 2003, Transrail has been the private consortium that operates the railway between Dakar and Bamako, Mali. Transrail is partly owned by CANAC (Canada), which was bought out by Savage Services Corporation (Salt Lake City, UT) in April 2004. With the acquisition of CANAC, Savage became a partial owner of Transrail and represents one of the largest U.S. investors in Senegal. The DM consultant will be expected to contact Savage to discuss any potential collaboration between Savage and USTDA, while also considering the entire project. Mali Mali is rich in natural resources, including gold, phosphates, bauxite, iron ore, limestone, and manganese, however gold and phosphate mining have seen significant development in the country. After cotton, gold is Mali?s second most exported commodity and Mali is the third largest producer of gold in Africa (after Ghana and South Africa). Gold and other mineral exploration is ongoing, however poor infrastructure has limited interest for new ventures. The team of RandGold and AngloGold, both South African firms, currently represents the largest foreign investor in the mining sector of Mali. The firms have been active in Mali for over ten years and their total investment in the country is expected to reach $300 million by the end of 2004. The Rand/Anglo consortium has retained 45% ownership of the largest gold mining operation in the country, at Morila, and is currently developing a new mining operation at Loulo at an estimated cost of $80 million. However, for all mining operations, the government of Mali retains partial ownership. The Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Water Resources has requested USTDA assistance specifically with an analysis and development of a national program for gold resources in Mali. The selected DM consultant will analyze this request in detail, keeping in mind areas within the sector where U.S. firms may be competitive in follow-on activities. The DM consultant will also investigate infrastructure development projects related to the mining sector in Mali that may be appropriate for USTDA assistance. Mauritania Mauritania contains a diverse range of mineral products, however poor infrastructure has greatly hindered development of the industry. Diamonds, gold, and iron ore are the only three minerals currently being developed. Iron ore mining and beneficiation accounts for 12% of the country?s GNP and 40% of its annual exports. Iron ore is the most widespread mineral in the country. Iron ore mining, production, and beneficiation is owned and controlled by the government of Mauritania through Societe Nationale Industrielle et Miniere (SNIM). SNIM?s primary export market is European countries. In recent years, foreign mining firms (South African and Australian) have shown great interest in Mauritania?s iron ore industry and joint venture and/or independent concession talks have been underway. Several large gold mining projects currently exist or are in development within Mauritania. Unlike the iron ore industry in Mauritania, the gold industry is dominated by foreign companies, of which Australian firms are best established. In consideration of all mineral development projects in Mauritania, vitally needed infrastructure improvements such as to the railway network and port infrastructure are lacking. USTDA?s assistance with upgrading the infrastructure related to mining operations in the country may entice interest in Mauritania for U.S. firms for both mining infrastructure-related projects and potentially for mining projects as well.
 

Place of Performance

Address: Headquarters, USTDA, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1600, Arlington, VA.

Zip Code: 22209-3901

Country: USA
 

Record

SN00723356-W 20041219/041217212047 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

---

| FSG Index  |  This Issue's Index  |  Today's FBO Daily Index Page |