Sra. Maria Rincones, Director of Environmental Quality, Ministerio de Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales Renovables (MARNR), Torre Sur, Piso 22, Centro Simon Bolivar, El Silencio, Caracas, 1010 Venezuela;Tel. 011-582-408-1522; Fax. 011-481-0236.

D -- AMBIENT AIR QUALITY NETWORK FEASIBILITY STUDY DUE 022996 POC Carol Stillwell, USTDA, Room 309, SA-16, Washington, D.C. 20523-1602, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax No.: (703) 875-4009 The Venezuela Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARNR) invites submission of Prequalification Statements from interested U.S. firms which are qualified on the basis of experience and capability to develop a feasibility study for the modernization and expansion of the ambient air quality monitoring network managed by MARNR. Based upon the Prequalification Statements, MARNR will develop a short list of qualified firms which will be invited in writing to submit a formal Technical Proposal to carry out the study. MARNR is responsible for implementing and managing environmental programs in Venezuela. MARNR currently manages a network of ambient air quality monitoring stations, but desires to modernize existing stations and potentially expand the current network. This program is designed to enable MARNR to better monitor industrial pollutants and to integrate part of the enhanced air quality and air flow monitoring results into ongoing hydrometeorological programs. The objectives of this feasibility study are to 1) evaluate air quality monitoring objectives; 2) determine whether existing monitoring sites meet the network objectives, to identify appropriate general locations for new monitoring sites, and to suggest improvements to the network so that data from the network will better meet network objectives; 3) evaluate institutional issues within Venezuela that will affect acceptable levels of data capture and the workability of the proposed loan repayment fee schedule; 4) make recommendations for air quality monitoring systems and suggest systems specifications; and 5) present and discuss project results. MARNR seeks to continue building an effective national program of air pollution monitoring and quantification, source identification and hazard definition. The proposed feasibility study is a major step in this direction. Specific study tasks will include the following: 1) Finalize SOW and obtain information needed for other tasks; 2) Evaluate existing air quality monitoring network using existing information; 3) Performance of an audit of existing air quality monitoring site performance, estimate remaining useful life of monitoring station hardware, and identify potential locations for new monitoring sites; 4) Evaluation of institutional issues within Venezuela that will affect acceptable levels of data capture and the workability of the proposed loan repayment fee schedule; 5) Recommendations for air quality monitoring systems and systems specifications; 6) Present and discuss feasibility study results. The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $210,000 grant to MARNR from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA). A background information package, including a definitional mission report, TDA nationality requirements, a summary of qualifications package requirements and evaluation criteria, and other relevant information is available from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (''USTDA''), Room 309, SA-16, Washington, DC 20523-1602. Requests for the background information package should be faxed to the IRC, USTDA (fax: (703) 875-4009). Please include: your name, company name, address, and telephone number. Some firms have found that RFP materials sent by U.S. mail do not reach them in time for preparation of an adequate response. Firms that want TDA to use a courier delivery service should include the name of the courier company and your firm's account number in the request for the RFP. No telephone requests will be honored. Only U.S. firms and individuals may bid on this USTDA-financed activity. Interested firms, their subcontractors, and individuals (including employees of such firms and subcontractors) must qualify under USTDA's nationality requirements as of the due date for submission of qualifications and proposals and, if selected to carry out the USTDA-financed activity, must continue to meet such requirements throughout the duration of the USTDA-financed activity. All goods and services to be provided by the selected firm and its subcontractors must have their nationality, source, and origin in the United States or Venezuela. In no case shall goods or services having their nationality, source or origin in Venezuela exceed twenty percent of the amount of the grant provided by USTDA. Interested U.S. firms should submit three (3) copies of their Prequalification Statements in Spanish and one (1) copy in English directly to MARNR. Prequalifications statements will be due by 4:00 pm, Caracas time, on February 29, 1996. Prequalifications statement packages will consist of a transmittal letter; cover/title page; company information; description of relevant experience, qualifications and general technical approach for similar projects; and other relevant information offeror may choose to submit indicating the capabilities and experience of the offerors team. Individual prequalification statements will be evaluated by a Selection Committee of representatives of MARNR. Based on this evaluation, MARNR will develop a shortlist of firms, which will be sent a detailed Request for Proposals developed by MARNR. Evaluation criteria for the Prequalification Statements will include: (1) Staff experience in Air quality monitoring projects and/or feasibility studies (15 percent); (2) Capability to perform work and complete reporting of proposed milestones and schedule in a timely manner (10 percent); (3) Firms specific prior experience in air quality monitoring projects and project feasibility studies (25 percent); (4) Specific prior experience with international financing of projects of similar size and complexity (20 percent); (5) General technical approach taken on similar projects (20 percent); (6) Past performance references (10 percent). Price will NOT be a factor in contractor selection, and therefore, cost proposals should NOT be submitted. MARNR reserves the right to reject any and/or all Prequalification Statements or Technical Proposals. MARNR also reserves the right to contract with the selected firm for subsequent work related to the project. Neither MARNR nor TDA is bound to pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of Proposals. (0038)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0029 19960208\D-0001.SOL)