Contracting Office, U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID/Nepal, G.P.O. Box 5653, Kalimati Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal

R -- HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM: 1997-2002 SOL USAID/NEPAL RFA 97-008 DUE 031397 POC Contact Point: Khem R. Gurung, Contracting Office, USAID/Nepal, G.P.O. Box 5653, Kalimati Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal, Fax 977-1-272357. Internet address: kgurung@usaid.gov. USAID is requesting applications for a cooperative agreement to implement an HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Program: 1997- 2002. USAID's goal is to reduce the rate of sexually transmitted HIV infection by increasing the use of sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV/AIDS prevention and control practices by high-risk groups in targeted areas. Applicants are requested to propose a program and interventions that will lead to achievement of the stated purpose by: (1) reducing transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), (2) increasing the use of condoms among persons with high risk behaviors, (3) reducing risk behaviors among targeted populations, and (4) developing and implementing community-based information, advocacy, and care systems which effectively respond to the needs of HIV/AIDS infected people. Complementary activities important to the success of an HIV/AIDS prevention and control program in Nepal could include collaborating closely with cross-border (India) programs such as the Bhoruka AIDS Prevention Project in Raxaul, India and increasing the Government of Nepal's capacity to develop appropriate policies and plan activities to reduce the transmission of STDs and HIV/AIDS. Interventions shall focus on the major transportation routes in Nepal's central and terai regions (Prithivi, Tribhuvan and Mahendra Highways), and the communities adjacent to these routes and to the international border with India. The target population is individuals whose behaviors put them among those with the highest risk of becoming infected with STDs and HIV: commercial sex workers and their clients, particularly transient population groups such as transport workers, migrant laborers, military, police, and campus students. In order to foster and develop the capacity of Nepali NGOs and private firms to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, consortia or sub-grant relationships with such organizations are encouraged. Funds for this activity are expected to be made available to USAID/Nepal in January 1997. However, if funding is not received, the execution of this assistance action will be delayed or may be cancelled. The publication of this notice and/or the issuance of an RFA do not obligate the U.S. Government to make an award. Request for Applications (RFA) will be issued no earlier than 15 days from the date of publication of this notice in the CBD and the deadline for receipt of applications will be no later than 45 days after the date of RFA issuance at the specified submission location at USAID/Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal. Applications received after this date will not be considered. An award of a cooperative agreement is expected resulting from this request for application. This CBD Notice can be viewed and downloaded using the Agency Gopher. The RFA, once issued, can be downloaded using the Agency Gopher. The Gopher address is GOPHER.INFO.USAID.GOV. Select USAID PROCUREMENT AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES from the Gopher Menu. From there, choose the heading USAID PROCUREMENTS and then DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE USAID SOLICITATIONS. The RFA can also be downloaded via Anonymous File Transfer Protocol (FTP). The FTP address is FTP.INFO.USAID.GOV. Logon on using the user identification of "Anonymous" and the password is your e-mail address. Look under the following directory for the RFA:pub/OP/RFA/36797008/36797008.rfa. Receipt of this RFA through internet must be confirmed by written notification to the contact person noted above. It is the responsibility of the recipient of this solicitation document to ensure that it has been received from INTERNET in its entirety and USAID bears no responsiblity for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. Interested applicants may also request a copy of the RFA by sumbitting a written request along with three (2) self- addressed, self-sticking mailing labels or by Fax request to the Contracting Office, USAID/Nepal at 977-1-272357. Only written requests will be honored. Telephone requests will not be entertained. All responsible sources may submit an application which will be considered by USAID/Nepal. (0003)

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