U.S. Agency for International Development, Office of Procurement, USAID-Unit 64902, APO AE 09839-4902

R -- INFORMATIONAL CBD REGARDING THE NONCOMPETITIVE INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF EFFORT OF THE TECHNICAL ASSSISTANCE SERVICES AGRICULTURAL POLICY REFORM PROJECT, APRP-NO. 263-0219 POC Contact Point: James C. Athanas, Contracting Officer, USAID/Egypt, Tel: 011-20-2-357-3864, Fax: 011-20-2-356-2932, E-mail: jathanas@usaid.gov The Agency for International Development Mission to Cairo (USAID/Cairo) intends to modify its existing contract for the Agricultural Policy Reform Project (APRP) being implemented by Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI) to increase the level of effort (LOE) and the total estimated cost (TEC). This increase in LOE for increased technical services and the increase in the TEC will be accomplished within the current completion date of the contract which is June 30, 2000. The total estimated cost of the increase is $4.5 million. Local procurement of technical assistance is anticipated. The Agricultural Policy Reform Project (APRP- no. 263-0219) is being implemented to provide technical services to the GOE in the area of agricultural policy reform. APRP is a sector grant program intended to remove the remaining policy barriers to private enterprise in the agriculture sector and thereby create a liberal, competitive marketing system. Under the APRP Reform Design and Implementation (RDI), the Mission signed a four (4) year, direct contract with DAI in 1996 to provide technical assistance services in the macro level reform design and implementation of policy benchmarks under APRP. It was awarded based on full and open competition procedures. During actual implementation of APRP the need to address detailed micro-level policy reform constraints to agribusiness has become apparent and critical. The proposed LOE related to the micro-level policy constraints to agribusiness will complement and enhance the macro-level activities. Therefore, the Mission intends to modify its contract with DAI to: (a) provide two additional agribusiness personnel required to staff the Reform Design and Implementation Unit (RDI) of APRP and carry out its functions, and (b) extend the services of a contract public awareness specialist of the APRP agribusiness activities. Development Alternatives, Inc. is currently providing the macro level policy reform activities. Adding two (2) expatriates to work on the micro-level policy reform constraints will complement the agribusiness reform activities already underway. The contractor already has Egyptian professional and support staff, office space and facilities. Thus, overall technical management and supervision can be implemented by the Chief of Party. This will have a direct impact on USAID's management burden and the cost of operation. Ser vices to be provided in the micro-level policy activities of the agribusiness subsector under the RDI are integrally related to macro-level agribusiness activities currently being implemented by the DAI. Thus, management and coordination would be maximized, and costs minimized, under one contractor, DAI. There will be no solicitation documents issued for this proposed action. "The preferred method of distribution of USAID procurement information is via the Internet. This CBD notice can be viewed and downloaded using the Agency Web Site. The Worldwide Web address is http://ww.info.usaid.gov. Select Business and Procurement Opportunities from the home page, then USAID Procurements." On the following screen, select "Browse Current CBD Notices, Procurement Information Bulletins & PSC Announcements". It is the responsibility of the recipient of this notice to ensure that it has been received from INTERNET in its entirety and USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes." (0033)

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