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R -- REGIONAL COMMERCIAL INFORMATION PROVIDER IN KHABAROVSK, RUSSIA SOL 8-2344 DUE 082598 POC Jean Hairston, 301-713-0856, Lawrence B. Frazier R699-The U.S. Dept. of Commerce/ITA/BISNIS intends to procure a Request for contract for Regional Commercial Information Provider in Khabarovsk, Russia. The Contractor will be responsible for providing BISNIS with trade leads, market intelligence, and industry and regional reporting on Khabarovsk and select other Russian Far East regions (Jewish Autonomous Region, Amurskaya Oblast, Sakha/Yakutia). Trade and investment leads will be used in BISNIS' Trades & Tenders and Search for Partners publications, and will be collected using BISNIS' company surveys. Industry reports will patterned after Industry Subsector Analysis reports utilized by the U.S. Commercial Service in most cases, topics will be provided by BISNIS. Regional reports will include reporting on the investment climate and leading opportunities and contacts in the city of Khabarovsk,as well as other major cities/regions in Khabarovsk Krai and select surrounding regions. Practical information which will assist U.S. companies in penetratingthe market in Khabarovsk will be required, including contact information for government and industry leaders, and a range of how-to-information, such as opening and office and local government regulations. The Contractor will attend and speak at events where BISNIS programs can be promoted to local businesses and authorities, and will also be expected to assist BISNIS trade specialists traveling in the region to collect market intelligence. The contract will begin on or about August 1, 1998. The period of the contract will be one year, with an option for a one-year renewal. The selection will be based on the following selection criteria and will be ranked according the their response. 1) Have extensive experience performing research and preparing reports on commercial issues (see language criteria, below). 2) Have strong contacts with the Khabarovsk business community and government leaders, as well as with the U.S. business and business-related non-government organization community in Khabarovsk. Having similar contacts/experience in Amurskaya Oblast, the Jewish Autonomous Region, and Sakha/Yakutia is also desirable, but not essential. 3) Have experience working with U.S. Government entities, including knowledge of U.S. government or other organizations. 4) Be fluent in Russian and English, and able to write reports using standard business English. 5) Have an office located at a site in the city of Khabarovsk which is easily accessible to both local firms and U.S. companies interested in investment and commercial opportunities in the region. 6) Have the ability to obtain an email account and utilize e-mail in order to facilitate communication between contractor and BISNIS. 7) Be able to work independently; show individual initiative in the workplace (individual should be able to initiate, complete, and submit required deliverables according to the terms of the contract without prompting by contracting agency, and should generate ideas for potential BISNIS reports and projects to facilitate U.S. trade and investment in the region). Without these essential characteristics, a contractor will not be able to quickly and effectively: provide BISNIS with the types of information it requires to meet the needs of our U.S. business clientele; Serve as a liaison with local business community; and communicate with BISNIS in a manner which would enable it to provide information in a timely manner to the U.S. business community. Interest offerors must submit materials documenting skills and abilities to meet the evaluation/qualification criteria. All responses will be evaluated jointly with a BISNIS personnel and appointed staff on a "best value basis". Interested offerors may submit in writing to the address above for solicitation documents, with the request to be received no later than 15 calendar days after the date of this notice. Award will be made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures. (Reference No. 8-2344) Posted 08/11/98 (W-SN235336). (0223)

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