R -- MANAGE A SMALL GRANT PROGRAM

Notice Date

March 28, 2001

Contracting Office

U.S. Agency for International Development, M/OP/HRAM/DATI, Room 7.10-010, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20523

ZIP Code

20523

Solicitation Number

N/A

Response Due

April 9, 2001

Point of Contact

Contract Specialist: Jean Horton, Fax: 202-216-3134 or 202-216-3052 or Email: jean.horton@usaid.gov

E-Mail Address

http://www.usaid.gov (jean.horton@usaid.gov)

Description

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT synopsis under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 which establishes the small business standard as $5M. The Agency for International Development is seeking information concerning potential SMALL BUSINESSES and 8(a) program companies as sources for prime contractors for the implementation of worldwide small grant programs. This MARKET SURVEY SOURCE SOUGHT is limited to SMALL BUSINESS AND 8(A) program companies only to enable the government to estimate the existence of prospective small business and 8(a) program companies capable of and interested in performing the work. A SOLICITATION IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. ackground Since its creation in 1994, the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) in the Bureau for Humanitarian Response of USAID has served as a focal point for programs which address the post-conflict period in the transition from war to peace. OTI responds rapidly to the immediate needs that follow the resolution of an international political crisis. OTI was established precisely to overcome the temporal problems of providing aid to societies where the fighting has stopped, but the resources to move forward were often delayed. Countries experiencing a significant transition in the midst of a disaster or emerging from civil conflict have a unique need for timely and effective assistance that will promote and consolidate peaceful, democratic advances. The Support Which Implements Fast Transition (SWIFT) program approach employs institutional contractors to provide technical assistance and logistics support for implementation of a small grant program that promotes stability during a country's transition period. Contractors will be working in an environment where they will have to overcome significant challenges, destroyed or damaged infrastructures, scarcity or lack of banking & currency exchange institutions, and the lack of adequate communication services. The types of in-kind grants that have been issued under SWIFT in the past are in support of Dissemination of Alternative Information/ Enhancing Citizen/Local Government Communication: Examples -- grants supporting electronic media in the form of Public Service Announcements (PSA's), politically-oriented talk shows and investigative documentaries; and publishing and distributing challenging and provocative information through newspapers, magazines. Political Initiatives: Examples -- grants supporting public meetings, information campaigns, and elections-related efforts; enabling community improvement and humanitarian assistance projects. Elections Planning/Elections-Related Activities: during the pre and post-election period door to door get out to vote campaign; printing; elections monitoring and polling; and a post-elections information campaigns. Services Required Prime contractors shall establish and staff field offices and provide all of the administrative and technical assistance and logistics support to manage these offices and a small grant program for the furtherance of OTI two-year country programs in the furtherance of its political transition grant (PTG) program objectives. The contractor will be responsible for the start-up and implementation of the (PTG) program performing such tasks as office set-up and staffing, finding grant recipient candidates, assessing the worthiness of the grant projects, recommending and issuing in-kind grants at the local country level. As such the contractor will be required to procure the necessary equipment for office set-up, and to procure in-kind products or services, to issue the grants, monitor the progress of the grant project and close out the grant when the grant project is complete, including paying outstanding vendor invoices. Critical to the SWIFT program approach is a contractor that has the capability to maintain sufficient liquidity to make possible expeditious rentals and purchases during start-up and ensure timely procurement and delivery of in-kind products and services delivered to recipients for the implementation of grants projects. Equally important is the contractor's capability to mobilize and deploy within 72 hours of award. It is anticipated that four or more multiple five-year Indefinite Quantity contracts will be awarded under the prospective RFP. The task orders will be issued under Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Fixed Price or Time and Material pricing arrangements. The total value of the acquisition is estimated at $400M. A critical component for the success of these two-year programs is the contractor's capability to obtain a line of credit days ($1 -- 1.5M, could be higher as program progresses) sufficient to finance required performance for approximately 90 so that program activities are not delayed during the interim prior to contractor receipt of payment of monthly vouchers. It is desired that during performance the contractor maintain a line of credit in the cooperating country or in a geographic location close to the cooperating country that allows for easy and swift access to funds. Perequisites: A prospective prime contractor must have relevant international experience providing the kinds of services described in this synopsis. A contractor with relevant experience working in countries where transition initiatives have taken place and results achieved is desired. USAID manages programs and supports assistance in the following geographic regions, Europe and Eurasia, Africa, Asia and Near East, Latin America and the Caribbean. All interested prospective SMALL BUSINESS AND 8(a) program companies are encouraged to submit their experience as the prime contractor or subcontractor on Government and Non government contracts for the same or similar services for the last 5 years. In your submission include the total dollar amount per year for each contract cited, a two -three line description of the services provided, contract number, awarder's name and phone number, country of performance and the contract type. Submission should be no longer than 2 pages in length and font size should be no smaller than 11 points. Submit the requested information via internet at Jhorton@usaid.gov or by fax to Jean Horton at (202) 216-3134 or (202) 216-3052, in either case the subject line should read "SWIFT Sources Sought", NO LATER THAN APRIL 9, 2001. The government will not accept any questions regarding this synopsis prior to the close date. Contractor's may submit questions with their response. Responses received as a result of this notice will be used for the purpose of determining if there are any small or 8(a) businesses capable of providing the required services. If your company is not interested in a prime contract but is interested in consideration as a subcontractor indicate this preference in your e-mail. A SOLICIATION IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. A CBD announcement will be issued to notify the public when the RFP is expected to be released.

Web Link

http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/announce/cbd (http://www.usaid.gov)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010330/RSOL006.HTM (W-087 SN50H5B1)