B -- ZACHEM CHLORINE EXPANSION STUDY

Notice Date

October 5, 2001

Contracting Office

USTDA, 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22209-2131

ZIP Code

22209-2131

Response Due

November 15, 2001

Point of Contact

POC -- Evangela Kunene, USTDA, 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22209-2131, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax: (703) 875-4009

Description

The Grantee invites submission of qualifications and proposal data (collectively referred to as the "Proposal") from interested U.S. firms which are qualified on the basis of experience and capability to develop a feasibility study for the expansion of an existing chlorine facility. Zachem is one of the largest chemicals companies in Northwest Poland. It manufactures over 400 products in its five divisions: dyestuffs, epichlorohydrin, polyeurethane foam, synthesis and plastics. Currently Zachem is government owned, but it is expected that the company will be privatized in the next few years. Revenues last year were $208.4 million. The company is fully environmentally compliant with all applicable regulations. Zachem is Poland's only producer of TDI (toluene di-isocyanate) used in the production of polyurethane foams for soft cushions and seats in the furniture and automotive industries. To expand TDI production by 30,000 t/year, Zachem has to increase its chlorine capacity by 80,000 t/year (to 120,000 t/year). In conjunction with this project, the company plans to modernize the existing chlorine production facilities. Chlorine produced from brine is energy-intensive. Rather, Zachem intends to use recycled hydrochloric acid as a raw material for chlorine production, which would increase efficiency, lower environmental emissions, and increase production safety. Zachem currently uses diaphragm cells in its existing chlorine facilities. For the future 80,000 t/year chlorine expansion, it would like to use modern techniques, such as membrane cells, which combine the advantages of environmental safety and low energy consumption. Zachem currently produces 90,000 t/year of chlorine and buys 30,000 t/year from outside suppliers. Given the risk of transporting such a dangerous substance, Zachem intends to cover all its needs with internal production. To achieve this goal, Zachem will undertake two approaches: a) modernize and expand the existing chlorine plant by brine electrolysis from 40,000 t/year to 70,000 t/year and to supply a new 50,000 t/year chlorine plant by electrolysis of hydrochloric acid. b) Modernize and expand the existing chlorine manufacturing plant by brine electrolysis to 120,000 t/year. The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $290,000 grant to the Grantee from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA). Additionally, the Grantee will contribute $58,000 towards the cost of the Feasibility Study through in-kind labor contributions. A detailed Request for Proposals (RFP), which includes requirements for the Proposal, the Terms of Reference, and a background definitional mission report are available from TDA, at 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22209-2131. Requests for the RFP should be faxed to the IRC, TDA at 703-875-4009. In the fax, please include your firm's name, contact person, 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 an overnight delivery service should include the name of the delivery service and your firm's account number in the request for the RFP. Firms that want to send a courier to TDA to retrieve the RFP should allow one hour after faxing the request to TDA before scheduling a pick-up. Please note that no telephone requests for the RFP will be honored. Please check your internal fax verification receipt. Because of the large number of RFP requests, TDA cannot respond to requests for fax verification. Requests for RFPs received before 4:00 PM will be mailed the same day. Requests received after 4:00 PM will be mailed the following day. Please check with your courier and/or mail room before calling TDA. Only U.S. firms and individuals may bid on this TDA financed activity. Interested firms, their subcontractors and employees of all participants must qualify under TDA's nationality requirements as of the due date for submission of qualifications and proposals and, if selected to carry out the TDA-financed activity, must continue to meet such requirements throughout the duration of the TDA-financed activity. All goods and services to be provided by the selected firm shall have their nationality, source and origin in the U.S. or host country. The U.S. firm may use subcontractors from the host country for up to 20 percent of the TDA grant amount. Details of TDA's nationality requirements and mandatory contract clauses are also included in the RFP. Interested U.S. firms should submit their Proposal in English and Polish directly to the Grantee by 4:00 P.M., local time, November 15, 2001 at the above address. Evaluation criteria for the Proposal are included in the RFP. Price will not be a factor in contractor selection, and therefore, cost proposals should NOT be submitted. The Grantee reserves the right to reject any and/or all Proposals. The Grantee also reserves the right to contract with the selected firm for subsequent work related to the project. The Grantee is not bound to pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of Proposals.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20011010/BSOL003.HTM (W-278 SN510114)