SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- Honduras Trade Information Exchange Portal Technical Assistance
- Notice Date
- 4/1/2004
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- United States Trade and Development Agency, TDA, USTDA, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1600, C/O US TDA 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1600, Arlington, VA, 22209-3901
- ZIP Code
- 22209-3901
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-0450003A
- Response Due
- 5/10/2004
- Archive Date
- 5/25/2004
- Point of Contact
- Evangela Kunene, Procument Data Manager, Phone 703-875-4357, Fax 703-875-4009,
- E-Mail Address
-
ekunene@tda.gov
- Description
- POC: Evangela Kunene, Procurement Data Manager, USTDA, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1600, Arlington, VA 22209. Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax: (703) 875-4009. Email: mwebster@tda.gov. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE CONTRACTS OFFICE. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION PLACE: Ing. Norman Garcia, Minister, Secretar?a de Industria y Comercio, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, C.A., Phone: (504) 239-3493, 235-3699, Fax: (504) 235-3686, e-mail: ngarcia@sic.gob.hn. 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 provide Technical Assistance to the Honduran Secretar?a de Industria y Comercio (SIC), in the development of a web-based Trade Information Exchange Portal and an associated support structure for effective dissemination of key information needed to enhance bilateral trade. In TCB-related discussions with the Honduran delegation to the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement negotiations, government Ministries and private Trade Associations, a common hurdle emerged focused on severe deficiencies in the area of trade information access and training. While some trade information is available, it is very incomplete and is frequently locked away in paper files and reports that lack the ready access and speed of delivery required to trade effectively in the new, Internet-driven marketplace. To compete effectively and provide the kind of quick access to information that international trading partners demand, Hondurans need a mechanism to access information and communicate their trade capabilities via the Internet. The objective of the proposed project is to provide technical assistance to Honduras in the development of a web-based Trade Information Exchange Portal and an associated support structure for effective dissemination of key information needed to enhance bilateral trade. The project has two key phases: a detailed design and planning phase, followed by a rapid deployment phase, to ensure delivery of the desired benefits in trade capacity building during the early stages of CAFTA implementation. The key components of the project are: To provide technical assistance for the development of the Trade Information Exchange Portal itself, tying together, organizing, and disseminating information that is currently dispersed across a variety of government Ministries, private Trade Associations, and external sources. Most important, the Portal needs to ?plug? the substantial gaps that exist in currently available data (especially from external sources). To develop a training program to ensure that the Trade Portal is effectively maintained and that end users in the business community can make good use of the information and services provided. To develop a promotion program to enhance awareness within the business community of the capabilities of the Trade Portal and its importance in promoting bilateral trade. The Trade Portal itself is intended to provide: (1) trade-related information in a central, easily accessible location, (2) information integration and analysis capabilities, and (3) information dissemination channels to end users in the business community. The general objective of this Technical Assistance is to provide technical assistance to Honduras in the development of a web-based Trade Information Exchange Portal and an associated support structure for effective dissemination of key information needed to enhance bilateral trade. The project has two key phases: a detailed design and planning phase, followed by a rapid deployment phase, to ensure delivery of the desired benefits in trade capacity building during the early stages of CAFTA implementation. The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Technical Assistance include the following: Task 1: Assessment of Trade Information Resources, Needs and Plans Task 2: Design of Trade Information Portal Task 3: Development of a Transition Plan Task 4: Implementation of the Trade Information Portal Task 5: Develop and Deliver a Final Report The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $402,525 grant to the Grantee from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). A detailed Request for Proposals (RFP), which includes requirements for the Proposal, the TOR, and a background Definitional Mission report are available from USTDA, at 1000 Wilson Blvd. Suite 1600, Arlington, VA 22209-3901. Requests for the RFP should be faxed to the IRC, USTDA 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 USTDA 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 USTDA to retrieve the RFP should allow one hour after faxing the request to USTDA 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, USTDA 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 USTDA. Only U.S. firms and individuals may bid on this USTDA financed activity. Interested firms, their subcontractors and employees of all participants must qualify under USTDA's nationality requirements as of the due date for submission of qualifications and proposals and, if selected to carry out the USTDA-financed activity, must continue to meet such requirements throughout the duration of the USTDA-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 USTDA grant amount. Details of USTDA's nationality requirements and mandatory contract clauses are also included in the RFP. Interested U.S. firms should submit their Proposal in Spanish and English directly to the Grantee by 12:00pm local Tegucigalpa, Honduras time, May 10, 2004 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
- SN00558629-W 20040403/040401212807 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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