SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- Strategic Restructuring of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies- Azerbaijan
- Notice Date
- 2/9/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- United States Trade and Development Agency, USTDA, 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-0480031B
- Response Due
- 3/25/2005
- Archive Date
- 4/9/2005
- Description
- POC Evangela Kunene, USTDA, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1600, Arlington, VA 22209-3901, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax: (703) 875-4009: PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT CONTRACTS OFFICE. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION PLACE: Minister Ali M. Abbassov, Minister of Communications and Information Technologies of Azerbaijan, Attention: Strategic Restructuring of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies Project?Azerbaijan, USTDA, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1600, Arlington, Virginia, Phone: 703-875-4357, Fax: 703-875-4009. 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 specifically help the Minister and his management team in accomplishing the transitional tasks necessary to lead the new Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies (MCIT). In February of 2004, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, announced his intention to liquidate the Ministry of Communications and form the MCIT. The new MCIT is intended to have a purely regulatory function, rather than have responsibility for the commercial communications sector in Azerbaijan as the Ministry of Communications formerly did. The move is seen as positive, as it will likely increase market-oriented reforms in Azerbaijan and could open up the sector to more private sector participation. It is especially important as it moves Azerbaijan closer towards commitments in the telecommunications sector regarding WTO accession. The implementation of appropriate legal and regulatory reforms will assist Azerbaijan in establishing a more market-friendly environment in which to do business, especially in the telecom sector. Azerbaijan?s extensive dependence on oil and gas-related activities to generate GDP is what helps to generate a strong Information and Communications Technology (ICT) market as more and more oil companies are establishing offices, communications networks, and broadband connections. This surge in Azerbaijan?s wealth is creating enormous opportunities and demands in the market for complete telecommunications solutions. However, until Azerbaijan takes decisive steps in reforming the legal and regulatory framework and management structure responsible for transparent telecom operations, limitations will remain and hinder the commercial and developmental growth of the ICT sector. This technical assistance will specifically help the Minister and his management team in accomplishing the transitional tasks necessary to lead the new MCIT. This will include advisory services related to technology transfer, restructuring, and organizational management. This working level assistance will enhance the new ministry?s understanding of modern practices in the ICT sector and help identify and outline a timeline for the implementation of new institutional relationships with which to improve national policy making. This will also include assistance with issues related to regulation, licensing, interconnection, tariff management, and enforcement of ICT sector rules and regulations. An important component to this TA will be assisting the MCIT in handling key tasks related to the establishment and implementation of interconnection and regulatory policies, critical to attracting and maintaining investment. Further, this TA will assist with the country?s democratic development via the creation of a favorable environment that would expedite Azerbaijan?s transition to a more information-based society through the wide application of ICT technologies and practices. The technical assistance will also incorporate an Orientation Visit of executives of the MCIT. This 10-day visit will be carried out by the selected contractor and abide by all of USTDA?s reporting requirements. This OV will provide the directors of the MCIT with general exposure to and education on the ICT sector and the structure of its management in the United States. The delegates will visit with state regulators and lawyers, as well as with suppliers and operators to gain a better understanding of how to further develop the MCIT. The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $734,782 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 Terms of Reference, and a background definitional mission report are available from USTDA, at 1000 Wilson Boulevard, 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 English directly to USTDA by 4:00 PM, MARCH 25, 2005 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
- SN00748793-W 20050211/050209212436 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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