Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF OCTOBER 23, 2005 FBO #1427
MODIFICATION

R -- Africa Regional: Southern African Railways and Transportation Corridors Definitional Mission

Notice Date

10/21/2005
 

Notice Type

Modification
 

NAICS

541611 — Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
 

Contracting Office

United States Trade and Development Agency, USTDA Contracts Office, USTDA, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1600, Arlington, VA, 22209-3901
 

ZIP Code

22209-3901
 

Solicitation Number

USTDA-06-Q-11-010
 

Response Due

11/15/2005
 

Archive Date

11/30/2005
 

Small Business Set-Aside

Total Small Business
 

Description

SCOPE OF WORK ?DEFINITIONAL MISSION? FOR ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE SERVICES BY NON-GOVERNMENTAL SOURCES FOR THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGION? Project Title: Sub-Saharan Regional: Southern African Railways and Transportation Corridors Definitional Mission 1 SCOPE OF WORK The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (?USTDA?) requires services under this non-personal services Contract to support or improve its decision-making relative to the funding of projects and activities in developing and middle income countries. The Contractor shall provide a report to USTDA, which will: 1.2 assess and justify whether or not USTDA should provide funding for the proposed study, technical assistance or other trade capacity building activity(ies) herein after referred to as ?study?; 1.3 assess any alternative study or activities which the Contractor sees as viable options for USTDA consideration; and 1.4 provide supporting analysis and recommendations on the above information in a final report that analyzes all the relevant issues. 2 DELIVERY & PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS 2.1 KICK-OFF MEETING WITH THE USTDA PROGRAM OFFICE Upon award, the Contractor shall contact USTDA?s Contracting Officer?s Technical Representative to schedule a meeting to discuss details of the Contract assignment. Unless otherwise advised by the COTR, this meeting will be held at USTDA?s office in Arlington, Virginia. The COTR shall provide the Contractor with names and addresses of the project sponsor(s), other pertinent entities to contact in the United States and overseas, and any other relevant details that may impact upon the design and/or evaluation of the proposed project(s). 2.2 PRE-VISIT REPORT (3-5 PAGES) Prior to departure to the host country, the Contractor shall provide the COTR a pre-visit written report containing the proposed schedule or itinerary, preliminary strategies or findings on viability of the project(s), financing options, U.S. company interest in the project (s), a list of contacts to be made during the visit and a pre-visit checklist of issues, information and questions to be utilized during the visit. 2.3 USTDA RESPONSIBILITY USTDA will advise the U.S. Embassies in the host countries of the Contractor?s proposed travel itinerary prior to departure and request that the Commercial and/or Economic Section of the Embassy provide the Contractor with names and addresses of appropriate host country officials with whom to meet. 2.4 CONTRACTOR?S HOST COUNTRY TRAVEL The Contractor will travel to at least four countries in Southern Africa to assess opportunities for USTDA assistance for rail and transportation corridor projects in the region. The Contractor shall meet with relevant project officials and with the U.S. Embassies. The Contractor shall contact the Commercial and/or Economic Section at each U.S. Embassy upon arrival and prior to departure for briefing and debriefing meetings. While the Embassies may be able to assist the Contractor in arranging some initial meetings with host country officials, the Contractor is responsible for arranging the meetings as well as logistics for the visit, i.e., hotel accommodations, transportation, and interpretation services. In some cases, the Contractor may need to Contract with a local entity to assist with these logistics. Local entities may not provide the technical work of substance for the creation of the DM report. 2.5 CONTRACTOR MEANINGFUL DISCUSSIONS The Contractor shall hold meaningful discussions with appropriate contacts to determine and gauge the interest of potential project financiers and potential U.S. suppliers and assess whether the proposed project(s) is economically, financially, and technically viable. The Contractor shall analyze the potential procurement of U.S. goods and services for project implementation by categories and dollar values. The analysis shall include an assessment of the project risks and its financial viability, the priority of the project and political/social/organizational support it has, potential sources of financing, and the capability and experience of the project sponsor. The analysis shall also include an assessment of the social and economic development impacts of the proposed project. 2.6 USTDA REPORT OBJECTIVES If the Contractor recommends that USTDA fund the study (ies) in a phased approach, and/or if any outstanding issues should be resolved or conditions met before funding is approved, those phases, issues and/or conditions should be clearly explained in the recommendation. 2.6.1 The Contractor shall provide a final report to the USTDA, which will: 2.6.1.1 assess and justify whether or not USTDA should provide funding for a study of the proposed project(s); 2.6.1.2 assess any alternative or other activities which the Contractor sees as viable options for USTDA consideration; and 2.6.1.3 provide recommendations on the above information in a final report that analyzes all relevant issues 2.6.2 Contractor recommendations shall be based upon USTDA funding criteria, which are that the project must: 2.6.2.1 be likely to receive implementation financing, and in addition, have a procurement process that provides ?equal access? to U.S. firms; 2.6.2.2 represent an opportunity for sales of U.S. goods and services that is many times greater than the initial investment of USTDA assistance; 2.6.2.3 be a development priority of the project sponsor and country where the project is located and have the endorsement of the U.S. Embassy in that nation; and 2.6.2.4 involve U.S. companies that are facing market entry problems and/or strong competition from foreign companies, which often receive subsidies, and other support from their governments. 3 DEFINITIONAL MISSION FINAL REPORT 3.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (1-2 PAGES) The Contractor shall submit an executive summary of the report?s findings and recommendations. 3.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION (3-5 PAGES) The Contractor shall submit a description and history of the project, including, among other things, host country and/or other project sponsors, sector, project location, source of raw materials, infrastructure requirements, proposed technological approach, legal and regulatory framework (licenses, permits, etc.), implementation schedule, economic fundamentals (estimated capital cost, operating costs, expected revenues, etc), and any other key variables or issues that the Contractor deems critical as part of a thorough activity/project evaluation. 3.3 PROJECT SPONSOR?S CAPABILITIES AND COMMITMENT (1-2 PAGES) The Contractor shall submit a description of the host country project sponsor(s) business/government operations or authority and an assessment of the project sponsor?s commitment and ability to implement the project. This should include a description of the project sponsor?s previous commitments, business activities or government mandate. 3.4 IMPLEMENTATION FINANCING (2-4 PAGES) The Contractor shall submit a review of the financing options for project implementation, including an assessment of the overall cost estimate of the project and, for projects involving potential U.S. equity investment, the project?s proposed debt-equity structure to ensure that it corresponds to the requirements of the prospective lenders (this aspect is critical to USTDA?s decision making). As part of this review, the Contractor is required to contact officials from the potential financing institutions, including, where appropriate, multilateral lending institutions, Ex-Im Bank, OPIC, and private/commercial sources, to assure that the project sponsors have adequately explored their financing options. The Contractor shall provide names and phone numbers of contacts at the potential lending institutions and summarize their comments. The Contractor must determine the most likely source(s) of implementation financing and ensure that the terms of reference for any proposed study fulfill the requirements of the most likely source(s), or suggest appropriate revisions to ensure that they do. 3.5 U.S. EXPORT POTENTIAL (1-2 PAGES) The Contractor shall submit a best estimate of potential procurement of U.S. goods and services for project implementation. This estimate should be supported by a breakdown by category and dollar value of goods and services likely to be imported for the project and an illustrative list of potential U.S. suppliers of the goods and services for those goods and services listed as likely U.S. exports. A report of discussions with a reasonable number of U.S. companies that could be exporters, and their level of interest in the project, should also be included. 3.6 FOREIGN COMPETITION AND MARKET ENTRY ISSUES (1-2 PAGES) The Contractor shall discuss the foreign competition for goods and services likely to be procured for project implementation by category, including a discussion of U.S. industry competitiveness in each category, taking into account geographic factors, local industry capabilities, technology and licensee issues, past procurement tendencies of the project sponsor, and how the procurement is likely to be conducted. The contractor shall discuss the extent to which market entry issues impede trade and how the project will help overcome these obstacles. 3.7 DEVELOPMENTAL IMPACT (2-3 PAGES) The Contractor shall submit an assessment of the development impact of the project(s) on the host country. In this section, the Contractor shall discuss two aspects of ?developmental impact?. 3.7.1 Primary Developmental Benefits - The Contractor shall discuss the most important benefits that the project(s) will provide to the host country. Items of primary interest to USTDA include: Infrastructure (including any positive environmental impacts); Human Capacity Building (including jobs and training); Technology Transfer and Productivity Improvements; and Market-Oriented Reforms. Other host country economic development benefits such as financial revenue enhancements, increased good governance and others should also be mentioned where appropriate (For more detail see the Guidance on USTDA Development Impact Measures at www.ustda.gov/resources or Annex VI) 3.7.2 Alternatives ? Are there competing ways to achieve host country objectives? At the Definitional Mission stage, it will not be possible to address these questions definitively, but the DM Contractor, at a minimum, shall define and comment on the broad alternatives available to the host country project sponsor. 3.8 IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT (1-2 PAGES) The Contractor shall submit a statement regarding the likely consequences the proposed project(s) may have on the environment and ensure that the terms of reference for the study include, at a minimum, a preliminary review of the project?s impact on the environment, with reference to local environmental requirements and those of potential lending agencies. The study should identify potential negative impacts and discuss the extent to which they can be minimized. 3.9 IMPACT ON U.S. LABOR (1-2 PAGES) The Contractor shall submit an assessment of the impact of the project(s) on U.S. labor, addressing the legislative prohibitions on the use of Foreign Assistance Funds described in Annex I. 3.10 QUALIFICATIONS (1-2 PAGES) The Contractor shall submit the study team qualifications required to conduct the study(ies) and the evaluation criteria to be used by the Project Sponsor in cases of competed study(ies). 3.11 JUSTIFICATION (1-2 PAGES) The Contractor shall provide an explanation of why USTDA?s grant funding is needed. 3.12 TERMS OF REFERENCE (1-5 Pages) The DM Contractor shall provide Terms of Reference (TOR) for the study(ies). The TOR, which must be endorsed by the project sponsor, shall include, at a minimum, the following: 3.12.1 Purpose and objective of the study. This section should contain a concise statement. 3.12.2 A technical assessment. This section should include relevant background information that is pertinent to the technology selection. 3.12.3 An economic analysis of the project. This section will usually include a cash flow analysis, attention to market conditions, raw material availability, supply agreements, off-take agreements, and competing alternative methods of achieving the same or similar project objectives. 3.12.4 A financial analysis of the project. This section should consider the availability of equity and debt financing as well as the views of potential public and private financing organizations, such as the World Bank, relevant regional multilateral development bank(s), Ex-Im and OPIC. 3.12.5 An appropriate environmental analysis of the project. A preliminary review of the project?s anticipated impact on the environment with reference to local requirements and those of multilateral lending agencies (such as the World Bank). This review would identify potential negative impacts, discuss the extent to which they can be mitigated, and develop plans for a full environmental impact assessment if and when the project moves forward to the implementation stage. This includes the identification of steps that will need to be undertaken by the project sponsor subsequent to the study?s completion and prior to project implementation. 3.12.6 A review of regulatory issues related to the project. This should include a discussion of any regulations that would impact the projects viability or prognosis to move forward. 3.12.7 An analysis of key host country development impacts. (Infrastructure, Human Capacity Building, Technology Transfer and Productivity Improvement and/or Market-Oriented Reform). These Development Impact factors are intended to provide the project?s decision-makers and interested parties with a broader view of the project?s potential effects on the Host Country. The analysis shall focus on what Development Impact is likely if the project is implemented according to the study recommendations. While specific focus shall be paid to the immediate impact of the project, analysis shall include any additional developmental benefits that may result from the project?s implementation, including spin-off and demonstration effects. Accordingly, the analysis shall be an assessment of each of the following categories with respect to the project?s potential Development Impact: (1) Infrastructure: Provide a statement on the infrastructure impact, giving a brief synopsis. For example, ?The project would result in the construction of a power plant that would provide 500MW of power. This plant would serve ___ [number] additional households in ____ [area].? (2) Market- Oriented Reform: Provide a description of any regulation, laws, or institutional changes that are recommended and the effect they would have if implemented. (3) Human Capacity Building: Assess the number and type of local positions that would be needed to construct and operate the proposed project, as well as the number of local people who would receive training; describe such potential training program. (4) Technology Transfer and Productivity Enhancement: Provide a description of any advanced technologies that would be utilized as a result of the project. A description of any efficiency that would be gained (e.g. ?By upgrading the power plant?s old boilers, efficiency will be increased from x% to y%?). (5) Other: Describe any other developmental impacts or benefits that would result from the project, for example, follow-on or replication projects, safer workplace, increased good governance or improved financial revenue flows to the Host Country. For specific information regarding USTDA?s Development Impact goals and measures, please contact the COTR at USTDA, refer to Annex VI, or see the Guidance on USTDA Development Impact Measures at www.ustda.gov/resources. 3.12.8 U.S. sources of supply. While aiming at optimum specifications and characteristics for the project, there shall be an assessment of the availability of potential U.S. sources of supply. Business name, point of contact, address, telephone, e-mail, and fax numbers shall be included for each source. 3.12.9 An implementation plan (anticipated next steps necessary to implement the project), and 3.12.10 Final Report. The FS/TA Contractor shall prepare and provide to the Grantee and to USTDA a Final Report in accordance with Clause __ of Annex II of the Grant Agreement. Each of the above tasks in this Terms of Reference must be distinctly set forth in the Final Report in a substantive and comprehensive manner, and shall include all corresponding deliverables. The Final Report shall contain an executive summary. In addition to any other required deliverables in accordance with Clause ____ of Annex II of the Grant Agreement, the Contractor will provide both the Grantee and USTDA with 6 copies (each) of the final report on CD-ROM. The CD-ROM version of the final report will include: Adobe Acrobat readable copies of all documents; Source files for all drawings in AutoCAD or Visio format; and Source files for all documents in MS Office 2000 or later formats. The TOR must be designed to meet the requirements of the most likely source(s) of implementation financing. The requirements of some of the potential financing sources may be found at the following web sites: www.opic.gov/finance.home.html www.exim.gov/tools.index.html www.ifc.org/proserv www.adb.org/PrivateSector/finance/default.asp www.ebrd.com/applyindex.html www.iadb.org www.afdb.org/opportunities/business_generic_proc_notices_country.htm 3.13 STUDY BUDGET (2-3 PAGES) 3.13.1 Study Budget Format The DM Contractor shall provide a detailed budget that is divided into three parts: a line item budget and task breakdown (Annex III), a Task Completion Schedule (Annex IV), and a budget narrative (Annex V). All costs in the budget should be reasonable and allocable to the work being performed, and should support the study TOR. The budget should be supported with sufficient detail to enable USTDA staff or others reviewing the material to understand completely, not only the budgeted amounts, but also the methodology that justifies the budget amounts. The budget should be provided in accordance with the format in Annex III and should include: PLEASE SEE AMENDMENT 1 FOR REMAINDER OF STATEMENT OF WORK
 

Place of Performance

Address: Headquarters, USTDA, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1600, Arlington, Virginia

Zip Code: 22209-3901

Country: USA
 

Record

SN00919531-W 20051023/051022080711 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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