Mr. Ryszard Wisniewski, Head of European Integration Unti, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Pl Malachowskiego 2, Room 323, 00940 Warsaw, Poland; Tel: 011-48-22-27-8327; Fax: 011-48-22-26-71-76

R -- TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE MINISTRY OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF VALUE ADDED NETWORK SERVICES MARKET IN POLAND. DUE 102395 POC Carol Stillwell, USTDA, Room 309, SA-16, Washington, D.C. 20523-1602, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax No.: (703) 875-4009 The Ministry of Telecommunications invites submission of qualification 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 develop and implement the Value Added Network Services Market. The Ministry of Telecommunications of the Republic of Poland has received a grant from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to select an American consultant to perform technical assistance which will guide the Ministry of Telecommunications in the development of the value added network services (VANs) market in Poland. Specific elements of the scope of work include: conducting a market survey of the demand for VANs in Poland; identifying existing and potential VANs providers and users; preparing a business case for the introduction of VAN services for the existing dominant network operator which shall conform to EBRD format; preparing a business case for the introduction of VAN services for typical new entrants (reseller or facilities based) which shall conform to EBRD format; developing guidelines for regulatory relief to promote the resale of bulk PSN services and new VANs entrants to the market. A detailed Request for Proposals (RFP), including the Terms of Reference and a background definitional mission report are available from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (''USTDA''), Room 309, SA-16, Washington, DC 20523-1602. Requests for the RFP should be faxed to the IRC, USTDA (fax: (703) 875-4009). Please include: your name, company name, address, and telephone number. If you would like the RFP sent to you via courier delivery service, include the name of the courier company and your firm's account number. No telephone requests will be honored. The selected U.S. firm will be paid in U.S. Dollars from a $162,300 grant to the Ministry by USTDA. Only U.S. firms and individuals may bd on this USTDA-financed activity. Interested firms, their subcontractors, and individuals (including employees of such firms and subcontractors) 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. Details of the TDA nationality requirements are included in the RFP, as well as TDA mandatory contract clauses. Interested U.S. firms should submit 5 copies of their proposal in English and Polish to Mr. Wisniewski by close of business (45 days) in accordance with the terms and conditions of the RFP. Evaluation criteria will consist of the following: (1) actual ''hands-on'' operational experience in designing and deploying VANs in the USA and elsewhere (40%); (2) detailed technical understanding of multilateral and private financing operations in the telecom sector, with particular attention to EBRD processes (30%); (3) substantive in-country experience with the telecom sector in Poland, including an understanding of the existing legal and regulatory framework, network operators and US equipment suppliers (25%); and (4) Polish language proficiency (5%). Price will not be a factor in contractor selection, and, therefore, cost proposals should NOT be submitted. The Ministry reserves the right to reject any and/or all Proposals. The Ministry also reserves the right to contract with the selected firm for subsequent work related to the project. The Ministry or USTDA are not bound to pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of Proposals. Firms agree by their response to this announcement to abide by the procedures established for the procurement. (0251)

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