Victor Vaillant, Administracion de Ferrocarriles del Estado (AFE), La Paz 1095, piso 2, Montevideo, Uruguay, Phone: (5982) 94-07-76, FAX: (5982) 94-08-07

C -- URUGUAYAN CARGO RAILROAD EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS DUE 012996 POC Carol Stillwell, USTDA, Room 309, SA-16, Washington, D.C. 20523-1602, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax No.: (703) 875-4009 Uruguayan Cargo Railroad Expansion and Improvements Project. 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 Administracin de Ferrocarriles del Estado (AFE), which plans to expand and rehabilitate the cargo rail system in Uruguay in anticipation of increased demand from the forestry sector and from growing trade with other Mercosur member countries. As part of the restructuring process, the Uruguayan State Railroad Administration (AFE) is focusing on investments needed to modernize and expand the cargo rail system. AFE conducted a preliminary study for the proposed expansion and improvement of the following major railroad lines: 1) Cordon Litoral--extension and rehabilitation of the track to Fray Bentos and Salto; 2) Linea Rocha--reopening of this major line and connection with the port of Paloma; and 3) Nueva Palmira--extension of the track to the Nueva Palmira port. Given the growth of the forestry industry in Uruguay and the government's support for this priority sector, the feasibility study's scope of work also includes the examination of the forestry industry's demand for cargo rail services and other modes of transportation (considering the current rates and service for rail transportation) and the determination of investments needed to meet the projected demand from the forestry sector as well as the equipment required and related infrastructure such as ports. The objective of the feasibility study is to develop the overall structure of the cargo rail expansion and improvements project as well as the development of a financing plan for the required investments. This will include an examination of any needed expansion and improvements in rail service that pertain to the growing demand of the forestry industry. Specific tasks of the feasibility study include the following:1. Review of Existing Data and Facilities; 2. Review argo Forecasts and Develop Railroad and Port Systems Requirements; 3. Develop Equipment Specifications and Procurement Plan; 4. Develop Capital and Operations Cost Estimates; 5. Conduct a Revenue Analysis and Financial Analysis; 6. Assess Economic and Financial Viability of the Project; 7. Preliminary Engineering Design and Layouts; 8. Development of a Financing Plan; 9. Prepare and Submit All Reports. The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $424,000 grant to the Grantee from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA). A detailed Request for Proposals (RFP), which includes requirements for the Proposal, the Terms of Reference, and the background definitional mission and desk study reports are available from TDA, at Room 309, SA-16, Washington, D.C. 20523-1621. Requests for the RFP should be faxed to the IRC, TDA at 703-875-4009. Please include your firms 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 a courier delivery service should include the name of the courier company and your firm's account number in the request for the RFP. No telephone requests for the RFP will be honored. 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 Spanish and English directly to the Grantee in Montevideo, Uruguay by January 29, 1996. 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 reservesthe 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. (0346)

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