C.A. Hidrologica Venezolana / HIDROVEN, Pres. Rafael Martinez Monro, Av. Principal de Mariperez Transversal 9, Edificio Hidroven Nivel 5, Caracas, Venezuela, Tel: 011-582-781-8702; 781-9813, Fax: 011-582-793-1814

C -- HIDROVEN WATER SYSTEM UPGRADE AND PRIVATIZATION DUE 122996 POC Carol Stillwell, USTDA, Room 309, SA-16, Washington, D.C. 20523-1602, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax No.: (703) 875-4009 Hidroven Water System Upgrade and Privatization: Hidroven 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 perform a technical assistance consultancy on a water system upgrade and concession for a portion of the Hidrocaribe service area, focusing on Isla Margarita in the State of Nueva Esparta. The technical assistance consultancy shall be supported by a fixed-price budget of $125,000. The scope of work consists of seven (7) tasks: develop cost estimates for project implementation; identify and involve U.S. private operators and equipment manufacturers; develop tariff options; research private ownership options; outreach financial agencies; assist in development of procurement documents; and develop task deliverables. Proposals from consulting firms shall be made and evaluated on the basis of the following criteria: a) Experience of project team members with tariff, privatization, and financing arrangements, as well as knowledge of legislation applicable to potable water service and wastewater treatment in Venezuela (30%), b) Experience with water privatization, collection, treatment, and distribution projects (20%), c) Experience of consulting firms in similar international projects within the last five (5) years (20%), d) Technical approach and work plan (20%), e) Proficiency in Spanish and experience in projects involving Spanish as the business language of conduct (10%). Four (4) copies of the proposal in Spanish and one (1) copy of the proposal in English shall be submitted to Hidroven by December 30, 1996. A Definitional Mission (DM) report providing project background is available upon request from TDA. The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $125,000 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 a background definitional mission report are available from TDA, at Room 309, SA-16, Washington, D.C. 20523-1602. Requests for the RFP should be faxed to the Information Resource Center (IRC), TDA 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 TDA 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 TDA to retrieve the RFP should allow one hour after faxing the request to TDA 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, TDA 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 TDA. 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 one copy of their proposal in English and four copies in Spanish to the Grantee in Caracas. 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. (0317)

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