U.S. Agency for International Development, M/OP, SA-14, Room 1501, Washington, D.C. 20523-1409

R -- PROFESSIONAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES DUE 043097 POC Contact Point: John C. O'Connell, (703) 875-1013, Contracting Officer, Sharon Zavestoski, (703) 875-1150. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is requesting expressions of interest from eligible parties for the provision of Technical Advisors in AIDS, Child Survival and Population (TAACS). Any eventual contractor will be responsible for the recruitment, orientation, and provision of necessary backstop services for up to 22 experts in Child Survival, HIV/AIDS and Population to serve in USAID/Washington and field missions. The authority to use contracts to obtain these services from institutions of higher learning and U.S. Private Voluntary Organizations has been provided for in the U.S. Foreign Assistance Appropriations Bill since FY 87. The use of contracts with institutions of higher learning and U.S. Private Voluntary Organizations is one of the means by which the USAID can access TAACS. This announcement seeks responses from organizations interested in competing for a competitively awarded contract to provide the services described below. The TAACS Advisors, mid-to-senior level technical officers, will remain employees of the host organization while providing technical advice and management capabilities to the USAID offices or Mission on various issues related to the priority areas of Child Survival, HIV/AIDS and Population. The TAACS will supplement USAID's own technical staff in these areas. Although the tasks and issues will vary according to the specific circumstances under which the individual is employed, they may include program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, technical consultation, donor coordination, liaison with Private Voluntary Organizations and other non-governmental organizations, and coordination with other USAID Mission or Office personnel. In collaboration with USAID, the contractor will be responsible for recruitment, backstopping, technical support, and evaluation. Backstopping may include procurement of computer equipment, logistics support of overseas advisors, and administrative oversight, technical support, and evaluation. USAID expects qualifyingorganizations to show superior technical competence in the subject areas, as well as the ability to effectively recruit and support overseas personnel. A single, five year contract for the provision of up to 22 TAACS Advisors is anticipated. Any follow-on contract will be dependent on continuation of legislative authorization, funding, and USAID assessment of need. Organizations interested in providing these services should be aware that the Agency's organizational conflict of interest restrictions may prevent the organization from bidding on, or participating in, subsequent activities in which TAACS from the organization have participated in a significant way. Interested institutions of higher learning or U.S. Private Voluntary Organizations should submit expressions of interest as well as a statement detailing their specific capability in the provision of the type of services required. Organizations who are not institutions of higher learning or are not listed as U.S. Private Voluntary Organizations are not eligible for consideration and should not respond to this sources sought notice. (0085)

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