U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/OFA/AGFS/AMD -- OFA51, 1305 East West Highway -- Station 7604, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

R -- PROFESSIONAL SERVICES (REGIONAL COMMERCIAL INFORMATION PROVIDER) SOL 7-4230 DUE 091097 POC Sandra Souders, 301/713-0854 Ina Merson R -- The U.S. Dept. Of Commerce/Business Information Services for the Newly Independent States(BISNIS) has a mission to facilitate U.S. commercial success in the markets of the Newly Independent States (NIS), by conveying to American companies essential business information about opportunities, developments, and strategies. In response to a changing focus away from large overly-saturated markets of Russia's largest cities, BISNIS plans to focus attention on cities in Russia's NIC regions (i.e. Volgograd, Novosibirsk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, and Yekaterinburg). BISNIS requires the services of a contractor based in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to supply vital market intelligence to BISNIS. The Period of Performance will be for one (1) year from date of award. The contractor shall be responsible for providing BISNIS with trade leads, market intelligence, and industry and regional reporting on Sakhalin Island. Special emphasis shall be given to opportunities for U.S. companies in industry sectors related to oil extraction, transportation, services, manufacturing and materials supply, and other strong prospects in connection with Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 oil and gas projects. Interested offerors must meet the following evaluation/qualification criteria: 1) Posses a proven track record in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk as being a magnet and central meeting place for U.S. companies interested in investment and commercial opportunities in the region and also be a central meeting place for local firms pursuing contracts with U.S. firms; 2) Have on-the-ground presence in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, and proven ability to recruit qualified Russian staff; 3) Have extensive experience working with U.S. government entities, including knowledge of U.S. policies and procedures, and gathering commercial information for the U.S. Government; 4) Be headed by a U.S. citizen who is knowledgeable of U.S. Government trade promotion activities and has a solid knowledge of the concerns of the U.S. business community; 5) Be headquartered in the U.S. to allow for simplified logistics of communication between BISNIS and the organization, and to facilitate payment method; 6) Have ability to utilize e-mail in order to facilitate communication between organization and BISNIS; 7) Must be able to work closely with local administration in their process of identifying partners for local companies which intend to seek Sakhalin oil and gas subcontracting opportunities. Interested offerors must submit materials documenting skills and abilities to meet the evaluation/qualification criteria. All responses will be evaluated jointly with the BISNIS Director and appointed staff on a "best value basis". Interested offerors may write to the address above for solicitation documents, with the request to be received no later than 15days after the date of this notice. Award will be made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures. (Reference No. 7-4230) **** (0238)

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