Contact: Urzyd Wojew=F3dzki, Wydzia3 Przedsi=EAwzi=EA=E6 Publicznych, ul. Jagiello=F1ska 25, 40-032 KATOWICE, POLAND, Tel: + 48-32-255-41-61 ext. 639, =46ax: + 48-32-255-39-35

R -- FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR A REGIONAL SLUDGE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN KATOWICE, POLAND POC Evangela Kunene, USTDA, 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209-2131, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax: (703) 875-4009 The Katowice Vovoidship (KV) 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 on the handling and disposal of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sludge in Katowice. KV is one of Poland's most populated areas and the most industrialized region. KV has over 80 WWTP's that serve the region. These treatment plants have minimal, if any, sludge handling and disposal equipment which has created a serious environmental and health risk. The purpose of the feasibility study is to identify the most cost-effective technical approach to provide proper handling and disposal of these WWTP residual solids. This project has been identified by KV's environmental department as one of their top priorities. Due to limited experience in this area, KV requested assistance with contractual, financial, and technical components to help attract U.S. investors and equipment suppliers. The feasibility study will identify the quantity and characteristics of the WWTP sludge at the various treatment facilities followed by the development of a sludge handling and disposal plan for the region. The scope of work would also include the preliminary design of the facilities, equipment sizing and selection, cost estimates for construction, and the development of a specific financing plan for project implementation. The actual terms of reference for the study follows: Task 1-Identify the Katowice WWTP's existing sludge handling approach and practices. Task 2-Collect existing sludge characterization data, including environmental impact assessment. Task 3-Develop technical alternatives for sludge handling and disposal. Task 4-Prepare conceptual design for sludge management systems. Task 5-Evaluate construction and O&M costs for each facility and disposal option. Task 6-Conduct economic evaluation of the selected alternative. Task 7-Develop a detailed financial plan and review financing alternatives with potential financiers. Task 8-Prepare design and construction plan. Task 9-Prepare comprehensive feasibility study report. The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $301,186 grant to the Katowice Vovoidship from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA). The overall budget for completing the feasibility study has been estimated by TDA to be $451,186, and the remaining costs of $150,000 necessary to complete the feasibility study will be contributed in-kind by the U.S. company selected to perform the feasibility study. 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 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209-2131. Requests for the RFP should be faxed to the 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 their Proposal in English directly to the Grantee by 4:00 PM, April 6, 1998 at the above address. 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 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. (0051)

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