Della Glenn, USTDA, 1621 N. Kent Street. Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209-2131, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax: (703) 875-4009

R -- SOLICITATION NUMBER TDA 98-Q-64 -- AUDIT OF THE CELLULAR TELEPHONE SWITCHING SYSTEM, GABON POC Della Glenn, USTDA, 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209-2131, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax: (703) 875-4009 The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) wishes to announce an opportunity for small business to bid on a Competitive Total Set-Aside to provide technical assistance. The chosen contractor will perform an audit to determine whether, in conducting a project for a Central African country, the U.S. company responsible for the project feasibility study used grant funds for allowable costs, and complied with relevant grant and contract requirements. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency, located in the Washington, D.C. area, assists in the creation of jobs for Americans by helping U.S. companies pursue overseas business opportunities. Through the funding of feasibility studies, orientation visits, specialized training grants, business workshops, and various forms of technical assistance, TDA helps American businesses compete for infrastructure and industrial projects in middle-income and developing countries. TDA funded feasibility studies evaluate the technical, legal, economic, and financial aspects ofa development project in the concept stage. Feasibility studies typically include procurement plans, contact information, technical data, financial information, and market studies. These project plans are required by financial institutions to assess the creditworthiness of a project before it can go forward. This work provides American firms the opportunity to get in on the "ground floor" of a project. In order to analyze whether to proceed with a feasibility study, TDA often directs that a desk study and/or definitional mission be completed. Desk studies and definitional missions are conducted by outside contractors to gather information on a project. The subject of this audit is a grant, awarded in 1995 to Central African country, for a feasibility study to develop a cellular/telecommunications switching system, and a subsequent contract to a U.S. company to conduct the feasibility study. The grant award and contract were based on findings of a desk study and included required cost sharing by the U.S. company. The feasibility study was to include demand analysis, growth forecast, data network models, financial analysis, engineering design study, technical specifications, tender document, and an orientation visit. U.S. export potential included: cellular radio-telephone equipment, engineering and installation services; cable, communication, and power; and electronic testing equipment. The U.S. company that performed the feasibility study submitted a report in 1998. This will be firm fixed price contract. The work is expected to be completed within four months of ratification of the contract. The Small Business Act, at 15, U.S.C. 644, authorizes procuring agencies to aside procurements or portions of procurements for the exclusive participation of Small Businesses Concerns. The Sic Code for this procurement is 8721. Definition: "Small business concerns" for purposes of TDA award of this total set aside contract means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operating for which it is bidding. In determining whether dominance exists for TDAs purpose for this contract, consideration is given to annual gross receipts. Any concern that is annual gross receipts above $6 million dollars, averaged over a three year period, is not considered small and is therefore, NOT eligible for award under this contract. All participating organizations involved with supplying professional services must be incorporated or chartered in the United States. Consultants planning teaming arrangements must be U.S. citizens or resident aliens. In accordance with FAR 19.301, offerors will be required to submit self certification relating to business size. The competitive proposals method of solicitation as set forth in Part 15 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR Chapter 1) shall be utilized for this procurement. This solicitation in no way obligates TDA to award a contract, nor does it commit TDA to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the proposal. Any explanation desired by an offeror regarding the meaning or interpretation of this solicitation must be requested in writing and with sufficient time allowed for reply to reach the offerors before submission of their offerors. All oral explanations or instruction, given before award of this contract will not be binding. Any information given to a prospective offeror concerning the solicitation will be furnished promptly to all prospective offerors as an amendment of the solicitation, if such information is necessary to offerors submitting proposals or if lack of such information would be prejudicial to uninformed offerors. TDA will choose a contractor demonstrating proficiency in government grant and contracting procedures and regulations. The contract team shall include an accountant/auditor with an understanding of generally accepted government accounting and auditing standards and a professional editor. The contractor must be in the position to present fair and unbiased information pursuant to thestatement of work. The Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued on/about (15) fifteen days after the publication date of this synopsis. Because of the urgency of this request, the closing date for receipt of proposals will be fifteen (15) days thereafter. Only written requests for the RFP that indicate the companys size will be honored. U.S. eligible small businesses interested in receiving the RFP should send a fax requesting it to Della Glenn at (703)875-4009 or a letter by U.S. mail to Ms. Glenn, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA), Contracts Unit, 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 300, Rosslyn, VA 22209-2131. Posted 07/17/98 (I-SN225173). (0198)

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