U.S. Information Agency, International Broadcasting Bureau, Office of Personnel and Administration, Contracts and Procurement Division, B/PA/AC, Room 1645, 330 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20547

B -- AUDIENCE DATA FROM THE MIDDLE EAST POC Contact/Contracting Officer: Lesley D. Isaac, Telephone: (202) 205-5337; Facsimile: (202) 205-1921. The U.S. Information Agency's (USIA) International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB), Contracts and Procurement Division (B/PA/AC), Simplified Acquisitions Unit, intends to negotiate and award a Purchase Order (P.O.) contract on a non-competitive basis using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (FAR Part 13) to Pan Arab Research Center (PARC) of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the purchase of off-the-shelf audience survey data from the Middle East. The data is from PARC's 1998 Media Index Studies of the following countries: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait (general population), Kuwait (business executives), Egypt, Jordan, Oman UAE, Bahrain, and Syria. Data shall include listening-rates for the Voice of America (VOA) and other international broadcasters, media equipment ownership, viewership of foreign television channels, and similar items. The data is proprietary to, and only available from, PARC. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition that is applicable to this procurement is in FAR Subpart 6.302-1(a)(2), 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1). Interested firms/persons may identify their interests and capabilities to provide the above-stated Middle East audience survey data. This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive price quotations. However, all price quotations received by COB (5 p.m., EST), September 11, 1998 will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this CBD Notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. Any questions or requests for additional information regarding this CBD Notice shall be in writing and submitted to the Contracting Officer, Lesley D. Isaac, Jr., via facsimile at (202) 205-1921. This CBD Notice is not a RFP or IFB. Posted 08/25/98 (W-SN241484). (0237)

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