USDA Forest Service, P&P, Room 706 RP-E, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, DC 20090-6090

R -- EVALUATE FOREST SERVICE APPRAISAL ORGANIZATION DUE 060799 POC Laurie Lewandowski (703)605-4573 E-MAIL: Contracting Officer's e-mail address, llewandowski/wo@fs.fed.us. A written report evaluating the Forest Service apparisal organization for professional competency, efficiency and cost effectiveness in the support of Agency Lands program of work. The report should address 1)the credentials required by Agency Staff Appraisers and contractors, 2)the delegation of authority to Agency staff to review and approve appraisals submitted for consideration in support of the Agency program of work, 3) the cost effectiveness of the balance between contracted appraisal work and staff appraisal work, and 4)the overall efficiency of the Forest Service appraisal organization, with attention to staffing levels, staff development and professionalism. The proposed simplified acquisition item is for services for which the Government intends to negotiate with only one source, The Appraisal Foundation, in Washington, DC. The Appraisal Foundation is a not-for-profit educational organization which establishes, improves and promotes Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP); establishes qualification criteria for professional appraisers; disseminates information on USPAP and the Appraiser Qualification Criteria; and sponsors activities related to standards, qualifications and issues of importance to appraisers and users of appraisal services. The independence and objectivity available from The Appraisal Foundation is essential to the credibility of the report, as agency management may use it as the basis for possible changes to the agency appraisal organization. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received by June 7 will be considered. Offerors must demonstrate how they intend to meet the above criteria for independence and objectivity. Posted 05/12/99 (W-SN330639). (0132)

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