National Library of Medicine, Office of Acquisitions Management, Building 38A, Room B1N17, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20894

R -- MULTILATERAL INITIATIVE ON MALARIA SOL NLM 00-086/LTN DUE 041100 POC Liem T. Nguyen, Contract Specialist, 301-496-6546 E-MAIL: click here to contact the contract specialist via, liem_nguyen@nlm.nih.gov. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) intends to negotiate on a sole-source basis with Mark Bennett, 45 W St Comberton, Cambridge CB37DS, United Kingdom, under the authority of U.S.C. 253 (c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1(b)(1) for the specialized technical strategic design, implementation, and oversight services in providing access to Biomedical Information to African nations. As part of the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria, the NLM is creating a research network for scientists working in Africa. The NLM is coordinating and managing an electronic research network which enables medical researchers working in Africa to have full access to the Internet and the World Wide Web. Mark Bennett has been involved since the inception of this project and has provided and continues to provide service to four remote research centers in Kenya and Ghana where full access to the Internet and the World Wide Web had not been possible previously. Mr. Bennett's unique expertise and experience in working with the research centers in remote areas of Africa and his successful collaboration with various African agencies involved have been integral to the early success of this important Federal project in disseminating biomedical information to under-served African nations. Mr. Bennett has over 15 years of experience in working in telecommunications in Africa, much of it in the field of health. For 12 years, he was at the University of Zambia, first as the Systems Manager and then as Director of the Computer Center. He set up ZamNet the first Internet service provider in sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa. Upon his relocation to the UK, he has maintained his work in Africa with clients such as. World Bank, Zambian Social Recovery Project, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Free University of Amsterdam, IDRC, National Library of Medicine. Mark Bennett has worked with NLM in creating a solution not previously available or affordable. His strategic plan simplifies the network design and minimizes the amount of space segment required to support the remote sites. This approach also makes it very simple to add additional sites when the need arises. Additionally, the space segment can be increased at any time to accommodate both the growth in sites and the overall utilization of the network. The period of performance will be for approximately six (6) months and begins on or about April 15, 2000 through September 30, 2000. The NLM has determined that Mark Bennett is the only source with the unique combination of required expertise and experience who can assist NLM in its task to provide access to Biomedical Information to African nations within the time constraint. This is a notice of intent and not a Request for Quotations (RFQ), nor is an RFQ available; however, all responsible and responsive sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the NLM. Firms interested in responding to this notice must be able to provide professional service as specified and listed above. Responses should sufficiently demonstrate the firm's ability to meet the government's requirements. Responses are required within fifteen (15) calendar days from the publication date of this notice. This acquisition will be made using FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Inquires regarding this procurement may be made to Liem T. Nguyen on (301) 496-6546. Posted 03/24/00 (W-SN438057). (0084)

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