R -- PROFESSIONAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Notice Date

April 10, 2001

Contracting Office

Regional Contracts Office, Regional Support Center, Budapest, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270

ZIP Code

20521-5270

Solicitation Number

169-01-24

Point of Contact

Ashraf E. Soos, Regional Contracting Specialist, at phone no. 361-475-4698, telefax: 361-269-5893 or e-mail: asoos@usaid.gov

E-Mail Address

Ashraf Soos (asoos@usaid.gov)

Description

The Regional Services Center Budapest, on behalf of the United States AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (USAID) Mission in Belgrade intends to issue a Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit applications from qualified U.S. private and non-profit organizations including private voluntary organizations, aid organizations, etc. to submit applications for a cooperative agreement for the implementation of a community development program in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). This community development program is aimed at promoting citizen participation to identify and address the critical needs for the economic and social revitalization of community life. The program will be implemented through locally formed community committees responsible for identifying and prioritizing community needs, mobilizing community and other resources, and monitoring the implementation of projects. The recipient will seek to identify clusters of communities that constitute groupings with natural geographic, social, or economic ties. Cluster committees will be formed with representatives from each of the community committees to broaden participation on issues of regional concern and promote cooperation among communities in meeting social and economic needs. Specifically the program, working through community & cluster committees, will prioritize, plan, and implement projects to revitalize essential infrastructure, create income generating opportunities, address critical environmental problems, and promote civic participation. The program will fund projects on the basis of their social or economic impact, their sustainability, broad based citizen participation in the identification and implementation of the project, and community, government, or other contributions. Recipients will support community action through facilitating community organization, providing targeted technical assistance and training, ensuring the technical, economic, and environmental viability of projects, funding eligible products, and providing monitoring and oversight. This is a five year program which will be implemented throughout the FRY. Each recipient will work in a specified geographic region to be determined through a consultative process with all recipients at the start of the program. It is anticipated that up to eight cooperative agreements up to $40 million each will be awarded as a result of the process described in the RFA. The amount currently available for funding the first year's activity is $4.5 million for each cooperative agreement. Applicants are encouraged to propose cost share in their applications. Although applicants may want to contact local NGOs, government, or other local organizations for preparation of their proposal, applicants are requested to refrain from speaking with specific communities or clusters regarding this program. All questions related to this notice and requests for a copy of the RFA must be addressed in writing by letter, fax, or E-mail to the POC at the address stated above. Specify the RFA number and title being requested, and include your complete organization name, street address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address. No telephone requests will be honored. The issuance date of the RFA is expected to be on or about April 17, 2001. The closing date for submittal of applications will be approximately forty five days after the actual issuance date of the RFA, and will be specified in the RFA. The preferred method of distribution of USAID procurement information is via the Internet or by request of a solicitation on a 3.5" floppy disk (Word format). Only in instances where Internet access or utilization of diskettes are not possible will a hard copy of the RFA be distributed upon request. Applicants must confirm to the POC their inability to access the RFA via the Internet before requesting a diskette or hard copy of the RFA. This notice and the RFA, once issued, can be viewed and downloaded from the USAID external web site. The USAID worldwide web address is http://www.usaid.gov. Select "Business and Procurement Opportunities" from the home page, then "USAID Procurements." Receipt of this RFA through Internet must be confirmed by written notification to the POC. It is the responsibility of the recipient of this RFA to ensure that it has been received from the Internet in its entirety and USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. The publication of this notice or the RFA does not obligate the U.S. Government to make an award.

Web Link

Current CBD Notices (http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/announce/cbd/)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010412/RSOL018.HTM (W-100 SN50I836)