B -- N-PARAFFINS -- LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE (LAB)

Notice Date

June 13, 2001

Contracting Office

USTDA, 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22209-2131

ZIP Code

22209-2131

Response Due

July 16, 2001

Point of Contact

POC -- Evangela Kunene, USTDA, 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22209-2131, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax: (703) 875-4009

Description

The Grantee invites submission of qualifications and proposal data (collectively referred to as the "Proposal") from interested U.S. firms which are qualified on the basis of experience and capability to develop a feasibility study for a n-Paraffins -- Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB) project in Venezuela. The objective of the project is to build a petrochemical complex to produce normal paraffins and LAB using kerosene obtained from the distillation of paraffinic crudes at the Paraguan Refining Center. Venoco has produced Alkylbenzenes for more than 30 years supplying all local and Andean Countries' LAB and Dodecilbenzene requirements. Venoco has maintained a good record as a dependable LAB producer and as an excellent quality product supplier, satisfying its clients needs. Up until now, the feedstock for the LAB manufacturing has been imported olefins and nationally produced benzene from Petr leos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), the Venezuela state-owned petroleum company. Venezuela has the availability of a kerosene cut with a paraffinic content, which will allow it to produce the required olefins to manufacture LAB for the regional market. The project considers the production of 100,000-110,000 MTY of normal paraffins and 125,000- 137,000 MTY of LAB through a joint venture structure. Presently, Venoco and PDVSA Proesca are developing the business conceptualization phase, in order to evaluate a joint venture structure which would be formed by Venoco, Proesca and an international potential partner. This project for the manufacturing of LAB by using a kerosene cut will allow the new joint venture to become a vertically integrated producer with competitive cost structure. Generally, the feasibility study will involve the following tasks: Site Study Process Evaluation and Cost Estimate Financing Study Accuracy of the Cost Estimate Final Repor The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a US $500,000 grant to the Grantee from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA). The study has been estimated by TDA to cost US $652,000. The TDA Grant funding of US $500,000 and the Grantee cost-share of US $100,000, will cover only a portion of that amount. The Contractor and/or its subcontractors must cover whatever other cost is necessary to complete the full Terms of Reference (TOR), as established in Article 1 of this Grant Agreement. A detailed Request for Proposals (RFP), which includes requirements for the Proposal, the TOR, and a background definitional mission report are available from TDA, at 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22209-2131. Requests for the RFP should be faxed to the IRC, TDA at 703-875-4009. In the fax, please include your firm's name, contact person, address, and telephone number. Some firms have found that RFP materials sent by U.S. mail do not reach them in time for preparation of an adequate response. Firms that want TDA to use an overnight delivery service should include the name of the delivery service and your firm's account number in the request for the RFP. Firms that want to send a courier to TDA to retrieve the RFP should allow one hour after faxing the request to TDA before scheduling a pick-up. Please note that no telephone requests for the RFP will be honored. Please check your internal fax verification receipt. Because of the large number of RFP requests, TDA cannot respond to requests for fax verification. Requests for RFPs received before 4:00 PM will be mailed the same day. Requests received after 4:00 PM will be mailed the following day. Please check with your courier and/or mail room before calling TDA. Only U.S. firms and individuals may bid on this TDA financed activity. Interested firms, their subcontractors and employees of all participants must qualify under TDA's nationality requirements as of the due date for submission of qualifications and proposals and, if selected to carry out the TDA-financed activity, must continue to meet such requirements throughout the duration of the TDA-financed activity. All goods and services to be provided by the selected firm shall have their nationality, source and origin in the U.S. or host country. The U.S. firm may use subcontractors from the host country for up to 20 percent of the TDA grant amount. Details of TDA's nationality requirements and mandatory contract clauses are also included in the RFP. Interested U.S. firms should submit their Proposal in English directly to the Grantee by 4:00PM local Caracas time, July 16, 2001 at the above address. Evaluation criteria for the Proposal are included in the RFP. Price will not be a factor in contractor selection, and therefore, cost proposals should NOT be submitted. The Grantee reserves the right to reject any and/or all Proposals. The Grantee also reserves the right to contract with the selected firm for subsequent work related to the project. The Grantee is not bound to pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of Proposal.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010615/BSOL005.HTM (W-164 SN50O7W5)