U.S. Agency for International Development, M/OP/A/AOT, Room 7.10-023, RRB, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20523-7101

R -- TECHNICAL SERVICES TO FANNINE EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS NETWORK IN AFRICA SOL RFP No: M/OP-0-001 DUE 102999 POC Amanda Downing, Internet: amdowning@usaid.gov, Tel: 202-712-5945, Fax: 202-216-3052 WEB: http://www.info.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/announce/cbd, http://www.info.usaid.gov. E-MAIL: http://www.info.usaid.gov, amdowning@usaid.gov. USAID intends to issue an RFP to solicit proposals for a five year Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) to provide technical srevices to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET). The goal of FEWS NET is to support AFR/SD's Strategic Objective to improve policies, strategies and programs for preventing, mitigating and transitioning out of famine and near-famine crises. While USAID decision-makers remain a priority audience for information from improved systems, the focus of FEWS NET is on supporting African-led drought preparedness and famine prevention initiatives that help prevent loss of life and preserve conditions favorable for economic and social development. This goal will be pursued by providing field assistance, as well as data and analysis, to information and response planning networks for drought preparedness and famine prevention which involve local communities, host country governments, the private sector and the international community. FEWS NET will contribute to and facilitate both early and integrated planning and preparedness efforts among the above-mentioned groups so that the likelihood and incidence of famine is reduced. Strengthened networks will facilitate more timely, coordinated and appropriate actions being taken at all levels to protect the food security of those most vulnerable to drought, flooding and other food security threats. An anticipated outcome of this activity is an improvement in food security resulting from a reduced likelihood of severe food access problems, the threat of famine, and the collapse of primarily rural economies. United States decision makers will also use these networks to obtain a clearer understanding of when, where and what specific external actions are needed to support drought preparedness and famine prevention policies and programs, as well as specific, cost-effective targeted interventions. USAID Contracting Activities will be able to use this IQC in support of their food security information networks and related information needs. OtherFederal Organizations may also utilize the proposed contract under the Economy Act in accordance with procedures to be detailed in the contract. A draft of the RFP will be issued for comments after September 27, 1999. The due date for comments on the draft will be indicated in the document. USAID encourages the participation to the maximum extent possible of U.S. small businesses, U.S. small disadvantaged businesses, U.S. women-owned small businesses, and U.S. HUBZone small businesses in this activity as prime or subcontractors in accordance with Part 19 of the FAR. In this respect, it is anticipated that the prime contractor will make every reasonable effort to identify and make maximum practicable use of such concerns. To help identify potential subcontractors, a list of all organizations requesting a copy of the solicitation will be included with each solicitation issued. By providing the list, USAID does not endorse the listed organizations as being capable of carrying out the activity, nor does USAID verify the claimed status of the organizations. Necessarily, the list will contain the names of only those organizations known prior to the issuance of the solicitation. Telephone requests for the RFP will not be honored. 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. If you require a copy of the solicitation in paper form, you must specifically ask for it, but you will not receive both a copy in paper form and a floppy disk. This CBD notice can be viewed and downloaded using the Agency Web Site. The RFP, once issued, can be downloaded from the Agency Web Site. The Worldwide Web address is http://www.info.usaid.gov. Select Business and Procurement Opportunities from the Home Page, then "USAID Procurements". On the following screen, select "Download available USAID Solicitations" and find the number of this solicitation. Receipt of this RFP through the internet must be confirmed by written notification to the contact person noted above if you wish to be notified of any amendments to the solicitation. It is the responsibility of the recipient of this solicitation document to ensure that it is been received from the internet in its entirety and USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. USAID is not obligated to award a contract. Posted 09/20/99 (W-SN382131). (0263)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0064 19990922\R-0005.SOL)