B -- HIDROCARIBE PUMP STATION RENOVATION PROJECT

Notice Date

September 21, 2001

Contracting Office

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

ZIP Code

22209-2131

Response Due

November 13, 2001

Point of Contact

POC -- Evangela Kunene, USTDA, 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 300, 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 pump renovation project in Venezuela. C.A. Hidrologica Venezolana (HIDROVEN) and 10 regional hydrological companies, were created in 1990 by the Venezuelan State in the restructuring process of drinking water service and sanitation. HIDROVEN started to operate in 1991, and it's 10 subsidiaries are responsible for providing water and sewage services in Venezuela. Eventually, the long-term goal is to phase out the subsidiaries and replace them with municipal or state companies that take responsibility for the services. Hidrocaribe is the regional hydrological company with oversight over the state of Sucre (coastal state on the mainland) and Nueva Esparta (Margarita Island). The proposed project is located on the northern coast of Venezuela in the state of Sucre, and includes the complete renovation of an existing pump station in the city of Cumana, and the replacement of pipelines (both overland and underwater) from Cumana to the Araya Peninsula. Until it ceased to function, this pump station delivered water from the Cumana system across Golfo de Cariaco to residents located on the Peninsula de Araya. The proposed renovation for the pump station facility would include the removal of existing pumping and obsolete equipment from the reinforced concrete structure and adaptive reuse of the structure as an "in-line" booster pump station to deliver potable water to the Araya Peninsula. New pumps, electrical systems and controls would be required for the renovated facility. Additionally, a potable water line (overland) would be needed from the pump station to the beginning of the submarine pipeline installation (a distance of approximately 5,000 meters). Finally, the project would include the construction of a submarine piping system across the Gulf of Cariaco for approximately 10km from the pump station at Cumana to the Araya Peninsula. The Feasibility Study scope of work entails the following: Task 1: Develop an understanding existing conditions and operations Task 2: Development and/or confirmation of design flow parameters for potable water Task 3: Meetings with HIDROVEN and local Hidrocaribe officials Task 4: Review existing plans/reports/master plans Task 5: Technical analysis of the project Task 6: Develop project design approach and alternatives Task 7: Prepare cost estimates for implementation and project schedules Task 8: Develop financial implementation alternatives Task 9: Develop Environmental Review of project Task 10: Develop final technical and financial recommendations The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $70,000 grant to the Grantee from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA). A detailed Request for Proposals (RFP), which includes requirements for the Proposal, the Terms of Reference, and a background definitional mission report are available from TDA, at 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 300, 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 Spanish only, directly to the Grantee by 4:00PM local Caracas time, November 13, 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 Proposals.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010925/BSOL003.HTM (W-264 SN50Y426)