B -- CDE FIBER OPTIC PROJECT IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Notice Date

October 15, 2001

Contracting Office

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

ZIP Code

22209-2131

Response Due

November 27, 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 the build out of a fiber optic network along CDE's existing and planned electricity transmission lines. NOTE: According to INDOTEL, and based upon Dominican Law, Consultants who conduct the Feasibility Study will be conflicted out of bidding for transactions with CDE that are directly related to this fiber optic project. CDE, the national electricity company of the Dominican Republic, along with INDOTEL, the Dominican national telecommunications regulatory body, wish to further analyze and develop a project to lay aerial fiber optic cables along the right-of-way of existing (941 km) and planned (1435 km) transmission lines. To date, CDE has published a request for Expression of Interest from companies to supply, install, operate, and use the fiber optic cables along its high-tension transmission lines. CDE's objectives for the project are to: Improve the technological infrastructure for the Energy Control Center Provide a "real time" metering system for its network Create an intranet Create commercial opportunities in the telecom sector Based upon the nature of the project and timetable, CDE would like the feasibility study to be carried out on a fast track basis, with an estimated time for completion of approximately three to four months. The feasibility study tasks include: Economic Analysis, an assessment of current & future demand and availability of bandwidth Technical Assessment Regulatory/Legal Analysis Provide in-depth advice to CDE on the most suitable Business Model/Organization and create a more in-depth business plan Financial Assessment & Valuation Assist CDE with preparing for a public bid and guidelines for the Solicitation, and/or direct negotiation of the fiber optic project Preparation of a list of potential telecom service providers Preparation of comprehensive final report The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $331,000 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 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 and Spanish directly to the Grantee by 5:00 p.m., November 27, 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. 20011017/BSOL003.HTM (W-288 SN510676)