Rapid population growth has been identified, as one of the country's most critical development problems. The 2000 census placed the country's population at 76.5 million, with an annual growth rate of 2.36. If this growth rate continues, the population can be expected to double approximately in 30 years, the fastest in the region. This rapid annual growth rate is greatly the result of a high total fertility rate. Women are having more children than they actually want (3.2. children desired as against 3.7 children actual, according to the 1998 Demographic and Health Survey). Acceptance of modern contraceptive methods has steadily increased from 24.9% in 1993 to 33.1% in 2001. However, family planning remains a controversial program, primarily due to the active opposition by certain sectors of society to the use of so-called artificial contraceptives and to misinformation about the safety of these methods. As a result, many Filipino men and women who want to limit their family size are reluctant to adopt the methods proven to be most effective. To overcome this barrier to social acceptance, USAID is inviting U.S. firms to bid for a major contract that will implement a communication and advocacy strategy and program, whose purpose is to actively promote the practice of family planning as a normal, everyday behavior that is part of a healthy lifestyle. These initiatives are expected to result in couples feeling more comfortable actively practicing family planning and attaining their desired family size, as well as helping improve their health and that of their families. The communication and advocacy program should be able to achieve the following results: 1) mass media and other forms of communications are positively portraying family planning as a mainstream health intervention; 2) key segments of society (women's groups, the business community, government leaders, entertainment celebrities, etc.) are advocating the use of family planning; and 3) health providers are offering family planning as part of a routine health service package. The cost reimbursement contract is expected to be completed within a period of about five YEARS. Detailed information about this solicitation is contained in the RFP documents that will be available on or about March 4, 2002. To obtain the RFP, send your written requests to the Office of Regional Procurement, USAID/Philippines, PSC 502 BOX #1, FPO AP 96515, or Office of Regional Procurement, USAID/Philippines, 8/F PNB Financial Center, Roxas Blvd. 1308 Pasay City, Philippines. You may also send your requests by e-mail to
[email protected] referencing the above RFP. Our telephone nos. are (632) 552-9926 and (632) 552-9924. Our fax nos. are (632) 551-9297 and (632) 552-9999. The deadline for submission of proposals is May 3, 2002. The preferred method of distribution of USAID Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) information is via the Internet. By exception, USAID can provide the solicitation on a 3.5" floppy disk (MS Word97 format), via e-mail, or in hard copy. The notice can be viewed and downloaded using this website. The solicitation, once issued, can also be downloaded from this website. You are encouraged to access the solicitation via the Internet as this eliminates possible delays associated with mailing in general, and from overseas Missions, in particular. As the recipient of this solicitation document, you are responsible for ensuring that you have received it from the internet in its entirety. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. Further, be aware that amendments to solicitations are occasionally issued and will be posted on the same Internet site from which you downloaded the solicitation. Generally, the Contracting Officer will issue amendments to all those who have sent in the written confirmation of solicitation receipt. However, USAID does not guarantee that an amendment will be issued to you directly based upon written confirmation that you have downloaded the solicitation from the Internet. You are therefore advised to regularly check the FedBizOps website (http://www.fedbizops.gov/) for amendments.