Description. NAICS code 541199. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 13 "Simplified Acquisition Procedures" (48 CFR Part 13), the United States Department of Commerce is providing widespread notice of this acquisition opportunity and is requesting proposals to provide technical assistance to the government of a North African country in its dealings with the World Trade Organization (WTO) .The successful contractor will consult with officials from Ministry of Industry (MOI) to ensure that the country's Intellectual Property legislation is compliant with Trade-Related Aspect of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The successful contractor will also be required to assist MOI in responding to IP-related questions from WTO. Ten days of work will be required. It is anticipated that work will commence in May, 2003. Brief weekly reports and a final report describing the accomplishments achieved and contacts made during performance of the contract will be required. Respondent Criteria. In-depth knowledge of TRIPS and more generally of IP-related WTO issues; oral and written fluency in French and in English including technical terminology in commerce, law, economic, and government policy; computer resources and skills that enable efficient transmission of large volumes of data domestically and internationally. Response Requirements. Interested contractors are requested to submit a brief capability statement (not to exceed five (5) pages) which comprehensively addresses each criterion set forth above. Cost and technical proposals are not required and will not be considered at this time. The Government will review and evaluate timely received capability statements and those contractors who meet the Respondents Criteria will be deemed "qualified". The Government will then furnish each qualified contract with a draft copy of the Statement of Work, source selection criteria and proposal instructions. The Government may enter into discussions with qualified contractors after receipt of capability statements and after receipt of proposals. If the Contracting Officer determines that such discussions are necessary, the Government will notify qualified contractors of the date/time for such discussions. For the sake of clarity, the Government may communicate with qualified contractors at any point during evaluation of the capability statements and proposal evaluation process. The Government also reserves the right to award without discussions at the Contracting Officer's discretion. Contract Type and Period of Performance. The Government anticipates issuing Purchase Orders for a firm-fixed price that will require the contractor to complete the assignment within 45 days of Purchase Order award. Additional Information. Compliance with protocol between the governments of the Country and the United States of America in connection with performance of the Contract will be required. Qualified contractors will be briefed on the protocols and security requirements. The protocols and security requirements are not available for public dissemination. Qualified candidates who have been provided with the protocol and security information will be forbidden from disclosing the terms, content and procedures of the protocol and security. Furthermore, while in the County, the contractor will be representing the Commercial Law Development Program, the U.S. Department of Commerce and, by extension, the United States Government. The contractor will therefore be required to adhere to all applicable ethics codes in effect in their respective jurisdictions and professions and contractors who are Federal employees also must adhere to applicable federal conflict of interest statutes and standards of conduct. Response Requirements. Interested contractors must submit two (2) copies of her/his capability statement on or before April 16, 2003. The capability statements must specifically and comprehensively address the Respondent Criteria and be submitted in writing. The address to which Capability Statements must be addressed and sent to: Ms. Cherita Toulson, Contract Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 6521, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230. Electronic (e-mail) versions of the Capability Statements must be in Microsoft Word format and sent to
[email protected]. All Capability Statements must be sent to assure receipt by the Government on or before April 16, 2003.