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 assist Morocco in the development of an extra judicial system of contract dispute resolution for public procurement. Up to 40 days work over a 6 month period beginning in March 2004 will be required. The contractor will need to travel to Morocco at least once per month. Brief monthly written progress reports and one detailed and comprehensive final report will be required. Respondent Criteria: - A university degree. - Public procurement experience obtained working in a government or international organization or as a consultant. - Experience in setting up extra judicial systems of contract dispute resolution for public procurement systems. - Knowledge of English language - Knowledge of French or Arabic language (desirable) Response Requirements: Interested contractors are requested to submit a brief capability statement (not to exceed two (2) pages) which address 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 Respondent Criteria will be deemed “qualified”. The government will then furnish each qualified contractor 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 clarify, 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 co complete the assignment within 365 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 Morocco 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 abide by instructions received from local U.S. Embassies and to adhere to all applicable ethics codes in effect in his/her respective jurisdiction(s) and professions, and contractors who are Federal employees also must adhere to applicable federal conflict of interest statues and standards of conduct. Response Requirements. Interested contractors must submit a copy of her/his capability statement on or before January 15, 2004, 12:00 PM EST. The capability statements must specifically and comprehensively address the Respondent Criteria and be submitted in writing. Capability Statements must be in Microsoft Word format and addressed to Su Jin Chang, Contract Specialist, via electronic mail to
[email protected]. All Capability Statements must be sent to assure receipt by the Government on or before January 15, 2004, 12:00 PM EST.