Inactive

DIRECT ALL QUESTIONS TO PITHY (TY) SAR AT PITHY.SAR@USDA.GOV, REFERRING TO THE SOLICITATION NUMBER IN THE SUBJECT LINE This is a combined Synopsis/Solicitation for commercial items prepared in accorda... DIRECT ALL QUESTIONS TO PITHY (TY) SAR AT PITHY.SAR@USDA.GOV, REFERRING TO THE SOLICITATION NUMBER IN THE SUBJECT LINE This is a combined Synopsis/Solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information and attachments included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The Solicitation Number is 970010. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotes (RFQ). This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), FAC 2005-71. This RFP is being issued in accordance with FAR Part 12- Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13- Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Submission of written quotes must be in accordance with FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors, Commercial Items. Verbal offers will not be accepted. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer is conforming to the solicitation, and will be most advantageous to the Government. The Government contemplates the award of a single firm-fixed price contract resulting from this solicitation. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) administers the Facility Guarantee Program (FGP) on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The FGP was developed to expand U.S. agricultural commodity exports by making available payment guarantees to facilitate the financing of manufactured goods and U.S. services to improve or establish agriculture-related facilities in emerging markets. By supporting such facilities, the FGP is designed to enhance the sale of U.S. agricultural commodities and products to emerging markets where the demand for such commodities and products may be limited due to inadequate storage, processing, handling, or distribution capabilities. FAS will only consider issuing a guarantee if a transaction will primarily benefit U.S. agricultural commodity exports. Within FAS, the Office of Trade Programs (OTP), Credit Programs Division (CPD) is responsible for operating the FGP, including reviewing and recommending for approval applications for payment guarantees. The FGP is authorized by Section 1542 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 5622 note). The program regulations at 7 CFR 1493 subpart C dictate the specific requirements of the program (see attachment). FAS also operates the program consistent with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits (the Arrangement). The OECD Arrangement requires environmental and social review of officially supported export credits for exports of capital goods and services. Guidelines for this review are found in the OECD's "Recommendation of the Council on Common Approaches for Officially Supported Export Credits and Environmental and Social Due Diligence ("Common Approaches") (see attached). Objectives The objective of this requirement is to provide contractor support in the review of FGP transactions (both prior to and after the issuance of a CCC payment guarantee) to ensure projects comply with the environmental and social requirements of the program regulations and the OECD Common Approaches. Scope The scope of this statement of work is to provide support to FAS in ensuring the FGP program is operated consistent the environmental and social review requirements of the program regulations and the OECD. There are 5 task areas the contractor is expected to support: • Advise FAS on the extent of environmental and social review needed by the applicant for proposed projects; • Review all documents and information provided by the applicant and make a recommendation to FAS on needed action; • Recommend to FAS the appropriate level of monitoring and reporting required for approved projects; • Advise and educate FAS staff on any changes to OECD or other environmental and social review guidelines and industry practices and changes needed to the program to ensure compliance. • Provide on-site review of projects as needed. Refer to the attached Statement of Work for additional details and response instructions. DIRECT ALL QUESTIONS TO PITHY (TY) SAR AT PITHY.SAR@USDA.GOV, REFERRING TO THE SOLICITATION NUMBER IN THE SUBJECT LINE