Request for Information: Subject to final approval. The Department of the Treasury?s Bureau of the Public Debt (BPD), on behalf of the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), intends to negotiate sole-source procurement with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority through the SmartBenefit? Program, fare media, and the SmartTrip? fare cards. The Government intends to award for a base period of one year and four option years. Mission: The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) is an independent foreign assistance agency of the United States government, working to promote equitable, responsive, and participatory self-help development in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to Part IV, Section 401(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969, "it shall be the purpose of the Foundation, primarily in cooperation with private regional, and international organizations, to: Strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding among the peoples of this hemisphere; Support self-help efforts designed to enlarge the opportunities for individual development; Stimulate and assist effective and ever wider participation of the people in the development process; Encourage the establishment and growth of democratic institutions, private and governmental, appropriate to the requirements of the individual sovereign nations of this hemisphere." IAF Background: The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) is an independent agency of the United States government that provides grants to nongovernmental and community-based organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean for innovative, sustainable, and participatory self-help programs. The IAF primarily funds partnerships among grassroots and nonprofit organizations, businesses and local governments, directed at improving the quality of life of poor people and strengthening participation, accountability, and democratic practices. To contribute to a better understanding of the development process, the IAF also shares its experiences and the lessons it has learned. The guiding principles of the Inter-American Foundation are to support people, organizations, and processes; channel funds directly to the non-governmental sector; promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and self-reliance; strengthen democratic principles; empower poor people to solve their own problems; and treat partners with respect and dignity. Nature and Description of Action: The Inter-American Foundation requires fare media through the SmartBenefit? program and SmartTrip? fare cards for the public rail transportation service in the DC metro area including Maryland and Virginia communities. A sole source to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is intended for this order. No other known rail sources have access to the SmartBenefit? program fare media and fare cards. No solicitation document is available. The Bureau of the Public Debt will consider all affirmative responses received no later than ten days after publication of this notice. Affirmative responses shall be accompanied by sufficient documentation to clearly show the ability to provide the requirement, at terms more advantageous to the Government. A request for more information will not be considered an affirmative response. If no affirmative written response is received, that clearly demonstrates the ability to meet all the requirements, and that is more advantageous to the Government, we intend to negotiate a sole-source award to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Other Information: Electronic submissions, in response to this Notice, shall reference SS-08-0013 and be sent to the attention of Susan Barker and e-mailed to
[email protected]. Electronic submissions must be received no later than 2:00 PM ET, Friday, February 29, 2008. Please note that an RFQ document is not available at this time. Point of Contact: Susan Barker, Contract Specialist: Tel: 304-480-7008 // Fax: 304-480-7204 //
[email protected]. Gina Hanna, Contracting Officer: Tel 304-480-7181 // Fax: 304-480-7204 //
[email protected].