The Philippines' rapid population growth is outpacing economic development and is stifling the country's fight to reduce pervasive poverty among the masses. The Philippines also faces challenges in containing infectious diseases, particularly tuberculosis (TB), being one of the 22 high-burden TB countries in the world. While the country has thus far escaped the explosive HIV/AIDS epidemics that have occurred in other countries, the potential for a rapid increase starting within high-risk groups is great. An accelerated spread of infection could occur if prevention efforts are not continued and expanded. The Government of the Philippines (GOP), USAID, and other partners/stakeholders have recognized that the expanded delivery of FP/MCH/TB-DOTS/HIV-AIDS services has been hampered either by unrealistic or outdated legal and regulatory barriers and the absence of appropriate supportive policies or guidelines both at the national and local levels. To improve the policy and financing environment, USAID is inviting US firms to bid for a major contract that will analyze policy gaps and institute measures that will address them. This activity will focus on policies that will (1) ensure long term contraceptive security, (2) improve service provision, and (3) assure sustainable financing for FP/MCH/TB-DOTS/HIV-AIDS information, services and products. The cost reimbursement contract is expected to be completed within a period of about four 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.