Description
This is a sources sought announcement. This is NOT an invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposal (RFP), or a Request for Application (RFA) and in no way obligates the US Government to award a contract or cooperative agreement. However, potential sources that may be interested in implementing a sustainable environment program in Brazil are requested to mail, fax, or e-mail their interest to the contact address (listed below) by February 18, 2003. Potential sources may send a short paragraph with information regarding their capabilities and experience in this field. The United States for International Development (USAID) plans to support a new program that seeks to achieve the conservation of biodiversity and address the threats of climate change associated with land-use change in forested ecosystems, stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty through increased delivery of environmentally sustainable environment services and capacity building and technical cooperation. Since 1990, USAID/Brazil's Environment Program has improved the prospects for environmentally sound development in the Amazon region. The global problems of climate change and biodiversity loss have significant local consequences as well. Ultimately, the global consequences of human activities are grounded in local decisions, and it is at local and, through new technologies, regional levels that constructive interventions can help sway those decisions. This premise has provided the basis for the USAID/Brazil Environment Program, that will continue to operate through strategically targeted interventions, directed at generating impacts that are local, regional and, ultimately, global in scope. It is the intent that strategic interventions in the thematic areas be expanded as they offer tremendous opportunity to provide increased benefits to rural poor and shape future land-use trends over large geographic areas of Brazil, while continuing to mitigate the global impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. Institutions, contractors, for profit and non profit organizations that may be interested in participating in this renewable energy program to be implemented in Brazil are requested to contact USAID/Bolivia. Interested institutions must be able to achieve results in some or all of the following areas: (i) sustainable natural forest management practices improved and disseminated; (ii) markets for environmental goods and services developed to provide tangible economic benefits for poor communities; and (iii) landscape-level planning that sustains or enhances environmental and socioeconomic benefits integrated into government planning and policies. USAID/Brazil encourages qualified offerors to submit thoughtful and innovative approaches that have a high potential for achievement of the project objectives. We anticipate issuing the RFA o/a February 24, 2003. Application due date will be April 24, 2003.