R -- USAID/Brazil - Access to Training and Employability Skills and Opportunities Increased for Disadvanted Youth

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 program to increase training and employability opportunities for disadvantaged youth in Brazil in Brazil are requested to mail, fax, or e-mail their interest to the contact address (listed below) by March 7, 2003. Potential sources may send a short paragraph with information regarding their capabilities and experience in this field. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) plans to support a new program that seeks to strengthen the ability of Brazil's vulnerable children and adolescents to live healthy and productive lives, namely in the development of job-related skills that will allow them to obtain and sustain gainful employment. The program's priorities will be the improved capacity of young people to function in a working environment, developing and implementing market-based technical/vocational training and job placement programs, and strengthening existing service networks that address related needs of vulnerable youth. Since 1994, USAID/Brazil has been supporting activities that assist disadvantaged children and adolescents. More than 60,000 children have benefited from USAID's program to date in areas such as social services and psychological counseling to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse; prevention and eradication of child labor and sexual trafficking in youth; and vocational training for increased employability of youth. While results have been considerable in a number of these areas, USAID believes it is time to consolidate the lessons learned into a more focused strategy designed to provide disadvantaged youth with the technical training, related life skills, and job placement support needed to secure viable employment in the formal sector. Institutions, contractors, for profit and non-profit organizations that may be interested in participating in this disadvantaged youth program to be implemented in Brazil are requested to contact USAID/Bolivia. Interested institutions must be able to achieve results in the following areas: (i) marketable skills training for at-risk youth increased; and (ii) access of at-risk youth to formal market employment opportunities increased. 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 March 10, 2003. Application due date will be May 2, 2003.