R -- Notice of Intent to Award a Sole-Source contract to Inernational Resources Group

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission to Guatemala/Central American Programs (G-CAP) on behalf of USAID/Panama intends to award a sole-source contract for approximately three months beginning on or about October 1, 2002 at an estimated amount of US$249,000 to International Resources Group (IRG). The contract would allow the Mission Strategic Objective (SO), 'Panama Sustainably Manages the Canal Watershed and Buffer Areas' to continue activities through the end of calendar year 2002 without disruption. IRG has been providing highly specialized services in the development of strategies, policies and legal/regulatory framework needed for sustainable management of the Panama Canal Watershed and buffer zones areas through EPIQ I. The in-country staff has developed and exhibited unique implementation capability and has demonstrated that they possess and can transfer very specialized technical assistance for the achievement of the Strategic Objective Results. There are some processes that have been initiated and can be completed with a high degree of success only with the technical capacity provided by IRG, this would avoid serious interruption in critical support to the Panamanian institutions. The contract is being sole-sourced under AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(5) for the continued provision of specialized services. In accordance with FAR 5.207(d)(xv), all responsible sources may submit to the Supervisory Contract Officer, a bid, proposal or quotation, which will be considered by the agency. However, this notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action is solely within the discretion of the Government. This is a sole source requirement and we will proceed with the award on that basis. No solicitation is available.