R -- Intent to Negotiate a Non-Competitive Contract Modification with AMEX International

USAID announces its intention to negotiate a contract modification with AMEX International under contract no. 641-C-00-98-00236. This modification will extend the completion date of the contract by 12 months, from December 31, 2002 to December 31, 2003. The contract was competed under full and open competition and its original purpose will remain unchanged. After the contract was awarded the Mission's current Country Strategic Plan (CSP) was extended. The modification will provide a bridging mechanism for the continued provision of highly specialized services in working closely with selected Ghanaian SME's in business linkages with larger firms andexpanding non-traditional exports until a new CSP is developed and the contract(s) for a successor project is awarded. USAID intends to negotiate this modification with only one source under the authority of AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(5), where an award is for the continued provision of highly specialized services and award to another source would result in substantial additional costs to the Government or would result in unacceptable project delays. This notice is not a request for proposals and no solicitation is available. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to satisfy the Government's requirement in accordance with numbered note 22. Any information received will be considered for the purpose of conducting a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to open the requirment to competition is solely within the discretion of the Government.