C -- USAID/Egypt Telecommunication Sector Support Project, Contract Extension and additional work

This is a Notice of Intent to modify Contract No. 263-C-00-99-00044-03 under which General Dynamics Government Systems Corporation (GD) provides Engineering and Construction Management Consultant (E & CMC) services to Telecom Egypt under the Telecommunications Sector Support project. The envisioned modification will allow GD to continue to provide E&CMC level of effort services for an additional twenty-one (21) months beyond the present GD contract completion date of September 30, 2003. GD is principally providing, or will be providing in the near future, Telecom Egypt with E&CMC services for three major Design/Build (D/B) host country contracts (HCC). GD will also be providing advice and assistance for one USAID direct contract. The three HHCs are for: (1) D/B of the Telecom Egypt Network Operations Center (NOC); (2) NOC Phase II; and, (3) Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). Under the USAID direct contract, technical assistance is being provided to Telecom Egypt for training in Network Operations Center Operations and Maintenance. Two of the three HCC mentioned above (1 & 2) are currently facing implementation delays due to a variety of reasons (technical and non-technical) which have been deemed beyond the control of the E&CMC. For this procurement, the U.S. government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(5). The purpose of this extension is to allow for the continuation of the E&CMC services that are presently being provided to Telecom Egypt in order to ensure the successful completion of all projects. The E&CMC services to be provided under these projects include: Network Operations Center (NOC). The E&CMC will continue to provide technical advice and assistance to TE during the two-year Advise and Assist defects liability period. This is considered the most critical stage of the NOC project during which time the NOC is provisionally functioning and the D/B contractor is providing TE with direct on-the-job experience with the software application and functioning, plus the physical administration of the facility. Network Operations Center, Phase II (NOC Phase II). This activity will be implemented through a series of change orders to the existing D/B host country contract. The E&CMC will prepare the necessary documentation and facilitate the negotiations between TE and the D/B contractor. Additionally, the E&CMC will monitor all activities, handle claims and assist in arbitration as required, and perform other management services relevant to the continued implementation and completion of the project. Network Operations Center Operations and Maintenance Training NOC Training. This activity will be implemented through a new USAID direct contract using an Indefinite Quantity Contract procurement mechanism. Due to limited USAID/Egypt Project Office staff, the E&CMC will assist the Cognizant Technical Officer with the direct on-site monitoring of the contract. Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). It is envisioned that this D/B host country contract will be awarded September 2003. During implementation, the E&CMC will monitor all contract activities, to include, but not limited to: inspect, measure, and monitor installations, review and certify payment requests, monitor project schedule and budget, initiate and process change orders, handle claims and assist in arbitration if required. There will be no solicitation documents issued for this proposed action. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, the government will consider all proposals received within forty-five days days after date of publication of this synopsis. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.