D -- NATIONAL HUNGER CLEARINGHOUSE

The US Dept of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, intends to issue a competitive solicitation for a 5-year contract award to a nongovernmental organization to establish and maintain a clearinghouse to provide information to non-governmental groups located throughout the US that assist low-income individuals or communities regarding food assistance, self-help activities to aid individuals in becoming self-reliant, and other activities that empower low-income individuals and reduce reliance on Federal, State, or local government agencies for food or other assistance. The authorizing language for this service is Section 26 of P.L. 103-448, Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act dated Nov. 2, 1994 as amended. This legislation also specifies the eligibility criteria for competing firms. Questions or a copy of the eligibility criteria can be directed to Patricia Palmer at 703-305-2251. A solicitation will be released on or about August 10, 2004. A copy of the RFP can be downloaded/viewed at http://www.fns.usda.gov/asd/solicitation/sol.htm. The closing date is 9/10/04.