Economic progress in the Philippines has been impeded by population pressure. The imbalance in population and economic growth is a significant factor in the continuing prevalence of absolute and relative poverty and the failure to attain the desired levels of health improvements. As a consequence, infectious and communicable diseases, particularly tuberculosis, remain significant health problems, even as degenerative diseases are rising and increasing in significance. Studies show that it will be very difficult for the Philippines to achieve its Millennium Development Goals (MDG) for poverty reduction even if the economy achieves its medium ?term economic growth targets ?unless a concerted population management program is put in place to check the prevailing high population growth rate.? Family planning and health programs in the Philippines are provided by local government units (LGUs) as mandated under the Philippine Local Government Code. However, these LGUs still lack the necessary management capability, technical skills and resources to effectively serve the poor in their communities. In support of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines? (GRP?s) efforts, USAID/Philippines proposes to implement a ?Health Enhancing Local Partnerships (H.E.L.P)? program under its Strategic Objective of ?Desired family size and improved health sustainably achieved?. The solicitation, when issued, will seek proposals to provide technical assistance to strengthen the Local Government Units? (LGUs) delivery and management of services for family planning, maternal and child health, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS preventive measures. In particular, the program will support the intermediate result (IR) 1 of the above Strategic Objective: ?LGU provision and management of FP/MCH/TB/HIV/AIDS services strengthened? and its sub-intermediate results. The program will be comprised of components similar to the following: a. local government executive action for family planning and health; b. increased financing of health services at the local level; c. improved management and provision of heath services at the local level; d. segmentation of public sector clientele; and, e. local government procurement of health commodities. USAID anticipates awarding a cost-reimbursable contract for the 3-year program beginning on or about April 2003. Detailed information about this solicitation is contained in the RFP that will be available on or about November 15, 2002. The closing date for submission of the proposals, to be specified in the RFP, will be about 45 days thereafter. To obtain the RFP, send your written requests to the Office of Regional Procurement, USAID/Philippines, PSC 502 Box 1, FPO AP 96515-1200 or Office of Regional Procurement, USAID/Philippines, 8/F PNB Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1308, Philippines. You may also send your requests by e-mail to
[email protected] referencing the above RFP. Our telephone nos. are (632) 552-9926 and (632) 552-9924. Our fax nos. are: (632) 551-9297 and (632) 552-9999. The preferred method of distribution of USAID Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) information is via the internet. By exception, USAID can provide the solicitation on a 3.5 floppy disk (MS Word 97 format), via e-mail, or in hard copy. The notice can be viewed and downloaded using this website. The solicitation, once issued, can also be downloaded from this website. You are encouraged to access the solicitation via the internet as this eliminates possible delays associated with mailing in general, and from overseas Missions, in particular. As the recipient of this pre-solicitation notice, you are responsible for ensuring that you have received it from the internet in its entirety. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. Further, be aware that amendments to solicitations may be issued and will be posted on the same internet site from which you downloaded the solicitation. Generally the Contracting Officer will issue amendments to all those who have sent in the written confirmation of solicitation receipt. However, USAID does not guarantee that an amendment will be issued to you directly based upon written confirmation that you have downloaded the solicitation from the internet. You are therefore advised to regularly check the FedBizOps website (http://www.fedbizops.gov) for amendments. Point of Contact Ma. Rosario M. Arenas, Acquisition Specialist, Phone 9-001-632-5529926, Fax 9-011-632-5529900-5404, Email
[email protected] ? Lourdes Valones, Contract Assistant, Phone 9-011-632-552-9929, Fax 9-011-632-551-9297, Email
[email protected]