F -- USAID/Brazil Productive Energy

This is a sources sought announcement. This is NOT an invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposal (RFP), or a Request for Application (RFA) and in no way obligates the US Government to award a contract or cooperative agreement. However, potential sources that may be interested in implementing a renewable energy program in Brazil are requested to mail, fax, or e-mail their interest to the contact address (listed below) by February 18, 2003. Potential sources may send a short paragraph with information regarding their capabilities and experience in this field. The United States for International Development (USAID) plans to support a new program that seeks to stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty and address climate change effects and other adverse environmental impacts in Brazil through increased delivery of environmentally sustainable energy services and capacity building and technology cooperation. Since 1996, USAID/Brazil has financed an Energy Program supporting the Government of Brazil's (GOB) energy sector restructuring and privatization efforts. The overarching goal of this program has been to reduce the threats of climate change by focusing on the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. While the program has many accomplishments, notably in the fields of policy and regulatory reform and technical capacity building, a number of barriers continue to limit the implementation of these technologies in the marketplace. Despite economic, environmental and societal benefits of renewable energy technologies, the market implementation of these by potential users, governments and utilities has been far short of the potential.Barriers to the effective application of these technologies include policies that have limited effectiveness in achieving the needed market transformation and private sector participation, perceived economic/financial constraints, social perceptions, and lack of information about these technologies. Institutions, contractors, for profit and non profit organizations that may be interested in participating in this renewable energy program to be implemented in Brazil are requested to contact USAID/Bolivia. Interested institutions must be able to achieve results in some or all of the thematic areas: (i) Policy and Regulation: influence the regulatory aspects of energy sector restructuring to ensure a greater share of renewable energy technologies in Brazil's energy mix; (ii) Technology Cooperation: promote partnerships and exchanges between U.S. and Brazilian firms to design joint activities which utilize renewable energy technologies to meet development objectives; (iii) Market Development for renewable energy: replicate appropriate productive and social applications of these technologies in Brazil, fostering a market-driven demand for renewable energy options; and (iv) Capacity Building: build local capacity to identify, design, implement and manage development project opportunities that incorporate alternative energy as a catalyst to reaching the goals of the project. USAID/Brazil encourages qualified offerors to submit thoughtful and innovative approaches that have a high potential for achievement of the project objectives. We anticipate issuing the RFA o/a February 24, 2003. Application due date will be April 24, 2003.