R -- Macedonian Legal Reform Support Project

Special Note: Reference CBDNet notice issued on December 19 2001, Submission Number SN5153E4.Regional Contracting Office/Budapest invites U.S. firms and organizations to submit proposals for a contract with the United States Agency for International Development for (USAID) Macedonian Legal Reform Support Project. The Legal Reform Support Project (LRSP) will support Macedonians transition to democracy by enhancing adherence to rule of law. The contract activity will be carried out for a 3-year period commencing mid-2002 with an option for a two-year extension based on a review of progress and performance and subject to the availability of funds. The overall objective of the contract is to further the development of rule of law in Macedonia by enabling the Macedonian judiciary to: 1) develop into a stronger, more effective and independent branch of government; 2) resolve legal disputes in a more timely, consistent and legally-correct manner and reduce case backlogs; 3) function in a more transparent, open, responsive and accountable manner; and 4) develop the capacity and mechanisms for improving court organization, practices and performance over time to meet the needs of Macedonians for timely and consistent protection of their political and economic rights. Specific tasks under the contract are expected to include assisting governmental and non-governmental participants in the legal system in Macedonia, as appropriate, to: 1) formulate and implement changes in the current framework of laws necessary to increase the independence of the judiciary and to rationalize, streamline and speed up the process of adjudicating civil and criminal cases; 2) develop and implement, with the courts and other interested and affected parties, proactive case management practices, including backlog reduction efforts; 3) increase the capacity for court administration and management within the judiciary, including the creation of an administrative office for the entire court system at the national level, strengthening of court administrative and management capabilities at the appellate and basic court levels, and effectively linking together court administrators at all of these levels; 4) through training and other means, increase the capacity of court presidents, judges and court administrators to effectively formulate and carry out organizational and procedural reforms, improve administration and management of their courts, develop and implement better case management practices, and improve the quality of judicial decision-making; 5) increase the capacity of the current legal training institution to more effectively provide entry-level, career and continuing legal education and training to Macedonian legal professionals; and increase its capacity to become technically, managerially, and financially self-sufficient; 6) on a pilot basis, introduce computerization into selected courts and provide other equipment and court facility upgrades where necessary to enhance efficiency and increase the ability of courts to deliver legal services. All questions related to this notice must be addressed in writing by letter, fax or e-mail to the contact points, with reference to the RFP number and title and your complete organization name, street address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address. The RFP will be issued by mid-January. It is the responsibility of the party downloading the RFP to ensure that the RFP has been received in its entirety and USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. A list of organizations which express interest in this RFP will be made available upon request. The publication of this notice or the RFP does not obligate the U.S. Government to make an award.