R -- Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Modification to Contract with Abt Associates Inc.

USAID/Jordan intends to award a sole source modification to Abt Associates under award no. 278-C-00-99-00059-00. The estimated amount of this modification is approximately $9.75m. The above contract was awarded to Abt Associates on a Full & Open Competition basis on June 1999 for 5 years at a total amount of $39,752,232.00. The purpose of this contract is to implement a Primary Health Care Initiatives Project (PHCI) to develop and implement a quality improvement program for primary health care clinics throughout Jordan that includes major improvements in the delivery of reproductive health and family planning services. The original contract included major renovation and furnishing for 40 clinics, minor renovation for 160 clinics and minor furnishing for 340 clinics. In addition, the contract included providing highly specialized technical assistance in helping the Ministry of Health (MOH) have sustainable systems for quality assurance training and reproductive health. During the course of the contract renovation needs exceeded the governments estimate, the MOH requested to expand the medical equipment and furniture package in order to meet the new quality standards that the project is trying to set. In addition, the sustainability initiatives had to be expanded in order to achieve strong systems in quality, training and reproductive health. All those needs are an expansion of the scope of work Abt Associates is already implementing. The required supplies and services include continuation and expansion of services and supplies of the same nature as described in the original statement of work of the original contract. Seeking new procurement to fulfill those expanded supplies and services will be duplicative, costly, and time consuming as time is of utmost importance as USAID is committed in completing the renovation in 2004 to meet the Government of Jordan's transformation plan goals of improved Primary Health Care. This modification is being proposed under the authority of AIDAR 706.302-70(b) (5) for the continued provision of highly specialized services when award to another resource would result in substantial additional costs to the government or unacceptable delays. Interested companies may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement within 15 days of publication of this notice. In accordance with FAR 5.207(c) (xv), all responsible sources may submit to the Point of Contact a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. However, this notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action is solely within the discretion of the Government. No solicitation is available.