R -- Rural Power of Poverty Reduction (RPPR) Program in Bangladesh

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission to Bangladesh intends to award a five-year contract to National Rural Electric Cooperative Authority (NRECA) to implement the final stage of the Rural Power for Poverty Reduction Program (RPPR-II) in Bangladesh. The authority for this non-competitive procurement is AID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) 706.302-70, Impairment of Foreign Aid Programs. A justification and approval for other than full and open competition has been prepared based on AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(5); the award is for the continued provision of highly specialized services when award to another resource would result in unacceptable delays to the program. The primary purpose for extending further support to the Bangladesh Rural Electrification program is to ensure the sustainability of the rural electrification effort through a well-planned program phase-out. USAID believes NRECA is uniquely situated for this award given that they are currently mobilized in the field with staff and monitoring systems already in place, the existing program was created based on a model developed by NRECA, and NRECA has established a collaborative working relationship with the Government of Bangladesh's Rural Electrification Board (REB) and the Rural Electric Cooperatives (PBSs) that would take several years to replicate. NRECAs long-term association with the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Program has promoted the development of a strong working relationship between NRECA, the REB and the vast network of PBSs. Since this program is closely patterned after NRECAs U.S. Program, REB/PBSs have strong confidence that NRECA understands their organization and the challenges they face. The trust and congenial relationships that have been established between NRECA and the Bangladesh partners are invaluable in terms of accomplishing our Rural Electrification objectives. Placing a new contractor in the field at this stage, no matter how qualified, would be disruptive and not understood by Bangladeshis, particularly when this is the final stage of the program. It is, therefore, the opinion of USAID that mobilization of a new contract team would undermine the successful phase out of USAID's assistance to the Rural Electrification program. Qualified companies may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, submissions received before January 31, 2002 will be considered by the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. NAICS: 541690, COMPETITION LEVEL: Sole Source, and Order of Magnitude (Threshold): Estimated $5 million.