WHA/EPSC OAS/SAS Support Services

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Global Acquisitions intends to award a firm-fixed-price purchase order for professional support services to facilitate U.S. Government engagement in the Summit of the Americas process on behalf of the Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Office of Regional Economic Policy and Summit Coordination (WHA/EPSC).

The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source, the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS), Summit of the Americas Secretariat (SAS), under the authority of FAR RFO 13.101(b) (only one source is reasonably available). The OAS/SAS is the only entity that possesses the unique status as a Public International Organization with the exclusive authority, convening power, and historical protocolary knowledge required to facilitate the Summit of the Americas process. The period of performance is anticipated to be twelve months.

The OAS/SAS requirement is to provide technical expertise, advice, and recommendations through engagement with Western Hemisphere governments, coordinating with the Summit institutions and stakeholders, and facilitating the implementation of economic, development, and political initiatives stemming from the Summit.

The services to be provided include:

• Facilitate the processes of the Summit of the Americas' managing body, the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG), and associated meetings. This includes advising and applying subject matter expertise on the Summits of the Americas and the Organization of American States, utilizing their exclusive authority and convening power for partner governments, institutions, and stakeholders, as well as applying historical and protocolary knowledge of the Summits process, rules, and procedures.
• Provide meeting logistics and conference liaison services; document management and performance of administrative tasks and procedures related to Summit Secretariat functions; translations of Summit and SIRG documents; and meeting interpretation for the SIRG.
• Coordinate the participation of the Joint Summit Working Group (JSWG) in the Summit process; convocation of JSWG technical and high-level meetings virtually or at facilities of partner institutions; design and publication of reports on JSWG activities to implement Summit initiatives; and ensure timely and reliable access to information and reporting pertaining to the Summit.
• Facilitate engagement between civil society, social actors, the private sector, and governments in the Summit process; provide meeting logistics and conference services associated with the convocation of meetings with nongovernment stakeholders; and maintain on-line tools to facilitate interaction between these groups.
• Ensure timely and reliable access to information and reporting pertaining to the Summit process; maintain electronic resources, historical documents, and formal reports; and produce and maintain public information, including the Summit website and fact sheets.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals, and no solicitation package is available. However, any firm that believes it can meet these requirements may give written notification to the Contracting Officer. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the above requirements. Information must be sent to the Point of Contact listed by the response date and time identified in the General Information section of this notice. Responses received will be evaluated; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.