MODIFICATION
B -- El Salvador National Import Processing System Project Technical Assistance
- Notice Date
- 7/21/2004
- Notice Type
- Modification
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- United States Trade and Development Agency, TDA, USTDA, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1600, C/O US TDA 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1600, Arlington, VA, 22209-3901
- ZIP Code
- 22209-3901
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-0450007A
- Response Due
- 8/23/2004
- Archive Date
- 9/7/2004
- Point of Contact
- Evangela Kunene, Procument Data Manager, Phone 703-875-4357, Fax 703-875-4009,
- E-Mail Address
-
ekunene@tda.gov
- Description
- Reference is made to RFP 0450007A to amend: This is to notify interested U.S. firms of modifications to Section 4, steps three and four, of the Award Criteria. Section 4: AWARD CRITERIA The selection of the contractor will be based on the following criteria: 1. Company and Personnel Background and Experience- Background and experience of the company and of the personnel to be assigned to the Technical Assistance to include education, length of experience, detailed resume and ability to communicate in Spanish (30%). 2. Project Approach- Proposed work plan, schedule, approach to the Terms of Reference and methodology (30%). 3. Demonstrated experience in trade database system design and management, user training, program implementation and program evaluation (30%). 4. Demonstrated experience in import/export regulations, governmental trade statistics and reporting, and government processes in El Salvador (10%). POC: Evangela Kunene, USTDA, 1000 Wilson Blvd. Suite 1600, Arlington, VA 22209-3901, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax: (703) 875-4009 PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT CONTRACTS OFFICE. PROPOSAL SUMISSION PLACE: The Grantee invites submission of qualifications and proposal data (collectively referred to as the "Proposal") from interested U.S. firms which are qualified on the basis of experience and capability to provide Technical Assistance to the El Salvadoran Ministerio de Econom?a (MINEC), in the assessment and design of a new national import processing system. In Trade Capacity Building related discussions with the El Salvadoran delegation to the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement negotiations, government Ministries and private trade associations, a common hurdle emerged focused on severe inefficiencies related to the processing of imported goods into the country. To compete more effectively, the government of El Salvador is engaging several e-government initiatives, and related to trade capacity building, the National Import Processing System project is high on the priority list. The current process to import goods into El Salvador is an antiquated and cumbersome system which is in need of revision if El Salvador wishes to better compete in the regional economy. CENTREX as a mechanism was created to promote exports by centralizing and simplifying the administrative process that govern the export process. For example, in 1997, the processing of a paper-based export application took between five and fifteen days to process. In 2001 with the implementation of CENTREX, a web-based export application system, the processing time was reduced to five minutes per application. While CENTREX has achieved the original objectives set forth, there are some constraints within the regulatory framework that governs the system. One such constraint is that the regulatory framework only addresses exports and does not provide the same services for imports. This is significant given that fact that 95% of exporters are also importers of raw materials and components used to manufacture goods that are then exported. The current application process for import documentation is neither automated nor centralized and thus results in lengthy delays in processing imports, which increases the cost of such imports. Based on the success of computerizing the export application function, MINEC is now seeking to implement an import functionality into CENTREX and improve the import processing efficiency on the same level as exports processing. This will allow MINEC to consolidate all export and import processing and reporting functions into one integrated information system. The benefits of the new information system will provide companies with the ability to submit import and export applications online. Additionally, companies will be able to search for individual records and related documentation while the MINEC and other government agencies will have access to real-time statistics and have the ability to track trade related quotas. This project is considered one of the highest Trade Capacity Building initiatives for El Salvador. The development and implementation of a national import application processing information system will create a streamlined and efficient process for importing foreign goods. USTDA support of the National Import Processing System project is consistent with our Trade Capacity Building efforts under the spirit of the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement. The objective of this project is to develop a new software application that automates the documentation required for importing goods into El Salvador. It is envisaged that the new system will streamline import processing procedures for the entire country. Additionally, the import software application will be integrated with the existing export information system, CENTREX. The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Technical Assistance include the following: Task 1: Define, procure and install server and development systems at MINEC. Task 2: Develop project plan review of information flow, database and developer training as necessary. Task 3: Develop functional specifications for the information system. Task 4: Develop an implementation plan detailing timeline and milestones. Task 5: Develop conceptual and logical design for database model. Task 6: Develop initial version of the application. Task 7: Conduct testing of the application with users and retest as necessary. Task 8: Conduct staff and user training. Task 9: Deploy live system with monitoring of usage and performance. Task 10: Complete systems documentation/documents designed for staff and administrators. Task 11: Train staff in support, maintenance, backup, and recovery procedures. Task 12: Evaluate the project with quantifiable performance and evaluation methodology. Submit final report. The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $387,492 grant to the Grantee from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). A detailed Request for Proposals (RFP), which includes requirements for the Proposal, the TOR, and a background Definitional Mission report are available from USTDA, at 1000 Wilson Blvd. Suite 1600, Arlington, VA 22209-3901. Requests for the RFP should be faxed to the IRC, USTDA at 703-875-4009. In the fax, please include your firm?s name, contact person, address, and telephone number. Some firms have found that RFP materials sent by U.S. mail do not reach them in time for preparation of an adequate response. Firms that want USTDA to use an overnight delivery service should include the name of the delivery service and your firm's account number in the request for the RFP. Firms that want to send a courier to USTDA to retrieve the RFP should allow one hour after faxing the request to USTDA before scheduling a pick-up. Please note that no telephone requests for the RFP will be honored. Please check your internal fax verification receipt. Because of the large number of RFP requests, USTDA cannot respond to requests for fax verification. Requests for RFPs received before 4:00 PM will be mailed the same day. Requests received after 4:00 PM will be mailed the following day. Please check with your courier and/or mail room before calling USTDA. Only U.S. firms and individuals may bid on this USTDA financed activity. Interested firms, their subcontractors and employees of all participants must qualify under USTDA's nationality requirements as of the due date for submission of qualifications and proposals and, if selected to carry out the USTDA-financed activity, must continue to meet such requirements throughout the duration of the USTDA-financed activity. All goods and services to be provided by the selected firm shall have their nationality, source and origin in the U.S. or host country. The U.S. firm may use subcontractors from the host country for up to 20 percent of the USTDA grant amount. Details of USTDA's nationality requirements and mandatory contract clauses are also included in the RFP. Interested U.S. firms should submit their Proposal in Spanish and English directly to the Grantee by 12:00pm local San Salvador, El Salvador time, August 23, 2004 at the above address. Evaluation criteria for the Proposal are included in the RFP. Price will not be a factor in contractor selection, and therefore, cost proposals should NOT be submitted. The Grantee reserves the right to reject any and/or all Proposals. The Grantee also reserves the right to contract with the selected firm for subsequent work related to the project. The Grantee is not bound to pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of Proposals.
- Record
- SN00628100-W 20040723/040721213010 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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