JOFOC_IR_BRAZIL_I200668_Redacted.pdf

PDF 451 KB Posted

Attached to
Standard Recovery - Brazil (Follow-on)
Solicitation number
83310126Q0024
Issued by

About this file

This is a Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition document issued by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank), Office of Contracting Services, located at 811 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20571.

EXIM Bank intends to award a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) purchase order to Varella & Advogados Associados for legal recovery services to collect outstanding amounts owed to EXIM Bank by obligors/buyers and guarantors. The contractor will provide all professional services including labor, materials, postage, tools, travel, supervision, and incur expenses necessary to undertake asset searches, site visits, negotiations, litigation, documentation of agreements, and asset embargoes and execution. The contractor will perform non-personal services necessary for collection on EXIM Bank's claim I200668 and provide credit restructuring services to EXIM Bank's Recoveries Group, Asset Management Division, involving a debtor and guarantor(s) located in Brazil. The estimated contract value is redacted, with a five-year performance period. The solicitation authority cited is FAR 6.302-1 (Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements).

EXIM Bank determined that Varella & Advogados Associados is the only firm capable of providing these services due to its seasoned recovery expertise, commercial legal expertise, understanding of EXIM Bank's activities and compliance with U.S. government guidelines, and decades of litigation experience in Brazil. The firm has managed Case I200668 since its inception under order 83310121P0040 (expiring 7/11/2026) and is fully registered as a practicing attorney in the Brazilian judicial system. The Contracting Officer determined the anticipated cost is fair and reasonable based on prior experience with the contractor and comparison to rates assessed by similar firms in comparable jurisdictions. Market research confirmed the services are commercial in nature and that no other firms possess similar knowledge of EXIM Bank's transactions and legal experience in Brazil. EXIM Bank has utilized Varella & Advogados Associados services since 2003.

View the file

Other files

File Type Posted
PWS_IR_Brazil_I200668_Redacted.pdf PDF

On GovTribe

Work with this file

  • Download the original file
  • Contacts named in this file
  • Similar government files
  • Ask GovTribe AI about this file

Text version

Ver: May 2017 future requirements does not constitute appropriate use of the unusual and compelling urgency statutory authority.

(x ) (1) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements per FAR 6.302-1;

( ) (2) Unusual and Compelling Urgency per FAR 6.302-2;

( ) (3) Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert Services per FAR 6.302-3;

( ) (4) International Agreement per FAR 6.302-4 ( ) (5) Authorized or Required by Statute FAR 6.302-5;

( ) (6) National Security per FAR 6.302-6;

( ) (7) Public Interest per FAR 6.302-7;

5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority):

The Contract action involves collecting on EXIM Bank’s claim in a foreign country. It is imperative to hire local counsel in Brazil where the claim is to be litigated with experience in: locating assets, especially potential hidden assets,, and embargoing and executing upon such assets; drafting and negotiating restructuring agreements appropriate for debtors of the type in this matter; and litigating the collection matter in all levels of courts throughout the debtor’s country. It is also imperative that the local counsel have experience handling collection matters of this sort on behalf of foreign entities, and especially foreign government entities such as EXIM Bank, because such representation often raises issues and creates legal risks for the foreign government entity. These risks include the risk of countersuits, referrals for criminal prosecution, and withholding tax questions. Additionally, it is imperative to hire local counsel that is familiar with EXIM Bank’s policies and procedures, handling of funds, facilitation of payments, and fraud.

The firm Varella & Advogados Associados is uniquely qualified to pursue this case in the Brazil due to the seasoned recovery expertise, accompanied by commercial legal expertise, blended with a full understanding of EXIM Bank’s activities, collection processes, rules, and regulations that comply with the U.S. government guidelines. Varella & Advogados Associados will not require a familiarization period or training prior to immediately commencing performance of the Performance Work Statement. Accordingly, Varella & Advogados Associados is the only firm capable of providing the services described in Section 3 above without EXIM Bank experiencing duplication of cost for familiarization/training nor unacceptable delays in fulfilling its requirements.

The law firm Varella & Advogados Associados was assigned Case I200668 under order 83310121P0040, which expires on 7/11/2026. Varella & Advogados Associados is the local counsel that has managed these claims for EXIM Bank since its inception, and the firm is fully familiar with the case. The introduction of another party would require EXIM Bank to take risks of poor or inadequate execution that would be presented by an unfamiliar party, regardless of qualifications.

The litigation is fully authorized by EXIM Bank’s Office of the General Counsel, which was previously empowered under this new purchase to undertake such legal action. Varella & Advogados Associados has been involved in litigations of this nature for several decades and is fully registered as practicing attorney duly recognized and registered in the Brazilian judicial system.

Ver: May 2017

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable:

In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 3304, EXIM Bank has sought to identify as many potential sources as practicable under the circumstances. The specialized knowledge required to minimize the risks and maximize the chances of success in EXIM Bank’s executing its rights under the Finance Documents and the need for confidentiality limits the likelihood of identifying multiple firms possessing the requisite skill set.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable

The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government for the supplies/services covered by the Justification will be fair and reasonable based upon prior experience with this Contractor, comparison to rates and collection percentages assessed by similar firms in the same and similar jurisdictions, and by review of published public rates publicly available.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted:

AMD confirmed that the types of services to be undertaken by the Contractor are commercial in nature. These services are provided to private and public sector entities without distinction. EXIM Bank has worked with Varella & Advogados Associados on several heavily structured EXIM Bank transactions and demonstrated a high degree of competence in the advisory/documentary role. A review of legal support for EXIM Bank indicated that Varella & Advogados Associados is uniquely positioned to provide the services required for this instance. No other firms were identified that possess similar knowledge of EXIM Bank, its transactions and legal experience with this transaction situated in Brazil. EXIM Bank has been utilizing Varella & Advogados Associados services since 2003 and is satisfied with the services being provided.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition:

Varella & Advogados Associados provides seasoned collection specialist(s) who have been involved both in the private and public sectors of Brazil. In addition, the firm is fully cognizant of the process of litigation within Brazilian courts.

10. Listing of Sources Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: NA

11. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency may take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required:

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, EXIM Bank has no plan at this time to compete future contracts for the types of services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, the Agency will assess whether competition exists.

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .