Notice of Intent to Award a Contract Modification Using Other Than Full and Open Competition Strategic Economic Research an Analysis (SERA) Program

The United States Agency for International Development's Mission in Zimbabwe (USAID/Zimbabwe) intends to award a contract modification to Nathan Associates for continued provision of strategic technical and capacity building support under the Strategic Economic Research and Analysis (SERA) Program. The modification will provide a 12-month extension of these services at an expected cost of $1.23 million, which does not increase the total estimated cost (TEC) of $12,793,623 for AID-C-11-00001, awarded October 1, 2011. The $1.23 million in funding provided by the modification will be applied to CLIN 01 (Management and Administration) and CLIN 02 (Technical Services).

The goal of the SERA Program in Zimbabwe is to support improved economic policy analysis; strengthen capacity of Government of Zimbabwe economists; improve the quality and timeliness of economic statistics; and improve dissemination and public-private discussion of economic policy research. Through the SERA project, USAID in partnership with civil society organizations and local think tanks has improved evidence, analysis and dialogue on some of the country's most critical economic governance and policy issues, including:

•·         mining policy and mineral revenue transparency and governance;

•·         corruption and the business/investment climate;

•·         financial sector stability and oversight;

•·         tourism policy;

•·         monetary and currency regime policies;

•·         employment and workforce policies; and

•·         competitiveness regulations and policies.

 Authority permitting other than Full and Open Competition is AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(5). A competitive process for delivery of these highly specialized services for a 12-month period would result in both substantial additional costs and unacceptable delays in U.S. ability to influence evolving economic policy and regulatory developments in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, the SERA Program offers specialized and high-quality international expertise not available locally. Nathan Associates possesses unique capabilities to deliver these services given its recent experience and highly skilled team in Zimbabwe and its place as a global economic consulting firm able to attract the highest quality expertise.

Award of the contract modification is planned for September 30, 2015.

Interested organizations may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract modification based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.