Notice of Intent to modify contract #72026321C00002 TRADE/Palladium

The United States Agency for International Development in Egypt (USAID/Egypt) intends to modify contract #72026321C00002, the Trade Reform and Development in Egypt (TRADE) activity implemented by Palladium International, LLC (Palladium). The purpose of the modification is to: (1) increase the contract Total Estimated Cost (TEC) by up to $33,000,000, from the current $36,300,000 to $69,300,000; (2) expand the scope of activities under the contract; and (3) extend the current period of performance and completion date specified in the contract (April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2026) by thirty-six months to March 31, 2029.

The statutory authority permitting this award without providing full and open competition is AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(5), based on the authority provided by 40 U.S.C. 113(e)(2)), provides an exception to full and open competition when it would impair or otherwise have an adverse effect on programs conducted for the purposes of foreign aid, relief, and rehabilitation.

So far, Palladium completed its delivery requirements under the existing TRADE contract #72026321C00002. With this extension, USAID intends to modify the contract’s scope of work by  enhancing the five areas specified below across the project’s three Results:

Result 1:

• Expand two areas of technical assistance to Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): Corporate Governance and low carbon supply chains. 
• Expand SME exporters’ access to the U.S. market specifically through the U.S. Africa Trade Desk, a Prosper Africa presidential initiative. 

Result 2:

• Institutionalize trade-related services provided by public, private, and quasi-public trade support institutions (TSIs) to exporters, including several initiatives being launched through TRADE that shift USAID-provided assistance to local players.

Result 3:

• Institutionalize policy reform, particularly in areas related to trade policy, trade facilitation, and food safety, building on current momentum, networks, trust, and credibility generated among key senior officials and Ministers. The TRADE activity will provide a cadre of highly skilled consultants who could be embedded in the concerned Agencies/Ministries to offer invaluable insights into key reform priorities and effective implementation strategies.   

Cross Cutting:

• Expand digital transformation, including through newly available and evolving AI tools to SMEs, TSIs, and key government agencies involved in trade facilitation.

Please refer any questions to:

Matthew Courtad, Contracting Officer, at mcourtad@usaid.gov

Nehal Elkhatib, Administrative Contracting Officer, at nelkhatib@usaid.gov 

Seham Gries, A&A Specialist, at sgries@usaid.gov