Performance Assessment of the Effectiveness of DFC Loan Portfolio Guaranties in Increasing Access to Agriculture Enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa – Draft SOW, RFI, and sources sought

UPDATE (12/22/23): A new iteration of the interested vendors list (IVL) is attached.

________________

UPDATE (12/15/23): A new iteration of the interested vendors list (IVL) is attached.

________________

UPDATE (12/08/23): The first iteration of the interested vendors list (IVL) is attached.

________________

A. Introduction

This special notice includes a draft statement of work (SOW), request for information (RFI), and sources sought notice. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) seeks industry input for an upcoming solicitation for the services of a consultant to conduct a development impact performance assessment of the effectiveness of DFC's Loan Portfolio Guaranties (LPG) in increasing access to finance to agriculture-focused small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in sub-Saharan Africa (“LPG Ag Portfolio”).

B. Background

As the U.S. Government's development finance agency, DFC mobilizes U.S. private capital to help solve critical development challenges while advancing U.S. foreign policy interests. DFC works with the U.S. private sector to help gain footholds in emerging markets, catalyzing revenues, jobs, and growth opportunities at home and abroad. DFC achieves its mission by providing investors with financing, loan guarantees, political risk insurance, support for private equity investment funds, and direct equity investments.

DFC’s Office of Development Policy (ODP) works to ensure DFC’s projects produce positive developmental impacts, apply best practices with respect to environmental and social safeguards, and respect human rights, including worker rights.

DFC’s ODP seeks the services of an independent consultant to conduct an analysis of the performance of DFC’s LPG Ag Portfolio in increasing access to finance. DFC partners with local financial institutions by creating loan guaranty facilities to help de-risk historically underbanked agriculture-focused enterprises with the ultimate goal of increasing lending activities in the sector. 

However, DFC’s standard metrics do not fully capture the potential impact LPGs have in influencing its partner financial institutions in their overall portfolio growth, strategic direction, product and service development, and risk appetite in the agriculture sector. This portfolio assessment aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ten “mature” LPGs in nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa in increasing access to credit to ag-focused SMEs and provide DFC with recommendations on how to better identify, analyze, and monitor the key factors that drive positive outcomes.

The scope of the analysis will primarily focus on LPGs with local commercial banks that support lending to SMEs, rather than the microfinance sector. The conclusions derived from the analysis will also provide recommendations on how DFC’s LPG tool can be more effectively utilized to contribute to United States Agency for International Development (USAID) mission priorities, the U.S. Government’s Feed the Future program, and the host government’s development priorities.

C. Draft statement of work

Attached is the draft statement of work for this requirement. DFC welcomes industry questions and feedback on this document.

D. Request for information

In addition to questions and feedback on the draft statement of work, the following information is requested from prospective vendors:

1. What is a rough estimate or range of your price to provide these services? Please note that any pricing estimate submitted will not be binding on the vendor in any future solicitation, impact the vendor’s ability to participate in a future solicitation, or impact DFC’s evaluation of a vendor’s quote submitted in response to a future solicitation.
2. What additional data, if any, you would need beyond what is currently provided in the draft statement of work to submit a quote?
3. How would you intend to conduct engagements with DFC’s partner financial intermediaries in sub-Saharan Africa? Do you have a presence in the region? Would you propose for contractor personnel to travel to the region?
4. Would you want this requirement solicited on a specific contract vehicle (e.g., Federal Supply Schedules, OASIS governmentwide multiple award contracts)?
5. Assuming a period of performance start date in mid-February 2024, how long would you estimate that it would take you to complete this work?
6. Excluding travel, which would be reimbursed at-cost, what contract type would you prefer for this requirement? Would a firm-fixed-price contact type be suitable?

E. Sources sought

DFC seeks potential sources for this requirement, especially those with a presence in sub-Saharan Africa. Prospective vendors, including prospective sub-contractors, are encouraged to identify themselves as interested parties and submit a copy of their capability statement. Please indicate if your company is a small business concern.

The successful vendor is expected to possess (1) a strong expertise assessing the development impact of investments made by development finance institutions, such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), British International Investment (BII), the Dutch development bank FMO, and IDB Invest, and (2) a strong expertise in the financial services sector in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on the agriculture sector. Vendors should have at least five years’ experience in conducting development impact performance assessments that result in actionable recommendations.

F. Interested vendors list

DFC is assembling an interested vendors list (IVL) for this requirement to facilitate industry awareness of potential prime contractors and subcontractors. If you would like your company to appear on this list, please indicate so in your response and provide some or all of the following information:

1. Company/organization name.
2. Point of contact name.
3. Point of contact job title.
4. Point of contact e-mail address.
5. Interest in serving as a prime contractor, subcontractor, or either.

DFC will periodically post updated IVL’s to this SAM.gov notice, as well as post the IVL with the anticipated solicitation. There is no requirement to appear on the IVL to submit a quote.

G. Anticipated solicitation

DFC anticipates issuing a solicitation on or about January 10, 2024.

A two-phase competition is presently planned. Phase One would require vendors to submit a brief statement of their capabilities and relevant experience (and those of their proposed subcontractors, if any), as well as past performance references. Based on this evaluation, DFC contemplates conducting a downselect to only the most highly qualified vendors.

In Phase Two, vendors remaining in the competition will be required to provide an oral presentation addressing their approach to this requirement and a price quote.

Following Phase Two, DFC contemplates the award of a single purchase order to the successful vendor. The period of performance is anticipated to start on February 16, 2024.

DFC welcomes industry feedback on this planned solicitation process and timeline.

H. Submitting information to DFC

Information provided in response to this notice must be submitted electronically to Joshua Houston, Contract Specialist, at Joshua.Houston@dfc.gov. Please reference “Performance Assessment of the LPG Ag Portfolio” in your e-mail.

Information may be submitted in the body of an e-mail or in documents attached to an e-mail. For questions or feedback to the draft statement of work, respondents are encouraged to submit a copy of the draft statement of work with “red-lined” edits and comments using the Microsoft Word track changes tool. An editable Microsoft Word copy of the draft statement of work is attached to this notice.

Respondents need not address all aspects of this notice in their submission.

Submission of information to DFC is requested no later than Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 4:30pm Eastern time. Questions and feedback received after this date and time may not be considered.

I. Disclaimer

This notice does not constitute a solicitation or a promise of a solicitation in the future. This notice is being provided for planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreements. No entitlement or payment of direct or indirect costs or charges will arise as a result of submission of responses to this notice.

DFC will not accept proposals in response to this notice. No awards will be made in response to this notice.

Responses to this notice are voluntary and will not affect any vendor's ability to submit a proposal or quote if or when a formal solicitation is released. Proprietary information shall not be submitted in response to this notice. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information.

UPDATE (12/15/23): A new iteration of the interested vendors list (IVL) is attached.

________________

UPDATE (12/08/23): The first iteration of the interested vendors list (IVL) is attached.

________________

A. Introduction

This special notice includes a draft statement of work (SOW), request for information (RFI), and sources sought notice. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) seeks industry input for an upcoming solicitation for the services of a consultant to conduct a development impact performance assessment of the effectiveness of DFC's Loan Portfolio Guaranties (LPG) in increasing access to finance to agriculture-focused small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in sub-Saharan Africa (“LPG Ag Portfolio”).

B. Background

As the U.S. Government's development finance agency, DFC mobilizes U.S. private capital to help solve critical development challenges while advancing U.S. foreign policy interests. DFC works with the U.S. private sector to help gain footholds in emerging markets, catalyzing revenues, jobs, and growth opportunities at home and abroad. DFC achieves its mission by providing investors with financing, loan guarantees, political risk insurance, support for private equity investment funds, and direct equity investments.

DFC’s Office of Development Policy (ODP) works to ensure DFC’s projects produce positive developmental impacts, apply best practices with respect to environmental and social safeguards, and respect human rights, including worker rights.

DFC’s ODP seeks the services of an independent consultant to conduct an analysis of the performance of DFC’s LPG Ag Portfolio in increasing access to finance. DFC partners with local financial institutions by creating loan guaranty facilities to help de-risk historically underbanked agriculture-focused enterprises with the ultimate goal of increasing lending activities in the sector. 

However, DFC’s standard metrics do not fully capture the potential impact LPGs have in influencing its partner financial institutions in their overall portfolio growth, strategic direction, product and service development, and risk appetite in the agriculture sector. This portfolio assessment aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ten “mature” LPGs in nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa in increasing access to credit to ag-focused SMEs and provide DFC with recommendations on how to better identify, analyze, and monitor the key factors that drive positive outcomes.

The scope of the analysis will primarily focus on LPGs with local commercial banks that support lending to SMEs, rather than the microfinance sector. The conclusions derived from the analysis will also provide recommendations on how DFC’s LPG tool can be more effectively utilized to contribute to United States Agency for International Development (USAID) mission priorities, the U.S. Government’s Feed the Future program, and the host government’s development priorities.

C. Draft statement of work

Attached is the draft statement of work for this requirement. DFC welcomes industry questions and feedback on this document.

D. Request for information

In addition to questions and feedback on the draft statement of work, the following information is requested from prospective vendors:

1. What is a rough estimate or range of your price to provide these services? Please note that any pricing estimate submitted will not be binding on the vendor in any future solicitation, impact the vendor’s ability to participate in a future solicitation, or impact DFC’s evaluation of a vendor’s quote submitted in response to a future solicitation.
2. What additional data, if any, you would need beyond what is currently provided in the draft statement of work to submit a quote?
3. How would you intend to conduct engagements with DFC’s partner financial intermediaries in sub-Saharan Africa? Do you have a presence in the region? Would you propose for contractor personnel to travel to the region?
4. Would you want this requirement solicited on a specific contract vehicle (e.g., Federal Supply Schedules, OASIS governmentwide multiple award contracts)?
5. Assuming a period of performance start date in mid-February 2024, how long would you estimate that it would take you to complete this work?
6. Excluding travel, which would be reimbursed at-cost, what contract type would you prefer for this requirement? Would a firm-fixed-price contact type be suitable?

E. Sources sought

DFC seeks potential sources for this requirement, especially those with a presence in sub-Saharan Africa. Prospective vendors, including prospective sub-contractors, are encouraged to identify themselves as interested parties and submit a copy of their capability statement. Please indicate if your company is a small business concern.

The successful vendor is expected to possess (1) a strong expertise assessing the development impact of investments made by development finance institutions, such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), British International Investment (BII), the Dutch development bank FMO, and IDB Invest, and (2) a strong expertise in the financial services sector in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on the agriculture sector. Vendors should have at least five years’ experience in conducting development impact performance assessments that result in actionable recommendations.

F. Interested vendors list

DFC is assembling an interested vendors list (IVL) for this requirement to facilitate industry awareness of potential prime contractors and subcontractors. If you would like your company to appear on this list, please indicate so in your response and provide some or all of the following information:

1. Company/organization name.
2. Point of contact name.
3. Point of contact job title.
4. Point of contact e-mail address.
5. Interest in serving as a prime contractor, subcontractor, or either.

DFC will periodically post updated IVL’s to this SAM.gov notice, as well as post the IVL with the anticipated solicitation. There is no requirement to appear on the IVL to submit a quote.

G. Anticipated solicitation

DFC anticipates issuing a solicitation on or about January 10, 2024.

A two-phase competition is presently planned. Phase One would require vendors to submit a brief statement of their capabilities and relevant experience (and those of their proposed subcontractors, if any), as well as past performance references. Based on this evaluation, DFC contemplates conducting a downselect to only the most highly qualified vendors.

In Phase Two, vendors remaining in the competition will be required to provide an oral presentation addressing their approach to this requirement and a price quote.

Following Phase Two, DFC contemplates the award of a single purchase order to the successful vendor. The period of performance is anticipated to start on February 16, 2024.

DFC welcomes industry feedback on this planned solicitation process and timeline.

H. Submitting information to DFC

Information provided in response to this notice must be submitted electronically to Joshua Houston, Contract Specialist, at Joshua.Houston@dfc.gov. Please reference “Performance Assessment of the LPG Ag Portfolio” in your e-mail.

Information may be submitted in the body of an e-mail or in documents attached to an e-mail. For questions or feedback to the draft statement of work, respondents are encouraged to submit a copy of the draft statement of work with “red-lined” edits and comments using the Microsoft Word track changes tool. An editable Microsoft Word copy of the draft statement of work is attached to this notice.

Respondents need not address all aspects of this notice in their submission.

Submission of information to DFC is requested no later than Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 4:30pm Eastern time. Questions and feedback received after this date and time may not be considered.

I. Disclaimer

This notice does not constitute a solicitation or a promise of a solicitation in the future. This notice is being provided for planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreements. No entitlement or payment of direct or indirect costs or charges will arise as a result of submission of responses to this notice.

DFC will not accept proposals in response to this notice. No awards will be made in response to this notice.

Responses to this notice are voluntary and will not affect any vendor's ability to submit a proposal or quote if or when a formal solicitation is released. Proprietary information shall not be submitted in response to this notice. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information.

UPDATE (12/08/23): The first iteration of the interested vendors list (IVL) is attached.

________________

A. Introduction

This special notice includes a draft statement of work (SOW), request for information (RFI), and sources sought notice. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) seeks industry input for an upcoming solicitation for the services of a consultant to conduct a development impact performance assessment of the effectiveness of DFC's Loan Portfolio Guaranties (LPG) in increasing access to finance to agriculture-focused small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in sub-Saharan Africa (“LPG Ag Portfolio”).

B. Background

As the U.S. Government's development finance agency, DFC mobilizes U.S. private capital to help solve critical development challenges while advancing U.S. foreign policy interests. DFC works with the U.S. private sector to help gain footholds in emerging markets, catalyzing revenues, jobs, and growth opportunities at home and abroad. DFC achieves its mission by providing investors with financing, loan guarantees, political risk insurance, support for private equity investment funds, and direct equity investments.

DFC’s Office of Development Policy (ODP) works to ensure DFC’s projects produce positive developmental impacts, apply best practices with respect to environmental and social safeguards, and respect human rights, including worker rights.

DFC’s ODP seeks the services of an independent consultant to conduct an analysis of the performance of DFC’s LPG Ag Portfolio in increasing access to finance. DFC partners with local financial institutions by creating loan guaranty facilities to help de-risk historically underbanked agriculture-focused enterprises with the ultimate goal of increasing lending activities in the sector. 

However, DFC’s standard metrics do not fully capture the potential impact LPGs have in influencing its partner financial institutions in their overall portfolio growth, strategic direction, product and service development, and risk appetite in the agriculture sector. This portfolio assessment aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ten “mature” LPGs in nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa in increasing access to credit to ag-focused SMEs and provide DFC with recommendations on how to better identify, analyze, and monitor the key factors that drive positive outcomes.

The scope of the analysis will primarily focus on LPGs with local commercial banks that support lending to SMEs, rather than the microfinance sector. The conclusions derived from the analysis will also provide recommendations on how DFC’s LPG tool can be more effectively utilized to contribute to United States Agency for International Development (USAID) mission priorities, the U.S. Government’s Feed the Future program, and the host government’s development priorities.

C. Draft statement of work

Attached is the draft statement of work for this requirement. DFC welcomes industry questions and feedback on this document.

D. Request for information

In addition to questions and feedback on the draft statement of work, the following information is requested from prospective vendors:

1. What is a rough estimate or range of your price to provide these services? Please note that any pricing estimate submitted will not be binding on the vendor in any future solicitation, impact the vendor’s ability to participate in a future solicitation, or impact DFC’s evaluation of a vendor’s quote submitted in response to a future solicitation.
2. What additional data, if any, you would need beyond what is currently provided in the draft statement of work to submit a quote?
3. How would you intend to conduct engagements with DFC’s partner financial intermediaries in sub-Saharan Africa? Do you have a presence in the region? Would you propose for contractor personnel to travel to the region?
4. Would you want this requirement solicited on a specific contract vehicle (e.g., Federal Supply Schedules, OASIS governmentwide multiple award contracts)?
5. Assuming a period of performance start date in mid-February 2024, how long would you estimate that it would take you to complete this work?
6. Excluding travel, which would be reimbursed at-cost, what contract type would you prefer for this requirement? Would a firm-fixed-price contact type be suitable?

E. Sources sought

DFC seeks potential sources for this requirement, especially those with a presence in sub-Saharan Africa. Prospective vendors, including prospective sub-contractors, are encouraged to identify themselves as interested parties and submit a copy of their capability statement. Please indicate if your company is a small business concern.

The successful vendor is expected to possess (1) a strong expertise assessing the development impact of investments made by development finance institutions, such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), British International Investment (BII), the Dutch development bank FMO, and IDB Invest, and (2) a strong expertise in the financial services sector in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on the agriculture sector. Vendors should have at least five years’ experience in conducting development impact performance assessments that result in actionable recommendations.

F. Interested vendors list

DFC is assembling an interested vendors list (IVL) for this requirement to facilitate industry awareness of potential prime contractors and subcontractors. If you would like your company to appear on this list, please indicate so in your response and provide some or all of the following information:

1. Company/organization name.
2. Point of contact name.
3. Point of contact job title.
4. Point of contact e-mail address.
5. Interest in serving as a prime contractor, subcontractor, or either.

DFC will periodically post updated IVL’s to this SAM.gov notice, as well as post the IVL with the anticipated solicitation. There is no requirement to appear on the IVL to submit a quote.

G. Anticipated solicitation

DFC anticipates issuing a solicitation on or about January 10, 2024.

A two-phase competition is presently planned. Phase One would require vendors to submit a brief statement of their capabilities and relevant experience (and those of their proposed subcontractors, if any), as well as past performance references. Based on this evaluation, DFC contemplates conducting a downselect to only the most highly qualified vendors.

In Phase Two, vendors remaining in the competition will be required to provide an oral presentation addressing their approach to this requirement and a price quote.

Following Phase Two, DFC contemplates the award of a single purchase order to the successful vendor. The period of performance is anticipated to start on February 16, 2024.

DFC welcomes industry feedback on this planned solicitation process and timeline.

H. Submitting information to DFC

Information provided in response to this notice must be submitted electronically to Joshua Houston, Contract Specialist, at Joshua.Houston@dfc.gov. Please reference “Performance Assessment of the LPG Ag Portfolio” in your e-mail.

Information may be submitted in the body of an e-mail or in documents attached to an e-mail. For questions or feedback to the draft statement of work, respondents are encouraged to submit a copy of the draft statement of work with “red-lined” edits and comments using the Microsoft Word track changes tool. An editable Microsoft Word copy of the draft statement of work is attached to this notice.

Respondents need not address all aspects of this notice in their submission.

Submission of information to DFC is requested no later than Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 4:30pm Eastern time. Questions and feedback received after this date and time may not be considered.

I. Disclaimer

This notice does not constitute a solicitation or a promise of a solicitation in the future. This notice is being provided for planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreements. No entitlement or payment of direct or indirect costs or charges will arise as a result of submission of responses to this notice.

DFC will not accept proposals in response to this notice. No awards will be made in response to this notice.

Responses to this notice are voluntary and will not affect any vendor's ability to submit a proposal or quote if or when a formal solicitation is released. Proprietary information shall not be submitted in response to this notice. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information.

A. Introduction

This special notice includes a draft statement of work (SOW), request for information (RFI), and sources sought notice. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) seeks industry input for an upcoming solicitation for the services of a consultant to conduct a development impact performance assessment of the effectiveness of DFC's Loan Portfolio Guaranties (LPG) in increasing access to finance to agriculture-focused small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in sub-Saharan Africa (“LPG Ag Portfolio”).

B. Background

As the U.S. Government's development finance agency, DFC mobilizes U.S. private capital to help solve critical development challenges while advancing U.S. foreign policy interests. DFC works with the U.S. private sector to help gain footholds in emerging markets, catalyzing revenues, jobs, and growth opportunities at home and abroad. DFC achieves its mission by providing investors with financing, loan guarantees, political risk insurance, support for private equity investment funds, and direct equity investments.

DFC’s Office of Development Policy (ODP) works to ensure DFC’s projects produce positive developmental impacts, apply best practices with respect to environmental and social safeguards, and respect human rights, including worker rights.

DFC’s ODP seeks the services of an independent consultant to conduct an analysis of the performance of DFC’s LPG Ag Portfolio in increasing access to finance. DFC partners with local financial institutions by creating loan guaranty facilities to help de-risk historically underbanked agriculture-focused enterprises with the ultimate goal of increasing lending activities in the sector. 

However, DFC’s standard metrics do not fully capture the potential impact LPGs have in influencing its partner financial institutions in their overall portfolio growth, strategic direction, product and service development, and risk appetite in the agriculture sector. This portfolio assessment aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ten “mature” LPGs in nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa in increasing access to credit to ag-focused SMEs and provide DFC with recommendations on how to better identify, analyze, and monitor the key factors that drive positive outcomes.

The scope of the analysis will primarily focus on LPGs with local commercial banks that support lending to SMEs, rather than the microfinance sector. The conclusions derived from the analysis will also provide recommendations on how DFC’s LPG tool can be more effectively utilized to contribute to United States Agency for International Development (USAID) mission priorities, the U.S. Government’s Feed the Future program, and the host government’s development priorities.

C. Draft statement of work

Attached is the draft statement of work for this requirement. DFC welcomes industry questions and feedback on this document.

D. Request for information

In addition to questions and feedback on the draft statement of work, the following information is requested from prospective vendors:

1. What is a rough estimate or range of your price to provide these services? Please note that any pricing estimate submitted will not be binding on the vendor in any future solicitation, impact the vendor’s ability to participate in a future solicitation, or impact DFC’s evaluation of a vendor’s quote submitted in response to a future solicitation.
2. What additional data, if any, you would need beyond what is currently provided in the draft statement of work to submit a quote?
3. How would you intend to conduct engagements with DFC’s partner financial intermediaries in sub-Saharan Africa? Do you have a presence in the region? Would you propose for contractor personnel to travel to the region?
4. Would you want this requirement solicited on a specific contract vehicle (e.g., Federal Supply Schedules, OASIS governmentwide multiple award contracts)?
5. Assuming a period of performance start date in mid-February 2024, how long would you estimate that it would take you to complete this work?
6. Excluding travel, which would be reimbursed at-cost, what contract type would you prefer for this requirement? Would a firm-fixed-price contact type be suitable?

E. Sources sought

DFC seeks potential sources for this requirement, especially those with a presence in sub-Saharan Africa. Prospective vendors, including prospective sub-contractors, are encouraged to identify themselves as interested parties and submit a copy of their capability statement. Please indicate if your company is a small business concern.

The successful vendor is expected to possess (1) a strong expertise assessing the development impact of investments made by development finance institutions, such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), British International Investment (BII), the Dutch development bank FMO, and IDB Invest, and (2) a strong expertise in the financial services sector in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on the agriculture sector. Vendors should have at least five years’ experience in conducting development impact performance assessments that result in actionable recommendations.

F. Interested vendors list

DFC is assembling an interested vendors list (IVL) for this requirement to facilitate industry awareness of potential prime contractors and subcontractors. If you would like your company to appear on this list, please indicate so in your response and provide some or all of the following information:

1. Company/organization name.
2. Point of contact name.
3. Point of contact job title.
4. Point of contact e-mail address.
5. Interest in serving as a prime contractor, subcontractor, or either.

DFC will periodically post updated IVL’s to this SAM.gov notice, as well as post the IVL with the anticipated solicitation. There is no requirement to appear on the IVL to submit a quote.

G. Anticipated solicitation

DFC anticipates issuing a solicitation on or about January 10, 2024.

A two-phase competition is presently planned. Phase One would require vendors to submit a brief statement of their capabilities and relevant experience (and those of their proposed subcontractors, if any), as well as past performance references. Based on this evaluation, DFC contemplates conducting a downselect to only the most highly qualified vendors.

In Phase Two, vendors remaining in the competition will be required to provide an oral presentation addressing their approach to this requirement and a price quote.

Following Phase Two, DFC contemplates the award of a single purchase order to the successful vendor. The period of performance is anticipated to start on February 16, 2024.

DFC welcomes industry feedback on this planned solicitation process and timeline.

H. Submitting information to DFC

Information provided in response to this notice must be submitted electronically to Joshua Houston, Contract Specialist, at Joshua.Houston@dfc.gov. Please reference “Performance Assessment of the LPG Ag Portfolio” in your e-mail.

Information may be submitted in the body of an e-mail or in documents attached to an e-mail. For questions or feedback to the draft statement of work, respondents are encouraged to submit a copy of the draft statement of work with “red-lined” edits and comments using the Microsoft Word track changes tool. An editable Microsoft Word copy of the draft statement of work is attached to this notice.

Respondents need not address all aspects of this notice in their submission.

Submission of information to DFC is requested no later than Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 4:30pm Eastern time. Questions and feedback received after this date and time may not be considered.

I. Disclaimer

This notice does not constitute a solicitation or a promise of a solicitation in the future. This notice is being provided for planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreements. No entitlement or payment of direct or indirect costs or charges will arise as a result of submission of responses to this notice.

DFC will not accept proposals in response to this notice. No awards will be made in response to this notice.

Responses to this notice are voluntary and will not affect any vendor's ability to submit a proposal or quote if or when a formal solicitation is released. Proprietary information shall not be submitted in response to this notice. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information.