This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared per the format in Subpart 12, as supplemented with additional information included this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number INL 0AAE-071907 is a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Government intends to award a firm, fixed price contract for a study to evaluate the progress of the ASEAN Member Countries in achieving the goal of a Drug-Free ASEAN by 2015. ASEAN Cooperation Project Background, problem analysis and justification Within ASEAN illicit drugs have long been an issue of concern. Through concerted, collective and conscientious efforts by Governments and various sectors, success has been achieved in a number of areas. Illicit opium production has been significantly reduced, with most countries in the region now declared opium-free. Despite these successes, taking further actions on illicit drugs remain a regional challenge given the evidence indicating that illicit drug production and consumption patterns are changing. The illicit manufacture of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS), particularly methamphetamine, is increasing and consumer markets expanding. Data suggest that clandestine manufacture of ATS is moving from East Asia to parts of Southeast Asia. Shifting abuse patterns are evident, and intravenous drug use remains relatively high in the region, reflected in the increasing HIV/AIDS infection rate. ASEAN Foreign Ministers, at the 31st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in July 1998, signed the Joint Declaration for a Drug-Free ASEAN by 2015 that affirmed the Association?s commitment to eradicate illicit drugs in Southeast Asia. At the 33rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in July 2000, Governments reiterated their concerns ?on the threat from drug abuse and drug trafficking on the security and stability of the ASEAN region? and agreed to advance the target year for realizing a drug-free ASEAN to 2015. With less than eight years before the expiry of this target date, serious concerns remain about the achievability of the expected timeline. Statement of Work The Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the U.S. Department of State (hereinafter Government) has a requirement for a study to evaluate the progress of the ASEAN Member Countries in achieving the goal of a Drug-Free ASEAN by 2015, focusing on synthetic drugs. The Government intends to award a firm, fixed price contract for this requirement. The requirement seeks to clearly identify through a report, the progress in reaching a drug-free status and to highlight the continuing challenges faced by the region, particularly from synthetic drugs. While there is debate over what ?drug-free? implies, there is consensus, regardless of definition, that much remain to be done. The Contractor will be responsible for providing a report with analyzed information which shall include an evidence-based analysis of regional data and national and regional responses. In addition a series of recommendations shall also be formulated and included in the report. In order to utilize regional capacity and expertise from within the UN system, the assistance of UNODC Regional Centre for East Asia and the Pacific will be sought and incorporated. Because illicit drugs are a regional concern, the scope of the project will focus on how the above mentioned challenges affect ASEAN as a whole. While national concerns are of importance, the varying levels of capacity to deal with the issues as well as the existing knowledge regarding the problem warrant a regional overview which will clearly identify gaps in responses. The results of the project will be owned by the ASEAN Secretariat and the recommendations provided in the resulting report will contribute towards responses. It is expected that, based on the analysis and recommendations emerging from the project, a series of actions will be put in motion to address primary concerns. The primary deliverables/objectives: ? A 2001 baseline information on synthetic drug usage and production in ASEAN, including ASEAN?s achievements and challenges so far in reaching the Drug-Free ASEAN 2015 ? A set of recommendation on the strategies to be taken to achieve the Drug-Free ASEAN 2015 The contractor will be responsible for the following in order to achieve the objectives of this project: An overview of the regional situation in terms of synthetic drug manufacture, production, trafficking and abuse Activities 1.1 Complete documentation review from all relevant sources at national, region and international levels. ? analyze data trends on illicit drug manufacture, production, trafficking and abuse; ? analyze data trends on precursor chemicals, their production, importation, exportation, and diversion, particularly in light of the ASEAN Single-Window Initiative; ? review tracking mechanisms for precursor chemicals; ? review law enforcement activities to suppress the supply of illicit drugs, and efforts to curtail the spread of clandestine laboratories producing synthetic drugs; ? review implementation of alternative development for illicit crops replacement; ? Assess sufficiency of programmes on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration activities and services for demand reduction. 1.2 On location assessments in counties where existing documentation is insufficient or where clear gaps in information or knowledge are evident. Visit relevant ASEAN Member Countries to obtain data and information required for the review and consult with relevant officials to identify country achievements and challenges. 1.3 Discuss with ASEAN Secretariat the linkage between ASEAN Development Vision to Advance National Cooperation and Economic Integration (ADVANCE) and the output of this study, Presentation of assessments and recommendations for ASEAN Member Countries Based on the overview, the contractor shall provide an analysis on how best to address the issue of illicit drug demand and supply reductions at the ASEAN regional level. At the ASEAN regional level, recommendations on region-wide strategies shall be recommended, be it through establishing regional frameworks on law enforcement, new strategies in civic awareness, new areas for research and development, innovative crop substitution strategies or any other strategies deemed appropriate. Setting-up of country benchmarks based on progress in combating illicit drug usage and production so far will be used as a basis for future assessment. Based on current progress in Member Countries, a series of recommendations will be developed for individual national responses in achieving a drug-free ASEAN by 2015. Activities 2.1 Present results of assessment and policy recommendations at the ASOD and ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Trans-National Crime (AMMTC) to be held in 2007; 2.2 Organize and facilitate a workshop for all drug control agencies to discuss, and devise responses to the recommendation of the report and identify implementation and monitoring modalities via the regional frameworks of ASOD and ACCORD. The following list is an initial list of documents to be reviewed. This list is not conclusive and it is likely other documentation will be included in the review. ? National Drug Reports (as produced and printed by the relevant drug agencies) ? UNODC East Asia and the Pacific Regional Profile 2006 ? UNODC Country Profiles for Cambodia, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Indonesia and Myanmar ? Patterns and Trends of ATS and Other Drugs of Abuse in East Asia the Pacific 2003, 2004, 2005 ? Towards A Drug-Free ASEAN and China: Assessing ACCORD Progress 2000-2005 ? ACCORD Annual Report 2004, 2005, 2006 ? UNAIDS Annual Report 2006 ? ASOD Meeting Reports Meeting, consultations on-site visits: It is expected that a number of visits to selected countries will take place over the first part of the project. In addition, a number of meetings and consultation must also take place in order to include current information into the final report. Instructions to Offerors Interested offerors shall provide a complete technical proposal with a description, in sufficient detail for the Government to evaluate, the methodology to meet the Government's requirement as well as the key personnel who will perform the work. The technical proposal shall contain the offeror?s corporate capabilities for completing the Government's requirement as well past performance information on similar requirements with contact information. Pricing shall be firm, fixed price and travel will be a cost reimbursable line item. Travel is to be at the prevailing Government rates for the area to which travel is performed. Delivery of the report shall by 0800 hours EST, December 1, 2007, with an electronic copy (MS-Word or PDF format) and a paper copy to the point of contact indicated below. Evaluation Criteria The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforms to the solicitation and is the most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. For this acquisition, technical capability is significantly more important that price. The evaluation factors used in this solicitation will be rated acceptable/unacceptable. An unacceptable rating on any factor will be cause to remove the offeror from further consideration. All technically acceptable, responsible offerors will be placed in the competitive range and total price will be the deciding factor. The following is a breakout of the evaluation factors: a. Technical Understanding/Personnel: Vendors shall provide an overview of the capabilities, experience and staff related to this requirement. Vendors shall provide clear evidence of their understanding of the requirement and their methodology for meeting the requirement. Samples of public information literature shall be submitted. b. Personnel: Vendors shall provide r?sum?s of key personnel. Key personnel must have the experience, education and qualifications to fulfill the requirements under the proposed contract. c. Corporate Experience: Vendor shall provide information regarding their corporate capabilities in meeting the requirements of the Statement of Work. d. Past Performance: Vendors shall provide past performance references for work on similar projects, including (as permitted), but not limited to, samples or excerpts of work done or being done for international organizations like ASEAN or for the Government. References shall include name, address, telephone/fax numbers and email addresses. Questions shall be submitted to the Contract Specialist no later than 1300 hours EDT, Wednesday, 31 October 2007. Point of Contact is Brian Schoellkopf, Contract Specialist, 202-776-8588; email: [email protected]. This RFQ closes at 1600 hours EDT, 01 November 2007.

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