Notice of Intent for Other than Full and Open Competition

Notice ID: 72048220C00002 Investing in Independent Media (IIM)

Notice Type: Special Notice

Agency: US Agency for International Development (USAID)

Office: Office of Acquisition and Assistance

Location: USAID/Burma

USAID intends to negotiate a non-competitive, ceiling increase and 12-month extension to contract number 72048220C00002 for the Investing in Independent Media (IIM) with Internews Network. This contract was awarded using full and open competition on August 11, 2020, with an end date of August 10, 2024.

This cost increase and time extension will enable the contractor to expand training of and support for citizen journalists, increase grants under contract to continue providing core operational support to both national and regional/ethnic media outlets, sustain the fellowship program, conduct and share audience and market research, and provide emergency assistance to journalists under direct threat. The estimated value for individual tasks will vary, however the sum of $4 million reflects USAID’s available funding to support expanded services in existing activity areas as well as associated administration and management costs.

USAID/Burma intends to negotiate with only one source (Internews Network) under the authority of AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(5), which permits “award for the continued provision of highly specialized services when award to another resource would result in substantial additional costs to the Government or would result in unacceptable delays”. The expansion will include an increase to the Total Estimated Cost (TEC) of the contract by an estimated $4,000,000 and 12-month extension of the period of performance until August 10, 2025.

This is not a request for proposals. However, the Government may consider all expressions of interest received within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date of publication of this notice. A determination not to compete this proposed follow-on contract based upon responses to this notice, if any, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information or responses received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Therefore, any responses to this notice must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to USAID and would not hinder USAID/Burma objectives.

Please direct any responses to this notice to Ms. Elizabeth Colarik, Contracting Officer, at ecolarik@usaid.gov, with a copy to Ms. Nalinee Wichetthumsak, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, at nwichetthumsak@usaid.gov.

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