USAID Awards Iraq Infrastructure II Contract
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2004-001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2004
Overview
On January 6, 2004 the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that it selected Bechtel National, Inc. for a series of extensive infrastructure projects in Iraq. Bechtel National, Inc. is teamed with Parsons of Pasadena, California. The contract will fund up to $1.8 billion in infrastructure projects. This contract for infrastructure reconstruction and rehabilitation work will begin immediately and extend through December 2005. The selection process utilized full and open competitive procedures, under the same standards that apply to all USAID procurement contracts, and is in full compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). These regulations require USAID to consider technical capability, previous experience, past performance and cost when selecting a contractor.
Award Process
USAID completed this contract selection utilizing full and open competitive selection procedures, in accordance with the FAR, Section 15. The procurement process for Iraq Infrastructure II was initiated in September; over the next three months the proposals were received and evaluated by career civil service procurement professionals, concluding in the selection of Bechtel National, Inc. as the prime contractor.
In October 2003 USAID published a request for proposals (RFP) for this contract. When proposals/offers are received they are evaluated by two independent panels under the guidance of a qualified procurement official. The findings of the panels are reviewed by the responsible contracting officer to determine which offerors should be included in the competitive range, taking into consideration technical and cost factors. A technical panel of subject matter experts then reviews the technical proposals and scores each one in accordance with the scoring methodology that was published in the RFP. A technical evaluation report is submitted to the contracting officer who ranks the offerors. Separately, the cost proposals are evaluated for quality and reasonableness of the proposed costs. Procurement officials also verify the standing of each offeror with respect to audit findings, legal judgments, and past performance for similar work.
The contracting officer reviews the recommendations of the technical and cost evaluation panels and determines which offerors are most highly qualified based on technical and cost factors combined. Discussions are then held with each offeror determined to be within the competitive range pointing out any weaknesses and deficiencies in their proposals. Offerors are then provided the opportunity to revise their proposals based upon the discussions and a final ranking of proposals is made by the contracting officer. Once the determination is made as to whom the contract shall be awarded, the other offerors are informed that they were not selected. They are also notified that they may receive a debriefing on their proposals if they wish.
Scope of Work under This Contract
The contract will fund infrastructure work similar to the work initiated under USAID's Iraq Infrastructure I contract, which was awarded in April. The Iraq Infrastructure II contract activities will include: repairing power generation facilities, electrical grids, municipal water systems and sewage systems. The contract will also include the repair and build government and public facilities such as schools, selected ministry buildings and major irrigation structures, as well as restore essential transport links.
Relationship between USAID and the Coalition Provisional Authority
USAID coordinates closely with the Coalition Provisional Authority and its new Program Management Office to ensure that all projects are fully integrated with CPA's overall reconstruction plans for Iraq. USAID has been an integral part of the Iraq reconstruction effort from the beginning and continues to be a key implementer on behalf of CPA.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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