USAID Improving Private Sector Competitiveness   3

This notice is NOT a request for proposals. This pre-solicitation notice is published in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.101(a)(1) requiring the dissemination of information regarding proposed contract actions and FAR 5.204 requiring dissemination of information for pre-solicitation notices.

The United States Agency for International Development in Vietnam (USAID/Vietnam) is releasing this Draft Statement of Objectives (SOO) for the USAID Private Sector Competitiveness activity in USAID/Vietnam. We anticipate issuing the final solicitation package in late February, or early March of 2020, for an anticipated five-year, cost type contract.

USAID is seeking contractor services for the USAID Private Sector Competitiveness activity in USAID/Vietnam with the following objectives: 1) Building business management capacity of Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs), especially those led by vulnerable populations; 2) Improving efficiency and productivity by promoting innovation, technology adoption , and sustainable business models; 3) Enhancing business enabling environment for a broad-based inclusive economy; and 4) Strengthening business-to-business (B2B) and cross-sectoral linkages.

The USAID Improving Private Sector Competitiveness activity seeks to remove constraints and build the competitiveness of small and growing business (SGBs) in Vietnam, especially those led by vulnerable populations. With this activity USAID/Vietnam aims to adopt a holistic view in supporting Vietnam's competitiveness: vertically at the policy, market and firm level; and horizontally by working along the entire spectrum of enterprise growth models, from household businesses transforming into registered firms to small firms on the cusp of scaling up.

Prospective Offerors are advised that this procurement is subject to internal USAID approvals and the availability of funds. This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP) and in no way obligates the US Government to issue an RFP and/or award a contract. If a solicitation is issued, all necessary information will be supplied at the time it is posted at www.beta.sam.gov. Questions/requests for information will not be responded to until RFP issuance. While the government will consider comments on the draft SOO, please note that they must not be of a propriety nature. Comments on the draft SOO will be accepted by emailing the primary point of contact Van Trinh at vantrinh@usaid.gov and Hoa Nguyen at hoanguyen@usaid.gov no later than February 23, 2020.

Interested parties are advised to periodically monitor the above website and solicitation number for updates concerning this procurement.