PROJECT FIVE TDA Seeks U.S. Companies for Strategic Business Plan for Ariana Airlines September 30, 2003 Contracting Office: U.S. Trade and Development Agency Reference Number: 0380016A The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MOCAT) invites submission of Proposals from interested U.S. firms that are qualified on the basis of experience and capability to provide technical assistance to develop a Strategic Business Plan for Ariana, the national airline of Afghanistan. The aviation sector in Afghanistan has been devastated by two decades of war. The large size, poor condition of the internal road system, isolation from the rest of the world, and fractious political situation make the revitalization of this sector essential for both political stability and economic growth. Ariana was founded in 1957 and soon formed a joint venture with Pan American Airlines. At the same time the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was deeply involved in the establishment of the country's airports and overall aviation infrastructure. This history, which included training of technical personnel, pilots and management, is a source of considerable loyalty to the U.S. among Ariana and MOCAT management. The years of conflict, combined with the imposition of Soviet style bureaucratic management, has dealt the aviation industry a severe blow. Starting in December of 2001 with the formation of a new national authority, Afghanistan has begun to resurrect its civil aviation sector with help from several external actors - i.e., the coalition forces, International Civil Aviation Organization, and the International Air Transport Association. While a limited capability has been restored, the rebuilding effort is still at a preliminary stage due, inter alia, to severe resource limitations and a starting point that has been described as "below zero". Ariana is currently a department of MOCAT. The physical assets of the airline have largely been destroyed. Ariana is in need of serious restructuring if it is to survive. However, Ariana's management team lacks the skills necessary to develop a strategic business plan for airline. This TA seeks to address this need. The U.S. firm selected to conduct this technical assistance will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $333,034 grant to the MOCAT from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). Only U.S. firms and individuals may bid on this USTDA financed activity. Interested firms, their subcontractors and employees of all participants must qualify under USTDA's nationality requirements as of the due date for submission of qualifications and proposals and, if selected to carry out the USTDA- financed activity, must continue to meet such requirements throughout the duration of the USTDA- financed activity. All goods and services to be provided by the selected firm shall have their nationality, source and origin in the U.S. or host country. The U.S. firm may use subcontractors from the host country for up to 20 percent of the USTDA grant amount. Details of USTDA's nationality requirements and mandatory contract clauses are also included in the RFP. PROJECT FIVE TDA Seeks U.S. Companies for Strategic Business Plan for Ariana Airlines September 30, 2003 Contracting Office: U.S. Trade and Development Agency Reference Number: 0380016A The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MOCAT) invites submission of Proposals from interested U.S. firms that are qualified on the basis of experience and capability to provide technical assistance to develop a Strategic Business Plan for Ariana, the national airline of Afghanistan. The aviation sector in Afghanistan has been devastated by two decades of war. The large size, poor condition of the internal road system, isolation from the rest of the world, and fractious political situation make the revitalization of this sector essential for both political stability and economic growth. Ariana was founded in 1957 and soon formed a joint venture with Pan American Airlines. At the same time the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was deeply involved in the establishment of the country's airports and overall aviation infrastructure. This history, which included training of technical personnel, pilots and management, is a source of considerable loyalty to the U.S. among Ariana and MOCAT management. The years of conflict, combined with the imposition of Soviet style bureaucratic management, has dealt the aviation industry a severe blow. Starting in December of 2001 with the formation of a new national authority, Afghanistan has begun to resurrect its civil aviation sector with help from several external actors - i.e., the coalition forces, International Civil Aviation Organization, and the International Air Transport Association. While a limited capability has been restored, the rebuilding effort is still at a preliminary stage due, inter alia, to severe resource limitations and a starting point that has been described as "below zero". Ariana is currently a department of MOCAT. The physical assets of the airline have largely been destroyed. Ariana is in need of serious restructuring if it is to survive. However, Ariana's management team lacks the skills necessary to develop a strategic business plan for airline. This TA seeks to address this need. The U.S. firm selected to conduct this technical assistance will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $333,034 grant to the MOCAT from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). Only U.S. firms and individuals may bid on this USTDA financed activity. Interested firms, their subcontractors and employees of all participants must qualify under USTDA's nationality requirements as of the due date for submission of qualifications and proposals and, if selected to carry out the USTDA- financed activity, must continue to meet such requirements throughout the duration of the USTDA- financed activity. All goods and services to be provided by the selected firm shall have their nationality, source and origin in the U.S. or host country. The U.S. firm may use subcontractors from the host country for up to 20 percent of the USTDA grant amount. Details of USTDA's nationality requirements and mandatory contract clauses are also included in the RFP