This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for logistical services
prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with
additional information included in this notice. This announcement
constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation
will not be issued. This solicitation number is , and is issued as a
Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation/contract will include all
applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition
Circular 2001-27. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS)
Code is 561990 and the business size standard is \$6 million. However,
this solicitation is not set aside for small business. This acquisition
is being conducted using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance
with FAR Part 13. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), has a
requirement to procure Logistical Support Service in Egypt.

The NICHD is organizing a 2.5-day meeting entitled *2^nd^ Conference of
the Middle East North Africa Newborn Screening Initiative: Partnerships
for sustainable newborn screening infrastructure and research
opportunities*. The conference will be held in Cairo, Egypt on April
12-14, 2008. The conference will bring together approximately 120
leading investigators and health care providers from 20 countries in the
Middle East, North Africa, Europe, North America and Asia to establish a
network of research and technical collaboration.

This conference is a follow-up to a meeting held in November 2006 in
Morocco. For this conference it is imperative to have a contractor on
the ground in Egypt to oversee the organization of the meeting which
includes communication with participants, travel and lodging
arrangements, meeting logistics and material distribution. The
contractor must have experience with international workshops, be fluent
in English, have a US bank account, handle travel and all logistical
arrangements, and preferably have experience working on meeting support
with US Governmental Agencies. All of the following must be met by the
Contractors:

a\) Fluency in English, French and Arabic

b\) An office located in Egypt

c\) Financial management of the event

d\) Estimates of hotel contract including local transportation

e\) Travel coordination and reimbursement

f\) Meeting space and contract negotiations

g\) Simultaneous interpretation during the conference (Translation in
Arabic, French English)

h\) Communication with all conference participants including email, fax
and mail

i\) Onsite management including meeting registration

j\) Press release and website development

k\) Previous work with the United State entities

l\) United States Bank Account

The contractor shall provide management and administrative support and
all services necessary for successful conduct of the meeting to be held
at a conference facility designated by NICHD in Egypt and shall perform
the following type of work assignments:

Pre-Meeting:

-   Determine and secure a meeting site in Egypt; and negotiate
    hotel/facilities rates. Pay hotel/facilities deposits;

-   Assure that a block of 100 hotel sleeping rooms are reserved for
    April 11, 12, and 13 (the lodging arrangements should be made at the
    same location as the conference facility, if possible).

-   Make travel and lodging arrangements for approximately 80-90
    participants primarily from North Africa and the Middle East, who
    will also receive reimbursement for per diem and other travel
    related expenses (the lodging arrangements should be made at the
    same location as the conference facility, if possible).

-   Arrange for meeting room sufficient to accommodate 120 participants
    (including speakers and other participants) for the 2.5-day meeting;
    procure 2 additional rooms for break out sessions for the afternoon
    of day 1 (1/2 day) and morning of day 2 (1/2 day) that can
    accommodate 40 persons; and obtain a space for poster display.

-   Solicit travel information from 80-90 invited speakers and
    participants (both out-of-town and local);

-   Facilitate the procurement of visas for all meeting participants
    other than federal employees;

-   Coordinate all pre-meeting mailings (email, fax and/or postal
    service) and provide logistical and informational support for the
    meeting participants;

-   Develop detailed travel itineraries for speakers/travelers;

-   Utilize a variety of transportation modes from the
    speaker's/traveler's residence or home institution to the specified
    destination;

-   Purchase prepaid economy class airfare or other tickets for travel
    of federally sponsored participants (approximately 50);

-   Make direct contact with the speakers/travelers to ensure that all
    arrangements are understood concerning travel;

-   Mail meeting notices, updates and travel information to all
    participants (both email and/or postal service);

-   Provide for all necessary support services, and other funding to
    cover hotel/meeting deposits, travel, per diem, for federally
    sponsored participants;

Deliverables:

[Pre-Meeting]{.underline}

> Hotel sleeping and meeting rooms
>
> Mailed meeting notices and orientation information for participants
>
> Travel Itineraries (Secure travel and accommodations for participants)

The project will begin immediately from the effective date of the
contract and continue until December 31, 2009.

The offeror must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause
52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items
with its offer. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms
and Conditions -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The
addenda to the clause reads as follows: The offeror must include in
their quotation, the unit price, the list price, shipping and handling
costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment
discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Dun &
Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and
the certification of business size. The FAR Clause 52.212-5, Contract
Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders
-- Commercial Items -- Deviation for Simplified Acquisitions, applies to
this acquisition. The clauses are available in full text at
<http://www.arnet.gov/far>. Interested vendors capable of furnishing the
government with the item specified in this synopsis should submit their
quotation to the below address. Quotations will be due on XX, fifteen
(15) calendar days from the publication date of this synopsis. The
quotation must reference "Solicitation number" . All responsible sources
may submit a quotation, which if timely received, shall be considered by
the agency. Quotations must be submitted in writing to the National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 6707 Democracy
Blvd., Room 775, Bethesda, Maryland 20817, Attention: Patricia Haun.
Faxed copies will not be accepted.

**ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS TO BE COMPLETED WHEN WE GET MORE \$ AND PUT
INTO A SECOND CONTRACT**

Pre-Meeting

-   Secure and pay for Arabic/French/English interpreters and necessary
    interpretation equipment for the meeting;

-   Develop and manage a meeting website registration and posting of
    meeting information. Ensure that the website is structured in such a
    way as to allow it to be easily merged with the existing MENA-NBS
    website www.....;

-   Prepare pre-meeting and meeting packages for all participants, to
    include an agenda, participant list, and other materials TBD and
    send to participants (email and/or postal service) and provide
    during the meeting;

-   Procure advance copies of abstracts, presentations, and other
    resource material from participants.

-   Prepare and print booklets containing agenda, participant list,
    abstracts and other printed meeting materials for distribution to
    all meeting participants at the beginning of the meeting
    (anticipated number is 100);

-   Press release to be delivered to media outlets prior to meeting
    start date. Develop plan to incorporate press coverage during the
    meeting by inviting members of the press and coordinating delivery
    of information to members of the press.

Meeting:

-   Register guests upon arrival, providing them with their name tags,
    meeting /folders and any additional meeting materials; meeting
    materials should include agenda, participant list and other
    duplicated materials TBD. These materials should be prepared two
    weeks prior to meeting. The Contractor shall create table tents with
    provided logos, and printed name badges, with provided logos, in
    clear plastic holders attached to lanyards;

-   Record names of all participants and observers upon arrival;

-   1 microphone/each 2 speakers, one for meeting chair/moderator around
    the table, two floor microphones and all necessary audiovisual
    equipment should be provided for the meeting;

-   Determine and pay costs for appropriate support staff during the
    2.5-day meeting including 1 person at registration desk to assist
    speakers and participants, register and record attendees;

-   Provide on-site support;

-   Determine and pay costs for a competent audiovisual technician to be
    available during the 3-day meeting to set-up and run PowerPoint
    presentations using an LCD projector and lap top or other PC
    compatible computer and provide any necessary support;

-   Determine and pay costs for a photographer to create a visual record
    of the meeting's presentations and discussions for incorporation
    into final meeting report.

Post-Meeting

-   Reimburse travelers/speakers for ground transportation and other
    travel-related expenses as permitted under Government Federal Travel
    Regulations and Government policies;

-   Provide post-meeting services to include contacting and reimbursing
    all federally sponsored participants. The Contractor shall ensure
    all travel and per diem costs have been submitted and reimbursed;
    these services should extend for a period of two months after the
    conclusion of the meeting;

-   Transfer meeting website to existing MENA NBS website

-   Prepare post meeting press release to be distributed to major press
    outlets

-   Prepare media documentation (edited video recordings) from
    conference that can be used for promotional and training purposes

Deliverables:

-   [Meeting]{.underline}

> Press Release
>
> Interpreters
>
> Name tags, meeting materials
>
> Audiovisual equipment (projector, screen, microphones)
>
> Record of participants
>
> Folders containing meeting materials and presentations

Maintain Website

-   [Post Meeting]{.underline}

> Close out of participant travel arrangements and reimbursements where
> necessary
>
> Photographs and negatives
>
> Updated website
>
> Post meeting press release
>
> An edited video
>
> Visiting Scientists