The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana has received a loan of US$ 20 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) toward part of the cost of the Social Impact Amelioration Program. It is intended that the proceeds of this loan be applied to the procurement of goods and services to improve the living standards and economic opportunities of the poorest and most vulnerable households of Guyana and increase the capacity of poor communities to articulate and act upon their priority needs. This will be done through international/national competitive bidding and other procurement procedures in accordance with IDB=s Procurement Procedures and Guidelines.

The Social Impact Amelioration Program will be carried out over a four-year period, beginning in January 2002, and will comprise the following components:

$Community-based social infrastructure projects

$Community services

$Institutional strengthening

In accordance with the procurement procedures of the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the IDB, each invitation for the supply of goods or services will include:

$A general description of the project and of the specific services which are subject to bidding

$The proposed method of prequalification

$The place, date and time at which bidding documents will be available

$The place, date and time for return and opening of bids

Execution of the program is the responsibility of the Program Execution Unit, Ministry of Social Services, and involves project coordination, financial management, administration and procurement of goods and services.

Where the estimated value of goods exceeds US$ 350,000 or consultancies exceeds US$ 200,000, advertisements will be placed in the international and local press. Where the respective values are less than the above limits, advertisements will be placed in a daily newspaper in Guyana.

Invitations for biding for goods and services to be financed by this IDB loan will be issued by the executing agency. All correspondence and requests for information should be addressed to:

Project Director

Social Impact Amelioration Program (SIMAP)

237 Camp St., North Cummingsburg

Georgetown, Guyana

Tel: (592) 227-3564, 3612, 3575. Fax: (592) 227-3600