SOLICITATION NOTICE
D -- Buy USA Com Contracted Partrnerships
- Notice Date
- 6/7/2002
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), AG/Acquisition Management Division, SSMC4 - Room 7601/OFA61 1305 East West Highway, 7th Floor, Silver Spring, MD, 20910
- ZIP Code
- 20910
- Solicitation Number
- 2002-BuyUSA
- Response Due
- 10/7/2002
- Archive Date
- 10/22/2002
- Point of Contact
- Diane Husereau, Contracting Officer, Phone (301) 713-0829, Fax (301) 713-0809, - Norbert Szymanski, Contracting Officer, Phone (301) 713-0829, Fax (301) 713-0809,
- E-Mail Address
-
diane.c.husereau@noaa.gov, norbert.szymanski@noaa.gov
- Description
- I. Background The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service ("US&FCS" or "Commercial Service") is the worldwide client service delivery arm of the International Trade Administration (ITA), operating over 100 Export Assistance Centers (EACs) domestically, and approximately 175 Commercial Posts in 78 countries overseas. The US&FCS is chartered to provide export promotion and facilitation services, products and programs to small-to-medium-sized U.S. business enterprises (SMEs) globally. Commercial Officers and Specialists in our overseas posts, and Trade Specialists in our EACs in the United States, counsel such firms; offer strategic export planning expertise; assist with trade mission and event participation; and develop and deliver client-requested market intelligence and trade data. US&FCS also retails a wide range of market research, trade contact, matchmaking (i.e., U.S. seller with foreign buyer) and business facilitation products and services. Through a Public/Private collaboration with IBM Corporation, the US&FCS has also recently developed and launched BuyUSA.com, a dynamic new Government-to-Business (G2B) website intended to assist US SMEs in the location of qualified international buyers and trading partners. The site also offers international and domestic market research; ability for users to create a product/service brochure or catalog; interactive connection to promising trading partners; and a variety of educational information and guidance on conduct of international business. BuyUSA membership is offered to US businesses under the USG Cost Recovery Mandate: a basic annual subscription is available for $400, and some additional add-ons are optional. There is also a free registration which provides access to a limited set of site offerings, and qualified international companies considered potential US trading partners register for free. Revenue is shared between the US&FCS and IBM, and that revenue-sharing may be extended to other firms selected to offer services and/or products via BuyUSA.com. The BuyUSA service and program is specifically structured to integrate US&FCS and other internet-based service delivery with the unique global physical network of the US&FCS, offering BuyUSA.com users direct access to and assistance from experienced Trade Specialists and Commercial Officers with expertise in all industry sectors/subsectors, and in all major country and regional markets worldwide. The BuyUSA.com website is fully US Government owned, and is located at http://www.buyusa.com II. Purpose. This RFQ is issued to obtain technical and business responses from firms interested in working cooperatively with the US&FCS to structure and implement public-private partnerships resulting in value added, internet based export promotion/facilitation tools for benefit of small to medium sized U.S. exporters. The US&FCS specifically does NOT seek to fund development of such tools, but rather to assure that they, and underlying technologies, are used effectively and efficiently to aid U.S. exporters. Thus, partnerships on services or capabilities are to be proposed at NO COST to the US&FCS. Firms responding to this RFQ are required to make proposals for partnerships between the US&FCS and the respondent that, as a first choice, generate revenues to be shared with the US&FCS (in return for US&FCS contact information or other support). As a second choice, firms may make offers that generate revenues only for the firm, but must also add value to US&FCS offerings to US exporters. (See item # 5 below). Specific results sought through these partnerships include: 1. Electronic delivery, posting and maintenance on BuyUSA.com of timely and relevant international business information of value to US exporters, or to overseas firms and entities seeking to source US goods and services via the website. 2. Delivery, maintenance and management of online capabilities and tools to be accessed and utilized by to conduct or facilitate conduct of exporting by US firms. 3. Enabling, through web links, site integration, creation of gateway pages or other means of access by BuyUSA users to other web portals or sites which facilitate international sales, agreements, transactions and the like. 4.Extension of web-based partnership offerings to other means and media for assisting US exporters and trading partners including service delivery through, or in cooperation with, the above-described US&FCS worldwide network of offices. 5. Provision to both the US&FCS and BuyUSA subscribers of financial services including payment processing, revenue handling and related "back-end" fiscal services which facilitate and support customer payment of BuyUSA subscription and service fees by both online credit card entry and check submission. 6. Generation, through fees for subscriptions, web-based services, transactions, and web retailing of goods and service, of revenues to be shared with US&FCS sufficient for it to recover its costs associated with providing such services. 7. Enhanced marketing and sales of BuyUSA subscriptions. III. Scope This solicitation seeks public-private partnership proposals as described above from U.S. firms that are: " Currently engaged in the facilitation of buying, selling, or promoting U.S. goods and service; and/or " Currently engaged in promotion and/or facilitation of exporting of goods and services from the United States; and/or " Currently engaged in Internet based business activities which can clearly enhance one or both of the above and are pursuing such activities wholly or in part via a dedicated Internet business model or presence. Number/Length of Partnerships: The Government reserves the right to make multiple awards as a result of this RFQ. The period of performance for each resulting award will be not less than one (1) year to three (3) year period of service with the option to renew by agreement of both parties. Partnership Activation Schedule. Because this solicitation envisions multiple awards and partnerships of differing natures, selected partners may be incorporated within the BuyUSA program and activated on the BuyUSA.com site at anytime following selection, as a function of such considerations as value of partner offerings to BuyUSA subscribers, ease and cost of integration, compatibility of partner offerings with pre-existing BuyUSA capabilities and brand, and others. Detailed plans and timelines will be agreed upon mutually between the US&FCS, IBM, and each selected partner. Examples of the type of products, services and offerings envisioned to provide results identified above include: -databases of value to US exporters such as those containing overseas buyers, market intelligence, potential agents/distributors for US products and services, trade finance sources, overseas Government tenders, export or import service providers, etc. -export logistics, compliance, risk avoidance and similar solutions and tools. -transactional capabilities covering one or more of the points along the continuum from initiation of an international business transaction through order fulfillment and settlement. -support to or conduct of export payment processing and financial settlement. -work process tolls and applications which facilitate and/or simplify one or more of the processes to be executed by a US exporter or foreign trading partner of US firms. -ancillary capabilities such as language translation, currency conversion, and others which while not created specifically to enhance US exports, may clearly be applied with value toward that objective. IV. Business Considerations Related to this Solicitation. In order to assist firms considering or preparing a response to the RFQ, the following areas will be of interest to US&FCS in the formation and operation of any business relationship (s) resulting, and will be addressed in any subsequent implementation of partnerships. 1.Project and Partnership Budgeting ? Prior to initiation of work resulting from the RFQ, the US&FCS and partner project teams will develop and issue a comprehensive Project Budget, Methodology, and Plan detailing the responsibilities, processes and timetables governing Project funding. This will clarify and document any all expenses to be incurred by the US&FCS, IBM, and the selected partner. 2.Cost Recovery US&FCS is required to charge sufficient costs for its services to recover its costs of developing and implementing said services. With respect to BuyUSA.com and web-based partnerships in connection therewith, the US&FCS Project Budget component will include an estimate of all appropriate costs (e.g., personnel, marketing, development, etc.) in accordance with its cost recovery mandate. Where such partnerships result in revenue generation for BuyUSA, the US&FCS will only derive that amount of revenue sufficient to cover those cost recovery items in the budget; remaining revenues will be directed to the contracted partner, to IBM Corporation for costs incurred in providing integration and other technical solutions, or to reinvestment in the website itself. Apportionment of shares will be agreed upon between the US&FCS and contracted partners prior to incorporating partner offerings into the BuyUSA program. 3. Audit/Review - All project and partnership financial systems, operations and procedures must comply with applicable Federal and DoC standards, and be subject to Commerce and General Accounting Office audit. US&FCS will review quarterly the project's operations and revenues. Any modifications of project financing and budget plans, or change in use of revenues will be recommended based on this review, and discussed and agreed upon with the contracted partner. 4. Pricing The US&FCS is statutorily mandated to focus on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Given the price sensitivity of SMEs, proposed prices for the project's services for SMEs must be agreed upon by US&FCS and the Project Partner to ensure that the prices are reasonable for such a client base while meeting the needs of both US&FCS and contracted partners. 5. Initial Funding for Designations Because revenues may not be generated initially at a level which will support early cost recovery, parties must budget for start-up, internal and external marketing, staff training, etc. without dependence on project-based revenue. During first-year quarterly reviews, US&FCS and Project Partner will determine the extent to which such front- end costs may be reimbursed from project revenues. 6. Data and Related Rights. All rights in data, trade and service marks, materials, logos licensing and other instances/dimensions of Intellectual Property Rights arising from contracted partner offerings, will be expressly agreed upon between the US&FCS and such partners prior to incorporation of these offerings into the BuyUSA program and website. 7. Liabilities US&FCS requires that the contracted partner maintain insurance in the event of any disputes arising from use of the "Marketplace" by customers. V. Evaluation Criteria. Proposals submitted will be evaluated using these technical evaluation criteria, which are listed in rank order of importance. 1. Past Performance and demonstrated success in the conception, development, implementation, operation and support of large scale, web-resident searchable databases, web-hosted business process/transaction capabilities or other web tools clearly able to enhance and/or facilitate exporting activities of small-medium sized U.S. firms. 2. Demonstrated sustained operation for at least two (2) years, in combination with a sustainable business plan and model. 3. Consistency with the US&FCS Statutory Mandate (included at end of this document) and commitment to working under applicable USG statutes, policies and regulations. 4. Suitability for presence on a US Government website, indicating that: no criminal or civil violations are on record or charged and pending resolution; no debarment or documented unfair trade practices or charges thereof by a foreign government are on record or pending; no online offerings or business practices are illegal or inappropriate in the US or in countries served by BuyUSA.com; and no clear potential for embarrassment to the US Government exists which might jeopardize the US&FCS mission of promoting US exports abroad. 5. Expressed willingness to offer online services through BuyUSA.com in a manner fully compliant with security, accessibility, policy and other governance applicable to a US Government website. 6. Successful deployment, operation, and ongoing maintenance/support of one or more websites which are accessible worldwide to very large numbers of users, and which are supported by servers, telecommunications, and architecture to sustain increasingly high traffic levels without performance degradation. 7. Success of offerors in achieving the strategic and business objectives for which prior website design and development activities were intended, as indicated by high traffic levels, sound and extensive linkage, profit generation or other measures appropriate to measuring success of web-based enterprise. VI. Instructions to Interested Firms Proposals will be accepted for at least the next 120 days from date of issuance. Any proposals submitted after the date and time for receipt will be handled in accordance with FAR 15,208 Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals. E-mail response is preferred and should include the subject: "BuyUSA.com Contracted Partnerships". Email responses should be submitted to the following two individuals: 1. Diane C. Husereau, Contract Officer email: Diane.C.Husereau@NOAA.Gov 2. David Miller, USFCS Representative, email: Dave.Miller@mail.doc.gov If you intend to submit a written proposal, please submit an original and 5 copies to: Diane C. Husereau, Contracting Officer, NOAA, 1305 East West Highway, OFA 613, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Your proposal shall be prepared in a format and in a manner that clearly addresses all of the requirements set forth in the Statement of Work. Awards will be made to those offerors proposing the best solution to the Government in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth. Awards will be made on a no cost to the Government basis. In order to facilitate evaluation of past performance, offerors who have delivered contracted products/services to public or private sector clients should identify up to three recent projects of relevance and the following information: 1. Procurement Activity Address, Procuring Contracting Officer (if a USG contract), , telephone number and e-mail address (if available) & Client Principal or Representative's Name, telephone number and e-mail address (if available). 2. Contract Number & Type of contract 3. Period of Performance 4. Brief description of the contract 5. Description of how previous experience prepares offeror to undertake a contract of the scope envisioned in the RFQ. 6. URL of any relevant sites developed Please utilize email for inquiries, directed to On contract/procurement matters: Diane.C.Husereau@NOAA.gov On other matters: dave.miller@mail.doc.gov cc stephanie.seega@mail.doc.gov VIII. Additional Information on Selection Process. 1. Non-exclusivity. The US&FCS can not under this process provide or warrant to any contracted partner exclusive rights to offer any type of product, service, or capability within the BuyUSA program; thus multiple awards for the same or similar export-enhancing offerings may result. 2. Partner Selection and Implementation. Selection will be made by the US&FCS based on (1) assessment of offeror responses against criteria provided above; (2) direct discussions between the US&FCS and offerors addressing business programmatic, technical and business aspects of possible contracted partnerships; and (3) discussions among the US&FCS, offerors, and IBM where the nature of partnership contemplated impacts IBM as BuyUSA.com technology solution provider. Resulting partnerships may be implemented at any time mutually agreed upon among the US&FCS, selected partner(s), and IBM, and need not await the closing date of this solicitation and/or consideration of all proposals received. USFCS STATUTORY MANDATE: The following is the relevant section of the US&FCS statutory mandate (15 USC 4721(b): Statement of purpose. The Commercial Service shall place primary emphasis on the promotion of exports of goods and services from the United States, particularly by small businesses and medium-sized businesses, and on the protection of United States business interests abroad by carrying out activities such as-- (1) identifying United States businesses with the potential to export goods and services and providing such businesses with advice and information on establishing export businesses; (2) providing United States exporters with information on economic conditions, market opportunities, the status of the intellectual property system in such country, and the legal and regulatory environment within foreign countries; (3) providing United States exporters with information and advice on the necessary adaptation of product design and marketing strategy to meet the differing cultural and technical requirements of foreign countries; (4) providing United States exporters with actual leads and an introduction to contacts within foreign countries; (5) assisting United States exporters in locating reliable sources of business services in foreign countries; (6) assisting United States exporters in their dealings with foreign governments and enterprises owned by foreign governments; (7) assisting the coordination of the efforts of State and local agencies and private organizations which seek to promote United States business interests abroad so as to maximize their effectiveness and minimize the duplication of efforts; (8) utilizing district and foreign offices as one-stop shops for United States exporters by providing exporters with information on all export promotion and export finance activities of the Federal Government, assisting exporters in identifying which Federal programs may be of greatest assistance, and assisting exporters in making contact with the Federal programs identified; and (9) providing United States exporters and export finance institutions with information on all financing and insurance programs of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the Trade and Development Program, and the Small Business Administration, including providing assistance in completing applications for such programs and working with exporters and export finance institutions to address any deficiencies in such applications that have been submitted.
- Record
- SN00089926-W 20020609/020607213109 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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