Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF APRIL 03, 2003 FBO #0489
SOURCES SOUGHT

R -- Special American Business Internship (SABIT) Marketing Coordinator

Notice Date

4/1/2003
 

Notice Type

Sources Sought
 

Contracting Office

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Acquisition and Grants Office, SSMC4 - Room 7601/OFA61 1305 East West Highway, 7th Floor, Silver Spring, MD, 20910
 

ZIP Code

20910
 

Solicitation Number

TAIP3450-3-91609
 

Point of Contact

Alonzo Jacobs, Contract Specialist, Phone 301-713-0839 x127, Fax 301-713-0809, - Alonzo Jacobs, Contract Specialist, Phone 301-713-0839 x127, Fax 301-713-0809,
 

E-Mail Address

alonzo.jacobs@noaa.gov, alonzo.jacobs@noaa.gov
 

Small Business Set-Aside

Total Small Business
 

Description

Market Survey For Marketing and Feedback Contract for SABIT Program The Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration's Special American Business Internship Training program (SABIT), is managing specialized and grants programs that provide U.S. companies with funding to train managers and scientists from Eurasia (the states of the former Soviet Union). The Training Programs are managed by the Department of Commerce. Each grant recipient is provided with funding to defray a portion of the costs associated with training an executive from Eurasia. The grant reimburses U.S. companies for roundtrip airfare for each participant, $34 per day for food and incidentals, and up to $750 per month for lodging. Grant recipients are responsible for the training, visa fees, medical insurance, and any other costs associated with the training. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROCUREMENT To establish an appropriate procurement mechanism as deemed by NOAA Procurement with one individual to market the SABIT Program and to gather and record feedback from SABIT alumni. This contract will begin in July 2003 and end in July 2004. REQUIREMENTS Basis of Evaluation: Applicants will be evaluated based on their experience, education, and training shown on their application as it relates to the criteria listed below. The service provider shall have: 1. Knowledge of marketing and advertising strategies and ability to draft and present marketing materials to the business community. Ability to develop and implement a marketing strategy for the SABIT Program. 2. Knowledge of history, government, demographics, and policies in Eurasia. Ability to speak and write in Russian preferable, but not required. 3. Familiarity with technical assistance programs to Eurasia. 4. Strong public speaking and intercultural communication skills. 5. Ability to perform liaison functions between various commercial organizations (including but not limited to associations, state development agencies, world trade centers, and the business community) and the SABIT Program. Ability to organize SABIT briefings to the U.S. business community utilizing various multipliers to identify interested companies. 6. Strong organizational skills, in particular, the ability to organize, plan and coordinate logistics involved in marketing the SABIT grant program to targeted U.S. industry sectors. 7. Strong administrative skills. Ability to stick to deadlines. Flexibility to adjust marketing strategy if additional opportunities become available. Ability to prioritize activities. 8. Familiarity with the Internet. 9. Ability to gather and document SABIT feedback, both successes and failures, from its alumni. Ability to follow-up and verify alumni feedback utilizing U.S. host companies and SABIT Coordinators in Eurasia. Ability to regularly track and report marketing and feedback activities to SABIT Director. Strong writing skills, including the ability to concisely summarize SABIT accomplishments and successes for weekly reports. 10. Ability to provide efficient and quick follow-up to requests for additional information. Evaluation of Quotation: Quotations will be evaluated jointly with the SABIT Program Director Liesel Duhon on a best value basis. Past performance will be considered. Quotes should contain prices for a Base Year and Three (3) Option Years. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration shall provide the service provider with office space at the Department of Commerce, computer and telephone; pay for travel, lodging and M&IE at government rates for marketing trips, and provide any supplies and mailing necessary to perform the contract. This position does not provide benefits. The Marketing coordinator shall implement the contract as follows: 1. In coordination with the SABIT Director, develop and implement annual marketing strategy for the SABIT Program. Marketing will be targeted toward the U.S. business community, employing multipliers including but not limited to: mass mailings, e-mail, list-servs, conferences, trade shows, one-on-one meetings, and association meetings. 2. Familiarize oneself with the details of the SABIT Program, including: how one applies, how grants are evaluated, potential benefits to the U.S. business community, and success stories, in order to market the program to potential interns and companies. 3. Develop creative and innovative marketing tools including but not limited to: mailings, flyers, letters, and electronic forms of communication. 4. In coordination with SABIT Director, develop talking points on SABIT Program to be used when marketing the program at speaking engagements. 5. Identify conferences, trade shows and other events at which to market the SABIT Program. In coordination with SABIT Director, decide which to attend and which to send materials to. 6. Identify strategies to expand participation in the SABIT Program into new industry sectors and regions in the United States, with special emphasis on the U.S. scientific community. 7. Identify and market the SABIT Program into new multipliers in the United States, particularly the scientific community. 8. Contact director or Eurasia expert at Export Assistance Center, World Trade Centers, Chambers of Commerce, etc. to discuss the SABIT Program. Follow up with a package of materials on the SABIT Program. 9. Mail SABIT information to SBA offices in each state regarding the SABIT Program. Follow up with each of the SBA-designated Export Assistance Centers. 10. Organize and attend SABIT briefings for U.S. companies and multipliers as required. During each visit, identify lists of potential client companies through SCORE offices, World Trade Centers, Export Assistance Centers, and State Economic Development Agencies. 11. Answer routine questions regarding SABIT program rules and restrictions; refer unusual situations to SABIT Director. 12. Generate success stories of the SABIT Program. 13. Draft summaries of skills and qualifications of stellar SABIT intern applications and market these individuals to select companies in similar areas of interest. 14. Prepare and submit to SABIT a monthly marketing report. Contained in the report should be: marketing strategy and goals accomplished; a list of marketing actions executed including: numbers of mailings and to whom, number of marketing venues attended, numbers of positive responses, and a summary of any feedback regarding the program. 15. Approximately 50% of the week should be spent gathering and verifying feedback from both U.S. host companies and SABIT interns from Eurasia. Follow the Success Story Guidelines to track and verify alumni feedback. Record any changes or problems in the notes field. Update contact information from participants. Note your name, as well as date and time that contact was established. Forward any company or intern setbacks, problems or market access issues to the SABIT Director. Forward any suggested improvements to the program to the SABIT Director. 16. Work closely with other Commerce agencies such as BISNIS to disseminate important information about SABIT alumni to the business community that might assist them in their business activities in Eurasia. 17. Identify and forward requests for alumni activities from U.S. host companies and interns to SABIT Director. 18. Assist program staff with alumni event planning and logistics. 19. Help develop content and style of SABIT website. Assist in keeping material updated on website. 20. Conduct site visits to U.S. companies hosting SABIT interns, conducting written, taped, or videotaped interviews for success stories. 21. Provide detailed analysis of marketing conducted by region, sector during grants marketing, per format provided by SABIT director. Report will be due 30 days after funding availability closes. 22. Work with program officers to encourage local press coverage during specialized group visits. 23. Marketing coordinator will provide bi-weekly reports to the Director and Budget Officer detailing activities worked on and the number of hours completed.
 

Place of Performance

Address: US Department of Commerce, SABIT Program, FCB Suite 4100W, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230

Zip Code: 20230

Country: USA
 

Record

SN00292720-W 20030403/030401213319 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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