SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Afghanistan Regional Business Integration and Outreach Program
- Notice Date
- 7/10/2013
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541618
— Other Management Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Room B129, Mail Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899-1640, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20899-1640
- Solicitation Number
- AFG_RBIOP
- Archive Date
- 7/27/2013
- Point of Contact
- Monica Brown, Phone: 2024820932
- E-Mail Address
-
monica.brown@trade.gov
(monica.brown@trade.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This notice is for market research and planning purpose only and does not obligate the Government to any contractual agreement. This is not a request for proposal. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses, nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted, nor will respondents be notified of the review of the information received. The information obtained from this Request for Information (RFI) will be utilized as market research for consideration in development of the Acquisition Strategy and Acquisition Plan for this requirement. The Government will not reimburse interested sources for any costs incurred in preparation of a response to this notice. Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a contract. The Department of Commerce (DOC), International Trade Administration (ITA), Iraq and Afghanistan Investment & Reconstruction Task Force (Task Force) supports the Government of Afghanistan's efforts to develop its private sector as cited in the Afghanistan National Development Strategy. The Task Force leads the DOC's efforts for commercial development in Afghanistan. The vision for Afghanistan is a market conducive to trade, investment, commercial development and a prosperous and sustainable private sector. Afghanistan's participation in economic regional integration efforts are estimated to bring about $2 billion worth of growth to the region with as much as $606 million to Afghanistan's economy alone (Source: Pant, Harsh V., India's ‘Af-Pak' Conundrum: South Asia in Flux, Foreign Policy Research Institute, Orbis Journal Article Vol. 56, 1, Winter 2012, available at: https://www.fpri.org/docs/alt/IndiasAfPakConundrum.pdf). Furthermore, Afghanistan is a party to the following agreements designed to integrate Afghanistan into regional markets: South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC), South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), South Asian Agreement on Trade in Services (SATIS), Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR), Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) and Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA). Despite these trade agreements and Afghanistan's sectors of comparative advantage, Afghanistan has not yet developed its trade potential in the region. Overall challenges exist such as insufficient infrastructure, trade facilitation and capacity, along with bilateral obstacles. A common perception among Afghan business people is that trade agreements such as SAFTA and APTTA have resulted in unequal treatment for Afghan traders in Pakistan. Pakistani trucks are allowed access to Afghanistan easily but Afghan trucks are restricted in Pakistan. Other restrictions including corruption at the borders to Uzbekistan make it difficult for Afghan traders to access local and regional markets. Furthermore, Afghan companies lack the access to business contacts and technical skills for expanding their markets in the face of increasing opportunities. Against the backdrop of a number of initiatives to expand Afghanistan's trade and economic ties within Central and South Asia, Europe and the Middle East, the Task Force recognizes the importance of identifying viable markets in which the Afghan private sector can play a strategic role to build and integrate Afghanistan into the international economy. The Task Force requires the services of a contractor to develop a program that identifies capable Afghan business people with an interest in expanding their markets, including the design and business development support to expand their market reach through participation in business inquiry and fact-finding missions, participation at key conferences or trade shows and by participating in trade missions to develop actual deals in order to expand and increase Afghanistan's trade both regionally and internationally. This program will build on DOC's work with Afghan companies from the food packaging and processing sector and the construction sector that took place in the United States in 2011. The program will serve as a pilot for developing Afghan companies' skills in identifying potential partners, conducting business to business networking and conducting effective marketing at trade shows. The program activities will likely be limited to Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, India and Turkey. The objectives of the Regional Integration Business Program are: a. Educate and train Afghan business people on how to effectively penetrate markets in the region in order to increase their capacity for trade and business diplomacy. b. Identify, prepare and facilitate Afghan companies' effective participation in third country trade shows or events. c. Deepen Afghan business peoples' capacities to implement and bring into reality regional trade agreements, practices and procedures in order to grow the Afghan economy. d. Promote cross-border people to people events and meetings to promote authentic regional trade engagement by providing access to chambers of commerce or existing local business groups. The contractor shall help participating Afghan firms develop viable relationships that can produce opportunities for actual trade to occur. The result of these actions would be to develop Afghan companies' capacities to penetrate new markets or to increase their penetration in markets where Afghan goods are sold but where there is room for expanding their market share. The contractor shall build a program for Afghans that deepen their understanding of regional trade agreements, practices and procedures, and how to build on the vision for increasing trade. The contractor shall identify in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Commerce opportunities to participate in regional trade shows or events. If appropriate the contractor may also facilitate Afghan private sector participation in regional policy discussions as the voice of the Afghan private sector. Throughout the program the contractor will provide participating Afghan firms with written training materials in English and Dari or Pashtu that the Afghan firms can utilize during the program and to develop their strategic actions and plans. The project mentioned herein is not all-inclusive, but rather is representative of the project directed by Commerce at this time. The contractor shall perform the following tasks: 1. Design and implement two parallel programs with one track for the Construction and Construction Materials sector and a second track for the Food Packaging and Processing (Agricultural) sector to include three major elements for each. Each parallel program would include: i. a series of training sessions, ii. a Market Study tour and, iii. two business delegations to a trade show (in either Turkey or India) in which the delegation would have a trade show booth at all shows. In addition, representatives for both sectors are also expected to participate in a series of business meetings in Kazakhstan. Contractor is to prepare a series of planning documents including a Project Work Plan, detailed program budget including any sub-contractors, Human Resource Plan (including resumes and safety of staff plan), Project Timeline, Security Plan and Project Management Plan. 2. Create a monthly Project Management (PM) Tasking plan to be submitted on the 10th day of the previous month (i.e. Month 4 activities will be due on 10th day of Month 3) with the first two months anticipated activities submitted within10 business days of the contract award. This PM tasking plan would include a detailed breakdown of specific program milestones, anticipated outcomes and program outputs. Furthermore, it should indicate specifically, items that would require pre-approval or review by Department of Commerce staff in order to meet specific deadlines and requirements of the program. The purpose of this document is to serve as a coordination tool between the U.S. government and the program implementer. Therefore this will serve as a working document to assist in the achievement of program activities. 3. Develop a gaps analysis for each sector throughout the lifetime of the project in order to identify other areas that can strengthen trade with regional partners in these two specific sectors. Present this gap analysis as a separate report per sector. 4. Provide once a month progress reports during the planning and performance stage of the program. Additionally, report in a very short summary to the Task Force about each completed activity, within 1 week of the activity completion, relevant information including: 1) companies visited, 2) events attended, 3) trainings completed, and 4) other indicators of company sustainability, development, advancement, sales, and growth. This short summary report may include a one to two paragraph summary as well as a copy of the program itinerary or agenda to include the names of participants and their companies for the activity. 5. Identify viable business leaders and business association leaders in the Food Packaging and Processing sector and in the Construction and Construction Materials sectors. Evaluate and vet program applicants to identify capacities for expanding their business regionally, interests in exporting and importing and with guidance from the Department of Commerce contact selected program participants to engage them in the program activities. 6. Develop a multi-part curriculum for training Afghan business development leaders on how to identify new markets and educating them regarding how to access regional and international markets, to include best practices for identifying partners, how to research and compete with local and international industries, trade regulations and practices that affect and impact market penetration, etc. 7. Conduct 5 training sessions for up to 100 business persons (at least 5% who are women) in the Food Packaging and Processing sector throughout Afghanistan. 8. Conduct 5 training sessions for up to 100 business persons (at least 5% who are women) in the Construction and Construction materials sector throughout Afghanistan. 9. Conduct at least 2 preparation and mock business to business (B2B) sessions for Afghan traders. 10. Develop for each sector a Market Research Study tour to Kazakhstan, India and Turkey for Afghan companies. The purpose of this study tour would be for a select group of no more than 8-10 Afghan business representatives per sector to meet with counterparts, government officials, business associations, chambers of commerce, and conduct site visits with industry specialists to share experiences and gain a better understanding of the sector and how to engage with them in order to promote Afghan exports. Each trip would take place at least 3 months prior to the anticipated participation of Afghan traders in a trade show in the respective country and be used to prepare the Afghan delegation for representation and participation in the trade show or event. Suggested Trade Shows could be such as or equivalent to: Turkey: MINEX "Mining, Natural Resource and Technology Fair" (SC) 23-25 May 2013 (http://minex.izfas.com.tr/indexx.php?f=4e6d29fe900a4c136ab97a86aa8f3f84&l=2); Ipaf 2013 "16. International Plastic & Packaging Technologies and Products" Fair 5/23-5/26 (http://www.ipaffuarlari.com/aindexeng.htm). India: Concrete Show India 2013, http://www.concreteshowindia.com/, June 12-13, 2013; or Concrete Show India 2014, http://www.concreteshowindia.com/ March 13-15, 2014; India Packaging Show Hyderabad 2013, July 5-8, 2013 or India Foodex Bangalore 2013, August 23-25, 2013 among others. Kazakhstan: The implementer shall prepare delegation members for participation in a business conference to promote understanding between Afghan and Kazakh companies. This conference would take place in Almaty and involve the participation of Kazakh business leaders, government officials and representatives of trade associations, chambers of commerce etc. relating to the construction and the agricultural sectors. A follow up mechanism and or event for matchmaking Afghan and Kazakh firms would be developed. A related business to business (B2B) reception or media event may also be organized in conjunction with the conference. 11. Organize a business conference to coincide with a political regional trade event (such as one that could possibly involve trade talks or other people to people opportunities for developing the trade relationships for Afghan traders internationally). Recruit and identify a group of no more than 8 specific Afghan business leaders representing these two sectors and business associations, chambers of commerce and Afghan trade advisors to participate in a private sector delegation and organize one event (such as a business reception, seminar, conference, etc.) to complement the high level meetings. Work with Department of Commerce staff to develop a business conference to include a strategic roundtable dialogue session, a reception and business-to-business meetings in Kazakhstan for Afghan businesses which may include DoC SABIT program alumni. 12. Conduct at least 2 pre-trip preparation workshops for each delegation by sector for a total of 6 workshops (3 for Construction and construction materials sector and 3 for food processing and packaging agricultural sector). Design these workshops to prepare Afghan business leaders to develop a marketing strategy, materials, sales approach and follow up plan for sustaining business relationships to be developed through participation in the trade show. Design workshops for business conference to focus on building trade ties, deepening and expanding trade relationships and developing strategies for how the private sector can engage in overcoming existing barriers to trade. 13. Recruit, identify and vet at least 15 Afghan companies from the Construction and Construction Materials sector for developing a trade show booth and participation in a trade show in India. Cost-sharing by program participants is recommended. 14. Recruit, identify and vet at least 15 Afghan companies from the Construction and Construction Materials sector for developing a trade show booth and participation in a trade show in Turkey. Cost-sharing by program participants is recommended. 15. Recruit, identify and vet at least 15 Afghan companies from the Food Packaging and Processing sector for participation in developing a trade show booth and participating in the trade show in Turkey. Cost-sharing by program participants is recommended. 16. Recruit, identify and vet at least 15 Afghan companies from the Food Packaging and Processing sector for participation developing a trade show booth and participating in the trade show in India. Cost-sharing by program participants is recommended. 17. For all four trade shows, one business conference (Kazakhstan) and two Market Research study tours (one to India and one to Turkey), arrange site visits and on-site industry trainings or demonstrations that introduce Afghan firms to relevant companies, technologies and contacts appropriate to their industries. Relevant industry, government, and aid organizations should be included in these events. 18. Manage all logistics for taking Afghan companies to Market Research Study Tours, business conference and four Trade Missions (two per sector). 19. Serve as a source of expertise providing business advice, counseling and mentorship to Afghan firms involved in the program to equip them with the tools necessary to increase their exporting capacities. Any educational tools and program presentations must be pre-approved by DoC. Document any increased value resulting from Afghan firms' participation in the program. 20. Develop resources including training materials; networking sessions, internet based forums, etc. that can be used to facilitate knowledge sharing and communication with local, U.S. and international companies. 21. Provide for program participants letters of support to make it possible for them to acquire foreign visas and provide important information to enable the Department of Commerce to help Afghan participants secure visas for travel to countries included in the program. 22. Arrange all travel logistics for the programs including: a) Providing logistics information to enable Afghan firms to travel from Kabul or other cities inside Afghanistan to international locations and returning them to Kabul, b) Trade Show related travel arrangements for the delegations, and c) International flight, accommodations, and event attendance logistics. 23. Conduct evaluations of Afghan companies' achievements through this program. 24. Work with companies and show organizers to develop and implement the Afghan representation at the trade show or event such as creation of an Afghan booth, PR strategy, and promotional materials. 25. Mentor Construction and Construction materials sector Afghan companies to conduct effective marketing, identify and cultivate potential investors and learn how to develop joint venture partnerships with Indian traders. 26. Engage with Afghan companies in the Food Packaging and Processing Sector to develop a trade show booth, marketing materials, customer service approaches etc. that match with the market they are attempting to penetrate. The Contractor shall be responsible for arranging and providing security. The Contractor shall submit a security plan to the COR. The Contractor is responsible for providing all Life Support functions for all their employees within Afghanistan. Life Support includes, but is not limited to living accommodations, potable water, electricity, Internet access, trash removal, and related support services. The government is not responsible for providing Life Support for the Contractor within Afghanistan. The Department of Commerce anticipates Contractor personnel will primarily be working in Afghanistan, with additional work performed in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia. The Contractor will have discretion on where to locate its personnel to best perform its obligations under the Contract. For all personnel deploying into the theater of operation, the contractor is authorized to conduct contractor-performed theater admission processing. The period of performance would be 12 months from date of award. The U.S. Department of Commerce is requesting that interested contractors provide a brief capability/information statement demonstrating their ability to provide this service and provide the following information: The statement of capabilities should include: 1. Firm name, address, e-mail, telephone and fax numbers 2. Small business certification - 8(a), HubZone, Service Disabled Veteran or Women-owned. 3. Applicable contract vehicles (i.e. DOC, GSA, NASA SEWP) available for Government-wide use. 4. Past Experience - describe your experience of similar type, size and complexity to that which is the subject of this Sources Sought. 5. Provide a listing of three (3) most recent projects your firm has performed. 6. Your firms Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 7. System for Award Management (SAM) registered NAICS Codes. Interested parties should submit their responses in either a.doc or.pdf compatible format via email. Submissions should be no more than five (5) pages plus cover sheet. The DOC does not intend to respond to questions concerning this requirement at this time. Responses should be submitted to Monica.Brown@trade.gov.
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