MODIFICATION
76 -- Marketing, Production and Distribution of magazine designed to promote US exports.
- Notice Date
- 8/19/2003
- Notice Type
- Modification
- 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
- TACS-11563-91828
- Response Due
- 9/2/2003
- Archive Date
- 9/2/2004
- 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
- The RFP is modified as follows: The time and date for receipt of proposals has been extended to: 10:00Am, Tuesday, September 2, 2003. Request for Proposals Commercial News USA SECTION 1: SUMMARY/BACKGROUND This Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks proposals from contractors to be implemented at NO-COST to the U.S. Government, to implement the online and print export promotion products described below. Contractors are to be paid their costs and a reasonable profit out of program revenue generated. The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service ("US&FCS" or "Commercial Service"), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), operates over 100 domestic Export Assistance Centers (EACs), and approximately 175 Commercial Posts in 78 countries overseas. US&FCS is statutorily mandated to promote U.S. exports by providing export promotion and facilitation services, products and programs to small-to-medium-sized U.S. business enterprises (SMEs). US&FCS Commercial Officers and Specialists in our overseas posts, and Trade Specialists in our EACs in the United States, counsel U.S. firms, offer strategic export planning expertise, assist with trade event participation, and develop and deliver market intelligence and trade data on a cost-recovery fee basis. US&FCS services designed to assist SMEs and relevant to this solicitation include the following two periodicals: Commercial News USA (CNUSA) is a monthly magazine that promotes U.S. exports around the world to buyers, distributors, and representatives in more than 145 countries. This widely-read publication is currently distributed outside the United States, free of charge to foreign importers and businesses through U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and trading partners worldwide. The magazine has been published for more than 20 years and has a companion Web site - www.cnewsusa.com. The contract between US&FCS and the current private sector publisher of CNUSA will expire on September 30, 2003. US&FCS seeks at this juncture to produce the CNUSA magazine and discontinue the www.cnewsusa.com website. The contract resulting from this RFP may be extended by amendment to include the marketing of BuyUSA.com at a date yet to be determined. BuyUSA.com is a Government-to-Business (G2B) website intended to assist U.S. SMEs in the location of qualified international buyers and trading partners. In the near future, the site will offer to users the ability 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.com membership is available to U.S. exporters under a tiered system. Basic listings on the site are available for roughly $50 while enhanced listings will be available for a more significant fee. All fees will be determined on a cost-recovery basis. Qualified potential foreign buyers of U.S. exports are allowed to register free of charge, leading to robust foreign traffic on the site. This is a major selling point in the eyes of potential U.S. companies. 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 US&FCS field offices, offering BuyUSA.com users direct access to and assistance from experienced US&FCS Trade Specialists and Commercial Officers with expertise in all major industry sectors/subsectors, and in all major country and regional markets worldwide. The BuyUSA.com website is fully owned by US&FCS, and is located at http://www.BuyUSA.com. US&FCS also owns BuyUSA.gov, a series of Web sites that showcase international trade service providers (e.g., freight forwarders, interpreters, local law firms) available to help U.S. companies' export to a specific country. For example, BuyUSA.gov/Switzerland lists Swiss business service providers that can help U.S. exporters in the Swiss market. BuyUSA.gov is linked to BuyUSA.com. SECTION 2: SCOPE, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE This solicitation seeks a contractor to produce and distribute the magazine. Specifically, the contractor will be responsible for: 1) selling listings and display ads to U.S. companies; 2) copy writing and editing of listings; 3) camera copy production and making electronic version (.PDF) of the magazine available electronically; 4) printing; 5) distribution; and 6) customer service. At a later date, the contract resulting from this RFP may be amended to include the marketing of BuyUSA.com to U.S. exporters and international trade service providers. Please note that the site maintenance for BuyUSA.com and BuyUSA.gov is handled through a separate, existing contract. This solicitation seeks proposals as described above from U.S. firms that: " Currently produce and distribute a magazine or similar publication; " Currently market print advertisements in magazines; " Currently facilitate the buying, selling, or promoting U.S. goods and services; or " Currently promote and/or facilitate the export of goods and services from the United States. US&FCS is seeking business proposals from firms interested in providing contract services to US&FCS to structure and implement value added, print and internet based export promotion/facilitation tools to primarily benefit small- to medium-sized U.S. exporters. US&FCS specifically does NOT seek to fund the activities covered by this RFP, but rather seeks proposals in which contractor produces and distributes the print version of CNUSA and recovers its costs and a reasonable profit from program revenue generated by these products. Thus, services or capabilities are to be proposed at NO COST to US&FCS. Respondents are encouraged to propose creative marketing strategies but are directed to review Office of Management and Budget circular A-25 regarding the government mandate for full cost recovery. Generally, under Circular A-25, US&FCS must fully recover the costs of services it provides to identifiable recipients. We are open to creative partnering agreements with other groups that might be interested in promoting or distributing the magazine. Proposals should, ideally, generate sufficient revenue to share between US&FCS and the contractor so that US&FCS recovers the costs it incurs related to the subject programs and the contractor recovers its costs and a reasonable profit. SECTION 3: PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Offerors shall propose a comprehensive marketing/sales strategy that ensures "critical mass" for CNUSA. Specific duties include: a. Promotion - The contractor shall use its market research, budget, channels of distribution and schedules to develop and, with the cooperation of US&FCS field offices, implement a domestic promotional campaign for CNUSA. We anticipate that the vast majority of advertising revenue will be generated by the contractor's sales staff. b. Copy Writing - The contractor shall be responsible for writing and editing listings from materials it receives from qualified clients, ensuring that what is written, accurately describes the product or service in a manner that facilitates comprehension by potential overseas importers whose native language may be other than English. c. Production - The contractor shall, with US&FCS oversight, determine the cover design, editorial format, style and content, graphics, feature articles, etc., for CNUSA. Also, using established DOC industry codes, the contractor shall determine the industry category of individual "listings" that shall appear in each issue. d. Layout - The contractor shall be responsible for producing the camera copy layout for the final printing of each issue. The contractor shall publish individual "listings" promptly within a period not to exceed 45 days from any given issue's closing date. e. Printing - The contractor shall use its own resources and facilities, either in-house or on a subcontract basis, to print the appropriate number of copies up to 80,000, of CNUSA for each of the no less than six (6) issues that are to be published annually. The current publication schedule includes 11 issues per year. f. Distribution - the contractor shall distribute appropriate quantities of each issue of CNUSA to all distributing posts and eligible domestic recipients in a timely manner. The contractor shall be authorized and may at its option elect to use (a) its own resources and facilities, either in-house or on a subcontract basis, to distribute CNUSA; or (b) distribution methods currently offered by US&FCS and described below. Regardless of the circulation for CNUSA, US&FCS shall receive, at no charge, no less than fifty (50) copies of each issue. g. The contractor shall make a .PDF version of the magazine available on BuyUSA.com and setting up an electronic email system to notify clients when each new issue is available. Current Distribution is made by: (a) Diplomatic Pouch; (b) Military Postal Service (APO/FPO); and private sector vendor. The current distribution charges are estimated at roughly $50,000 per issue for 120,000 copies, but please note that such charges may change. Under this solicitation, we anticipate distributing significantly fewer e.g. approximately 50,000 -80,000 copies, and respondents are strongly encouraged to develop cost-saving strategies and partnership arrangements for the distribution of the print magazine. Please note that simply providing the magazine in an electronic format is not currently an acceptable strategy for overseas distribution because many of our recipients are not Internet enabled. The contractor shall notify the Department of all subcontractors, including printing and distribution subcontractors, providing services under this contract prior to the first issue of CNUSA that involves any subcontractor. If the contractor elects to employ Department of Commerce distribution channels, the Department will provide the contractor with distribution invoices within eight weeks of the shipment date and the contractor shall reimburse the Department for all costs within 30 days of receiving the invoice. The contractor shall, on a semi-annual basis, assess and report to US&FCS, the effectiveness of CNUSA. SECTION 4: DELIVERY SCHEDULE/DELIVERABLES Contractor Deliverables The contractor shall have its sales force operational within one month of contract signing. The first issue of the magazine shall be published and distributed within 90 days of contract signing. US&FCS Deliverables US&FCS will, as relevant and appropriate, provide contractor with contact information for current online and print advertisers upon contract award. US&FCS will also provide current marketing materials, training materials and other information deemed relevant to the program. SECTION 5: RELEVANT INFORMATION In order to assist firms considering or preparing a response to this solicitation, the following areas are of interest to US&FCS in its relationship with the contractor, with further details to be articulated in the ensuing contract. a) Sales/Marketing: Proposals should articulate an effective sales/marketing strategy to populate CNUSA. Proposals should articulate how the contractor will generate enough revenue to ensure that the program is commercially viable. b) Cost Recovery: US&FCS is required to charge sufficient costs for its services to recover its costs of developing and implementing said services. Respondents should develop their own budgets regarding sales staffs, layout and printing costs, distribution, and other expenses. Revenue sharing proposals should be developed by the bidder for print advertisements sold by the contractor and those sold by US&FCS personnel keeping in mind that current distribution cost of $50,000 per issue should be substantially cut and shall be borne entirely by the winning offeror. c) Applicability of USG Statutes, Policies and Audit/Review: All project financial systems, operations and procedures shall comply with applicable Federal and U.S. Department of Commerce statutes (e.g. see US&FCS statute below), regulations, standards and policies, and shall be subject to Commerce and General Accounting Office audit. US&FCS will perform quarterly review of the project's operations and revenues. d) Pricing: 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 1/9 page ad must be agreed upon by US&FCS and the contractor to ensure that the prices are reasonable for the U.S. SME client base, while meeting the needs of both US&FCS and its contractors. e) Intellectual Property Provisions: With respect to all content prepared by or for contractor under this Agreement, such as articles, collections of data, graphics, Web design, charts, and all other materials, the US&FCS will reserve the right to own, via assignment or otherwise, any works on which copyright is claimed by the contractor or its agent(s), ultimately resulting in copyright being owned by USFCS, to the extent permissible by law. Property Rights: Although US&FCS and the contractor shall work jointly to produce the publication, it is understood that the name, title, and logotype of Commercial News USA, BuyUSA, and the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service shall remain the property of the United States Government, as shall, in the case of logotypes, any reasonable resemblance thereto. Similarly, the US&FCS will own all newly created domain names and trademarks arising under this Agreement. Both parties recognize that the current Commercial News USA and BuyUSA client and/or subscriber mailing lists are, and shall continue to be, the property of the United States Government. Any advertiser list developed exclusively by the contractor shall be the property of the contractor, but provided this or subsequent contracts are in effect, the contractor shall, on a monthly basis, provide US&FCS full access to such lists, at no charge to US&FCS, for US&FCS's own uses. Liabilities: US&FCS will require the contractor to maintain adequate insurance in the event of any disputes arising from use of CNUSA by customers. Confidentiality Agreement: The contractor and its employees or other associates under this contract must be willing, if appropriate, to sign confidentiality agreements. Additional Information Contract Award and Implementation. Selection will be made by US&FCS based on (1) assessment of offeror responses against criteria provided above; and (2) direct discussions between US&FCS and offerors addressing business programmatic, technical and business aspects of contract. (2) Any firm currently publishing a similar Department of Commerce publication or engaging in a similar export promotion activity (e.g. publication or on-line marketing) may be considered to have an organizational conflict of interest as defined by FAR 9.5 and if so would not be considered for this award. The winning firm may be not be eligible for future contracts or other arrangements with the Department of Commerce for similar publishing or export promotion activity that would create conflicts with this CNUSA contract. This prohibition would be in place so long as this contract for CNUSA is in effect. SECTION 6: PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE The initial term of the resulting contract will be for a period of two (2) years with options for three (3) one-year periods based upon satisfactory performance. The place of performance will be the contractor's place of business. SECTION 7: INSTRUCTIONS TO INTERESTED FIRMS Proposals will be accepted for the next 45 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 responses are preferred and should include the subject: "CNUSA Partnerships". Email responses shall be in a MS Word format. Business plans that include budgets or cost spreadsheets shall be submitted in a Excel spreadsheet format and should be submitted to the following individual: Alonzo Jacobs, Contract Specialist, email: Alonzo.Jacobs@noaa.gov PROPOSALS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN: 10:00 AM, AUGUST 18, 2003. Proposals shall include supporting documentation narratives for all cost projections/budgets for proposed Business plans which shall be submitted in MS Word format. If you must submit a written proposal, please submit an original and 10 copy to: Alonzo Jacobs, Contract Specialist NOAA/OFA 613 SSMC IV -7th Floor 1305 East West Highway Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Proposals shall be prepared in a format and in a manner that clearly addresses all of the requirements set forth herein. Awards will be made to those offerors proposing the most effective solution to the Government in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth. 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 USFCS STATUTORY MANDATE: The following is the relevant section of 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 domestic 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. Evaluation Criteria Proposals submitted will be evaluated using these evaluation criteria, which are listed in order of importance. 1. Past Performance and demonstrated success in the marketing, development, publishing and distribution of online and print magazines. Items to be reviewed include quality of magazine and ability to maintain commercial viability of magazine and Web sites. Respondents should submit evidence to address this evaluation factor. 2. Approach to sales and marketing that yields commercially viable magazine that targets small and medium sized enterprises. 3. Business plan that outlines all costs associated with marketing, production and distribution of magazine as well as revenue streams that illustrate method for producing magazine at no cost to the U.S. government. 4. Demonstrated sustained operation for at least two (2) years, in combination with a sustainable business plan and model and financial statements. 5. Consistency with US&FCS Statutory Mandate (provided at end of this document) and commitment to working under applicable USG statutes, policies and regulations. 6. Company's/Proposal's suitability for relation with U.S. Government and presence on a U.S. Government web site and print publication, which will be evaluated in terms of, but not limited to, the following considerations: criminal or civil violations charged or pending; debarment or suspension actions; documented unfair trade practices; inappropriate or illegal business practices; potential for embarrassment to the U.S. Government; or any other consideration which could jeopardize the US&FCS mission of promoting U.S. exports abroad or the objectives of BuyUSA. Please utilize email for ALL contract/procurement/technical inquiries, to be directed to: Alonzo.Jacobs@NOAA.gov
- Place of Performance
- Address: Contract performance will take place at the contractor's place of business.
- Record
- SN00405967-W 20030821/030819213448 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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