SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- Request for Information ( RFI 40718) - Sources Sought for a National Indian Arts and Crafts Activity Market Survey
- Notice Date
- 10/27/2004
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- Minerals Management Service GovWorks (Franchise) 381 Elden Street, MS 2500 Herndon VA 20170
- ZIP Code
- 20170
- Solicitation Number
- 14350405RFI40718
- Response Due
- 11/29/2004
- Archive Date
- 10/27/2005
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Request for Information (RFI 40718) - Sources Sought for a National Indian Arts and Crafts Activity Market Survey The Department of Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB) seeks to undertake a nationwide market study in order to define and illuminate the Indian arts and crafts market. This is a market survey for a written request for information (RFI) only. It is for planning purposes only and should not be construed as a request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the government. This is not a solicitation announcement for proposals and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement and/or any follow-up information requests. Responses shall not exceed 30 pages and standard company brochures are not desired. Dependent upon the results of this market survey, the IACB may issue a solicitation to acquire the appropriate services. Any such solicitation will be based on a statement of objectives and will be issued as a firm fixed price effort. The IACB was created by Congress to promote American Indian and Alaska Native economic development through the expansion of the Indian arts and crafts market. The top priority of the IACB is the enforcement and implementation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101-644, 25 U.S.C. ? 305a et seq, as amended by the Indian Arts and Crafts Enforcement Act of 2000, Pub.L. 106-497, 25 U.S.C. ? 305e (the "Act"), enacted in response to growing sales of arts and crafts products misrepresented as being produced by Indians. The Act is a truth-in-advertising law that prohibits the marketing of products as "Indian made" when such products are not made by Indians as defined by the Act. It is intended to protect Indian artists and craftspeople, businesses, Tribes, and consumers. For purposes of the Act, "Indian" is defined as a member of a federally or officially state recognized Tribe or certified non-member Indian artisan. See 25 U.S.C. 305e(d)(1) and (3); 25 C.F.R. 309.2. The IACB works to protect the economic livelihood of authentic Indian artists and artisans, and provides protection for consumers, through public education, industry outreach, and enforcement. There have been no recent market studies to define the size and impact of Indian arts and crafts production and sales on Indian economic development. Such a study is needed to clarify, for example, the nature and scope of producers, wholesalers, and jobbers of Indian arts and crafts, how the products are getting to retail, and who is buying the products. The more in-depth the information on the sources of and distribution channels for Indian arts and crafts entering the marketplace, the greater the IACB's ability to bolster Indian economic development and cultural preservation through the production and sales of authentic Indian arts and crafts. Previous studies have included the "Comprehensive Study of the American Indian Arts and Crafts Situation in the Albuquerque, Navajo, and Phoenix Areas," (1976) by the American Indian Management Institute; "The History of the Southwest Indian Ethnic Art Market," (1976) a doctoral dissertation by Edwin Wade; "Study of Problems and Possible Remedies Concerning Imported Native American-Style Jewelry and Handicrafts," (1985) by the U.S. Department of Commerce; "Santa Fe Indian Market 2001," by the University of New Mexico for the Southwestern Association of Indian Arts; and "Native American Art in the International Marketplace and Pertinent Information on Native American Arts," (2002) by Allison Consultants for the Northern Arizona University Center for American Indian Economic Development. These studies have, with the exception of the 1985 Department of Commerce study, focused on arts and crafts sales in the Southwest. While these studies and reports help to shed light on the industry from several perspectives, they do not provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the Indian arts and crafts market nationwide that is currently required. Accordingly, the study will include identification of: A. The size (by revenue and/or other recognized indicators) of the overall Indian arts and crafts market. B. Determine the number and location of individual Indian artists and artisans who support themselves exclusively through the sale of their art or craftwork. C. Determine the number and location of individual Indian artists and artisans who supplement their income through the sale of their art or craftwork. D. Determine the number and location of retail businesses of which the majority of their products are Indian arts and crafts. E. Determine the number and location of wholesale businesses of which the majority of their products are Indian arts and crafts. F. Categorize and further define the number of individuals, businesses, and organizations that sell their products through established art markets, powwows, conferences, and related events. G. Following identification of the market components, further describe the sales by categories such as Individual, Retail, Market Vendor, Street Vendor, Internet, or Other. H. Principal geographic areas of production of authentic market items by craft category, (e.g., jewelry, pottery, beadwork, basketry, Alaskan crafts, weaving, fetish, sculpture, carvings, kachina, or other), and tribal affiliation of the producer. I. Principal geographic areas and/or markets of distribution of authentic market items by the above craft categories, including venues beyond the producer's immediate area. J. Identification of significant producers and distributors of Indian arts and crafts and discussion of their methodology, organization, and other pertinent information related to their operation and control of the market. K. Determine what percentage of the overall American craft market is made up of the sale of Indian arts and crafts products. L. Obtain pertinent financial information regarding the sales of Indian arts and crafts by individuals, and retail and wholesale businesses. M. Identify location and profile of Indian arts and crafts collectors and repeat consumers. Each prospective vendor is to provide a capability statement addressing its knowledge, ability and experience, and brief outline of approach, including a rough order of magnitude (ROM) of cost, for each of the following key categories. 1. Data collection and analysis. 2. Product marketing and merchandising. 3. Identification and tracking of Indian arts and crafts sales by product category as noted above in "H." 4. Creation of manufacturer, seller and buyer profiles. 5. Familiarity with Indian and Alaska Native culture, customs, markets, geography, economics, and any other knowledge, experience or ability pertinent to gaining credible access to relevant markets and market participants. 6. Past performance of similar work All potential sources with the capability to provide the above referenced requirements are invited to submit, in writing, sufficient information within the page limitation (30 pages). This information must demonstrate the prospective vendor's ability to fulfill the requirements. All responses must identify capabilities/expertise in all the above requirements. It is the intent of the government to conduct informal, interactive exchanges with prospective vendors who provide capability statements in accordance with this market survey request. The government may invite one or more respondents to discuss their capability of performing similar commercial activities, experiences, and current business best practices. The information obtained from this market survey and informal exchange will be used to form the basis of a future solicitation. All responses must be received not later than November 29, 2004, 2PM Eastern Standard Time. All documents and materials submitted in response to this RFI will become the property of the government, and will not be turned Responses will be marked as follows: "Market Survey RFI 40718" and include with the capability statement: Vendor company name, address, name of the point of contact, email address, phone number and fax number, and vendor's DUNS number. Responses may be emailed in zip format to : shanda.georg@mms.gov or mailed to the following address (if hard copies are sent, please provide 3 copies): Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations, 381 Elden Street, MS 2510, Herndon Virginia 20170-4817 Attention: Shanda Georg
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- Record
- SN00699896-W 20041029/041027212052 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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