The U.S. Dry Bean Council (USDBC) is soliciting proposals from individuals and/or firms to serve as the Council’s Representative(s) for food aid region (FAR) and emerging markets. The countries included in FAR change from year to year depending upon food security situation. In general, the vast majority of the food aid countries targeted by the USDBC are in Africa and Central America. The USDBC tries to focus on providing information about our products in countries that in addition to receiving food aid have good potential for current or future commercial market development. This home based INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR position that requires self-directed international travel to lesser developed countries for periods up to one month at least 3 times per year.
This position undertakes strictly promotional and market development activities, and does not engage in the actual buying, selling or shipping of US dry beans.
The US Dry Bean Council (USDBC) is composed of twelve state or regional producer, dealer and shipper organizations and one corporate member in the United States. These members represent all aspects (grower, processor, shipper, canner and broker/dealer) of the U.S. dry edible bean industry throughout the United States. On average, 25% of the total U.S. dry edible bean crop is exported each year.
The USDBC also contracts with overseas representatives in Western Europe, Japan, Thailand, Mexico and Central America/Caribbean regions. These representatives are responsible for implementing specific country or regional marketing plans within the Council’s global promotion strategy. With input from industry the USDBC International Programs Committee is responsible for developing and carrying out the Council’s global strategy and developing international promotion budgets.
The Regional Representative will be responsible for:
1. Implementing the FY09, January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009, activity plan for the CAR region
2. Helping provide background information for the 2010 Unified Export Strategy (UES). The UES is the government grant application and marketing plan for the USDA Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program funding. First draft of the UES is expected to be due May 2010.
a. UES components (See appendix A with proposed 2009 UES activities)
i. Market Assessment
ii. Market strategy to increase U.S. dry bean exports to the region
iii. Evaluation of overall strategy and of previous year’s activities.
iv. Identification of market constraints and opportunities
v. Performance measures to determine if progress is being made against constraints
vi. Activity plan for January 2009-December 2009
vii. Expected results of activities
3. Write the 2009 UES evaluation report due March 30, 2010.
4. At a minimum, provide quarterly reports that include market information, import data, activities performed in the previous quarter and activities planned for the next reporting period.
5. If requested organize and plan USDBC participation in at least 3 trade service missions from the U.S. to the region or vice versa.
6. Attend one board meeting/staff conference in the United States each year.
7. Travel to target countries in the region (as identified by the USDBC IPC) at least three times a year to meet with private voluntary organizations (PVOs), government officials, importers, retailers, and/or other potential buyers.
8. Write, produce and distribute 2-3 electronic newsletters PVOs, government officials, and buyers (US crop and product information is provided by USDBC).
Please note that all correspondence and reporting must be in English.
PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS:
In order to be considered, proposals, including the attached budget form, must be received in the USDBC office by 5:00 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Standard Time) on Wednesday, August 13, 2008.
Proposals should include:
1. Fee structure for the responsibilities listed above (see Format section below for guidelines)
2. Representative client and project listings, references and biographies (please provide relevant samples) or updated CV that reflects same
3. Any additional materials that demonstrate ability to perform the functions outlined in this request-for-proposals.
Send proposals by email to (no phone calls please):
US Dry Bean Council
Attn: Bob Green, International Programs Committee Chairman
Email: mbc@mutualdata.com
A copy of submissions should also be sent to:
connie@usdrybeans.com
FORMAT:
The contract for this account will be written as an end result contract paid out in installments on a time schedule agreed upon by both USDBC and the representative. The format of the proposal is open. A resume, cover letter and explanation of fee structure is minimum requirement. Please note that the proposal should reflect that regular business costs such as bank fees, communication costs, Internet connections, payroll and other office overhead will not be paid on an actual cost basis but rather should be incorporated as part of the representative fee. Additionally, the representative is required to attend at least one USDBC board meeting per year in the U.S. All U.S. based representatives are required to cover their own costs associated with participating and attending the USDBC board meeting.
Other international travel costs required to complete the scope of work outlined above are reimbursed on an actual cost basis, so they should not be included in the proposed fee.
Proposed professional fees as outlined here should not exceed $84,000.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The more detailed the information you provide, the better the assessment we can make as to the overall merit of your proposal.
USDBC reserves the right to award the contract to the candidate with the best combination of attributes, not necessarily the lowest bid.
Proposals will be judged on the candidate’s:
• Experience with agricultural trade organizations
• Experience with food aid organizations
• Knowledge of U.S. dry bean marketing and promotion
• Knowledge of the targeted markets
• Knowledge of competition
• Access to and relationship with the relevant target groups in the region
• Program management experience
• Experience in working with publicly funded programs, such as those of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Ability to coordinate with USDBC International Programs Committee, Committee Chair and Executive Director.
• Ability to work independently as well as with a team
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Cost to manage and implement the defined responsibilities
• Ability to develop a market strategy and implement the recommended promotion activities
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
July 20, 2008 The US Dry Bean Council issues Request for Proposals
August 13, 2008 Request for Proposals due to USDBC
August 27, 2008 Proposals reviewed
September 1, 2008 USDBC awards contract
January 1, 2009 Contract Commences
- Location: Open
- Compensation: Independent Contractor position with maximum contract fee of $84,000.
- Telecommuting is ok.
- This is at a non-profit organization.
- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
- Please, no phone calls about this job!
- Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.