3-RFP 2026-01 Director for Europe.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) 2026-01

Request for Proposal for Director of the European Office for the Fairfax County (Virginia) Economic Development Authority

1. OBJECTIVE OF THIS RFP

1.1 The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (the “FCEDA”) is associated with the Fairfax County government for the purposes of attracting new businesses from across the United States and around the world to Fairfax County.

The FCEDA is seeking to obtain the services of a qualified consultant or consulting firm to support its international business attraction efforts in Continental Europe. The selected consultant will be responsible for identifying, qualifying, and initiating contact with European companies that may have a strategic interest in establishing a presence in the United States, with a particular emphasis on Fairfax County, Virginia.

Interested offerors are asked to submit a proposal in accordance with the terms of this RFP.

1.2 The final decision regarding contract award will be made by the FCEDA’s Selection Advisory Committee (SAC). We anticipate that the contract will begin October 1, 2025. The term of the contract is for one year with the option for two one-year renewals thereafter.

2. STATEMENT OF WORK

The selected consultant will support the attraction of companies from across Europe in priority industry sectors that include information technology, cybersecurity, big data, aerospace, software development, health IT, systems integration, quantum technologies, and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.

The ideal candidate will possess exceptional business development capabilities, a strong understanding of corporate location and expansion dynamics, and well-established networks within Europe’s key information technology sectors. Prior experience in economic development and familiarity with Fairfax County’s business environment are strongly preferred.

The selected candidate will be responsible for conducting targeted outreach to European companies and industry stakeholders, organizing and facilitating business development meetings for FCEDA staff, planning and executing Europe-based events to support international business engagement. In addition, the candidate will manage FCEDA’s social media (LinkedIn page) presence in the European market by contributing to digital marketing efforts, including content creation, regular posting, and audience engagement, all in coordination with FCEDA’s marketing team to ensure alignment with broader strategic objectives.

Performance benchmarks, including timelines for deliverables, the number of monthly outreach meetings, the generation of qualified leads, and business announcements, will be clearly defined in an annual work plan developed in consultation with the FCEDA.

3. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPOSAL

The proposal must be submitted in a single PDF document and must contain the information detailed in this section.

3.1 Please provide a comprehensive resume outlining your professional background, including education, work history, areas of expertise, and specific accomplishments relevant to international business development, economic development, and market expansion particularly in relation to EU-US relations.

3.2 Please outline your proposed strategy for expanding Fairfax County’s visibility and engagement in the European market. Provide recommendations on how Fairfax County can competitively position itself, particularly against major U.S. innovation hubs such as Silicon Valley and New York City in attracting European firms. The strategy should include specific outreach activities, stakeholder engagement plans, and value propositions that resonate with European technology firms. In the form of an executive summary (2–4 pages), describe how you will identify and approach prospective companies (key technology sectors identified in section 2, STATEMENT OF WORK), manage ongoing relationships, and build sustained interest in Fairfax County as a strategic location for global growth. Please include tactics for maximizing return on investment and building long-term economic development pipelines.

3.3 Describe your company, including its history, core competencies, and experience in business development and marketing. Please provide detailed information regarding your qualifications, past and present projects, strategic relationships, and contractual engagements that demonstrate your capacity to support international investment attraction. Highlight your team’s capabilities by listing the key personnel who would be directly involved in the execution of this project.

3.4 Please indicate the physical location of your office in Europe. Confirm whether your facilities are equipped with the appropriate technological infrastructure to support international business activities, including high-speed internet, telecommunication tools, and suitable computing hardware and software.

Donna Hurwitt This is in Section 8, Special Requirements of the FCEDA

Donna Hurwitt Fix section numbering (skips 3.2)

3.5 Provide a detailed summary of your experience working with European technology companies, particularly in facilitating their entry into the U.S. market or supporting collaborations with U.S.-based firms. Include case studies or examples of successful projects in which you assisted European companies in establishing a presence in the United States. Specify the number of years you have been engaged in this type of work and the scope of services delivered.

3.6 Please provide the names and contact information for three (3) business references.

3.7 Detail your level of access to and engagement with European media outlets, including national newspapers and major broadcast networks. If applicable, describe how you have leveraged media relationships in the past to promote economic development, innovation, or international investment initiatives.

3.8 Please describe how you would comply with the insurance requirements listed in Section 9. INSURANCE, or alternately, please include information about your current insurance coverage and your ability to obtain certification of your coverage by the contract start date.

4. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

Except as provided in the Virginia Public Procurement Act, all proceedings, records, contracts and other public records relating to procurement transactions shall be open to the inspection of any citizen, or any interested person, firm or corporation, in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Any inspection of procurement transaction records shall be subject to reasonable restrictions to ensure the security and integrity of the records. Cost estimates relating to a proposed procurement transaction prepared by or for FCEDA shall not be open to inspection.

Trade secrets or proprietary information submitted by an offeror in connection with this RFP shall not be subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.); however, the offeror shall (i) invoke the protections of this section of the RFP and Virginia Code Section 2.2-4342.F prior to or upon submission of the data or other materials, (ii) identify the data or other materials to be protected, and (iii) state the reasons why protection is necessary. An offeror shall not designate as trade secrets or proprietary information (a) the entire proposal;

(b) any portion of the proposal that does not contain trade secrets or proprietary information;

or (c) line-item prices or total proposal prices. Every offeror shall complete Form 2022-01 and submit it as part of its proposal package in order to invoke protections of trade secret or proprietary information or acknowledge that it does not wish to invoke them.

All material submitted by an offeror becomes the property of FCEDA and may be returned only at the FCEDA’s option.

5. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL

5.1 All proposals and accompanying requirements must be submitted prior to 2:00 p.m., U.S. Eastern Time, Monday, August 4, 2025. Proposals will not be accepted after this time. The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority uses a Euna Procurement portal for accepting and evaluating proposals digitally. Please contact Euna Procurement at Support@GoBonfire.com for technical questions related to your submission. You can also visit their help forum at https://bonfirehub.zendesk.com/hc.

5.2 A PDF document should be submitted via the Euna Procurement portal as described in Section 3.

5.3 Offerors must register in the Euna Procurement portal to submit a response to this RFP.

Submitting proposals via the portal is mandatory. Proposals can be submitted at https://fairfaxcountyeda.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/193852. The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority will not accept proposals submitted by paper, telephone, facsimile (“FAX”) transmission, or electronic mail (e-mail) in response to this RFP. Assistance is available at Support@GoBonfire.com.

The FCEDA strongly encourages offerors to submit proposals well in advance of the proposal submission deadline. A proposal submission is not considered successful unless all necessary files have been uploaded and the ‘Submit & Finalize’ step has been completed. Offerors are responsible for the consequences of any failure to plan ahead in the submission of its Proposal.

Changes and addenda to the solicitation may occur prior to bid closing. Be sure to check the listing frequently.

6. QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RFP

Questions about this RFP can be submitted up until 2:00 p.m., U.S. Eastern Time, Friday, July 18, 2025, via the Euna Procurement portal at https://fairfaxcountyeda.bonfirehub.com.

Questions received and responses will be posted on the RFP page of the portal by 2:00 p.m., U.S. Eastern Time, July 24, 2025.

7. BASIS FOR AWARD

7.1 A Selection Advisory Committee (SAC) comprised of FCEDA staff has been established in order to review and evaluate all proposals submitted in response to this Request for Proposal.

The SAC shall conduct a preliminary review of all proposals on the basis of the information mailto:Support@GoBonfire.com https://bonfirehub.zendesk.com/hc https://fairfaxcountyeda.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/193852 https://fairfaxcountyeda.bonfirehub.com/ provided with regard to the firm’s technical proposal. Based upon this review, the business proposals of the highest rated offeror(s) will then be evaluated.

7.2 Based on the results of the initial evaluations and rankings, the highest-rated bidder(s) will be invited to make oral presentations to the SAC. It is anticipated that these presentations will take place the week of August 25, 2025 via Teams video conference.

7.3 The SAC will then enter into negotiations with those offerors deemed to be the most fully qualified and best suited to perform the work. Negotiations with a bidder do not mean that an award will occur. If a contract satisfactory and advantageous to the FCEDA can be negotiated at a price considered fair and reasonable, award shall be made to that bidder. At the time the proposed contract is negotiated, the bidder and the SAC or its designee may negotiate any changes desired in the Request for Proposal if deemed in the best interest of the FCEDA.

Final approval of the award of the contract shall be made by the FCEDA President.

7.4 Evaluation criteria will be as follows:

(a) Proposal (100 points)

(1) Quality and relevance of marketing strategy outlined in executive summary (30 points)

(2) Number of years and type of relevant business development and economic development experience (15 points)

(3) Knowledge of Fairfax County as premier business location for overseas companies and its specific characteristics (15 points)

(4) Current location of office and technology capability of the office, including back office and event support (10 points)

(5) Demonstrated success in social media promotion, and suggested strategies and tactics for FCEDA (15 points)

(6) Technical, business, educational background (5 points)

(7) Quality of materials submitted (10 points)

Add “points” to each criteria

(b) Interview (100 points)

(1) Presentation of intended approach of overall continental Europe marketing and business investment program. Alignment with job description and demonstrate understanding of role and industry. (40 points)

(2) Lead generation and contacts with senior-level executives in target industry sectors and detailed knowledge of target industries in Europe. (20 points)

(3) Knowledge of Fairfax County as premier business location and its benefits as a location to potential European prospects and their related investments. (15 points)

(4) Teamwork, collaboration, and interpersonal sensitivity. Adaptability and openness to feedback. (5 points)

(5) Detailed knowledge and experience with social media platforms. (10 points)

(6) Overall readiness, and potential for success in the role. Professionalism and confidence. (10 points)

7.5 The FCEDA reserves the right to award a contract by individual items, in the aggregate, or in combination thereof, or to reject any or all bids and to waive any informality in bids received whenever such rejection or waiver is in the best interest of the FCEDA.

7.6 The Procurement Manager, or designee, may arrange for discussions with firms submitting proposals, if required, for the purpose of obtaining additional information or clarifications.

7.7 Bidders are advised that, in the event of receipt of an adequate number of proposals, which, in the opinion of the Procurement Manager, or designee, require no clarifications and/or supplementary information, such proposals may be evaluated without further discussion.

Hence, proposals should be submitted initially on the most complete and favorable terms from a technical standpoint which bidders are capable of submitting to the FCEDA. Should proposals submitted require additional clarification and/or supplementary information, bidders should be prepared to submit such additional clarification and/or supplementary information, in a timely manner, when so requested.

7.8. Proposals that, after discussion and submission of additional clarification and/or supplementary information are determined to meet the specifications of this Request for

Please re-do the numbering under section 7.4. You can refer to RFP 2025-01 (India) for the correct format.

Proposal, will be classified as “acceptable.” Proposals found not to be acceptable will be classified as “unacceptable” and no further discussion concerning the same will be conducted.

7.9 An award may be made to as many bidders as deemed necessary to fulfill the anticipated requirements of the FCEDA.

7.10 It is anticipated that the contract will begin on October 1, 2025.

7.11 Multi-year contracts may be continued each fiscal year only after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has granted program approvals and funding. In the event that the Board of Supervisors does not grant necessary funding appropriation/program approval, then the affected multi-year contract becomes null and void, effective July 1 of the fiscal year for which such approvals have been denied.

8. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF FCEDA

All information and leads are the property of the FCEDA. During the term of the contract, the Consultant shall not perform services related to attracting investment by European-owned businesses to the U.S. for any other person, firm, public body or economic development organizations in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area (MSA), unless otherwise approved by the FCEDA in advance, and in writing. The Consultant will not approach current Northern Virginia firms (or their international subsidiaries), or prospects in the U.S. for the Consultant’s other business interests. Neither will the Consultant market and/or perform its fee-based services to current Northern Virginia firms (or their international subsidiaries) or prospects from the moment that a person or firm is known to be an FCEDA prospect, unless approved by the FCEDA in advance, and in writing. “Northern Virginia” is herein defined as Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Arlington County, Prince William County and the City of Alexandria.

Violations of Section 8 are considered conflicts of interest and will result in the immediate termination of the contract. The FCEDA is the sole judge of what constitutes a conflict of interest.

9. INSURANCE

9.1 The Consultant agrees to secure and carry as a minimum, throughout the term of the contract, the following insurance covering all Work to be performed under the contract:

Workers' Compensation (statutory) and Employer's Liability $500,000 each accident, $500,000 disease, with $500,000 policy limit

International and California Rep Option

Commercial General Liability (CGL), covering both bodily injury and property damage $1,000,000 each occurrence $2,000,000 general aggregate $2,000,000 products-completed operations aggregate $1,000,000 personal and advertising injury $100,000 fire damage limit (any one fire) $10,000 medical expense limit (any one person $1,000,000 employee benefits liability $-0- retention or deductible ($1,000 for employee benefits only)

Automobile Liability, covering both bodily injury and property damage $1,000,000 combined single limit

Professional Liability $5,000,000 each claim $5,000,000 aggregate not to exceed $10,000 retention per claim

9.2 The CGL insurance shall include contractual liability with limits not less than those set forth above.

9.3 The Consultant shall provide the FCEDA with a certificate of insurance or other satisfactory evidence that such insurance has been obtained and that such policies are maintained in force throughout the period in which the Consultant provides services to the

FCEDA.

9.4 Each certificate of insurance shall require thirty (30) days’ notice to the FCEDA if an insurance policy stated on the certificate is to be cancelled without an “endeavor to” or “use best efforts to” clause. Should evidence of continuous insurance coverage meeting these requirements not be maintained, the FCEDA may withhold payment on invoices payable to the Consultant until such insurance is restored to the reasonable satisfaction of the FCEDA.

9.5 If the liability insurance purchased by the Consultant has been issued on a "claims made" basis, the Consultant must comply with the following additional conditions:

(a) The limit of liability and the extensions to be included as described previously in these provisions, remain the same, and

(b) Provide certificates of insurance evidencing the above coverage for a period of two years after final payment under the contract. This certificate shall evidence a

"retroactive date" no later than the beginning of the Consultant's Services under the contract, or

(c) Purchase the extended reporting period endorsement for the policy or policies in force during the term of the contract and evidence the purchase of this extended reporting period endorsement by means of a certificate of insurance or a copy of the endorsement itself.

9.6 Any deductibles and/or self-insured retentions greater than $50,000 must be disclosed to and approved by the FCEDA prior to the commencement of Services. Use of large deductibles and/or self-insured retentions will require proof of financial ability as determined by the FCEDA.

9.7 All coverages shall be issued by companies with the Best's Key Rating of at least A:VII.

9.8 Consultant waives and must require (by endorsement or otherwise) all its insurers to waive subrogation rights against the FCEDA and other additional insureds for losses paid under the insurance policies required by the contract or other insurance applicable to the Consultant or its subcontractors. The waiver must apply to all deductibles and/or self-insured retentions applicable to the required or any other insurance maintained by the Consultant or its subcontractors. Where permitted by law, Consultant must require similar written express waivers of subrogation and insurance clauses from each of its subcontractors.

9.9 The FCEDA, its officers, employees and agents shall be named as an "additional insured" for all liability policies, and it shall be stated on the insurance certificate that this coverage "is primary to all other coverage the FCEDA may possess."

10. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

10.1. The Consultant will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, color, handicap, religion, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.

Consultant will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment without regard to their age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, or national origin. Such action shall include but not be limited to the following:

employment, upgrading, demotion, transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, or selection for training, including apprenticeship. The Consultant agrees to post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment, notices setting forth the provisions of this nondiscrimination clause.

10.2 The Consultant will, in solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the Consultant, state that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, or national origin.

10.3 The Consultant will insure that employees can perform their duties in a workplace free of harassment of whatever nature, including, but not limited to harassment which occurs as a result of an individual's age, sex, race, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, religion, national origin or disability. For the purpose of this provision, harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct that interferes with and has no bearing on an employee's job performance; it may be spoken or written, graphic or physical; it can be done to offend or simply as an insensitive joke.

10.4 The Consultant will comply with provisions of the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.

10.5 The Consultant will include the substance of this Article in every subcontract or purchase order unless exempted by rules, regulations, or orders of the U.S. Secretary of Labor issued pursuant to Section 204 of Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, as amended by Executive Order 11375 of October 13, 1967, so that such provisions will be binding upon each subcontractor or vendor.

11. DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

11.1 Consultant agrees to (i) provide a drug-free workplace for Consultant's employees; (ii) post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment, a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance or marijuana is prohibited in Consultant's workplace and specifying the actions that will be taken against employees for violations of such prohibition; (iii) state in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of Consultant that Consultant maintains a drug-free workplace; and (iv) include the provisions of the foregoing clauses in every subcontract or purchase order over $10,000, so that the provisions will be binding upon each subcontractor or vendor.

11.2 A "drug-free workplace" means a site for the performance of work done in connection with the contract, the employees of whom are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of any controlled substance or marijuana during the performance of this Agreement.

12. COMPLIANCE WITH IMMIGRATION LAWS

The Consultant does not and shall not during the performance of the contract knowingly employ an unauthorized alien as defined in the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

13. AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

The Consultant, if organized as a stock or nonstock corporation, limited liability company, business trust, or limited partnership or registered as a registered limited liability partnership shall be authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth as a domestic or foreign business entity if so required by Title 13.1 or Title 50 or as otherwise required by law, and must remain so for the duration of its performance under the contract.

14. FORCED OR INDENTURED CHILD LABOR

14.1 The Consultant agrees that it will not use forced or indentured child labor in the performance of this Agreement and that it will include such prohibition in every subcontract or purchase order that exceeds $10,000, so that the prohibition will be binding upon each subcontractor or vendor, under this Agreement.

14.2 For the purposes of this RFP and the Agreement, “forced or indentured child labor” means all work or service (i) exacted from any person younger than 18 years of age under the menace of any penalty for the nonperformance of such work or service and for which such person does not offer himself voluntarily or (ii) performed by any person younger than 18 years of age pursuant to a contract the enforcement of which can be accomplished by process or penalties.

15. CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

In the event this RFP (and the resulting Agreement) is for information technology goods and services, which shall mean communications, telecommunications, automated data processing, applications, databases, data networks, management information systems, and other related goods and services, then no term or provision in this RFP or Agreement shall be valid or enforceable to the extent that it is in conflict with Virginia law, but the Agreement shall otherwise remain enforceable; and any term or provision in this Agreement that (i) makes it subject to, governed by, or interpreted under the laws of another state or country or (ii) requires or permits any litigation or other dispute resolution proceeding arising from this Agreement to be conducted in another state or country shall be void, and this Agreement shall instead be deemed to provide for the application of the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to such this Agreement's choice of law provisions, and to provide for jurisdiction in the courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Form 2022-TS-PI

TRADE SECRETS OR PROPRIETARY INFORMATION:

In connection with Section 4 of this RFP, trade secrets or proprietary information submitted by an offeror in connection with this RFP shall not be subject to public disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act provided that an offeror seeking to protect submitted data or materials from disclosure must, before or upon submission of the data or materials, identify the data or materials to be protected and state the reasons why protection is necessary. Each offeror shall complete this Form 2022-TS-PI for the purpose of invoking the protections available under the Virginia Public Procurement Act and Virginia Freedom of Information Act or disclaiming any such protections. An offeror shall not designate as trade secrets or proprietary information (a) an entire proposal; (b) any portion of a proposal that does not contain trade secrets or proprietary information; or (c) line-item prices or total proposal prices.

Failure to complete and submit this Form 2022-TS-PI may result in a proposal being rejected as incomplete.

Please mark one:

No, the proposal that I have submitted does not contain any trade secrets and/or proprietary information.

Yes, the proposal that I have submitted does contain trade secrets and/or proprietary information.

If Yes, you must clearly identify below the exact data or materials to be protected and list all applicable page numbers, sections, and paragraphs, of the proposal that contain such data or materials. You may use additional pages as necessary.

State the specific reason(s) why protection is necessary for each request and why the identified information constitutes a trade secret or is proprietary. You may use additional pages as necessary.

If you fail above to identify the data or materials to be protected or to state the reason(s) why protection is necessary, consistent with what applicable law specifies may be protected, you will not have invoked the protection available under the Virginia Public Procurement Act and your proposal will be open for public inspection consistent with applicable law.

Completed By:

Name __________________________________ Company __________________________________ Date _________________________________

Harrison, Ashley H.

I changed to match the reference at the top of the page

Harrison, Ashley H.

See prior note.