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EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

U.S. Department of State

The General Services Office (GSO) Bogotá, Colombia

The General Services Office (GSO) at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota has a requirement for Biotechnology Policy Advocacy; we invite you to read carefully the following minimum requirements:

Conditions of proposal

To be considered for evaluation and award you must comply with the following:

Prices should be in Colombian Pesos (COP). Only for Colombian Vendors.

Unite price, tax percentage, tax amount and total amount should be stipulated in the quote.

Submit with the quotation the technical information sheet per model/reference.

Your offer must meet or exceed ALL requirements specified in this advertisement.

If pictures are included, they are used as an example, your offer must meet the technical description provided.

We will contact you to clarify or to request additional information during the evaluation process, if necessary.

Brand new products (not refurbished, no alternatives) Must match the exact features Your offer must include CONTRACTOR’S CERTIFICATION ON

COMPLIANCE WITH NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT

(NDAA) 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Aug 2020)

REQUIREMENT: Thay your company completely understands the requirement.

DELIVERY TERMS: DDP DELIVERY AT THE EMBASSY

WAREHOUSE IN BOGOTA.

PAYMENT TERMS: 30 Day net payment.

VALIDITY OF OFFER: 3 Months

Questions

Please use PR16169733 in the subject line.

Should you have any question regarding this request please send an e-mail to bogotagsocompras@state.gov before August 13th, 2026, at 4:00 PM (Bogota, Colombia - local time).

Delivery Place American Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia

Delivery Terms for U.S.

vendors

U.S. vendors: you can send a proposal in USD, but all prices must be DDP at our warehouse in Bogotá - Colombia.

The U.S. Embassy Bogotá will NOT emit a tax exemption certification for Colombian taxes

IMPORTANT NOTE in spite the US embassy is exempt of some Colombian taxes, the Colombian Government courier limits are: $2,000 USD and/or 50 kilos MAX, any package exceeding those limits will no longer be considered courier shipments, and Customs Brokerage + Release of air waybills or Bill of Ladings + Storage fees will be charged, these fees MUST be included in the prospective vendor’s offer as the US Embassy will not cover such expenses.

mailto:bogotagsocompras@state.gov

DELIVERY TERMS: DDP DELIVERY AT THE EMBASSY WAREHOUSE IN

BOGOTA. “Delivered Duty Paid” the seller delivers the goods when the goods are placed at the disposal of the buyer, cleared for import on the arriving means of transport, and ready for unloading at the named place of delivery. The seller bears all the costs and risks involved in bringing the goods to the place of destination, has an obligation to clear the goods not only for export but also for import, to pay any duty for both export and import, and to carry out all customs formalities.

Payment Terms

EFT net 30 calendar days, payments will be made upon receipt and acceptance of delivery.

Deadline to submit your offer

Please use PR16169733 in the subject line.

Offers are due by August 24th, 2026 at 4:00 PM (Bogota, Colombia - local time) via e‐mail to bogotagsocompras@state.gov All responsible sources may submit an offer that shall be considered.

Please note that this is a combined synopsis/solicitation for a commercial item, prepared in accordance with the format FAR 12.202, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is PR16169733 and is issued as a Request for Quotation. The solicitation/contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through FAC 2005–45 Items to be acquired as stated in the below list. All elements should meet or exceed the following criteria:

SCOPE OF WORK

Statement of Work: Biotechnology Policy Advocacy: Government Engagement and Academic Outreach Program

SCOPE

Conduct three workshops at a selected venue and three site visits to an agricultural biotechnology research center or a feed/food plant, led by international and domestic experts holding relevant academic credentials in biotechnology, agricultural sciences, biological sciences, or a closely related field. These activities will advocate against proposed anti-biotechnology legislation and policies in Colombia and encourage wider understanding, acceptance, and adoption of biotechnology among key stakeholder groups.

PURPOSE

Since 2022, Colombia has remained open to the adoption of genetically engineered (GE)-derived commodities and other innovative technologies and has implemented various regulations facilitating GE cultivation and acceptance. Nevertheless, anti-biotechnology influences risk undoing decades of progress in this space and threaten U.S. market access of key GE commodities to the Colombian market. While technical-level government officials favor biotechnology adoption, various activist groups have successfully lobbied certain legislators to reject the science and the concept of biotechnology in general. Over six consecutive legislative years beginning in mailto:bogotagsocompras@state.gov

July 2020, bills aimed at establishing “transgenic-free” municipalities, protecting farmers’ rights to save, reuse, and commercialize their seeds, and a GE seed ban have all been introduced in Congress. On November 2, 2023, Colombia’s Constitutional Court upheld a 2022 law mandating that the government take actions to protect indigenous land and native seeds and avoid risks derived from the release of living modified organisms from biotechnology processes. In June 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development published its legal review of the Court’s ruling and stated that Colombia will need to integrate new cultural impact assessments into the GE approval process. To address these challenges, this activity aims to: dissuade Colombian officials from adopting trade-restrictive policies or enacting laws that would hinder biotechnology development and prevent the adoption of new technologies, by presenting scientific evidence, facilitating access to updated technical and regulatory information, and highlighting the economic, social, and environmental benefits of biotechnology; facilitate Colombian academia's access to science-based information; and stimulate educator and student acceptance of biotechnology to facilitate knowledge transfer to Colombian communities and reduce, if not eliminate, anti-biotechnology perceptions.

MAJOR TASKS

The contractor shall render the services below to accomplish the main purpose and implement the activity:

Action 1: Between September 1, 2026, and December 30, 2026, in the city of Bogotá, conduct a six-hour workshop—including four 45-minute modern biotechnology presentations with Q&A sessions, and surveys at the beginning and end of the agenda to check understanding of the topic and perception of biotechnology—followed by a biotechnology-related field visit, for up to 65 government officials. The workshop and field visit will be led by biotechnology experts and domestic producers to address non-science-based narratives that harm U.S.

interests in biotechnology and to advocate for establishing science-based regulations in Colombia.

Action 2: Between September 1, 2026, and December 30, 2026, in the city of Bogotá, conduct a workshop and a biotechnology-related field visit for up to 30 Colombian congressional representatives, led by biotechnology experts and domestic producers, to discourage the adoption of laws and address non-science-based narratives that harm U.S. interests in biotechnology by demonstrating the negative impacts of non-scientific laws on the economy, innovation, and technology access; presenting scientific and regulatory arguments;

facilitating testimonials from producers; and clarifying doubts and dispelling myths.

Action 3: Between September 1, 2026, and December 30, 2026, conduct a workshop at a research center or agricultural sciences university, facilitated by domestic and international professionals, targeting approximately 60 agriculture university or high school-level students, to improve public perception and general knowledge of biotechnology by presenting balanced information about the risks and benefits of biotechnology; clarifying common misconceptions and highlighting positive impacts; connecting biotechnology concepts to real-world challenges in agriculture, health, and the environment; and facilitating Q&A sessions to develop interest in agricultural biotechnology as a profession.

Action 4. The contractor shall carry out all activities stated in Actions 1, 2, and 3 through the procurement of the following:

• Venue space and rental, including stage, podium, tables, chairs for all workshops

• A/V Equipment, that must include the following:

o Video beam o Sound equipment o Three microphones o Two clip-on microphones

• Promotional materials (which may include, but are not limited to, notebooks, flyers, pens, tote bags) that are previously approved within U.S. branding guidelines. Present a comprehensive presentation that includes proposed promotional materials and submit it for review and approval from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in Bogota (FAS Bogota) to ensure compliance and alignment with agency policies

• Interpretation services and equipment: including interpretation booth, headsets for participants, audio console and qualified personnel for English-Spanish interpretation

• Registration services for program participants

• Provide local transportation in and around the city using air-conditioned buses to accommodate participants, ensuring comfortable and safe travel to and from the venue

Action 5. Conduct the following services to ensure the completion of activities outlined in Action 1, 2 and 3:

• Create and present a comprehensive multimedia digital presentation for each workshop and site visit that includes proposed promotional materials, agenda and topics, expert profiles, workshop and site visit venues, and engagement platforms.

• Create comprehensive digital coverage for the event, including real-time updates, multimedia content such as photos and videos, and ten (10) social media posts.

• Identify and secure agricultural biotechnology subject matter experts for each event.

To support this effort, prepare and deliver a presentation to FAS Bogotá that includes a curated list of six proposed speakers for each workshop, along with their CVs, accreditations, and required specialty (agricultural biotechnology, regulation, scientific communication, etc.). Profiles must include a clear rationale for their relevance to the workshop's objectives. Submit this presentation to FAS Bogotá for review and clearance prior to finalizing speaker selections.

• Arrange registration services for participants including the creation of an online registration platform, management of participant data, confirmation of registrations, and provision of assistance with any inquiries or issues during the registration process to ensure seamless and efficient experience.

• Deploy virtual and audience engagement platforms to facilitate interactive participation, including live polling, Q&A sessions, and incorporate tools to conduct perception and satisfaction surveys. These platforms should be designed to gather valuable feedback, enhance participant engagement, and provide actionable insights to improve future events.

Action 6: Provide a final written report, in both Spanish and English, submitted no later than Monday, January 11, 2027, at 5:00 p.m., for final payments to be processed. The report shall summarize the outcomes and include an evaluation of the activity, addressing the following action items:

• Description of project impact and audience reached: Based on survey results, describe the activity's major achievements and how it has improved recipients' perception of biotechnology, using evaluation surveys that are one page long, include at least three questions, and receive approval from FAS Bogotá; these questions should measure participants' perception, satisfaction, and knowledge of biotechnology both before and after the event, with example questions asking respondents to rate their knowledge of biotechnology prior to the workshop, share their perception of biotechnology's impact on Colombian agriculture, and indicate whether they would recommend adopting biotechnological technologies in their professional environment, while also including a summary of the total number of attendees and the nature of the audience (e.g., students, professors, government officials).

• Evidence of media coverage, including estimated number of people targeted and reached, and other positive local reporting on the activities.

• Findings and recommendations for future activities on biotechnology.

EVALUATION FACTORS

• The Contractor shall demonstrate prior experience and submit evidence (e.g. presentation, video, writings, etc.) in providing similar services, including samples of events related to biotechnology outreach

• The Contractor shall provide evidence that the offeror/quoter operates an established business with a permanent address and telephone listing

• The Contractor shall provide a bilingual English – Spanish point of contact, being Spanish his/her mother tongue

• The Contractor shall provide evidence that the offeror/quoter has handled contracts valued at USD $20,000 or greater.

• The Contractor shall provide evidence that the offeror/quoter has all licenses and permits to operate as an established business entity as required by local law

• The Contractor shall provide evidence that the offeror/quoter can provide the necessary personnel, equipment and financial resources to satisfactorily perform the work and achieve all aforementioned action items

GENERAL GUIDANCE

• The Contractor shall coordinate with FAS Bogota to ensure that all information intended for the target audience is reviewed and approved in sufficient time prior to each workshop.

Throughout each stage of the activity, the Contractor shall provide progress updates to FAS Bogota and obtain formal concurrence confirming the completion of all developments related to the activity

• The contractor shall submit its presentation and any promotional material for review and clearance from FAS Bogota to ensure compliance with branding guidelines and alignment with U.S. government policies.

• The Contractor shall submit a written activity report in Spanish and English

• The Contractor shall transfer and release all intellectual property rights and ownership of any and all materials and products developed in the execution of this project to FAS

Bogota. Furthermore, any profits, copyrights, or other intellectual property benefits generated as a result of this project shall be the sole property of the USDA

• The Contractor agrees to adhere to the payment schedule established by FAS Bogota’s terms and conditions. Final payment will be processed upon the Contractor’s timely submission of the final report as required under the provisions of Action 6

• The Contractor shall ensure 80 percent attendance at each workshop. The Contractor must provide a list of attendees for FAS Bogota’s approval prior to each event

• The Contractor shall develop a one-page feedback survey with a minimum of three questions to distribute to workshop participants at the beginning and conclusion of the events. FAS Bogota should approve the survey prior to dissemination

• The Contractor shall provide a proposed timetable for all Actions previously listed

• Any expense or obligation not previously approved by FAS Bogota shall be the exclusive responsibility of the Contractor, without further compensation from the U.S. government