SOW_Turkey_Seafood_Program_2015 1 .pdf

U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service

Statement of Work

Cochran Program for U.S. Seafood Marketing – Turkey Eastern Europe and Eurasia

Background Since 1984, the U.S. Congress has made funds available to the Cochran Fellowship Program for training agriculturalists from middle-income countries, emerging markets, and emerging democracies. Training opportunities are for senior and mid-level specialists and administrators working in agricultural trade and policy, agribusiness development, management, animal, plant, and food sciences, extension services, agricultural marketing, and many other areas. Individuals selected for Cochran trainings come from both the public and private sectors. All training occurs in the United States. Training programs are designed and organized in conjunction with U.S. universities, USDA and other government agencies, agribusinesses, and consultants. The Cochran Fellowship Program is part of the United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service.

Since its start in 1984, the Cochran Fellowship Program has provided U.S.-based training for over 16,300 international participants from 123 countries worldwide.

Scope of Work The Cochran Fellowship Program’s Eastern Europe and Eurasia Region is requesting the design and delivery of a training program for (6) Fellows from Turkey: (4) import managers, (1) firm owner, and (1) Senior Agricultural Specialist from FAS/Istanbul. The program should be designed to help fellows better understand U.S. seafood products including varieties available for export to Turkey. The Turkish seafood industry has grown rapidly in recent years, including: local production, consumption, imports/exports. Imports from the U.S. are also increasing but can advance with further promotion and exposure to seafood varieties. The local catch is declining due to excessive harvesting and local production is limited to a few varieties. Topics should include: seafood marketing, storage, packaging, and food safety. The program objective is to assist with the promotion of U.S. seafood and expose the Fellows to various products such as lobster, crabs, scallops, shrimp, oysters, and smoked salmon. The program should include the Boston Seafood Show (March 15-17) along with meetings with various cooperators.

The Food Export USA-Northeast Region has consented to arranging meetings with exporters the day before and day after the Seafood Show. Visits to various seafood exporters’ facilities should be included in the North East Region. The goal of this activity is to introduce U.S. seafood varieties in an effort to increase high value and traditional U.S. seafood exports to Turkey.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The trainer will ensure that the Fellows increase their knowledge in the following areas:

An in-depth overview of U.S. seafood including varieties available for export to Turkey

An overview of high value products used in Turkey (lobster, crabs, and scallops)

Introduction to U.S. seafood marketing, including fresh and frozen products

Visits to U.S. seafood exporters in the North East Region to observe proper storage and packaging of products

Specific products of interest are: mackerel, row and processed salmon, herring, black cod, pollock, and panga

Escort and participate in exporter meetings arranged by the Food Export USA- Northeast (March 14 and March 18)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

This training program should be provided between March 13-21, 2015.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The offeror shall propose the place(s) of performance in their Technical Proposal. (North East Region)

The offeror will be reimbursed for travel and subsistence expenses based on GSA’s Joint Travel Regulation.

DELIVERABLES:

Provide a thumb drive of the training highlights to each Fellow and the Cochran Fellowship Program;

Ensure that each Fellow completes the Cochran Training Program Evaluation; and

Development of an Action Plan by each Fellow, in accordance with the Action Plan template. The Action Plan identifies goals and outlines specific steps or activities which each Fellow will perform upon return to Armenia. An Action Plan generally includes steps, milestones, measures of progress, responsibilities, assignments, and timeline. The contractor shall provide a copy of each fellow’s Action Plan to the Cochran Fellowship Program.

A brief final report (format at the discretion of the offeror).

Deliverables are due two weeks after the completion of the training.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS:

The Fellows’ subsistence expenses will be paid by USDA (per diem allowance)

Emergency Medical Insurance

Certificates of Eligibility for J-1 visas

Domestic airfare for Fellows

Contractor FURNISHED ITEMS:

Secure and payment of ground transportation in applicable cities

Secure and credit card guarantee for lodging during the entire program

Registration to the Boston Seafood Show (for all Fellows)

PARTICIPANT FURNISHED ITEMS:

Cochran Fellows provide their own international airfare to/from the location of the training.