it_and_Vegetables_Post_Harvest_Management_2015.pdf

U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service

Statement of Work

Cochran Program for Serbia Fruit and Vegetable Post Harvest Management 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 Serbia: (1) senior advisor from the ministry of agriculture, (1) general manager from the private company “Junzi Banat”, (1) program director from the private company “Delta Agrar”, (1) development director from the private company “Lucic Prigrevica”,

(1) executive/development director from the private company PKB Corporation, and (1) general manager from the private company “ATOS Fructum”. The program should be designed to help fellows better understand U.S. fruit and vegetable post-harvest management. The program should include: the U.S. supply chain, post-harvest and distribution system, an overview of U.S. farm management, harvesting, packaging methods, processing, marketing, distribution, and handling. Serbia is currently seeking to modernize and develop an improved system for fruit and vegetable distribution. This training program should introduce the Fellows to U.S. post-harvest management, cold chain methods, and best storage/distribution of fruits and vegetables. The program objective is to assist Serbia in modernizing its cold chain and post- harvest techniques. The goal of this activity is to improve Serbia’s handling, storage, and processing capabilities for perishable produce, therefore enhancing agricultural sustainability and increasing efforts for future international trade.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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

An in-depth overview of U.S. Post-Harvest and distribution systems for fruits and vegetables; a comparison to current Serbian methods to evaluate and assess current areas for development

U.S. supply chain management: supply chain structure and distribution systems of produce

Introduction to post harvest techniques including: harvesting, packaging, processing, marketing, retail distribution, and handling

Introduction to U.S. laws and regulations directing and monitoring the labeling of food products

Quality management of produce: appearance, freshness, texture, flavor and nutritive value

Possible new U.S. fruit and vegetable varieties available suitable for the Serbian market

Current demand for frozen and processed fruits and vegetables in the U.S. market

U.S. fruit and vegetable processing companies: establishing contacts for possible importing of frozen and processed fruits and vegetables

Marketing new brands to consumers; techniques and strategies to introduce a new product

Reducing loss (both physical and in market value) between harvest and consumption; best packing and packaging practices to reduce loss

Cold chain practices: packaging, cooling, shipping, and storage of fresh fruits and vegetables

Temperature management: temperature and relative humidity control (harvest to consumption)

New innovations and techniques in U.S. post-harvest technology

Food safety: potential hazards during production of raw produce, sanitary postharvest handling of produce, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles as applied to handling fresh produce

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

This consecutive 2 week training program should be provided between May 23- June 6, 2015.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The host institution shall propose the place(s) of performance in their Technical Proposal.

The host institution 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).

A pre-training questionnaire to determine Fellows baseline knowledge of the learning objectives. (Template and examples will be provided).

A post-training questionnaire to determine the knowledge gained in each of the learning objectives. (Template and examples will be provided).

Analysis of the pre and post training questionnaire. (Template and examples will be provided)

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

HOST INSTITUTION SHALL PROVIDE:

Ground transportation in applicable cities; except Washington, DC

Secure and guarantee lodging during the entire program (individual rooms must be held on training providers credit card which is some cases will include incidentals and/or miscellaneous charges upon check-in)