SOW_Tourism_-_Agriculture_Linkages_Montenegro_(2).docx

U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service

Statement of Work Cochran Program for Montenegro Tourism – Agriculture Linkages: Increasing Contributions from Local Producers 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 Montenegro: (1) deputy secretary, Secretariat for Entrepreneurship, Municipality of Podgorica (1) advisor for coordination and public relations, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, (1) senior advisor on investments, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, (1) assistant for tourism, promotion and marketing, National Tourism Organization of Montenegro (1) economic advisor, Montenegro Business Alliance and (1) analyst, Institute for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. The program should be designed to help fellows better understand the U.S. agricultural tourism system, types of agro tourism and advantages for each type. The Government of Montenegro is trying to help farmers market their products to increase sustainability and income. The tourism industry is rapidly growing, which is an opportunity for farmers to sell their products and accommodate tourists, including new resorts and hotels that are developing. The Fellows are interested in the fundamentals of agricultural tourism, benefits of closer cooperation between local producers and food service industry, and marketing opportunities for small farmers. Topics should include: U.S. agricultural tourism system, types of agro tourism activities, role of agro tourism in rural development, and agricultural linkages to hospitality, catering and food service companies. The program objective is to assist with the development of a strategy for agricultural linkages to tourism which will allow the Fellows to enhance marketing practices and increase sales on the domestic food market. The goal of this activity is to assist Montenegro develop a modern agricultural tourism industry, therefore enhancing agricultural sustainability and trade linkages.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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

· The development, organization and management of U.S. agricultural tourism

· Types and varieties of agro tourism

· Agricultural marketing and promotion via agro tourism

· Agro tourism for smaller farmers in the optimization of marketing and sale of their products

· Role of agro tourism in rural development

· Agricultural linkages to hospitality, catering and food service industry

· Best practices of agricultural tourism applicable in Montenegro

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

This consecutive 2 week training program should be provided in July - August, 2015.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

· The host institution shall propose the place(s) of performance in their Technical Proposal within the United States

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

· Contract Type – Firm Fix-Price

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 Montenegro. 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

· Domestic airline tickets

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 the training provider’s credit card which in some cases will include incidentals and/or miscellaneous charges. Fellows’ hotel debit cards should only be presented during check out). Under no circumstances should Fellows’ hotel debit cards be presented during check in.