Request_for_Proposals-_Vietnam_Beer_19JUN2015.docx

USDA Request for Expressions of Interest 2015 Cochran Fellowship Program- Asia

U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service

Statement of Work Cochran Fellowship Program on Beer, Wine and Spirits Importing and Marketing (Vietnam) (Asia Region)

BACKGROUND

Since 1984, the U.S. Congress has made funds available to the Cochran Fellowship Program for training agriculturalists from middle-income countries and emerging market countries. 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. 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.

The Cochran Fellowship Program offers short-term training opportunities, most ranging from 2 to 3 weeks in length, depending on the objectives of the program. During training programs Fellows meet with professionals in their fields, participate in field observations and industry visits, experience on-the-job training, attend university courses and seminars, attend agricultural expos or conventions, or participate in a combination of the above. No training, however, will be approved which directly enhances a country's ability to export goods in competition with the United States. Cochran Fellowship Program staff work closely with the Foreign Agricultural Service’s overseas offices and U.S. agricultural trade and market development associations to identify potential areas of training for countries participating in the Cochran Fellowship Program. Every effort is made to match U.S. agricultural interests with those of the recipient countries.

Program objectives are to provide high-quality training resulting in knowledge and skills that will:

(1) Assist eligible countries to develop agricultural systems necessary to meet the food and fiber needs of their domestic populations; and

(2) Strengthen and enhance trade linkages between eligible countries and agricultural interests in the United States.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Cochran Fellowship Program’s Asia region is requesting the design and delivery of a training program for seven (6) beverage importers and distributors, two (2) restaurant/brewhouse owners, and one (1) USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Marketing Specialist (total of 9) from Vietnam. As tourism increases and the Vietnamese beer culture grows there is a greater demand for higher quality beers, wines and spirits in Vietnam. This increasing demand has led to imports of beers from Belgium and Germany, Wines from France and Chile and Spirits from France and Scotland. This beer wine and spirits program will generate interests among importers and retailers to source new products from U.S. The greatest opportunity for growth in US products are in the craft beer and bourbon whiskey markets and the training will focus on those areas. A small amount of time should be focused on the wine industry in the U.S. The training program will expose importers/distributor and restaurant owners to the different types and qualities of beer, wine and spirits available in the U.S. Training topics will include production of beers and spirits, different varieties of beers, wines and spirits that will meet the tastes of the Vietnamese market, proper handling and storage (particularly with craft beers) and export regulations for these products. The team should attend the Great American Beer Festival on September 24 - 26 in Denver, Colorado. The training provider will work closely with the U.S. Brewer’s Association and other associations to build a program. The purpose of the training is to identify new beer, wine and spirits products available for export to Vietnam and improve the understanding of the production and quality of these products and the goal of the program is greater market expansion for new US beer, wine and spirits products and increased U.S. exports.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The trainer will ensure that the Fellows increase their knowledge in the following areas: In your proposal, please clearly identify which learning objective(s) is addressed in each of your proposed activities.

1. Product knowledge of U.S. beer, wine and spirits

a. Craft beers (Different varieties of beers)

b. Bourbons and U.S. Whiskeys, other U.S. Spirits (particularly the different quality levels of bourbon, even from the same company/location)

c. Wines

2. Processing of Beers, wines and spirits (from farm to bottle)

3. Proper storage and handling (particularly in craft beers)

4. Marketing of U.S. beer, wine and spirits

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

This consecutive 2 week training program should be provided the last two weeks in September, 2015 including attendance to the Great American Beer Festival on September 24 - 26 in Denver, Colorado.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

· The training provider 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 Pakistan. An Action Plan generally includes steps, milestones, and 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).

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

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

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

· All deliverables are due four 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 if applicable

TRAINING PROVIDER SHALL PROVIDE:

· Secure and guarantee lodging during the entire program (individual rooms must be held on the training providers credit card which is some cases will include incidentals and/or miscellaneous charges) Fellows hotel debit card should only be presented during check out). Under no circumstances should Fellows hotel debit cards be presented during check in.

· Ground transportation in applicable cities, except Washington, DC