RFI_(_AG-3151-S-16-0032)_April-15-2016.docx

United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Services Development and Implementation of Rationalized and Enabling Science-based Regulatory Systems

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued for informational purposes to identify capabilities of the various vendors to assist the Foreign Agricultural Service’s (FAS) Development and Implementation of Rationalized and Enabling Science-based Regulatory Systems for the following:

· Plan and implement appropriate training to complete objectives above.

· Facilitate the travel and accommodation for the training.

· Support FAS posts and partners in activities to improve technical capacity.

This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals nor will any award be made as a result of this RFI. The Government (Acquisition Management Division (AMD) / Farm Service Agency (FSA)) will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this request for information.

The information requested by this RFI will be used within the Government (Acquisition Management Division (AMD) / Foreign Agricultural Service’s (FAS)) to facilitate the decision making process and will not be disclosed outside of AMD and FAS.

1. Information requested from vendors.

Company Information:

1. Company Name

1. Address

1. Point of Contact(s) (POC) name(s)

1. POC telephone number(s)

1. POC e-mail address

1. Identification of business size

1. CAGE code

1. DUNS number

2. While the Government will likely not respond to any questions from this RFI, we are interested in any questions/concerns that your company may have as a result of reviewing our draft document. By providing your concerns at this stage, we hope to provide a better solicitation if an RFP is issued.

3. Submission Information. Response by e-mail is required and should be forwarded to Donald Hadley, Contracting Specialist, via e-mail at Philip.Atwell@wdc.usda.gov. and Contracting Officer Luis Gallardo Luis.Gallardo@wdc.usda.gov . Response is requested on or before 04/29/2016, 10:00 AM Eastern Time. The total RFI response document shall not exceed 20 pages.

The applicable NAICS code for this requirement is: 541611 Administrative management and general management consulting services.

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT/SPECS/WORK STATEMENT

Background

The New Technologies and Production Methods Division (NTPMD) of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is tasked to prevent or remove barriers to agricultural biotechnology use and trade; facilitate global trade in products derived from biotechnology and enhance partner countries’ capacity for agricultural development and participation in international trade.

As emerging markets develop and implement their biosafety regulations, there is a need to improve technical capacity of the regulators in these countries. In addition, the policymakers in these countries need assistance with communication and outreach on agricultural biotechnology to inform the public, legislatures, and policy makers on the advantages of the science.

Objectives

Vendor is expected to:

· To provide technical training on biosafety regulatory process and to assist with regulation/guideline writing.

· To work with regulators in emerging markets to build their technical capacity to review dossiers.

· To provide these regulators with adequate communication skills so they can explain the science of agribiotechnology and other new technology production methods to key stakeholders in their countries. These stakeholders would include the media, legislators, judges, and policymakers.

· To work with FAS/Washington, relevant FAS posts, along with other key partners to complete the above.

Scope

· Plan and implement appropriate training to complete objectives above.

· Facilitate the travel and accommodation for the training.

· Support FAS posts and partners in activities to improve technical capacity.

Tasks

· Vendor will work with FAS to identify key areas/activities of focus.

· Vendor will conduct trainings, seminars, workshops as necessary.

· Vendor will partner with organizations as needed to meet program goals.

· Vendor will arrange travel, accommodations, and logistics as needed.

· Vendor will provide a written evaluation report to include summary of activities, complete list of attendees and speakers, follow-up activities suggested.

Type of Contract:

Anticipate an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with Firm Fixed and Time and Material Task/Delivery orders.

Quality Control

FAS/Washington NTPMD will work closely with the vendor to ensure vendor meet program goals.

Vendor and FAS NTPMD will have regular meetings (virtual and in person) to discuss performance. FAS may provide feedback on progress, ask questions, and/or provide direction. FAS may require clarification regarding the written report.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The period of performance shall run for 60 calendar months. The anticipated period of performance for may be as follows:

One Base Year 4 One Year Options

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

All work will be performed in various locations throughout the world NAICS Code The applicable NAICS code for this requirement is: 541611 Administrative management and general management consulting services.

Quality Control

FAS/Washington NTPMD will work closely with the vendor to ensure vendor meet program goals.

Vendor and FAS NTPMD will have regular meetings (virtual and in person) to discuss performance. FAS may provide feedback on progress, ask questions, and/or provide direction. FAS may require clarification regarding the written report.

PRRI – SUPPORT FOR THE PREPARATION FOR AND IMPLEMENTATION OF MOPS

The outcomes of the Meetings of the Parties (MOPs) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety will to a large extent dictate how national regulations for biosafety are designed and implemented.

It is therefore essential that countries are well prepared for the discussions of upcoming MOPs, to ensure that the outcomes are as much as possible science based. Likewise, it is essential that the outcomes of MOPs are implemented nationally in a science based, workable and predictable manner, and where possible harmonized on the regional level.

Since MOP2, PRRI has conducted preparatory activities, and produced materials, which are increasingly attended by Party delegates.

While the first 6 to 7 MOPs were largely preparatory in nature, in the remaining part of the work plan up to MOP10, the outcomes of the MOPs are reaching a level of concreteness that will make them eligible for national implementation. In addition, the remaining topics (e.g. review of the CPB) will require thorough preparation It is therefore proposed that for the remainder of the work plan up to MOP10, a programmatic, multi-year approach is taken, with two main areas of activities:

1. Implementation of MOPs:

0. An overview is produced of the outcomes of the MOP, with for each MOP decision an indication of the implications for implementation;

0. for each of the key areas examples are produced for practical implementation on the national level (e.g. ERA matrix)

0. promotion of regional harmonization is promoted, such as the regional assessment of transportable data (e.g. molecular characterization)

1. Preparation of MOPs:

1. An analysis is made of the key topics of discussion at the next MOP (I.c. scope/definitions, risk assessment, socio-economic considerations, review and assessment of the CPB).

1. Materials are prepared for the active participation in the various activities under MOPs, such as matrices for risk assessment for use on line conferences and AHTEGs

1. Involve public researchers worldwide by seeking their input into CBD and CPB discussions and producing written submissions to CBD and CPB as needed