Amendment_2_RFP_EDA126-EDA-6471 .pdf

San Bernardino County Purchasing Department

Request for Proposal International Business Development Services

No. EDA126-EDA-6471

Date: September 11, 2026

Amendment #2: Modification to RFP No. EDA126-EDA-6471 International Business Development Services

Issued: Friday, September 11, 2026

This Amendment is intended to provide additional information and/or to change the requirements in the above-referenced RFP. Any information contained herein will be considered part of the RFP and, as such, will be used in the evaluation of proposal responses.

Changes are indicated below in red text.

Amendment Description:

1. Modification to timeline

2. ATTACHMENT L - Q&A RESPONSE

1. Section II. PROPOSAL TIMELINE is amended as follows:

Release of RFP August 24, 2026

Deadline for Submission of Questions 5:00 p.m. - August 31, 2026

Deadline for Proposals 5:00 p.m. Monday September 14, 2026

Date for Tentative Contract Award September 30, 2026

Request for Proposal International Business Development Services

No. EDA126-EDA-6471

2. ATTACHMENT L - Q&A RESPONSE is hereby incorporated into the RFP.

ATTACHMENT L

Q&A RESPONSE

Item Question Answer

Reference: Section VI, Paragraph B.13 (References), Page 11; Attachment F References, Page 36; Section VII, Paragraph C (References), Page 12. Section VI.B.13 requests three references "preferably public agencies of similar size as the County, with whom you have established a contract on a project of this nature," while Attachment F requires three customer references "Proposer has contracted with, providing the same service as requested in this RFP." Please clarify: (a) whether references may reflect engagements performed by the Proposer's proposed key personnel in a prior employment or contracting capacity rather than by the proposing entity itself; and (b) whether references held by a proposed subcontractor identified in the Proposal may be submitted on Attachment F and considered under the Section VII.C evaluation criteria.

The three required Attachment F references must be customers with whom the proposing entity contracted for the same or similar services.

Experience obtained by key personnel through prior employment may be included in their resumes but does not replace the required Proposer references. Subcontractor references may be provided as supplemental information but do not satisfy the three required Attachment F references.

Reference: Section VII, Paragraph A (Qualifications and Experience), Page 11; Section VI, Paragraph B.8 (Project Team Organization Chart), Page 10; Section X, Paragraph A.32 (Subcontracting), Page 20. Where a Proposer submits as a prime with identified subcontractors, or as a joint venture, will the evaluation panel consider the combined qualifications and experience of the proposed project team under Section VII.A, or will the 40% Qualifications and Experience score be based solely on the contracting entity's own corporate experience?

Please also confirm whether joint venture or teaming submissions are permitted under this

RFP.

Section VII.A considers both the Proposer's background and reputation and the qualifications of the proposed project team; therefore, the score is not based solely on the prime contractor's corporate experience. Prime/subcontractor teams are permitted, with the prime remaining responsible for performance. A joint venture may submit as a single Proposer or contracting organization, provided its legal form is disclosed and all RFP requirements are satisfied.

Request for Proposal International Business Development Services

No. EDA126-EDA-6471

Item Question Answer

Reference: Section I, Paragraph A (Purpose), Page 2; Section V, Paragraph C (Scope of Research), Pages 7-8; Section X, Paragraph A.2 (Contract Exclusivity), Page 15. Section I.A states that "the number of awards will be determined by the quality of the proposals received," and Section X.A.2 states that the resulting Contract is not exclusive. Will the County consider proposals that respond to a subset of the seven deliverable categories in Section V.C rather than all seven, for example, a proposal addressing Items 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 only, or must a responsive proposal address the complete scope? If partial-scope proposals are acceptable, how will the evaluation criteria in Section VII be applied to them relative to full-scope proposals?

Proposals must address all seven deliverable categories. Section V.C states that the work shall include, "at a minimum," the listed deliverables, and incomplete or conditional proposals may not be considered. The multiple-award and nonexclusive-contract provisions do not establish a partial-scope proposal option. Section VII will be applied to responsive proposals addressing the complete scope.

Reference: Section X, Paragraph B.2 (Insurance Specifications), Pages 26-27; Attachment J, Page

40. Attachment J requires the Proposer's underwriter, agent, or broker to certify the ability to furnish required certificates within fourteen (14) calendar days after notification of award, and directs that the form not state "Will Provide" or "To Be Determined." Please confirm whether Professional Liability and Cyber Liability coverage must be in force as of the Deadline for Proposals, or whether coverage may be bound after Notice of Intent to Award and prior to Contract execution, consistent with the fourteen-day provision on the face of Attachment J.

The Proposal must include Attachment J as evidence of the ability to obtain the required insurance and must identify the proposed insurers. The required certificates and endorsements must be furnished within 14 calendar days after notification of award and coverage must be evidenced when the Contract is executed, before services commence.

Reference: Section V, Paragraphs A and B, Pages 6-7. Is there an incumbent consultant or consultants currently providing International Business Development Services or substantially similar services to the Economic Development Department? If so, please identify the firm, the contract number, and the current contract term.

Please see Section V paragraph B

Reference: Section IV, Paragraph H, Page 5.

Section IV.H is marked "Reserved." The County's standard Request for Proposal template for services includes a Local Preference provision at this location. Please confirm that the County's Local Preference Policy does not apply to this solicitation and that no local preference adjustment will be applied in the evaluation or ranking of proposals.

No local preference applies, as stated.

Request for Proposal International Business Development Services

No. EDA126-EDA-6471

Item Question Answer

Reference: Section V, Paragraph C.1 (Market Assessment), Page 7; Section V, Paragraph D (Additional Requirements), Page 9. Section V.D requires the Proposal to identify proposed data resources. Will the County make available to the selected Consultant any existing foreign direct investment market research, target-country analysis, trade data subscriptions, prior international strategy documents, or trade mission after-action reports? If such materials exist, will they be provided to all Proposers during the solicitation period?

Proposers are responsible for identifying their proposed data resources.

Reference: Section VI, Paragraph B.1 (Presentation), Page 9. Section VI.B.1 specifies paper size, margins, spacing, font size, and page numbering, but does not state a maximum page count. Please confirm whether a page limit applies to the Proposal narrative, and whether required attachments, resumes, and the organization chart count toward any such limit.

No maximum page limit is stated. See section VI B.1 for numbering.

Reference: Attachment E - Fee Proposal Sheet(s), Page 35; Section I, Paragraph C (Budget), Page 2. Attachment E requires pricing for "Trade Mission / International Delegation Planning & Support" on a per-mission basis, and also requires a Total Estimated Annual Cost. For purposes of preparing a consistent and comparable Total Estimated Annual Cost, how many inbound and outbound trade missions or delegations per contract year should Proposers assume? Similarly, what annual volume of translation and interpretation hours should Proposers assume?

Attachment E requires per-mission and hourly unit pricing, and the Contract guarantees no minimum amount of work.

Reference: Section VII (Evaluation), Page 12.

Section VII states that the County may, at its sole discretion, require an oral interview, presentation, or demonstration. Given the Date for Tentative Contract Award of September 30, 2026, does the County anticipate conducting interviews as part of this evaluation? If so, please provide the anticipated date range and whether participation would be in person at 290 N D Street or virtual.

The County reserves the right to require interviews, presentations, or demonstrations, and the Facilitator will coordinate them if they become part of the evaluation.

Request for Proposal International Business Development Services

No. EDA126-EDA-6471

Item Question Answer

Reference: Section VI, Paragraph A.4, Page 9;

Section VI, Paragraph B.3 (Table of Contents), Page 10. Attachment E is to be uploaded separately in ePro and is not to be included in the Proposal submittal. Please confirm that Attachment E is excluded from the consecutive page numbering of the Proposal and from the Table of Contents, and that its exclusion will not be treated as an omission under Attachment A - Cover Page.

Please see Section VI A.4 and submit as directed.

Reference: Section X, Paragraph A.32 (Subcontracting), Page 20. Section X.A.32 requires the Consultant to obtain the County's written consent before engaging any subcontractor. If a Proposer identifies its subcontractors, their scope of work, and their key personnel within the Proposal, will those subcontractors be deemed approved upon Contract award, or will separate written consent be required after award?

Identifying subcontractors in the Proposal does not, by itself, constitute County approval.