Attachment 0001 - PWS.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

REGIONAL DEAL FLOW PROGRAM

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

1. Background Many U.S. embassies across the globe have been developing and convening commercial deal teams known as “Embassy Deal Teams” in an effort to support more focused and enhanced commercial engagement.

The Deal Team Initiative harnesses the various trade and investment resources of the U.S.

Government to support U.S. companies to win business abroad and advance U.S. strategic commercial interests. Deal Teams bolster both trade and investment, strengthening the U.S.

value proposition in foreign commercial markets, while also continuing the American tradition of promoting free, fair, and reciprocal trade practices. Deal Teams exist at U.S. embassies across the world, and are comprised of representatives of participating agencies, who collaborate and contribute their respective resources to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. companies doing or pursuing business in their respective markets. Deal Teams are the result of a highly collaborative interagency effort that engages foreign service officers in the field, regional bureaus, senior leadership, and leverages the expertise and resources of twelve departments and agencies across the U.S. Government.

Made up of Commerce Department Foreign Commercial Service Officers, State Department Economic Officers and representatives of other federal agencies with an economic or development mandate, such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), the U.S. Department of Treasury, among others, at embassies/consulates (henceforth referred to as “Posts”), Embassy Deal Teams support U.S. companies already pursuing commercial transactions, identify new commercial prospects for U.S. companies, and identify opportunities for technical assistance or address enabling environment issues to facilitate economic growth in partner countries.

In February 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the U.S. Departments of State (DOS) announced the establishment of the DC Central Deal Team to support the work of the Embassy Deal Teams and coordinate with agencies and other U.S. government initiatives like the Infrastructure Transaction Network (ITAN) and Transaction Advisory Fund (TAF) in the Indo-Pacific and other regional and specialized initiatives around the globe. The DC Central Deal Team serves as a consultative body of the U.S. Government’s international, commercial, and development agencies to mobilize the resources of the U.S. Government, advance U.S.

international strategic interests, and help U.S. companies win business abroad. Embassy Deal Teams utilize a “Country Deal Tracker” developed by the DC Central Deal Team to identify, rank, and report new and existing deal prospects. They also identify areas where the DC Central Deal Team could help to advance deals. The DC Central Deal Team analyzes the deal tracker to develop strategies for coordinated interagency intervention as needed.

2. Objective

With support from Department of State Economic Sections (ECON), the Department of Commerce’s Foreign Commercial Service officers (FCS) at U.S. embassies abroad, the International Trade Administration (ITA) and its Advocacy Center advance the sale of U.S.

products or services through exports. These agencies and offices keep companies and industry associations apprised of opportunities in South Asia, but workforce constraints often limit their capacity to conduct proactive searches for new opportunities or targeted outreach and follow up for each potential opportunity.

The objective of the Regional Deal Flow program is to support Embassy Deal Teams, the United States Government (USG) interagency, and the private sector by identifying, tracking, and assessing business opportunities (including both investments and export opportunities);

preparing or packaging deal information for dissemination to the U.S. business community through ITA’s domestic field offices; and supporting FCS and ECON strategies to advance business opportunities in South Asia. This program will allow national and sub-national governments and host-country companies in South Asia to diversify their sources of commercial partnerships, stimulating economic development in the beneficial countries and the region as a whole.

The Regional Deal Flow program will promote sustainable economic growth by identifying and tracking prospective business opportunities in key sectors that have been identified in coordination with input from the International Trade Administration (ITA), the Department of State’s Bureau of South and Central Asia (SCA), and Posts. This program will leverage and build upon all recent and existing USG efforts and resources and identify gaps where additional USG engagement is needed. As significant USG commercial development efforts already exist in India, the main program will focus on South Asian countries with limited USG commercial development presence, specifically Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, and possibly Bhutan. Although this Regional Deal Flow program will not focus on India, any commercial or investment opportunities identified there will be reported to the relevant Post.

The intent of the program is not to replace or duplicate efforts already being conducted by Embassy Deal Teams, the U.S. Departments of Commerce or State, or other agencies, but to contribute to those ongoing efforts and fill in gaps where additional resources are needed as identified by Embassy Deal Teams and the U.S. Departments of Commerce and State.

This work is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) and implemented by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) Program.

U.S. Department of Commerce SABIT Program The main contact for the Contractor will the SABIT Program. The Contractor will coordinate work with the SABIT COR.

The SABIT Program SABIT creates a forum for business development and technical assistance. The program links American companies with foreign partners and advances the development of new relationships and strengthens existing ties. SABIT also offers trainees technical assistance to build capacity and promote market-based reform and the improvement of business climates.

The program has a track record of success in benefiting both trainees and hosts. For example, U.S. host companies have expanded their businesses in foreign markets following improved understanding of market access issues. Likewise, trainees have engaged in cooperative research with U.S. companies, leading to the development and commercialization of products and research. NGOs have provided institutional knowledge and technical expertise to partners while reaping the benefits of networking with local organizations and associations that can serve as conduits for institution building and economic development.

3. Scope of Work The Contractor will conduct a series of market assessments in consultation with USG and private sector stakeholders and in direct coordination with the U.S. Department of Commerce and Posts to identify, track, assess, and package viable business opportunities for U.S. entities interested in operating in South Asia. Specific countries of focus: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, and possibly Bhutan.

The Contractor may also be requested to conduct outreach and convene stakeholders through workshops and/or matchmaking events to support the facilitation of business opportunities throughout South Asia at the direction of and in coordination with Embassy Deal Teams and USG efforts. The Contractor will focus for the most part on new U.S. export and investment opportunities in South Asia.

In conducting the various tasks described below, the Contractor will work directly with Embassy Deal Teams, U.S. government agencies including but not limited to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, Foreign Commercial Service, U.S. Department of State’s Bureaus of South and Central Asia and Economic and Business Affairs; industry contacts, financiers and lenders, project developers, and other appropriate private sector entities (American Chamber of Commerce, industry associations, etc.) to collect input and solicit feedback and develop a comprehensive list of viable business opportunities to promote economic growth in South Asia. The contractor may be requested to engage with the host government and will do so only in close consultation with DOS and DOC officers at Post and the Embassy Deal Team manager.

4. Task Requirements The Contractor shall perform the following tasks:

4.1. Kick-off Meeting and Project Planning

The U.S. Departments of Commerce and State will meet via teleconference with the contractor to discuss the project and requirements. The contractor will develop a project work plan. As part of the work plan development process, the contractor will conduct in depth USG government stakeholder consultations with Embassy Deal Teams, U.S. Departments of Commerce and State, and others within the USG, as appropriate, to better understand current USG efforts to identify business and investment opportunities in South Asia and gather input on where the regional deal flow program should focus (both in terms of countries and industry sectors). The U.S. Departments of Commerce and State will introduce contractor’s personnel to Commercial and/or Economic Section(s) of the Embassy and/or Consulate(s).

Communications with U.S. and foreign embassy officials prior to the award of this contract and completion of the kickoff meeting in relations to the requirements of this contract is strictly prohibited.

4.2. Market Research to Identify Sectors

Market research will be done in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, and possibly Bhutan, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Commerce and private sector stakeholders and in direct coordination with Posts to identify non-energy industry sectors and non-agricultural industry sectors which may present the best opportunities for growth locally and be of interest to U.S. companies. Additional sources in the United States will be consulted, which may include relevant industry groups, companies, USG agencies, and development institutions. A strategic focus on one or more industry sectors will be identified in each country, which may present the best opportunities for U.S. companies in the given market.

4.3. Market Assessment Reports and Screening

For each identified industry sector, a market assessment report will be done to identify potential opportunities for advancing the sale of U.S. products or services through exports and opportunities for U.S. investment to promote private sector led development. Key government officials, companies, and individuals who have decision-making authority in their respective organizations and industries will be identified. There will be up to 20 market assessment reports.

In addition to identifying specific opportunities, the market assessments should include information on the market in the sector and host country, U.S. export potential, any foreign competition and/or market entry barriers. See Annex I for a market assessment outline.

For each market assessment, the Contractor will consult with the DOC and Posts to (1) develop an initial draft of new business opportunities for U.S. companies, (2) solicit stakeholder review as directed by the Embassy deal team and then, (3) develop a final assessment and pipeline of deals for publication to guide the Deal Flow Program, Embassy Deal Teams, U.S. Departments of Commerce and State efforts, and similar USG initiatives as well as for wider dissemination to the U.S. interagency and private sector.

Identified opportunities will be reviewed by USG stakeholders, in order to determine new prospects’ ranking and follow-up or determine if additional information is needed. Both opportunities for large companies and those for small- and medium-sized enterprises are encouraged.

The assessment reports will make specific recommendations to identify, analyze, and prioritize specific opportunities for targeted follow-up. The assessments will include extensive literature reviews; detailed analysis of existing deal-flow streams underway, including building on current efforts by Embassy Deal Teams, the DC Central Deal Team and other ongoing USG initiatives; interviews with local industry representatives, South

Asian government representatives as directed, local chambers of commerce, multilateral development banks and other financial institutions, industry associations and other sources.

The Contractor will then develop a screening methodology and format to be determined in consultation with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Department of State’s Office of Commercial and Business Affairs and produce lists that rate, rank, and prioritize opportunities for USG follow up via Embassy Deal Teams and the D.C. Central Deal Team.

The methodology will utilize current deal ranking criteria that may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Rank 3: Laying Groundwork

• Not a qualified lead*, but market intelligence indicates potential that an actionable opportunity could arise; Establishing contacts to track lead development.

• No action for outreach to U.S. industry.

• USG has active technical assistance programs to shape opportunity and/or potential resources for supporting a U.S. company to pursue.

• For a U.S. export prospect, there is a competitive U.S. industry base already or emerging.

• May have high U.S. strategic value/competition.

Rank 2: Qualifying New Prospect

• Lead has some elements of being qualified*, but requires further information gathering before full-throttle push to U.S. industry.

• Deal Team working with project sponsor to qualify the lead and help shape project specifications to increase U.S. competitiveness.

• Actively assessing potential for USG agency assistance.

• Some outreach may be appropriate to gauge industry interest and obtain private sector feedback.

• For a U.S. export prospect, there is an existing competitive U.S. industry base.

• May have high U.S. strategic value/competition.

Rank 1: Push Qualified Lead out to U.S. Companies

• Ideally, lead is fully qualified*, deemed ready to be promoted to U.S. industry.

• Project POCs well established for future information needs.

• Outreach should be conducted through all relevant private sector networks to seek company interest.

• Potential USG agency support has been assessed.

• May have high U.S. strategic value/foreign interest.

*A qualified lead is defined as having the following criteria

• Project specifications and timeline are defined.

• Potential foreign competition is identified.

• Key decision makers are identified.

• Funding has been allocated or financing plan is defined.

• Project sponsor is expected to commit (spend) the funding.

Taking into consideration that many USG agencies and U.S. companies may already be aware of immediate opportunities, the Contractor will weigh the appropriate level of effort and prioritize opportunities not currently known to Embassy Deal Team, USG agencies, or U.S. companies.

Should the Contractor discover any time-sensitive components of opportunities that may require implementation or attention before the scheduled publication of reports, the Contractor will make Posts, the U.S. Department of Commerce and State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asia (SCA) aware of these opportunities in a timely manner, and provide all information collected. Additionally, should the Contractor become aware of information that could lead to the question of suitability (legal, ethical) of an opportunity the Contractor will notify Posts, the U.S. Department of Commerce and SCA immediately.

4.4. Business Contact List

The Contractor will create a business development contact list of U.S. private sector entities actively working or have an interest in South Asia and/or the identified industries.

The Contractor will develop and maintain an updated list of business development contacts of U.S. private sector entities that are 1) actively interested in or 2) potentially interested in doing business in South Asia or in the industries identified in Task 4.2. The list will include specific target industry sectors and countries of interest for each of the U.S. private sector entities. The Contractor will develop this list in consultation and coordination with the U.S.

Department of Commerce and Posts. The Contractor will be required to update the list throughout the scope of work and alert Embassy the U.S. Departments of Commerce when significant changes have been made.

If appropriate, consultations will be done with financial organizations such as the U.S.

Export- Import Bank (EXIM) Bank, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and other financial institutions to identify funding opportunities.

The Contractor should also consult with American Chambers of Commerce and other industry associations to identify market barriers for U.S. industry in identified industries in South Asia.

4.5. Outreach

The Contractor may be requested to support the U.S. Department of Commerce in conducting a number of events, both virtual and in-person, when possible, to introduce U.S.

companies to South Asian markets and the specific opportunities identified in different industries. The Contractor may work with possible partners such as the Commerce Department’s U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEACs) and District Economic Councils (DECs).

5. Deliverables

5.1. Project Plan and Milestone Report

The Contractor shall develop and track a project plan and milestone chart. The Contractor shall be responsible for the development and implementation of a detailed workplan, complete with milestones for achieving successful outcomes, and will track the work to be performed. The initial chart shall be submitted within five (5) business days of contract award for Government review of proposed format, timeline and content and reviewed at Kick-off meeting. The Contractor shall make any revisions to the chart within two (2) business days after the Kick-off meeting and submit for feedback or approval. The Government will have two (2) business day to provide feedback or approval. The Contractor shall submit an updated chart one (1) business day prior to each Project Status Meeting.

5.2. Initial Kick-Off Meeting

The Contractor shall coordinate and attend via teleconference an initial kick-off meeting with the COR and representatives from the Departments of Commerce and State to discuss and confirm the project requirements, goals and deliverables within seven (7) business days of the award of the contract.

5.3. Project Status Meetings

The Contractor shall coordinate and facilitate teleconference project status meetings with the COR and representatives from the Departments of Commerce and State to review and discuss the project plan and milestone report, incorporating the Government’s input and the Contractor’s expertise and recommendations regarding project status. These meetings shall be held twice monthly.

5.4. Report on preliminary findings through Market Research (Task 4.2) Contractor shall produce a preliminary report on industry sectors identified a six (6) weeks after contract award date.

5.5. Produce Draft Market Assessment Reports

Contractor shall produce draft reports for submission to the Government for review and comment.

5.6. Submit Final Market Assessment Reports

The Contractor shall submit to the Government a final version of the reports, which will include the contents of the Draft Reports incorporating the government’s feedback, and additional sections/content.

The Contractor shall submit each Draft and Final Market Assessment Reports to the COR on a rolling basis. Unless otherwise agreed to by the Department of Commerce, the Contractor shall submit all reports under this Contract to the COR at least two months prior to the end of the contract period of performance. If it is anticipated that Market Assessment Report(s) cannot be provided within this timeframe, the Contractor shall immediately contact the COR to discuss the reasons for the delay.

5.7. Submit Business Contact List

Contract shall produce business contact list for periodic review during the performance period and submit a final list.

5.8. Outreach Events (if requested)

Support the U.S. Department of Commerce in conducting a number of events, both virtual and in-person, when possible, to introduce U.S. companies to South Asian markets and the specific opportunities identified in different industries.

5.9. COVID Contingency

The Contractor shall identify any issues COVID may have on fulfilling the deliverables.

The Contractor shall outline contingency plans to deal with an issues pertaining to

COVID.

6. Quality The deliverables shall be grammatically and factually correct in all respects, internally consistent, and all statements and tables shall be clear and easily understood by a competent reader and contain no typographical errors. The Contractor is responsible for quality control actions necessary to achieve quality in the delivery of the required services, which may include the services of a professional editor. The COR will reject all deliverables that do not conform in all respects to the Contract requirements including, but not limited to, the written quality of the Market Assessment Reports. The Contractor shall correct all deficiencies at no additional cost to the Government.

7. Inspection and Acceptance The Government will review all deliverables submitted by the Contractor for adherence to the task requirements for completeness. Non-compliant work will be returned to the Contractor for correction. The Contractor shall have three (3) business days from the day comments are received to incorporate all changes and submit the deliverable to the Government, unless otherwise specified and agreed on.

Absence of comments by the Government will not relieve the Contractor of the responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Final approval and acceptance of the deliverable required herein shall be by letter of approval and acceptance via email by the Government. The Contractor shall not construe any letter of acknowledgment of receipt of material as a waiver of review, or as an acknowledgment that the material is in conformance with the PWS or otherwise acceptable. Affirmative comments made during the preparation of the deliverable shall not guarantee the final acceptance of the completed deliverable.

8. Intellectual Property This Contract is funded by the United States Government. All intellectual property generated and/or delivered pursuant to this Statement of Work shall be subject to appropriate federal acquisition regulations which entitle the Government to unlimited rights to technical data developed exclusively with Government funds. The Government may: (1) use; (2) disclose; (3) reproduce; (4) prepare derivative works; (5) distribute copies to the public; (6) perform publicly;

and (7) display publicly, the “data” in any manner and for any purpose, and have or permit others to do so (i.e., the Government may sublicense these rights to another contractor). See FAR 52.227-14(a).

9. Period of Performance The period of performance for this contract is for one (1) year from date of award.

10. Place of Performance Work by the Contractor shall be performed where the Contractor regularly performs work duties and responsibilities.

11. Hours of Operation The Contractor shall be available for conference calls and meetings with the Commerce and State Department staff between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, Eastern Standard/ Daylight Time, excluding Federal Holidays. Each year’s Federal Holidays can be found at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/#url=2021

12. Privacy Act Work on this contract may require that contractor personnel have access to Company Confidential Information. Contractor personnel shall adhere to the Privacy Act, Title 5 of the U.S. Code, Section 552a and the Trade Secrets Act, Title 18 of the U.S. Code 1905 regarding protection of trade secrets. Contractor personnel shall follow applicable agency rules and regulations. Signature on applicable non-disclosure agreements may be required.

13. Travel If international travel is possible and the COR requests it, the Contractor shall travel to the South Asia countries to meet with relevant entities and with the U.S. Embassy and/or Consulate(s) in execution of these Market Assessment Reports. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to arrange all meetings in close coordination with the Commercial or Economic Section staff. The Contractor is also responsible for arranging its own logistics for the visit (e.g., lodging, transportation, interpretation services, etc.). All meetings must be cleared by the Commercial or Economic Section staff.

14. Rights to Information The Contractor shall retain the copyright to the final market assessment reports. The Government retains the unlimited right to use, disclose, reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, in any manner and for any purpose, and to have or permit others to do so, all information and deliverables produced in performance of this contract.

15. Key Personnel Key Personnel shall include any Contractor staff responsible for managing or contributing to the project. Key Personnel for this contract shall provide specialized technical support in the area conducting research and developing a report. The Contractor shall not replace any Key Personnel without prior written acknowledgement from the Contracting Officer.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/#url=2021

ANNEX I.

Market Assessment Guidance and Outline

A. Executive Summary

• An executive summary of the relevant host country and sector

• U.S. export potential in the relevant sector

B. Market in the Sector and Host Country

• Background information on the relevant host country and sector covered by the activity

• Information on current market conditions including existing or expected sector regulations, projected investments in the sector, identification of the major stakeholders, growth trends and other factors useful to U.S. companies that are interested in pursuing export opportunities in the host country sector

C. U.S. Export Potential

• A best estimate of the potential procurement of U.S. goods and services in the sector and relevant host country in the activity

• Breakdown by category and dollar value of goods and services likely to be imported in the sector and an illustrative list of potential U.S. companies that may supply the goods and services for those goods and services listed as likely U.S.

exports

• List of U.S. companies that have expressed interest in the host country’s sector should be identified

D. Foreign Competition and Market Entry Issues

• A discussion of the foreign competition for goods and services likely to be procured in the host country in the relevant sector by category

• A discussion of U.S. industry competitiveness in each category, taking into account geographic factors, local industry capabilities, technology and licensee issues, relevant procurement processes and practices, and how the procurement is likely to be conducted

• Where relevant, the Contractor shall discuss the extent to which market entry issues may impede trade

E. U.S. Company Specific Opportunities and Rating Information to be included:

• Country

• Sector and/or Sub-sector

• Project Name

• Project Description

• Implementation Timeline

• Opportunity Type: New Prospect/Active Deal

• B2G/B2B

• Deal Content: U.S. Export/U.S. Investment

• Total Value (USD)

• Export Value (USD)

• Investment Value (USD)

• Foreign Decision Maker

• Obstacles to U.S. involvement

• Financing Sources

• Competitors

• Points of Contacts

• Rank