K6602 ExhibitB-Performance Requirements.docx

EXHIBIT B – PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Type/print full legal name of bidder company

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF WORK for the Executive Director for the Washington Blueberry Commission include (but are not limited to):

FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

· Effectively manage all aspects of the commission’s business, maintain tight fiscal control of the operating budget and all collected assessments. Fully cooperate with Washington State auditors during periodically required audits. Designate accounting firm to periodically conduct third party financial audits.

· Oversee the proper dispersal of WBC funds pursuant to its legal obligations.

· Provide a monthly report to the WBC Board briefly summarizing work undertaken on behalf of the WBC during the month and work anticipated for the coming month.

· Maintain a current list of Washington State blueberry growers and all handlers, inside and outside of Washington, that are required to pay annual assessments. Issue assessment notices in a timely manner; aggressively pursue delinquent assessments up to and including legal action.

· Conduct quarterly and annual meetings of the WBC ensuring that all announcements and accompanying documents are prepared and distributed in a timely fashion and in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. These include the agenda, minutes from the previous meeting, the financial report and all accompanying documentation and any other materials necessary to conduct the meeting.

· Establish and maintain necessary committees as instructed by the board, such as those formed to evaluate research proposals, marketing, and food safety issues. Ensure that relevant issues are brought to the committees in a timely fashion and that board members are periodically updated on the progress of committees.

· Maintain records of the WBC research projects.

· Stay up to date on current technology and trends, including chemicals and their applications, and food safety requirements related to blueberries.

· Provide annual report of research results to Washington growers and packers in addition to conducting annual field day after harvest.

· Ensure compliance with applicable state and federal policies

· Stay current on and ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations that affect the funding and/or operations of the commission and its programs, to include applicable codes, laws, rules, Governor Executive Orders, and requirements of the Department of Enterprise Services. Apprise board of relevant requirements or issues that arise.

· With regard to federal grants, comply with all federal laws and regulations (including the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)) regarding applications for, accounting of, recordkeeping of, and required reporting related to the use of federal grants.

· Monitor the performance of all contractors and vendors under all contracts entered into on behalf of the WBC.

· Work with board to establish operating policies and procedures.

· Collaborate with relevant state agencies, in conducting commission business, including but not limited to the Office of the Attorney General, Department of Enterprise Services, and Washington State Department of Agriculture.

· Serve as the public records officer for the commission.

INDUSTRY RELATIONS

· Interact with and provide information and/or periodic updates to industry participants including growers, handlers and other stakeholders.

· Be the primary spokesperson for the commission and maintain up-to-date information about the industry, market trends, and growing conditions.

· Represent the WBC on national and regional blueberry-related associations as approved by the board and report activities to the board when applicable.

RESEARCH

· Provide management and oversight of WBC-funded research projects, including monitoring contracts and reporting results (research grant awards are determined by a committee appointed by the WBC).

· Stay up to date on current technology and trends relevant to blueberry production and handling.

· Ensure commission-funded research is conducted by experiment stations of WSU where practicable.

PROMOTION & MARKETING

· Coordinate with board to plan and implement a plan for WBC marketing & promotional work, both international and domestic. Evaluate the performance and effectiveness of WBC programs and projects and produce reports as needed.

· Increase the sale and use of Washington State’s blueberries in local, domestic, and foreign markets. Explore expanded markets for Washington blueberries, with priority on the Asian markets.

· Collaborate with other state and national blueberry organizations (such as Oregon, California, and the USHBC) to enhance Washington blueberry marketing and promotional efforts.

PROCURE & MANAGE GRANTS

· Seek out relevant grants and opportunities appropriate to the WBC and the blueberry industry (especially relating to agronomic issues, food safety, nutrition or promotion).

· Oversee contracts and vendors; manage grant progress and reporting; ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

IMPLEMENT INDUSTRY TRAINING PROGRAMS

· Provide collective training, outreach and assistance to Washington blueberry growers to help them successfully grow and market their crop.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

· Minimum qualifications include:

· A bachelor’s degree in agriculture, business, marketing or a related field and a minimum of seven (7) years’ experience performing services similar to those outlined in scope or the equivalent education/experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

· Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills.

· Knowledge of state laws and regulations related to WBC (RCW 15.65 and WAC 16-550) and to federal laws and regulations governing Washington State Agricultural Commodity Commissions, including those related to grant applications and management (including 2 CFR 200.318 (general procurement standards)).

· The ability to work cooperatively with relevant state and federal organizations to achieve the mission of the WBC.

· Marketing and public relations experience, preferably in the blueberry industry.

· Direct experience in preparing and managing successful grant proposals.

· Experience in successfully developing and managing contracts.

· Minimum of five (5) years of upper-level management experience.

· Understanding of international trade opportunities and challenges for Washington blueberries.

· Knowledge of Washington’s blueberry industry including general growing practices, trends and latest research findings.

· Working knowledge and/or experience in the field of agricultural research.

· Licensed to do business in the State of Washington or commitment to become licensed in Washington within thirty (30) calendar days of being selected as the Apparently Successful Bidder (ASB).

· The contractor shall, at its own expense, furnish, install, operate, and maintain all facilities, equipment, and workstations required to perform the services under this contract, including but not limited to office space, office equipment, and workstation hardware/software, networking and internet services. All such facilities and equipment shall be the property of the contractor, and contractor shall be responsible for loss, damage, or theft thereof. The contractor shall ensure that all provided equipment meets applicable standards for safety, performance, and compatibility with the work to be performed.

Bid proposals that do not demonstrate the proposer meets these minimum qualifications will be rejected as non-responsive and will not receive further consideration. Proposals rejected as non-responsive will not be evaluated or scored.

Instructions:

Bidders submitting a bid proposal must complete and submit Exhibit B for evaluation.

Performance Requirements: Bidder must respond to each requirement as noted in the instructions below.

1. Review all requirements, priorities and provided definitions:

· Mandatory Pass/Fail (M): Minimum requirement; Bidder that does not meet this requirement will not be considered any further.

· Mandatory Scored (MS): Critical requirement; evaluators will score based on the degree to which Bidder's response meets the requirement.

1. Bidder must respond in the Written Response column for every requirement that indicates a "Written Response Required”. Written responses must not reference any material present elsewhere. The written response shall be considered complete and stand on its own merits or may be deemed non-responsive.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS AND FACTORS

Stated Business Need

Written Response: Enter your degree and issuing institution or comparable education/experience.

Degree:

Institution:

OR

Comparable education/experience:

Written Response: Describe the process you will use to accomplish the requirements of this section. Include examples of previous work where relevant.

Written Response: Describe the process you will use to accomplish the requirements of this section. Include examples of previous work where relevant.

Written Response: Describe your work experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the job functions defined herein. Include years of service performing similar types of services listing the organization and dates of services.

Written Response: Describe your level of familiarity with the Washington blueberry industry and how that familiarity was achieved or acquired.

Return this exhibit to Procurement Coordinator at:

Kristofor.Gray@agr.wa.gov

EXHIBIT B – PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS PAGE 2

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