NYS Worldwide Consultancy, Final.pdf

NYS Worldwide Consultancy Request for Proposals

Issued: July 1, 2026

IMPORTANT NOTICE: A restricted period under the Procurement Lobbying Law is currently in effect for this Procurement and it will remain in effect until approval of the Contract. Anyone considering responding to this RFP (hereinafter, “Respondent” or “Respondents”) is prohibited from contact related to this procurement with any New York State employee other than the designated contacts listed below.

Designated Contacts for this Procurement:

Primary Contact: Ralph Volcy Secondary Contact: Shanah Jack

All contacts/inquiries shall be made by email to the following address:

GlobalNY2026RFP@esd.ny.gov.

Proposals must be sent to the designated Dropbox:

https://www.dropbox.com/request/3oxcf9dxznwrrj1wz431

This RFP is posted on the Empire State Development website:

https://esd.ny.gov/doing-business-ny/requests-proposals

Submission Deadline: 2:00 PM ET on August 3, 2026 Proposals deemed to have arrived late will not be accepted mailto:GlobalNY2026RFP@esd.ny.gov https://www.dropbox.com/request/3oxcf9dxznwrrj1wz431 https://esd.ny.gov/doing-business-ny/requests-proposals

Contents

I. INTRODUCTION

II. OVERVIEW

III. MWBE & SDVOB SUBCONTRACTOR INTEREST

IV. SCOPE OF WORK

V. SCHEDULE OF DATES

VI. SELECTION CRITERIA

VII. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

i. Technical Proposal

ii. Administrative Proposal

iii. Submission of a Complete Two-Part Proposal

VIII. QUESTIONS

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

X. CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS

i. Non-Collusive Bidding Certification

ii. Conflicts of Interest

iii. State Finance Law Sections 139-j and 139-k forms

iv. Vendor Responsibility Questionnaire

v. Iran Divestment Act

vi. Executive Order 16

vii. Executive Order 177

viii. Compliance with State Finance Law Section 139-m

ix. Non-Discrimination and Contractor & Supplier Diversity Requirements

x. Encouraging the Use of NYS Businesses in Contract Performance Form

xi. Certification under State Tax Law Section 5-a

xii. Schedule A

xiii. Project Sunlight

xiv. Insurance Requirements

xv. W-9 Form

XI. DEBRIEFING OF UNSUCCESSFUL RESPONDENTS

APPENDICES

Appendix A ESD IT Security Standard Brief Appendix B Fee Proposal

I. INTRODUCTION

The mission of New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development (“ESD” or the “Corporation”) is to promote a vigorous and growing state economy, encourage business investment and job creation, and support diverse, prosperous local economies across New York State through the efficient use of loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing, and other forms of assistance.

II. OVERVIEW

Empire State Development (hereafter referred to as "ESD") has issued this Request for Proposals ("RFP") seeking a qualified firm (the "Contractor") to perform economic development services for Foreign Direct Investment (“FDI”) projects into New York State (“NYS”) and to boost exports for NYS companies’ goods and services globally.

The main objective of this RFP is to identify and engage one (1) independent contractor who will develop and implement visionary, creative, realistic, and aggressive plans to boost exports for NYS companies' goods and services across the globe for Trade and generate FDI projects. The Contractor, through their own work and/or the use of qualified subcontractors must provide full service coverage for Trade in the following locations, having a physical office is preferred, but one office can cover multiple countries or regions if needed:

Africa, ASEAN, Canada, the Caribbean, China, Europe, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, the Middle East, Oceania, Singapore, South America, South Korea, and Taiwan.

For FDI, the Contractor is required to generate investment leads into NYS from the following regions at a minimum:

Canada, Europe, India, Israel, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan (“Designated FDI Areas").

The Contractor must also be able to perform Trade work in markets and regions where they do not have a physical presence. For example, if a company is interested in an EMAS in Cambodia, the Contractor must have a way to complete that project.

Interested firms must, through their own work and/or the use of qualified subcontractors, provide the expected deliverables for trade development and international investment attraction objectives detailed in Section III.

If your proposal utilizes a subcontractor or subcontractors, you must have negotiated preliminary terms with the subcontractor(s) prior to submitting your response to this RFP (it is not necessary to have entered into a contract with the subcontractor(s) at that point). The cost of the subcontractor(s) must be included in your budget and you must identify said subcontractor(s) in the RFP.

ESD is interested in firms that can provide a year-round service to both NYS and its companies. The contractor must work on a full service basis for NYS rather than a quota based system. The Contractor will be expected to perform trade, FDI, and joint trade and FDI missions and other services as part of their standard contract and not charge an additional fee except under certain circumstances where, with ESD’s consent, additional staff might need to be engaged. It is also possible that the Contractor could be requested to provide logistical support for high-level trips by NYS government officials such as the ESD Commissioner, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor to their respective region/country.

Specifically, the selected Contractor will be expected to:

a) Promote increased exports by NYS companies globally

b) Promote increased investment in NYS by companies from the Designated FDI Areas at a minimum but are encouraged to promote FDI from other regions.

and

c) Conduct tradeshow, trade mission or other international business development promotion and marketing related tasks designed by ESD.

ESD acknowledges that it is important and in the interest of the Contractor that it maintains independence and remains free to perform business development services for other parties, provided that such parties are disclosed to ESD and are not competitive with NYS business development interests. Therefore, in order for ESD to secure the Contractor's services, it is critical that an independent contractor relationship be established versus an employer-employee relationship.

Note: Contractors performing services for ESD must avoid anything that causes, or can be seen as causing, a conflict of interest. Contractors must be able to give 100% commitment to serving the best interests of ESD. If the contractor is representing a client with similar interests to New York then a conflict of interest is likely to arise. It would not be acceptable if a Contractor were to potentially represent competitors to NYS at the expense of NYS international business development objectives. In the event a respondent to this RFP has a pre-existing relationship with a client that has, or is likely to develop, a competing interest to that of NYS, the respondent must disclose this information as part of its submission. Failure to do so may result in the rejection of the respondent’s submission.

III. MWBE & SDVOB SUBCONTRACTOR INTEREST

New York State certified Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses (“MWBEs”) and Service- Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (“SDVOBs”) may request that their firm’s contact information be included on a list of MWBE and SDVOB firms interested in serving as a subcontractor for this procurement. The listing will be publicly posted on the Contract Reporter and ESD’s website for reference by potential Respondents. A firm requesting inclusion on this list should send contact information and a copy of its NYS MWBE or SDVOB certification to GlobalNY2026RFP@esd.ny.gov.

mailto:GlobalNY2026RFP@esd.ny.gov

Nothing prohibits an MWBE or SDVOB vendor from proposing as a prime contractor.

IV. SCOPE OF WORK

A. TRADE

The Contractor shall perform Trade Development Activities for New York State. For the purpose of this project, Business Development Activities shall mean the promotion of increased exports of goods and services for NYS companies to all countries and regions of the world.

The Contractor shall render the Services in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards. ESD shall identify International Trade Managers (ITMs) prior to commencement of the Contract. The Services performed by the Contractor under the Contract shall include the following:

Trade Development The Contractor shall provide business development services globally to create export sales opportunities for NYS companies that produce, manufacture, and develop technologies, and offer goods and/or services for sale. The contractor shall help qualified NYS companies, industry associations and regional entities representing best prospects for export expansion, as specified below.

Information that ESD believes will further enhance the ability of the contractor will be provided to the Contractor, but the Contractor should propose how they can best meet the deliverables from their previous experience or proposed activities.

The Contractor should focus on the regional markets and sectors that offer the most promising opportunities for meeting NYS export expansion and focus on leading NYS industry sectors for trade efforts, as outlined below, and as further specified by ESD as future market opportunities and business conditions evolve. The Contractor would also be expected to provide trade assistance in other sectors, based on ESD’s requests and the potential for new business opportunities in the designated area identified by the Contractor. Some leading NYS manufacturing sectors for trade development efforts include:

- Aircraft, spacecraft, defense, and related parts

- Beverages and spirits (beer, wine, ciders, distilled spirits, etc.)

- Cosmetics, fragrances, and related products

- Food products

- Electric machinery

- Industrial machinery – including computers.

- Advanced Manufacturing including robotics.

- Jewelry with precious gems and metals

- Miscellaneous Chemical products

- Optical/photographic/surgical/medical instruments

- Plastics and plastic articles

- Medical Devices / Pharmaceuticals

- Vehicles and related parts

Significant export service sectors include business consulting, engineering, marketing, finance, higher education, and tourism. The Contractor shall perform their responsibilities for export expansion in accordance with the specifications of ESD’s Export Marketing Assistance Services (EMAS)* and EMAS Plus Service**. ESD maintains a professional staff of trade development experts who will provide the Contractor with export-ready companies interested in the designated markets. The determination of export readiness would be made by ESD’s Global NY staff.

*EMAS is a New York State program designed to help businesses find sales agents or distributors abroad.

The Contractor’s office will be expected to provide local expertise for the markets selected (market intelligence), conduct customized research, competitor analysis, provide market entry guidance, and identify potential partners for the company abroad. Non-EMAS equivalent trade projects include attending conferences, meetings, trade events, trade mission programming and administration, report writing, research and travel to NYS to participate with ESD staff on programmed trade activities. **EMAS Plus is a service where a New York State company has obtained a qualified list of sales agents and distributors from a country or region using the EMAS program and wishes to travel to that area to meet with and vet these sales agents and distributors utilizing the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) for reimbursement for a portion of their travel related costs. The Contractor will assist the NYS company to set up meetings with these sales agents and distributors and provide a detailed agenda.

The Contractor shall also provide support for special projects, related to the scope of services as designated by ESD. ESD will provide the Contractor with specific quantifiable guidelines on what is expected of them. The Contractor will be expected to fulfill those metrics and requirements. The Contractor should remain flexible and willing to accommodate special trade project needs, with the understanding that ESD will provide relevant resources for such projects.

(a) Reports In connection with activities assigned under this contract, the Contractor shall provide monthly and annual reports as required. These reports are expected to supplement data entered into ESD’s Microsoft Dynamics Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The Contractor shall utilize ESD’s CRM system to input and track trade activities and results. In connection with the financial activities, the Contractor shall provide ESD Global NY staff with monthly activities and client reports. Receipts and proof of payments of all expenditures under this contract will be provided to ESD on a monthly basis. The Contractor shall provide one monthly financial report for personnel expenses. The invoice shall include the following for each staff member: the employee's name, the dates worked, the number of hours worked per day and a general description of the duties performed for each day worked along with Monthly International Business Activity Reports.

The reports shall be written in English, prepared in US Dollars using the existing currency exchange rates and delivered not later than the last day of the following month ending the quarter. All receipts and invoices provided to ESD in a language other than English will need to be translated into English to be processed. A copy of all reports including financial reports shall be provided to ESD’s Global NY Office and Finance Office.

(b) Place of Work and Office Management. The Contractor will provide Services primarily from the Contractor’s physical offices, but will, as needed, come to other places designated by ESD to meet with representatives of ESD. The Contractor will:

• Be responsible for the physical arrangement, management and compliance with all offices host nation laws and regulations for the Representative Office(s), including the hiring of the Contractor’s own support staff, licensing or registration of offices and operations, and maintenance and repair of the Representative Office(s);

• Develop and submit updates to the annual Financial Proposal as requested by the

ESD;

• Be able to provide material related to the functions above, including material provided by ESD to interested parties.

• Be responsible for all activities involving the Representative Office(s);

• Be liable and responsible for paying all applicable taxes and fees relating to employment of staff and operation of the Representative Office(s); and

• Ensure that the Representative Office(s) meet the Technical Requirements described in this agreement.

(c) Business Records. The Contractor shall prepare and maintain all financial and other business records. The financial records shall be prepared and maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. If requested and with ten (10) business days written notice, ESD shall have access and the right to examine, audit, excerpt, photocopy, and transcribe any and all financial and other business records prepared and maintained by the Contractor.

(d) Time Devoted to Services and Operations of Representative Offices. ESD will rely on the Contractor to determine the manner of and time required for performance of the Services, however, priority will be given to those that submit a proposal that has the office act as a full service arm of New York and will work at minimum 3 full days a week. As a guideline, performance of the Services will require that the Representative Office(s) be operational and staffed in accordance with customary business practices in the country of its offices in order to interface with ESD and clientele being represented; however, the Contractor need not perform these services in person.

(e) Knowledge Regarding New York. The Contractor shall maintain in-depth knowledge concerning the State’s economic structure, business interests, practices, tourism markets, educational assets relevant to international business development (e.g. colleges/universities, R&D facilities, etc.) and culture and shall be fully conversant with the State’s economic development programs and services.

The Contractor shall allocate funds in their budget for an annual trip to New York to learn of relevant new developments and participate in meetings and conferences to inform NYS businesses of resources and services available to assist them with export development.

The Scope of Services describes primary specifications for the Contractor and clearly identifies the expected tasks and deliverables for the Contractor, including numerical targets wherever feasible.

The responsibilities and tasks guidelines are meant to illustrate respective roles of NYS-based staff, of the international representatives, and of NYS companies. The Contractor’s budget must reflect all travel costs needed for accomplishing the specified trade deliverables, within each annual budget. The trade management team will coordinate with the Contractor on follow-up, site visits, etc. The Contractor should specify relevant trade events and prioritize them, with a frank assessment of the pros and cons of NYS participation.

The Contractor should recommend the number of trade activities/events relevant to the annual budget and the anticipated deliverables. ESD will pay for advertising, trade show exhibit booths, etc. out of separate funds. Depending on the event and whether it is deemed worth the investment of time and resources, a determination will be made regarding the level of service needed on behalf of NYS. Any additional travel to support NYS companies, outside of the scope of participating in approved trade events including trade missions, would require prior approval.

Providing services such as matchmaking services, market intelligence and trade events, and lead generation; and fueled by input from ESD and NYS companies themselves, the Contractor can best assist this State’s export activities in the following ways:

I. SERVICES PROVIDED

The services provided by international representative offices, as contracted, can be grouped under five broad categories:

- Trade Assistance Work Order Services

- Country-Specific Intelligence

- Trade Events and Trade Missions

- Reporting

- Foreign Language Translation to English

- Other Duties

These targets are objectives for anticipated deliverables and will also depend on ESD Global NY staff resources. The Contractor will be expected to document progress in monthly reports and calls.

A. TRADE WORK ORDER SERVICES:

The annual minimum targets for the Representative Office(s) shall include:

- Africa: services for 30 Export Assistance Requests

- ASEAN: services for 30 Export Assistance Requests

- Canada: services for 80 Export Assistance Requests

- The Caribbean: services for 30 Export Assistance Requests

- China: services for 50 Export Assistance Requests

- Europe: services for 80 Export Assistance Requests

- India: services for 30 Export Assistance Requests

- Israel: services for 25 Export Assistance Requests

- Japan: services for 30 Export Assistance Requests

- Mexico: services for 30 Export Assistance Requests

- The Middle East: services for 30 Export Assistance Requests

- Oceania: services for 30 Export Assistance Requests

- Singapore: services for 30 Export Assistance Requests

- South America: services for 20 Export Assistance Requests

- South Korea: services for 30 Export Assistance Requests

- Taiwan: services for 30 Export Assistance Requests

In addition to the above markets, there may be cases where companies are interested in a country or region that there is not a physical office. The contractor must have a mechanism in place to fulfill those requests.

An Export Assistance Request includes EMAS, EMAS Plus requests and non-EMAS equivalent trade projects which can include but not limited to attending conferences and meetings, trade event programming and administration, trade mission planning, coordination and execution, report writing, research, travel to NYS to participate with ESD staff on programmed trade activities.

The Contractor shall:

1. Identify best distribution channels for New York State industries in the Designated Trade Area and maintain records of qualified agents, brokers, wholesalers, dealers, distributors, retailers, and export management companies;

2. Identify, per client request, best distribution channels, for client product(s);

3. Facilitate client/distributor, agent, and representative relationships including language assistance, foreign business protocols, and assistance with methods of payment or regulations, duties etc.; and

4. Assist NYS exporters traveling to the countries and regions in implementing (2) and (3) under this section. The Contractor must sustain and expand New York’s current markets in the designated area while identifying and prioritizing the best prospects in untapped regional markets and industry sectors.

5. Assist NYS with the planning, coordinating, and execution of trade missions

6. Foreign Language Translation to English

7.

B. COUNTRY-SPECIFIC INTELLIGENCE:

For each of the 15 countries and regions mentioned in the overview, the Contractor shall provide the following information within their monthly, annual and company reports:

1. Foreign Market Intelligence (product, country or region-specific) including suggestions and guidance for: Product Market Viability (country or region-specific), Market Penetration Strategy, Market Development Strategy, Product Adaptation, Modification, and Compliance.

2. Statistics and Records (country and region specific) on:

• Best industries

• Best products

• Trade shows

• Trade leads -Initial and prequalify leads based on company feedback

• Desired representation for NYS companies

• Associations, agencies, and individuals of potential service to NY companies

3. Other Sources of Information and Referrals (country or region specific) for information on:

• Entry regulations/controls/tariffs/duties/etc.

• Political, social, cultural peculiarities affecting market

C. TRADE EVENTS PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

The Contractor shall assist ESD in administering a trade events program in any country or region which will be used as a tool for developing NYS trade representative prospects in any country or region. Actual events are to be established at the beginning of the contract period and may change subject to the agreement of ESD and Contractor. For the contract year the Contractor shall:

1. Provide on-site planning, budgeting, and implementing of State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) trade shows, and trade missions (specific to the country or region) with overall project management by ESD; Note: The work towards planning, coordinating, and execution of trade missions is part of the yearly operating budget of the office and hours spent towards that mission shall not be billed separately.

2. Attend trade shows and participate in trade missions, providing service to NYS firms or NYS economic developers;

3. Assist trade consultant with post-show/mission follow up including post-show and post-mission assessment and follow-up with participants;

4. Maintain database of superior industry-specific trade events (see Section B, item 2.c, above); and

5. Assist with on-site coordination, planning, and implementing of trade missions.

6. Language translation service to English for NYS companies and ESD.

D. REPORTING ON TRADE DEVELOPMENT

Monthly Reports on Business and Industry Activity shall be completed in the following format.

Monthly Reports shall be submitted no later than five days after the end of each month for the previous month’s work. ESD reserves the right to modify this report or to substitute submission of report with entry of relevant information in its CRM system and will report to the assigned ESD

ITM.

The Contractor should be expected to provide a monthly summary report and a much more comprehensive end of the year final report detailing successes.

Monthly International Business Activity Report

Office: For Month Of:

Date Report Completed: / /

Services Provided

(A) Research: List 5 top industry segments

(B) Business Development Trade:

1. List the new and current companies being serviced for trade development.

2. List trade events, conferences, special events in which you participated. Please include purpose/description, dates, location, and number of attendees.

3. List business travel, purpose, locations, dates

4. List office visitors. Please include dates.

5. Other activities. Please include description, dates, location, and number of attendees.

(C) Communications: List all confirmed project leads transferred to the ESD

The Contractor will also prepare an Annual Report in the following format which will be submitted to the ESD within one week of the end of the contract year:

Annual Report

Office: For Contract Year starting and ending

Date Report Completed: / /

The Report should be in a narrative format including, but not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Services provided, including successes and achievements in trade.

• Research:

Summary of 5 top industry segments, including current market conditions

• Business Development for Trade:

Summary of marketing events and activities conducted.

• Communications:

Summary of confirmed/active project leads identified and transmitted to the ESD, including current status of those projects.

E. OTHER DUTIES

1. ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

The Contractor shall ensure that complete client data information will be entered, updated and maintained in the ESD assigned CRM (client relationship management) system. This will include all required information, status and results of work orders or other requests, and applicable information to provide quality service to the clients. The Contractor shall also ensure that monthly and annual reports required are submitted by the established deadlines.

2. TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

(a) Software: The Contractor shall secure and maintain licensed Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), that meets the following specifications:

• Must be able to support CRM (client relationship management) system

• Must be able to protect system from viruses and from infiltrating network worldwide.

(b) Communication: The Contractor shall secure and maintain communication services that meet the following specifications:

• Must be able to send and receive landline voice calls.

• Must have facsimile capabilities.

• Must have voice messaging capabilities.

• Must have cellular phone capabilities.

• Must respond to voice messages and emails within 24 hours or the next business day (principal or his/her designee).

• Must be proficient with Zoom or other video meeting tools as designated by ESD.

(c) Internet Access: The Contractor shall secure and maintain high speed internet services that allow for communications email messaging and CRM connectivity that support ESD objectives.

B. FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT

The Contractor shall perform Business Development Activities for International Investment Attraction {Inward Investment or Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)} to New York State (NYS). For the purpose of this project, Business Development Activities shall mean the promotion of new investment into NYS by companies from the Designated FDI Area.

The Contractor shall render the Services in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards. The Services performed by the Contractor under the Contract shall include the following:

1. Investment Attraction The Contractor shall actively market, identify, qualify, and provide leads/identified projects for the attraction of international investment to NYS. As part of this contract the Contractor will design, plan, and execute activities to identify potential firms that are likely to make a direct investment in New York State. The Contractor shall be responsible for identifying firms, qualifying investment leads, and projects for inward investment attraction. In addition, the Contractor will provide operational support and marketing support for ESD in industry-related investment attraction activities and promotions, including supporting overseas trips by US-based ESD staff to participate in missions, trade shows, and conferences. Contractors should also have experience in creating promotional materials tailored towards business attraction such as written and virtual informational flyers and PowerPoints. ESD will work with the Contractor to ensure these materials are in compliance with ESD specific marketing and branding guidelines - Such international investment attraction work shall focus on overall NYS business promotion and NYS’s key industry clusters with the objective of creating quality jobs in NYS. These industry clusters include but are not limited to:

• Advanced Materials and Manufacturing

• Agribusiness

• Biotech and Life Sciences

• Cleantech and Renewable Energy

• Craft Beverage

• Distribution

• Financial Services and Insurance

• Homeland and Cyber Security

• Industrial Machinery and Systems

• Materials Processing

• Optics and Imaging

• Microelectronics

• Software, Gaming and Digital Media

• Tech and Electronics

• Television and Film

• Transportation Equipment

Information that ESD believes will further enhance the ability of the contractor to encourage FDI will be provided to the Contractor, but the Contractor should propose how they can best meet the deliverables from their previous experience or proposed activities. The Contractor should also be able to create marketing materials tailored to specific foreign markets to highlight NYS as an investment destination.

The Contractor should focus on the regional markets and sectors that offer the most promising opportunities for meeting NYS FDI objectives and focus on leading NYS industry sectors for FDI attraction efforts, as outlined below, and as further specified by ESD as future market opportunities and business conditions evolve. The Contractor would also be expected to provide FDI assistance in other sectors, based on ESD’s requests and the potential for new business opportunities in the Designated FDI Area identified by the Contractor. The Contractor shall perform their responsibilities for investment attraction in accordance with established FDI criteria and guidelines.

It is possible that the Contractor could be requested to provide logistical support for high-level trips by NYS government officials such as the ESD Commissioner, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor to their respective region/country. Experience in coordinating such trips will be taken into consideration when ESD is evaluating potential contractors.

The Contractor shall also provide support for special projects, related to the scope of services as designated by ESD. ESD will provide the Contractor with specific quantifiable guidelines on what is expected of them. The Contractor will be expected to fulfill those metrics and requirements. The Contractor should remain flexible and willing to accommodate special FDI project needs, with the understanding that ESD will provide relevant resources for such projects.

(a) Reports: In connection with activities assigned under this contract, the Contractor shall provide monthly and annual reports as required. These reports are expected to supplement data entered into ESD’s Microsoft Dynamics Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. If instructed, the Contractor shall utilize ESD’s CRM system to input and track investment activities and results. In connection with the financial activities, the Contractor shall provide ESD with monthly activities and client reports. Receipts and proof of payments of all expenditures under this contract will be provided to ESD on a quarterly basis. The reporting shall identify the expenses incurred for the month by the categories identified in Foreign Office Budget. The Contractor shall include a quarterly financial report providing a description and detail of any expense line(s). The reports shall be written in English, prepared in US Dollars using the-existing currency exchange rates and delivered not later than the last day of the following month ending the quarter. Receipts and invoices provided to ESD in other than English will need to be translated into English to be processed. A copy of all reports including financial reports shall be provided to ESD’s Global NY Office and Finance Office.

(b) Place of Work and Office Management: The Contractor will provide Services primarily from the Contractor’s principal office located in the Designated FDI Area, but will, as needed, come to other places designated by ESD to meet with representatives of ESD. The Contractor will:

• Be responsible for the physical arrangement, management and compliance with all Designated Area host nation laws and regulations for the Representative Office(s), including the hiring of the Contractor’s own support staff, licensing or registration of offices and operations, and maintenance and repair of the Representative Office(s);

• Develop and submit updates to the annual Financial Proposal as requested by ESD;

• Be able to provide material related to the functions above, including material provided by ESD to interested parties.

• Be responsible for all activities involving the Representative Office(s);

• Be liable and responsible for paying all applicable taxes and fees relating to employment of staff and operation of the Representative Office(s); and

• Ensure that the Representative Office(s) meet the Technical Requirements described in this agreement.

(c) Business Records: The Contractor shall prepare and maintain all financial and other business records. The financial records shall be prepared and maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. If requested and with ten (10) business days written notice, ESD shall have access and the right to examine, audit, excerpt, photocopy, and transcribe any and all financial and other business records prepared and maintained by the Contractor.

(d) Time Devoted to Services and Operations of Representative Offices: ESD will rely on the Contractor to determine the manner of and time required for performance of the Services. As a guideline, performance of the Services will require that the Representative Office(s) be operational and staffed in accordance with customary business practices in the Designated FDI Area in order to interface with ESD and clientele being represented; however, the Contractor need not perform these services in person.

(e) Knowledge Regarding New York: The Contractor shall maintain in-depth knowledge concerning the State’s economic structure, business interests, practices, tourism markets, educational assets relevant to international business development (e.g., colleges/universities, R&D facilities, etc.) and culture and shall be fully conversant with the State’s economic development programs and services. The Contractor should allocate funds in their budget for an annual trip to New York to learn of relevant new economic developments (related to FDI) and participate in meetings, conferences to inform NYS businesses of resources and services available to assist them with investment promotion.

The Scope of Services describes primary specifications for the Contractor and clearly identifies the expected tasks and deliverables for the Contractor, including numerical targets wherever feasible.

The responsibilities and tasks guidelines are meant to illustrate respective roles of NYS-based staff and the international representatives. The Contractor’s budget should reflect the travel costs needed for accomplishing the specified FDI deliverables, within the available annual budget. The FDI management team will coordinate with the Contractor on follow-up, site visits, etc. The Contractor should specify relevant FDI events and prioritize them, with a frank assessment of the pros and cons of NYS participation.

The Contractor should recommend the number of foreign direct investment activities/events relevant to the annual budget and the anticipated deliverables. ESD will pay for advertising, trade show exhibit booths, etc. out of separate funds. Depending on the event and whether it is deemed worth the investment of time and resources, a determination will be made regarding the level of service needed on behalf of NYS. Any additional travel, outside of the scope of participating in approved FDI events, would require prior approval.

Providing services such as matchmaking, market intelligence, investment events programming, and lead generation; and fueled by input from ESD, the Contractor can best assist New York State’s investment attraction activities.

1. SERVICES PROVIDED

The services provided by international representative offices fall under three broad categories:

• Investment Attraction/Foreign Direct Investment

• Reporting

• Other Duties

These targets are objectives for anticipated deliverables and may depend on ESD staff resources.

The Contractor will be expected to document progress in monthly reports and meetings.

A. INVESTMENT ATTRACTION/FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI) DELIVERABLES:

ESD and the Contractor will review the activities and related plans designed to identify and attract investment. The Contractor will provide a list of tools the Contractor intends to use to support their investment promotion efforts. The Contractor is also expected to provide trade and investment data related to NYS and foreign countries that may be requested by ESD to support their activities and meetings.

The Contractor shall provide a market assessment within three months of establishing the contract. The market assessment should consist of an outline detailing how the goals below will be met.

The Representative Offices are expected to conduct a marketing campaign to generate “qualified leads**,” and achieve a market-based goal for fully qualified leads. The definition of a lead includes the condition that a company has a project with a minimum of 50 jobs created for the NYC and Long Island regions and 25 jobs for all ESD regions north of NYC. ESD should also be provided with additional project details such as schedule, site requirements, investment amount and potential jobs created. Each designated area must achieve at minimum the following qualified lead targets on an annual basis:

- Canada: 20

- Europe: 30

- Israel: 12

- India: 20

- Taiwan: 12

- Japan: 12

- Singapore: 12

- South Korea: 12

* The Contractor shall undertake activities that place a priority on the identification of projects to ensure that job creation be targeted for investment in Upstate New York when applicable.

**The term “qualified leads” refers to companies in the Contractor’s region that are in the process of evaluating plans to establish new or expanded operations in North America. The Contractor will ensure that the companies are already engaged in their project analysis including site selection, project budgeting and financing and are able to articulate the projected employment of the new or expanded operations. ESD reserves the right to give credit to the Contractor for a “qualified lead” should ESD determine activities the Contractor engages in with non-company stakeholders (foreign governments, trade associations, and other multiplier groups determined by ESD) are substantive and equivalent to lead generation activities.

B. REPORTING ON INVESTMENT ATTRACTION

Identified leads will be entered into ESD’s designated system for reporting. In addition, a lead will be transmitted via email with investment/project details. Monthly Reports on Business and

Industry Activity shall be completed using a template that will be provided by ESD. Monthly Reports shall be submitted no later than five days after the end of each month for the previous month’s work. ESD reserves the right to modify this report or to substitute submission of report with entry of relevant information in its CRM system and will report to the assigned ESD FDI lead and team.

The Contractor should be expected to provide a monthly summary report and a much more comprehensive end of the year final report detailing successes. Once the contract is awarded, Empire State Development will provide a suggested template for the report, which will include such items as: insights into the region’s economy, government, relations with the US, and investment trends; updates on the past month’s FDI-related activities; updates on the past month’s project leads; and upcoming business development activities.

The Contractor will also prepare an Annual Report which will be submitted to ESD within one week of the end of the contract year using a template provided by ESD, which will include such items as:

FDI market trends from the region to the US; summary of past year’s business development activities; summary of past year’s project leads, including status and any next steps for the upcoming year.

C. OTHER DUTIES

1. ADMINISTRATION: The Contractor shall ensure that complete client data information will be entered, updated and maintained in the ESD assigned CRM (client relationship management) system. This will include all required information, status and results of work orders or other requests, and applicable information to provide quality service to the clients. The Contractor shall also ensure that monthly and annual reports required are submitted by the established deadlines.

2. TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

(a) Software: The Contractor shall secure and maintain licensed Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), that meets the following specifications:

• Must be able to support CRM (client relationship management) system

• Must be able to protect systems from viruses and from infiltrating networks worldwide.

(b) Communication: The Contractor shall secure and maintain communication services that meet the following specifications:

• Must be able to send and receive landline voice calls.

• Must have voice messaging capabilities.

• Must be proficient with Zoom or other video meeting tools as designated by ESD.

• Must have cellular phone capabilities.

• Must respond to voice messages and emails within one business day (principal or designee).

(c) Internet Access: The Contractor shall secure and maintain high speed internet services that allow for communications email messaging and CRM connectivity that support ESD objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS GUIDELINES

ESD has established the following guidelines for ESD’s ITMs and IID, International Representative Office(s), and Individual Companies. Guidelines are subject to change.

International Trade Managers and International Investment Director

• Identify and contact companies in industry sectors to ascertain interest in expanding internationally.

• Identify and qualify investment prospects and leads relevant to NYS regions and industries and convey such prospects to International Office Representatives.

• Visit NYS companies to:

- Explain international trade development and International

Representative Office services and available resources;

- Collect information; and

- Establish relationship.

- Confirm that NYS company clients are export ready.

• Become familiar with company, product and industry characteristics.

• Assist NYS companies with an export strategy and market focus.

- Ensure that the NYS company has completed an EMAS application form and provided all the necessary information and supporting documentation.

• Confirm that all data have been entered into CRM and that EMAS has been assigned to International Representative Office. Notify International Representative Office via e-mail that official request for assistance by this company has been completed.

• Notify appropriate ITM via e-mail that EMAS request has been initiated, with company contact information. When request is completed, notify again via e-mail.

• Follow up with the NYS company within two weeks after an overseas office response is provided to assess status and assist with next step.

• Inform company of any applicable events, trade shows or missions sponsored by ESD, US DOC, and other partners to assist with market penetration.

• Recommend that NYS company consider a future trip to work with International Office Representative in the market of interest (i.e., EMAS Plus).

• Proactively assist NYS company with export-related tasks and questions.

• Track and provide performance measurement data monthly.

• Develop and improve relationships with trade associations, Chambers of Commerce, universities and other partner organizations.

• Work with International Representative Office to assist with coordination of industry-related reverse trade missions.

International Representative Office(s)

• Confirm receipt of EMAS request within 5 working days of assignment with ESD and email company within 5 business days to inform the company of the receipt of the EMAS request providing the estimated time frame for the start date of the initial kickoff call to begin work on the EMS request

• Complete request for trade assistance/work order within mutually agreed upon time between the ITM and International Representative Office at the time the request is opened. Assess the EMAS request and communicate projected turnaround to NYS company and ITM representative within two weeks after receipt.

• Conduct direct marketing campaign to support investment attraction lead generation.

• Generate qualified investment prospects and leads, based on company visits, trade/investment events, international market intelligence and prospects and leads received from NYS colleagues.

• Enter those investment leads rapidly into the supplied CRM system for qualification and tracking

• Review of product/company-specific assessment for marketability.

• Review of market entry recommendation.

• Perform trade and investment contact search.

• Analyze pricing information and provide competitive analysis.

• Provide in country assistance/visits with companies on a selective basis.

• Make recommendations for fine-tuning of marketing/promotional documents.

• Complete basic information reports on foreign companies - potential partners and competitors.

• Act as a translator for introductory meetings as required between NYS companies and potential partners.

• Compile results into comprehensive report for NY company, with copy to ITM and enter in CRM.

• Send comprehensive report in agreed upon format via e-mail and upload to CRM.

Confirm to NY company and NY manager via e-mail that report has been sent.

• Track and provide performance measurement of CRM data monthly.

• Develop reverse trade mission opportunities as they arise; communicate and coordinate with NY manager to take advantage of potential export sales.

• Plan to participate in upcoming trade shows, trade missions, or in-country company visits to facilitate follow up from the International Representative Office report.

V. SCHEDULE OF DATES

It is anticipated that a contract will be awarded in response to this RFP based on the following schedule:

Release of RFP July 1, 2026

Deadline for Submission of Questions July 13, 2026, by 5:00 PM EST

Deadline for ESD to Respond to Questions July 20, 2026

Submission of Proposals (date and time) August 3, 2026, by 2:00 PM EST

Interviews (if necessary) TBD

Announcement of Successful Respondent TBD

Anticipated Contract Start Date October 1, 2026

Anticipated Debriefing Timeframe TBD

Please note, the Corporation reserves the right to change any of the dates stated in this RFP.

VI. SELECTION CRITERIA

ESD shall establish a selection committee to evaluate Proposals. When reviewing Proposals, the selection committee will consider the following criteria and assign point values to each Proposal based on their evaluation. The maximum number of points any Proposal may receive is 100.

A. Firm Experience and Qualifications (20 Points)

In this section of the Technical Proposal, Respondents should demonstrate relevant experience by providing the following:

1) Experience in trade development, trade mission planning and execution, investment attraction, and/or marketing, with at least 5 years of such experience in the Designated Trade and FDI Area(s);

2) Fluency in reading, writing and speaking English, and official market language;

3) Demonstrated knowledge of the business communities in the Designated Trade and FDI

Area(s), with specific knowledge of NYS targeted industry clusters preferred. Current residency in Designated Area(s) is also required;

4) University degree: business, international business or related subjects;

5) Demonstrated knowledge of New York State (i.e., economics, geography, business community); and

6) At least 5 years of experience in providing the trade and investment services described in this RFP. At least 5 years of experience in direct business marketing and outreach through various sales, distribution and virtual channels including social media.

7) Provisions in place for an employee backup plan should key personnel have unexpected absences. This plan could include cross-training amongst employees and/or a plan to quickly hire replacements as required to fulfill the responsibilities of the RFP.

B. Staff Experience and Qualifications (10 Points)

In this section of the Technical Proposal, Respondents should demonstrate that the staff proposed have the knowledge and ability to perform the services described in this RFP including cross training for key personnel roles.

C. Project Plan / Approach (20 Points)

In this section of the Technical Proposal, Respondents should demonstrate their competence and capacity to undertake the services described in this RFP by providing the following:

For purposes of the RFP, Designated Trade Areas and Designated FDI Areas are defined in Section

II. OVERVIEW above. Firms wishing to submit proposals who cannot represent the entire area should indicate so in their proposal. The selected representative will have the ability to cover the markets of interest to perform the tasks described in the Scope of Services paragraphs. There is no requirement to establish or maintain a separate or standalone New York State office.