QA_Market Analysis PR16166521.pdf

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

PR16166521 - FAS Bogotá: Market Analysis: Preferences and behaviors

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1. Offeror eligibility. The solicitation contains two provisions that appear to point in different directions. Under Conditions of Proposal it states, "Prices should be in Colombian Pesos (COP). Only for Colombian Vendors." Under Delivery Terms it states, “U.S. vendors: you can send a proposal in USD, but all prices must be DDP at our warehouse in Bogota, Colombia, IF

APPLICABLE.”

ANSWER: Although FAS does not know the Conditions of Proposal document, considers that any Colombian or U.S. vendor is eligible if it complies with the technical conditions.

2. Please confirm whether a United States registered small business, active in SAM, may submit a quotation as prime contractor, or whether the Government intends that only vendors legally registered in Colombia may compete.

ANSWER: Any qualified vendor may submit an offer for this project. Please ensure that your offer is submitted in the applicable currency (USD or COP just for Colombian vendor), as specified in the solicitation.

3. Location of the required experience. The Evaluation Factors require "minimum three (3) years of experience conducting consumer research in Colombia." Please confirm whether that experience must be held by the offeror itself, or whether it may be demonstrated through a named Colombian subcontractor performing the fieldwork under the prime contractor's management and quality assurance.

ANSWER: Based on FAS guidelines, an offeror may work with a subcontractor that demonstrates the required consumer research experience. Nevertheless, it defers to GSO for further clarity.

4. Established business address. The instructions require "evidence that the offeror/quoter operates an established business with a permanent address and telephone listing." Please confirm whether that address must be in Colombia.

ANSWER: The SOW does not explicitly state that this qualification must be an address in Colombia.

5. Currency. If a United States prime is eligible, please confirm whether the quotation should be priced in USD or COP, and whether a quotation priced in USD would be evaluated on equal terms with quotations priced in COP.

ANSWER: Please ensure that your offer is submitted in the applicable currency (USD or COP just for Colombian vendor), as specified in the solicitation.

6. Page limit. Please confirm whether there is a page limit for the technical proposal.

ANSWER: There is no page limit for the technical proposal.

7. If the Government’s intent is that only Colombian registered vendors may compete, please say so plainly and I will not take further time from your office.

ANSWER: The contract may be implemented by any contractor of any location capable of complying with the technical requests.

8. Several evaluation factors describe the offeror: Three years of consumer research experience in Colombia, Colombian business licenses, a native Spanish speaking point of contact, and demonstrated knowledge of the Colombian food and beverage market.

ANSWER: FAS reconfirms that the Contractor shall comply with all evaluation factors.

9. May an offeror meet these factors through a Colombian subcontractor that performs the in-country fieldwork, if the offeror identifies that subcontractor by name and provides its credentials with the quotation? Or must the offeror itself hold these qualifications?

ANSWER: according to FAS guidelines, an offeror may work with a subcontractor that performs the in-country fieldwork.

The offeror may subcontract the services; however, the offeror shall remain fully responsible for the subcontractor and for the proper performance of the subcontracted services.

10. Will the Government accept quotations in U.S. dollars from a United States registered company?

ANSWER: Yes, it will.

11. Section 4 states the Embassy will not issue a tax exemption certificate. Should the 19 percent IVA be included inside the CLIN prices, or listed as a separate line item?

ANSWER: Yes, you can include the IVA or VAT tax inside the CLIN prices.

13. For the 1,000 to 1,500 structured surveys, is an online panel methodology acceptable for the full sample, or does the Government require a minimum share of in person interviews?

ANSWER: The SOW states that the Contractor shall “Execute online and/or in-person surveys with structured questionnaires targeting a representative sample of 1,000-1,500 respondents.” It is therefore acceptable if an online panel methodology is implemented.

14. REFERENCE: Pricing Table and General Guidance – Payment, pages 2 and 6.

Has the Government established an estimated budget, funding range, or not-to-exceed amount for the complete requirement, including quantitative research, focus groups, interviews, participant incentives, travel, bilingual reporting, and presentations?

ANSWER: The SOW does not provide estimated budget, funding ceiling, or not-to-exceed amount.

15. REFERENCE: Evaluation Factors, page 5; SAM.gov Notice – Evaluation Approach.

Under the lowest-priced technically acceptable evaluation method, will each evaluation factor listed on page 5 be assessed on a pass/fail basis, and what minimum evidence must an offeror provide to be found technically acceptable under each factor?

ANSWER: The SOW does not specify how evaluation factors will be scored.

Therefore, all evaluation factors will have the same relevance.

16. REFERENCE: Evaluation Factors – Experience in Colombia, page 5.

Must the prime offeror independently possess the required three years of consumer research experience in Colombia, or may this requirement be satisfied through the demonstrated experience of a proposed Colombian subcontractor or teaming partner?

ANSWER: According to FAS guidelines, an offeror may work with a subcontractor that demonstrates the required consumer research experience.

The offeror may subcontract the services; however, the offeror shall remain fully

17. REFERENCE: Evaluation Factors – Permanent Address, Licenses and Permits, page 5.

Must the prime offeror itself maintain a permanent address, telephone listing, and all required licenses in Colombia, or may these local-presence and licensing requirements be satisfied through an identified Colombian subcontractor or teaming partner?

ANSWER: The SOW does not explicitly state whether these qualifications must be held by the prime offeror itself. Although according to FAS guidelines, an offeror may work with a subcontractor with permanent address and telephone listing in Colombia.

The offeror may subcontract the services; however, the offeror shall remain fully

18. REFERENCE: Evaluation Factors and General Guidance, pages 5–7.

Are subcontracting and formal teaming arrangements permitted? If so, are there limitations on the percentage or categories of work that may be performed by subcontractors?

ANSWER: Although according to FAS guidelines, an offeror may work with a subcontractor.

The offeror may subcontract the services; however, the offeror shall remain fully

19. REFERENCE: Action 5 – Representative Sample, pages 4–5.

Does FAS Bogotá require a probability-based sample, or will a nonprobability quota sample using verified online or mobile respondents be acceptable if the offeror documents recruitment controls, weighting, quality assurance, methodological limitations, and the applicable measure of statistical precision?

ANSWER: FAS Bogota does not specifically require a probability-based sample and there is methodological flexibility as part of this application. According to the SOW, the sampling methodology and margin of error must be documented. A nonprobability quota sample using verified online or mobile respondents can be acceptable if the offeror documents recruitment controls, weighting procedures, quality assurance measures, methodological limitations, and the applicable measure of statistical precision. The key requirement is clear and transparent documentation of the chosen methodology and its limitations.

20. REFERENCE: Action 5 – Quantitative Sample Size, pages 4–5.

Will a technically defensible sample of 1,000 completed surveys be considered equally compliant with a sample of 1,500, or will the Government assign greater technical value to sample sizes above the stated minimum?

ANSWER: Yes, a sample of 1,000 is equally acceptable than one of 1,500 as the SOW gives no indication that 1,500 will be scored more favorably than 1,000.

21. REFERENCE: Action 5 – Geographic and Demographic Distribution, pages 4–5.

Does FAS Bogota have required minimum quantitative sample sizes or quotas for each city, socioeconomic level, demographic profile, or product category, or should offerors propose and justify the allocation?

ANSWER: The SOW requires that “sample distribution reflects demographic and socioeconomic diversity within target segments.” Therefore, there are no set fixed quantitative quotas per city, socioeconomic level, or category.

22. REFERENCE: Action 5 – Socioeconomic Levels and Target Profiles, page 5.

Should eligibility for socioeconomic levels 4, 5, and 6 be determined strictly through Colombia’s official residential estrato classification, household income, or a combination of socioeconomic indicators? Are the identified consumer profiles intended to be mutual exclusive quota groups or overlapping analytical segments?

ANSWER: The SOW states target socioeconomic levels 4, 5, and 6, and lists demographic profiles to be included in the quantitative and qualitative research:

“heads of household, professional women with families, DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids), young professionals (male and female, ages 25-40), and Millennials/Gen Z consumers.” Socioeconomic levels in Colombia are determined by estrato classification; although, consumer profiles are intended to be mutual exclusive quota groups, methodology design details are left to the offeror to propose, subject to FAS Bogota’s review and approval of survey instruments prior to fieldwork.

23. REFERENCE: Action 5 – Target Profiles, page 5.

What is the minimum eligible respondent age, particularly for the Gen Z segment, and must every respondent be a primary or joint decision-maker for household food and beverage purchases?

ANSWER: Every respondent must be involved in purchasing decision making processes as one purpose of the analysis is identifying purchasing behaviors. There is no minimum/maximum eligible respondent age.

24. REFERENCE: Actions 1 and 5 – Priority Product Categories, pages 3–5.

Must every quantitative respondent evaluate all seven priority product categories, or may the questionnaire route respondents based on category awareness, purchase history, consumption, or purchase responsibility?

ANSWER: The SOW does not state whether every respondent must evaluate all categories or whether routing logic (based on awareness/purchase history) is permitted. This is left to the offeror’s proposed methodology, subject to FAS Bogota approval.

25. REFERENCE: Actions 1, 4 and 6 – Category and Competitive Analysis, pages 3–5.

Will FAS Bogota provide a definitive list of U.S. brands, products, competing-country products, price points, and certifications to be tested, or should the contractor identify and recommend the specific products and comparisons during the study-design phase?

ANSWER: FAS Bogota will not provide a predetermined list of specific brands, products, price points, or certifications to test.

26. REFERENCE: Action 1 – Preferences and Willingness to Pay, page 3.

Is the contractor expected to conduct physical product placement, sensory or taste testing, packaging or concept-stimulus testing, or should preferences and willingness to pay be measured exclusively through surveys, focus groups, and interviews?

ANSWER: It is not expected that the Contractor conducts physical product placement, sensory or taste testing, packaging or concept-stimulus testing as part of this activity.

27. REFERENCE: Action 4 – Availability and Price Comparison, page 4.

Does the requirement to assess product availability and compare prices require primary retail audits or store-level price collection in the five cities, or may the contractor rely on consumer responses and appropriately documented secondary market data?

ANSWER: The proposal shall include how the Contractor will assess availability and compare price points of U.S. products, which may be documented by secondary market data.

28. REFERENCE: Action 5 – Qualitative Research, pages 4–5 and 7.

After satisfying the minimum of one focus group and two in-depth interviews in each city, should offerors propose the allocation of the remaining three focus groups and ten interviews? Please also confirm whether FAS Bogota has required group sizes, session durations, participant profiles, modality, recording, transcription, translation, or observer access requirements.

ANSWER: The SOW does neither specifies the allocation of remaining focus groups and interviews, nor defines group size, session duration, modality, recording, transcription, translation, or observer-access requirements. The Contractor shall include these details in its technical approach, subject to FAS Bogota’s review.

29. REFERENCE: Action 6 – Trend Identification, page 5.

Will FAS Bogota provide prior research reports, questionnaires, datasets, or benchmarks for longitudinal comparison, or does “trend identification” refer only to patterns identified within the data collected under this contract?

ANSWER: FAS Bogota will not provide prior research reports, questionnaires, datasets, or benchmarks. Trend identification refers to patterns identified within the data collected.

30. REFERENCE: General Guidance – Review and Approval of Research Materials, pages 6–7.

What review period should the contractor assume for FAS Bogota’s approval of questionnaires, discussion guides, interview protocols, translations, and other research materials? Will Government-caused approval delays extend the 10–14-week performance schedule?

ANSWER: The SOW states that “All survey instruments, interview protocols, focus group discussion guides, questionnaires, and any other research material for review and approval from FAS Bogota prior to fieldwork,” and that “the Contractor shall provide a proposed timetable for the activities, including survey design, fieldwork, analysis, biweekly meetings for progress updates, and delivery of final reports. The proposed timetable shall be part of the proposal.” Therefore, the review period will be before the “fieldwork stage” begins.

31. REFERENCE: Action 7 – Final Deliverables, pages 5–6.

Does the 15-working-day deadline apply to the contractor’s first complete submission of all final-form deliverables before Government review? How many consolidated revision rounds and how much Government review time should offerors incorporate into the schedule following that submission?

ANSWER: The SOW states that final written reports will be provided within 15 working days following the completion of the fieldwork. In addition, there will be biweekly meetings for progress updates and those shall be included in the proposed timetable.

32. REFERENCE: General Guidance – Intellectual Property, Data Protection and Confidentiality, pages 6–7.

Does the required transfer of intellectual-property rights apply only to project-specific data and deliverables, excluding the contractor’s pre-existing software, platforms, analytical models, templates, and methodologies? Are there additional Government requirements concerning data-hosting location, cross-border data transfers, retention periods, or deletion?

ANSWER: As stated in the SOW, the “Intellectual property transfer exclusively refers to all intellectual property rights and ownership of any and all materials and products developed in the execution of this project to FAS Bogota. Furthermore, any profits, copyrights, or other intellectual property benefits generated as a result of this project shall be the sole property of the USDA.” It does not include pre-existing software, platforms, analytical models, templates, and methodologies. There are no additional U.S. Government requirements concerning data-hosting location, cross-border data transfers, retention periods, or deletion.

33. REFERENCE: Conditions of Proposal – Pricing and Taxes, page 1.

For a U.S. prime contractor using Colombian personnel or subcontractors, should the quotation include Colombian VAT, withholding taxes, or other local taxes applicable to services, and should each tax be shown separately from the underlying service price?

ANSWER: If the offeror is a company legally established in the United States, the quotation shall be submitted in U.S. Dollars (USD), and Colombian VAT (IVA) is not applicable.

If the offeror is a company legally established in Colombia, the quotation shall be submitted in Colombian Pesos (COP) and shall include the applicable Colombian

VAT (IVA).

34. The solicitation currently requires the Contractor to demonstrate a minimum of three (3) years of experience conducting consumer research in Colombia.

ANSWER: To reconfirm, “The Contractor shall demonstrate minimum three (3) years of experience conducting consumer research in Colombia and submit evidence (e.g., reports, case studies, presentations) of providing similar services, including successful market research projects” as it is stated in the SOW.

35. Considering the scope and methodological nature of the requested services, we kindly ask whether this requirement may also be fulfilled through demonstrated experience in market research and market analysis projects conducted in Colombia using quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including studies related to perceptions, preferences, behaviors, market characterization, segmentation, purchasing patterns, and other similar research activities.

ANSWER: Yes, the experience requirement may also be fulfilled with demonstrated experience in market research and market analysis projects conducted in Colombia using quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including studies related to perceptions, preferences, behaviors, market characterization, segmentation, purchasing patterns, and other similar research activities.

36. We understand that this type of experience provides directly relevant capabilities for the execution of the required scope, particularly in the design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative research, data analysis, identification of market trends and consumer segments, and development of actionable recommendations.

ANSWER: This is accurate and correct.

37. Accordingly, we respectfully request confirmation as to whether experience in market analysis and market research using quantitative and qualitative methodologies may be considered valid for compliance with the minimum experience requirement, without limiting the qualification exclusively to projects specifically identified as “consumer research.”

ANSWER: Yes, the experience requirement may also be fulfilled with demonstrated experience in market analysis and market research using quantitative and qualitative methodologies

38. Minimum Project Team and Supporting Documentation

We understand that the requirement regarding the availability of the personnel necessary for the proper execution of the project may be fulfilled through a project team consisting, at a minimum, of a Project Leader, a Quantitative Research Expert, and a Qualitative Research Expert.

ANSWER: Yes, the Contractor shall demonstrate that “can provide the necessary personnel, equipment, and financial resources to satisfactorily perform the work and achieve all aforementioned action items”.

39. Likewise, we understand that the academic qualifications and professional experience of the proposed personnel may be demonstrated through the submission of their respective CVs/resumes, showing the relevant academic background and experience required for the execution of the project. We kindly request confirmation as to whether our understanding is 3. Evidence of Financial Capacity

ANSWER: Yes, the Contractor shall include personnel background as part of its

40. We understand that the requirement regarding the Offeror’s financial capacity may be demonstrated through the submission of the financial statements corresponding to the most recent fiscal year, i.e., fiscal year 2025, through which the financial capacity of the organization to satisfactorily perform the project may be evidenced.

ANSWER: Yes, the Contractor shall include financial statements as part of its

41. We kindly request confirmation as to whether our understanding is correct and whether the submission of the 2025 financial statements is sufficient to satisfy this requirement.

ANSWER: Yes, it is sufficient as described.

42. Licenses and Permits

Regarding the requirement that the Offeror demonstrate that it has all licenses and permits necessary to operate as an established business entity in accordance with Colombian law, we understand that, for a company legally incorporated and operating in Colombia, this requirement may be satisfied through the submission of the legal documents customarily required in Colombia to evidence the existence and lawful operation of a company, specifically a valid Certificate of Existence and Legal Representation and Tax Registration Certificate (RUT).

ANSWER: Yes, the Contractor shall include legal documentation that supports its existence in Colombia.

43. We kindly request confirmation as to whether our understanding is correct and whether these legal documents are sufficient to demonstrate compliance with this requirement, or whether any additional license, permit, registration, or authorization is required under Colombian law.

ANSWER: No, such additional documentation is not required.

Bilingual English-Spanish Point of Contact

44. Regarding the requirement to provide a bilingual English-Spanish point of contact whose native language is Spanish, we understand that this requirement will be deemed satisfied provided that one of the members of the proposed project team has the required language proficiency and is designated as the point of contact during the execution of the project.

45. We further understand that this condition may be demonstrated through the information included in the CV/resume of the proposed professional, without the need to provide an official language proficiency certificate.

ANSWERS: Yes, one member of the team shall be proficient in Spanish, which shall be demonstrated in the CV/resume of the personnel developing the market analysis.

Knowledge of the Colombian Food and Beverage Market

46. The solicitation requires the Contractor to demonstrate knowledge of the Colombian food and beverage market and the ability to provide actionable insights for international trade promotion.

ANSWER: Yes, this information is accurate.

47. We kindly request clarification regarding the acceptable means of demonstrating compliance with this requirement. Please confirm whether this experience may be evidenced through previous contracts, market research studies, experience of the proposed project team, reports, case studies, publications, or the technical approach included in the proposal, either individually or in combination.

ANSWER: The Contractor may present any combination of previous contracts, market research studies, experience of the proposed project team, reports, case studies, publications, or the technical approach in the proposal to demonstrate knowledge of the Colombian food and beverage market and the ability to provide actionable insights for international trade promotion.