RFP 25-01_Japanese Mkt and Trade Rep.pdf

RFP # 25-01

Japanese Mktg and Trade Rep

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CITRUS

605 East Main Street

Bartow, FL 33830

(863) 537-3999

Request for Proposals (RFP)

Japanese Marketing and Trade Representative

Proposal Opening:

February 20, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

Vendor Name _____________________________________ Vendor Mailing Address ____________________________ City, State, Zip ____________________________________ Telephone ________________________________________

I certify that this proposal is made without prior understanding, agreement, or connection with any corporation, firm, or person submitting a proposal for the same contractual service and is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud. I agree to abide by all conditions of this proposal and certify that I am authorized to sign this proposal for the proposer and that the proposer is in compliance with all requirements of the Request for Proposal, including, but not limited to, certification requirements. In submitting a proposal to an agency for the State of Florida, the proposer offers and agrees that if the proposal is accepted, the proposer will convey, sell, assign, or transfer to the State of Florida all rights, title and interest in and to all causes of action it may now, or hereafter acquire under the Anti-trust laws of the United States and the State of Florida for price fixing relating to the particular commodities or services purchased or acquired by the State of Florida. At the State’s discretion, such assignment shall be made and become effective at the time the purchasing agency tenders final payment to the proposer.

Authorized Signature _________________________________________

Print Name and Title _________________________________________

Proposal tabulations with recommended awards will be posted electronically for review by interested parties on or about the date listed in Section 1.3 of the solicitation and will remain posted for a period of 72 hours. Failure to file a Protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes, shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

1.2 Statement of Purpose

1.3 Timeline of Events

1.4 Reasonable Accommodations

1.5 Procurement Officer

1.6 Department’s Rights to Reject Proposals

1.7 Contract Terms

1.8 Contract Amount

SECTION 2. SCOPE OF SERVICES

2.1 Scope of Work

2.2 Performance Measurement

2.3 Staffing

2.4 Publications

2.5 Use of Name

2.6 Ownership

SECTION 3. RESPONDING TO THE RFP

3.1 General Contract Conditions and General Instructions

3.2 Special Instructions

SECTION 4. CONSIDERATIONS

4.1 State Requirements

4.2 MFMP Registration and Florida Substitute Form W-9 Process

4.3 MyFloridaMarketPlace Transaction Fee

4.4 Conflict of Interest

4.5 Travel

4.6 Cost Management Plan

4.7 Method of Payment

4.8 Financial Consequences

4.9 Right to Audit

4.10 Financial Control/Risk Assessment

4.11 Cooperation with the Inspector General

4.12 Other Special Requirements

SECTION 5. EVALUATION CRITERIA

SECTION 6. SUBMITTAL INFORMATION

6.1 Shipping Instructions

6.2 Questions and Answers

6.3 RFP Attachments

6.4 Required Documents

SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) is an executive agency of Florida government charged with the marketing, research and regulation of the Florida citrus industry. Its mission is to maximize consumer demand for Florida citrus products to ensure the sustainability and economic well-being of the Florida citrus grower, the citrus industry, and the State of Florida.

The FDOC also has extensive regulatory responsibilities, covering every aspect of the industry, including research, production, maturity standards, licensing, transportation, labeling, packing and processing. The industry employs approximately 33,000 people, provides an annual economic impact of $6.9 billion to the state and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues that help support Florida’s schools, roads and health care services.

The FDOC is governed by the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC), an eleven-member board with taxing authority appointed by the Governor of Florida to represent citrus growers, processors and packers. Three commission members must be processors, one member must be a packer and must be a resident of the Indian River production area of Florida, and another member must be a grower with a production area of more than 5,001 acres in Florida.

The FCC serves in the capacity of a Board of Directors and agency head for the FDOC.

The FCC oversees and guides the activities of the FDOC. It is responsible for setting the annual amount of excise tax as well as quality standards for all citrus grown, packed or processed in Florida. In addition, the FCC conducts a wide variety of programs involving industry regulation, scientific, market and economic research, advertising, merchandising, public and industry relations and consumer promotions. Over 80 percent of FDOC’s annual budget is typically spent on marketing and promotional activities for Florida citrus in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Japan is a key market for Florida grapefruit exports.

While Japan continues to be an integral export market for Florida grapefruit, the market for Florida Grapefruit in Japan has contracted significantly over the last decade due to a mix of supply and demand challenges. Protecting, preserving, and reenergizing the Japanese market for Florida Grapefruit products is a priority for FDOC and essential to the future health of the Florida Citrus industry.

1.2 Statement of Purpose

A. Need – FDOC is seeking proposals from companies to manage its trade representation and promotional programs in Japan. Under the guidance of FDOC staff in Florida, the selected company will be able to fully execute FDOC’s Japanese program with its own staffing resources or be able to effectively lead a team of partners in the execution of the program. This includes, but is not limited to, market research, marketing, public relations, advertising, and acting as FDOC’s representative in Japan. Proposals must be from companies that have the expertise and experience to plan, manage, execute, and measure promotional activities targeting consumers, media, and the trade (including importers, wholesalers, retailers, food manufacturers, and foodservice). Proposals must exemplify the ability to work as part of a team to expand the market for Florida Grapefruit products in Japan.

At the discretion of FDOC staff, applicants may be required to make virtual presentations to FDOC staff, staff committees, and/or the Florida Citrus Commission in a public meeting prior to the contract being awarded.

B. Objective – The objective of the RFP proposal and/or response is to demonstrate the Vendor’s qualifications and ability to provide the services and/or commodities required. Vendors shall prepare their replies simply and economically, providing a straightforward, concise delineation of their ability to satisfy the requirements of this RFP. Emphasis in each reply should be on completeness and clarity of content, thereby enabling the Department to make a fair evaluation of the Vendor and its reply. Failure of a Vendor to provide the appropriate information or materials in response to each stated requirement or request for information may result in lower scores for the Vendor.

C. Requirements – All information submitted in a proposal/response must be in the English language.

Responses must be completed and submitted as part of RFP Proposal to be considered for award.

Proposals should include a preliminary strategic approach based on a $800,000 USD budget for Florida Grapefruit outlining suggested targets, strategies, tactics, and an indication of how success would be measured. Budgets are subject to change without notice due to variances in the Florida Citrus crop production. The tactics can be described in a more general strategic framework, rather than a detailed description of specific activities and their implementation. The Scope of Work detailed in Section 2.1 should be used as a reference, but bidders are encouraged to recommend a mix of strategies and tactics that they believe would be most effective given the FDOC’s goals, opportunities, constraints, and overall budget.

Agency Questionnaire – Respondents are required to complete the Agency Questionnaire in Attachment F.

1.3 Timeline of Events

Opening dates are firm and cannot be changed. All other dates are subject to change.

All changes to the Timeline of Events will be made through addendums to the solicitation on the Vendor Information Portal (VIP).

Request for Proposals posted on VIP January 13, 2026 Statement of Interest / Questions Due January 23, 2026, 5:00 PM EST Post Answers to Questions January 29, 2026 Proposals Due/Opened* 605 E. Main St.

Bartow, FL 33830

February 20, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

*PROPOSALS RECEIVED AFTER THIS TIME ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR AWARD.

Review and Evaluation February 23-27, 2026 Intent to Award Posted on VIP March 23, 2026

Contract Submitted to the Citrus Commission May 20, 2026

Award Date July 1, 2026 **Emailed and Faxed proposals are not eligible – Proposals must be received no later than February 20, 2026, 1:00 PM EST.**

1.4 Reasonable Accommodations

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person required a reasonable accommodation to participate is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled event by contacting Sharon McLeod at smcleod@citrus.myflorida.com or (863) 537-3964. If you are hearing or speech-impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1 (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or 1 (800) 955-8770 (Voice).

mailto:smcleod@citrus.myflorida.com

1.5 Procurement Officer

The Procurement Officer is the sole point of contact from the date of the release of this RFP until 72 hours after the Intent to Award is posted.

Procurement Officer for this RFP is:

Sharon McLeod, Purchasing Manager Florida Department of Citrus Email: smcleod@citrus.myflorida.com

Respondents to this solicitation or persons acting on their behalf may not contact, between the release of the solicitation and the end of the 72-hour period following the agency posting the notice of intended award, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, any employee or officer of the executive or legislative branch concerning any aspect of this solicitation, except in writing to the procurement officer or as provided in the solicitation documents. Violation of this provision may be grounds for rejecting a response.

1.6 Department’s Rights to Reject Proposals

The Department reserves the right to reject all Proposals. The Department may reject any Proposals that do not meet all requirements, specifications, terms, and conditions of the solicitation or fail to provide all required information, documents, or materials may be rejected as non-responsive. Respondents whose Proposals, references, or current status do not reflect the capability, integrity, or reliability to fully and in good faith perform the requirements of the Term Contract may be rejected as not responsible. The Department reserves the right to determine which Proposals meet the requirements of this solicitation and which Respondents are responsive and responsible. The Department is placing vendors on notice of the prohibitions against considering social, political, or ideological interests in government contracting contained in section 287.05701, F.S.

1.7 Contract Terms

A. Length of service to be provided shall be for a two-year period with one three-year renewal at the Department’s option. This contract shall be effective upon execution by both parties.

mailto:smcleod@citrus.myflorida.com

B. The State of Florida’s performance and obligation to pay under this agreement is contingent upon an annual appropriation by the Legislature, as specified in section 287.0582, F.S.

C. All Department contracts require a termination clause upon written notice to Vendor, submitted a specified number of days prior to termination. Department will be responsible for all services rendered within the scope of the contract.

1.8 Contract Amount

The total amount for vendor services and expenses shall not exceed Department’s approved budget each fiscal year.

Please provide the total cost in USD to complete the services outlined in this request, along with your terms for payment. If any payments are required upon execution of contract, or prior to any services being rendered, a full justification for the advance payment is required.

The contract resulting from this RFP will be based on an annual retainer. Please propose a monthly retainer fee to manage FDOC’s program from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Subsequent year contracts would run from July to June. As mentioned in Section 1.2, FDOC’s budget allocation for Japan in 2026/27 will be approximately $800,000 USD for Florida Grapefruit (subject to change due to Florida Citrus crop production), which must cover both retainer fees and all other program expenses.

Proposed retainer fees should be inclusive of all staff time, staff travel within Japan, and administration expenses such as phone, fax, and postage expenses.

Please also include a line-item budget providing estimates from program expenses.

These should be third-party expenses for program implementation or payment of subcontractors. FDOC realizes that these are approximations and subject to change.

The purpose of this is to provide FDOC with an understanding of the relative budget apportionment being proposed.

SECTION 2. SCOPE OF SERVICES

2.1 Scope of Work

The anticipated services would include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following activities. All documents are subject to final approval of the FDOC.

The selected agency will be responsible for managing and measuring all aspects of the approved marketing and trade program in Japan. This may include, but is not limited to, the following:

- Managing annual budget as allocated by FDOC

- Strategic Planning

- Expanding distribution and consumption of Florida Grapefruit

- Development, management and measurement of day-to-day business under guidance and direction of FDOC o Marketing and public relations (consumer, trade, media) o Retail and Foodservice promotions o Advertising o Market Research o Creating and Managing FDOC web and social media assets

- Managing third-party vendors as approved by FDOC

- Representing the Florida Citrus industry to Japanese consumers, media, and the trade (importers, wholesalers, retailers, food manufacturers, and foodservice operators)

- Meeting with Florida Citrus exporters to brief them on the FDOC programs and market as needed

- Establishing and maintaining relationships with U.S. Embassy staff and personnel

- Submitting monthly and end-of-season report

- Understanding and adhering to the rules and regulations of the FDOC and the

USDA-FAS Market Access Program (MAP)

- Provide assistance in the development of FDOC’s Unified Export Strategy (UES) and Country Progress Report (CPR) – both of which are requirements of MAP grant recipients – as well as writing Success Stories.

- Maintaining a staff that can communicate effectively in English with FDOC personnel and other FDOC contractors around the world.

2.2 Performance Measurement

Proof of performance and/or deliverables will be provided to the Department prior to an invoice payment and will be demonstrated by, but not limited to:

1. Detailed invoice outlining agency activity

2. Monthly activity reports

3. End-of-season program reports

4. Documentation of program implementation and results

2.3 Staffing

Vendor shall provide for optimal service, a full and experienced staff capable of managing Department’s marketing program needs in Japan.

2.4 Publications

N/A

2.5 Use of Name

A. Department will not use the name of Vendor nor of any member of Vendor’s project staff, in any publicity, advertising, or news release without the prior written approval of an authorized representative of Vendor. Such approval will not be unreasonable withheld.

B. Vendor will not use the name of Department, nor of any member of Department’s project staff, in any publicity, advertising, or news release without the prior written approval of an authorized representative of Department. Such approval shall not be unreasonable withheld.

2.6 Ownership

All concepts, materials, publications, original artwork, photographs, video tapes, masters, transparencies, negatives, recipes, data, plans, ideas or other creative work for which Vendor has received payment from Department shall be, except for materials and rights which are acquired under license, the property of Department and may be used by Department without any claim by Vendor.

SECTION 3. RESPONDING TO THE RFP

3.1 General Contract Conditions and General Instructions

The General Contract Conditions Form PUR 1000 and General Instructions to Respondents Form PUR 1001, found in Rule 60A-1.002, Florida Administrative Code, are hereby incorporated by reference, and can be accessed at:

https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/state_purchasing/state_agency _resources/state_purchasing_pur_forms

3.2 Special Instructions

The following special instructions modify the general instructions provided in the incorporated PUR 1001 and shall take precedence over conflicting terms of PUR 1001:

https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/state_purchasing/state_agency_resources/state_purchasing_pur_forms https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/state_purchasing/state_agency_resources/state_purchasing_pur_forms

Paragraph 3. Electronic Submission of Proposals. Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with Section 6 of this solicitation. Emailed or faxed proposals will not be accepted.

Paragraph 5. Questions. The Department invites interested vendors to submit formal questions regarding this solicitation. Respondents shall submit all questions regarding this solicitation in writing, via email, to the Procurement Officer no later than close of business, on the date specified in the Timeline of Events. Questions shall be answered in accordance with the Timeline of Events.

All questions submitted shall be published and answered in the Vendor Information

Portal (VIP). Respondents shall not contact any other employee of the Department or the State for information with respect to this solicitation. The Department shall not be bound by any verbal information or by any written information that is not contained within the solicitation documents or formally noticed and issued by the Department as an Addendum in VIP. Questions to the Procurement Officer or to any Department personnel shall not constitute formal protest of the specifications of the solicitation.

Paragraphs 7,8. Convicted Vendor, Discriminatory Vendor, Antitrust Violator, &

Forced Vendor Lists

A. Convicted Vendor List A person or affiliate who has been placed on the convicted vendor list following a conviction for a public entity crime may not submit a bid on a contract to provide any goods or services to a public entity, may not submit a bid on a contract with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or public work, may not submit bids on lease of real property to a public entity, may not be awarded or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under a contract with any public entity, and may not transact business with any public entity in excess of the threshold amount provided in Section 287.017, for CATEGORY TWO for a period of 36 months from the date of being placed on the convicted vendor list.

B. Discriminatory Vendor List

In accordance with section 287.134, Florida Statutes, an entity or affiliate who has been placed on the discriminatory vendor list may not submit a bid on a contract to provide goods or services to a public entity, may not submit a bid on a contract with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or public work, may not submit bids on leases of real property to a public entity, may not award or perform work as contractor, supplier, sub-contractor, or consultant under contract with any public entity, and may not transact business with any public entity.

C. Antitrust Violator Vendor List Pursuant to section 287.137(2)(a), “[a] person or an affiliate who has been placed on the antitrust violator vendor list following a conviction or being held civilly liable for an antitrust violation may not submit a bid, proposal, or reply for any new contract to provide any goods or services to a public entity; may not submit a bid, proposal, or reply for a new contract with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or public work; may not submit a bid, proposal, or reply on new leases of real property to a public entity; may not be awarded or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under a new contract with a public entity; and may not transact new business with a public entity.”

D. Forced Labor Vendor List Pursuant to section 287.1346, F.S., a company placed on the Forced Labor Vendor List may not submit a bid, proposal, or reply on a contract to provide commodities to any agency, be awarded a contract or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant with an agency for the provision of commodities, or transact business for the provision of commodities with an agency. Additionally, an agency may not accept a bid, proposal, or reply from; award a contract to; or transact business pertaining to the provision of commodities with a company on the forced labor vendor list, or an entity under the control of such company, for a period of 365 days after the date the company was placed on the list unless the company is removed from the list pursuant to section 287.1346(5)(d), F.S.

Paragraph 15. Clarification/Revisions. The Department may request, and Respondent shall provide, clarifying information or documentation. Failure to supply the information or documentation as requested may result in the Proposal being deemed non-responsive.

Paragraph 16. Minor Irregularities/Right to Reject. The Department reserves the right to 1) cancel this solicitation prior to the Public Opening, 2) to make no Award and reject all responses after the Public Opening, 3) accept or reject any and all Responses, or separable portions thereof, 4) to waive any minor irregularity, technicality, or omission, if the Department determines that doing so will serve the State’s best interests. The Department may reject any Response not submitted in the manner specified by the solicitation documents.

SECTION 4. CONSIDERATIONS

4.1 State Requirements

Bidding Vendor acknowledges that Department is a governmental state agency and that Department is bound by state laws, rules, and policies, which must be followed by Vendor when providing such services. These laws, rules, and policies include Chapter 601, F.S. (Florida Citrus Code), Chapter 287, F.S. (Procurement), Chapter 119, F.S.

(Public Records), and Chapter 20, F.A.C. (Department Rules and Regulations) and FDOC Purchasing, Fiscal, and Travel Policies.

4.2 MFMP Registration and Florida Substitute Form W-9 Process The awarded Respondent(s), if any, must have completed this process prior to Contract execution. For additional information, please visit https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com/

The awarded Respondent(s), if any, must complete a Florida Substitute Form W-9 prior to Contract execution. The Internal Revenue Service receives and validates the information provided on the Florida Substitute Form W-9. For instructions on how to complete the Florida Substitute Form W-9, please visit https://flvendor.myfloridacfo.com/

If you need assistance with using MFMP, please contact the MFMP Customer Service Desk at (866) 352-3776 or VendorHelp@myfloridamarketplace.com. The MFMP Customer Service Desk cannot answer questions about the RFP content. All solicitation questions must be submitted in accordance with Section 3.2 Special Instructions.

4.3 MyFloridaMarketPlace Transaction Fee

The State of Florida through the Department of Management Services has instituted MyFloridaMarketPlace, a statewide eProcurement system. Pursuant to section

287.057(24), Florida Statutes, all payments shall be assessed a Transaction Fee of one percent (1.0%), which the Vendor shall pay to the State, unless exempt.

For payments within the State accounting system (FLAIR or its successor), the Transaction Fee shall, when possible, be automatically deducted from payments to the Vendor. If automatic deduction is not possible, the Vendor shall pay the Transaction Fee pursuant to Rule 60A-1.031(2), F.A.C. By submission of these reports and corresponding payments, Vendor certifies their correctness. All such reports and payments shall be subject to audit by the State or its designee.

The Vendor shall receive a credit for any Transaction Fee paid by the Vendor for the purchase of any item(s) if such item(s) are returned to the Vendor through no fault, act, or omission of the Vendor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Transaction Fee is non-refundable when an item is rejected or returned, or declined, due to the vendor’s failure to perform or comply with specifications or requirements of the agreement.

Failure to comply with these requirements shall constitute grounds for declaring the Vendor in default and recovering re-procurement cost from the Vendor in addition to all outstanding fees. VENDORS DELINQUENT IN PAYING TRANSACTION FEES MAY BE

EXCLUDED FROM CONDUCTING FUTURE BUSINESS WITH THE STATE.

4.4 Conflict of Interest

This solicitation is subject to chapter 112 of the Florida Statutes. Respondents shall disclose with their response the name of any officer, director, employee or other agent who is also an employee of the State. Respondents shall also disclose the name of any State employee who owns, directly or indirectly, an interest of five percent (5%) or more in the respondent or its affiliates.

The selected Vendor agrees it will not perform advertising, public relations, or marketing services for any person, company, association, unit of government, or other entity that is engaged in the production or marketing of competing products

4.5 Travel

Travel, if applicable, shall be reimbursed with prior written approval and in accordance with rates specified in Section 112.061, F.S.

4.6 Cost Management Plan

1. Prior to incurring costs, a cost management plan (CMP) procedure must be followed. At a minimum, the CMP will describe the services to be performed, costs by line item for various media and production, separate line items for various anticipated out-of-pocket expenses, as well as period of activity and expected performance measures for the approved activity.

2. Should additional funds be required for any reason, Vendor shall, prior to incurring the additional costs, prepare ad Revised Cost Management Plan and submit it with an appropriate explanation to Department for approval.

3. Except for the employment of agents at its own expense, Vendor shall not engage third parties to perform any services or otherwise obligate or commit Department for expenses or payments of any kind without specific prior written approval of Department via a CMP.

4.7 Method of Payment

Department shall require an invoice referencing the Cost Management Plan (CMP) or Project Summary (if required) outlining the services provided and appropriate backup documentation forty (40) days prior to each scheduled payment as specified in 215.422, F.S.

4.8 Financial Consequences

Vendor fees and reimbursement for costs incurred are paid after services are rendered, subsequent to receipt of invoice, proof of adequate performance, and pre-audit of supporting documentation (section 2.2). Additional financial consequences shall be specified in contract, in accordance with section 287.058(1)(h), F.S.

4.9 Right to Audit

The Department shall have the right to audit or inspect any and all records, reports, documents and such other supporting evidence as it deems necessary to verify compliance with the terms of this contract. The Vendor shall provide such records in original hard copy, machine-readable form, or both, as requested. Vendor shall maintain such records and allow Department to exercise such right to audit for a period of five years after final payment on this contract, or longer if required by law. The Vendor shall include the ‘right to audit provisions’ of this contract in all agreements with subcontractors and any other business entities providing goods or services in direct or indirect support of this contract. Should Department exercise this right to audit, Vendor shall provide adequate and appropriate workspace as well as access to photocopy machines and the right to interview current Vendor employees and contact information for former employees.

4.10 Financial Control/Risk Assessment

Answers to the following questions are required and will be evaluated, per Section 5 of the RFP.

A. Do you publish financial statements on a regular basis? If so, how frequently?

Are these statements available upon client request?

B. Do you engage an outside accounting firm to audit annual financial statements and/or to review internal control systems? If so, can you provide copies of these reports upon client request? If not, please provide a description of the internal controls in place to support your operation.

C. The FDOC is prohibited from making payment to any entity other than the primary contractor. To what extent can you pay third-party party vendors, with reimbursement by FDOC to you to follow in 30 days?

4.11 Cooperation with the Inspector General

Pursuant to section 20.055(5), Florida Statutes, contractor and any subcontractors understand and will comply with their duty to cooperate with the inspector general in any investigation, audit, inspection, review, or hearing.

4.12 Other Special Requirements

Prior to vendor selection, Department may require bidders to travel to Department headquarters in Florida, make a virtual presentation to FDOC staff, staff committees and/or the FCC in a public meeting, or Department may travel to vendor site for a preliminary meeting of bidders.

SECTION 5. EVALUATION CRITERIA

Each Proposal will be evaluated and ranked by a committee of staff members familiar with the business. Each evaluator will independently review and score Proposals using the criteria listed below. Points will be awarded as follows for a possible total of 100:

Overall marketing, PR, and advertising experience 15 Knowledge/experience related to working with the trade 15 Overall strategic approach and quality of proposal 15 Agriculture, food, and beverage experience 10 Ability to cover all areas of Japan 10 Program measurement and reporting 10 Previous experience with USDA-FAS funding programs 10 Cost/Value (relative to other proposals) 10

Financial Control/Risk Assessment 5 Total 100

SECTION 6. SUBMITTAL INFORMATION

6.1 Shipping Instructions

All required documents listed in section 6.4, three (3) hard copies of your proposal, and one USB flash drive with a digital copy of your proposal MUST be submitted to:

Florida Department of Citrus

Sharon McLeod, Purchasing Manager 605 E. Main St.

Bartow, FL 33830

REFERENCE RFP 25-01 AND COMPANY NAME ON THE OUTSIDE OF ALL MAILINGS.

*Electronic proposals are not eligible. Proposals must be received at the address above no later than February 20 2026, 1:00 PM EST.

6.2 Questions and Answers

A statement of interest and all questions must be submitted per section 3.2 of the RFP.

Answers to all questions will be posted on the date listed in Section 1.3 Timeline of Events.

6.3 RFP Attachments

Attachment A, Client Reference Form Attachment B, PUR 2024 Use of Coercion for Labor or Services Attachment C, PUR 7801 Vendor Certification Form Attachment D, Crimes Entity Attachment E, Financial Control/Risk Assessment Attachment F, Agency Questionnaire

6.4 Required Documents

Respondents are required to submit the following documents prior to RFP opening:

___ Signed RFP (page 1 of RFP)

___ Client Reference Form ___ PUR 2024, Use of Coercion for Labor and Services ___ PUR 7801, Vendor Certification Form ___ Crimes Entity, Signed and Notarized ___ Financial Control/Risk Assessment Form ___ Agency Questionnaire ___ Resumes of all persons responsible for the Florida Department of Citrus account.

___ Contact Information for future notification