RFP 25-01_Questions and Answers.pdf
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- Attached to
- Japanese Marketing and Trade Representative
- Solicitation number
- RFP-14812
- Issued by
- Polk County, Florida
About this file
This Questions and Answers document addresses inquiries regarding the Florida Department of Citrus RFP 25-01 for a Japanese Marketing and Trade Representative position. The solicitation seeks proposals from vendors to manage trade representation and promotional programs for Florida Grapefruit and Florida Grapefruit Juice in the Japanese market. The contract term is two years with a potential three-year renewal option. Proposals were due February 19, 2026, at 1:00 PM EST, with an anticipated contract award date of July 1, 2026. The Department requires a preliminary strategic approach based on an $800,000 annual budget for Year 1 only; Year 2 recommendations are not required in the initial proposal. Vendors are permitted to submit separate proposals for both the Japanese and South Korean Marketing and Trade Representative opportunities simultaneously.
Key clarifications from the Q&A document indicate that the selected agency will be responsible for aligning all program activities with USDA-FAS Market Access Program (MAP) requirements beyond basic reporting support and is expected to provide recommendations regarding program focus, geographic regions, and priority channels within Japan. The Department will provide export data to the awarded agency and expects vendor recommendations on whether to prioritize market rebuilding to protect existing distribution and demand or market expansion through new channels and consumption occasions. SEO and SEM tactics are permitted program elements, though current activity status was not specified. Geographic and channel emphasis across retail, foodservice, importers, and processors will be determined based on vendor recommendations rather than predetermined Department priorities.
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Florida Department of Citrus RFP 25-01 – Japanese Marketing and Trade Representative
Questions and Answers
1. Q: If we submit a proposal for the Japanese Marketing and Trade Representative opportunity, may we also submit a proposal for the Korean Marketing and Trade Representative RFP?
A: Yes, you may also submit a proposal for the South Korean Marketing and Trade Representative RFP.
2. Q: In Section 1.2(A) of the Japan RFP, it states that “Proposals must exemplify the ability to work as part of a team to expand the market for Florida Grapefruit products in Japan.” Can you clarify what is included in “Florida Grapefruit products” (i.e. fresh fruit, juices, specific grapefruit varieties, new products, etc.).
A: These products include Florida Grapefruit and Florida Grapefruit Juice.
3. Q: The contract term is for a two-year period. In addition to a proposal based on “preliminary strategic approach based on a $800,000 budget”, do you also require that we include Year 2 recommendations as well? If so, should we base this on an estimated $800,000 budget for Year 2?
A: No, proposals should reflect programs for year 1.
4. Q: Please confirm whether SEO and SEM efforts are currently active for the Japan market.
A: Programs are determined on a yearly basis. SEO and SEM are tactics that could fall into the contract scope.
5. Q: Are you able to share the total volume of sales of grapefruit products in Japan over the last 5 year? In addition, which channels or segments are currently driving the majority of sales?
A: Export data will be provided to the awarded agency. Programs should be built to support Florida Grapefruit and Florida Grapefruit Juice.
6. Q: Market Rebuilding vs Market Expansion – Considering the contraction of the Japanese market for Florida Grapefruit referenced in the RFP background, does the Department’s current priority lean more toward protecting existing distribution and demand, or toward reactivating growth through new channels, segments, or consumption occasions?
A: FDOC expects the responding agency to provide a recommendation for program focus.
7. USDA-FAS/MAP Program Integration – To what extent does the Department expect the selected vendor to proactively align program activities with USDA-
FAS market Access Program (MAP) requirements beyond reporting support (e.g., strategic input, documentation structure, or coordination with exporters)?
A: The selected agency will be expected to align with all FAS Market Access Program (MAP) requirements through FDOC.
8. Geographic & Channel Focus – Is there an anticipated emphasis on specific regions within Japan or priority channels (retail, foodservice, importers, processors) that the Department views as most critical to the success of the upcoming program cycle?
A: FDOC expects the responding agency to provide a recommendation for program channels and regions.
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