Mock_Call_order__2_ExporTEch_for_RFP.pdf

Request for Proposal Number SB1341-12-RP-0062

Attachment II: Mock Task Order

International Sales Support - ExporTech

BACKGROUND

Since its inception twenty years ago, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) has focused on helping manufacturers increase profit-lines and streamline processes through the implementation of lean manufacturing techniques. But as manufacturing changes, MEP continuously adapts to offer manufacturers the programs and services most needed.

Building on our early efforts, MEP also deploys services that work both sides of the balance sheet – reducing costs and increasing revenues. MEP works not only to help manufacturers with problem-solving and survival, but also on developing new sales, new markets and new products. The growth services focus on harnessing technology and innovation to encourage business growth and innovation of manufacturing. We need to continue to evolve the MEP program – insuring that we are responsive to U.S.

manufacturing needs of the future.

A major strategic focus for NIST MEP is the further development of growth and innovation services for clients, as well the development of partnerships to support the delivery of these services – particularly in the international trade area. MEP requires assistance to build these programs throughout the country, provide coaching and training to practitioners, and directly deliver services to manufacturers.

Growth opportunities for manufacturers are increasingly found in international markets.

Billions of new consumers in emerging economies are joining the global market, and competition in domestic markets is becoming fiercer than ever. There is a tremendous opportunity to assist small and medium sized companies as they account for almost 97 percent of U.S. exporters, but still only represent about 30 percent of the total value of exported goods.

MEP is the ideal organization to help manufacturers enter and /or expand into global markets, which enables companies to diversify their portfolios and to weather changes in the domestic economy.

ExporTech™

MEP has developed in partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service the ExporTech™™ program, which helps companies enter or expand in global markets. ExporTech™ is a three session group project that helps small to mid-sized manufacturers rapidly develop and execute a successful export strategy. The three session group project assists participating companies in developing an international growth plan, provides experts who will vet their plans, and connects the companies with organizations that will help them move quickly beyond planning to actual export sales.

In today’s economy, more and more companies are turning internationally to offset declines in domestic sales. In fact, exporting is rapidly becoming the fasting growing segment of the market. ExporTech™ leads companies through a facilitated process that prepares them for profitable growth in global markets.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor shall provide support in the planning, deployment and skills development related to international sales and more specifically the ExporTech™ program.

Additionally, this task order will ensure that other federal agency partners are identified and leveraged as appropriate to further activities above. The Contractor shall provide marketing and communications support to tasks.

SPECIFIC TASKS

Specific tasks include deployment of international sales offerings to MEP Centers, expanding the ExporTech™ program and training additional facilitators, and providing marketing and communications support and materials. Support through this task order will ensure that export programs and activities are fully coordinated and disseminated to MEP system and partners.

Task 1 –Project Oversight

The Contractor shall conduct routine, on-going communications with MEP management during the period of performance. This will include participating in bi-weekly phone calls with

COR and project manager to provide updates on work in progress, discuss and resolve identified task order issues, and other matters which may arise during the period of performance.

The Contractor shall meet with the COR and project manager face-to-face annually to discuss the project, identify issues and any upcoming activities on current task order.

Meeting will be held in Washington Metropolitan area with no PowerPoint presentations or other formal documents necessary.

The Contractor shall prepare a project plan with requisite schedule and milestones for completing all tasks described in SOW.

The Contractor shall provide a final report at the end of the task order’s period of performance. This report shall describe activities completed, lessons learned and recommendations for going forward.

Task 2 – Deployment and Delivery of ExporTech™ Program

SubTask 2.1 National Rollout of ExporTech™

The Contractor shall continue to expand the ExporTech™ program which shall include offering at least 18 seminars around the country.

Organizing an ExporTech™ program which shall include:

-Coordinating logistics with local resources including MEP Centers, U.S. Export

Assistance Centers as well as other international organizations in that state. This includes conference calls to bring partners up to speed on the program, discuss each other’s roles and responsibilities, and develop agenda;

-Attending the three 3 day program and delivering the approved ExporTech™ content;

-Eighteen ExporTech™s must be delivered in various locations around the country. Assume

3-4 in each of the following regions (Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast)

-In order to meet demand for the ExporTech™ program and continue to expand nationally it is necessary to train two additional facilitators to help deliver the program. The

Contractor shall identify two new facilitators to add to the existing pool of three facilitators that have facilitated an ExporTech™ program in the system, demonstrated strong presentation skills and have an understanding of international requirements.

Resumes of potential facilitators must be reviewed and approved COR and project manager in advance. New facilitators will be Contractor employees and/or subcontractors.

New facilitators must shadow one ExporTech™ session with an existing facilitator and facilitate one with assistance and feedback from the exiting facilitator.

Two new facilitators must be trained and approved by end of task order.

Sub Task 2.2 Partnership Development

In order to more efficiently serve the U.S. manufacturing base and expand the ExporTech™ program, it is necessary to establish and strengthen relationships and cross referrals with the U.S. Export Assistance Centers, state trade offices and other local partners.

All partners have missions similar to the MEP in terms of improving the competitiveness of small to medium sized enterprises.

The Contractor shall:

-Promote the ExporTech™ program at up to two partner conferences/events per year.

Conferences may be annual or quarterly events organized by partner organization;

-Participate in one foreign trade related mission with the U.S. Commercial Service;

-Identify other federal and state partners that may be leveraged to further expansion of the ExporTech™ program.

All conferences, trade missions, and partners must be discussed with COR and project manager and approved in advance to participation.

Subtask 2.3 Marketing and Communications Support

In order to provide a consistent message regarding the ExporTech™ program, it is necessary for the Contractor to provide marketing and communications support.

The Contractor shall:

-Provide a national customizable flyer for the ExporTech program. The flyer shall discuss the benefits of the ExporTech program to partners and clients as well as identify the impacts that have been achieved to date. Reference the attached flyer that needs to be updated with new ExporTech logo, website, and other customizable pieces of information.

The updated information shall be provided upon award.

-Provide eight ExporTech™ written success stories including estimated impacts received from the program. Success stories must be written based on information from past

ExporTech™ graduates, MEP centers, and US Export Assistance Centers. Success stories shall include information about the ExporTech™ program, the benefits to the company and the potential impacts received as a result of attending.

DELIVERABLES

1. Bi-weekly phone calls

2. Annual face-to-face project meeting

Due Date: August 2013

3. Project plan

Due Date: 2 weeks after award

4. Final report

Due Date: 12 months after award

5. Delivery of 18 ExporTech Sessions

6. Training of two new ExporTech™ facilitators

7. List of Federal and State Programs and next step items

Due Date: 4 months after award

8. Present ExporTech™ at a minimum of 2 conferences

9. Overseas Trade Mission

Due Date: 6 months after award

10. Customizable ExporTech flyer

Due Date: 2 months after award

11. Eight Success Stories

Due Date: Two stories submitted quarterly throughout period of performance

Standards for Acceptance of Deliverables

The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will provide comments on each deliverable within 10 calendar days from receipt of a given deliverable. The Contractor shall make any needed changes to the deliverables within 10 calendar days from receipt of electronic or written comments from the COR at no additional cost to the Government.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall be one year from the date of award.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The place of performance shall be the Contractor’s facility and MEP centers in the continental US.

GOVERNMENT FURHISHED PROPERTY/DATA/INFORMATION

All material provided by the Government in the performance of this task order shall remain property of the Government and shall be surrendered to the government upon completion or termination of this requirement.

RISK ASSESSMENT

The HSPD-12 Security Risk Level assigned to this contract is low risk.

I. Performance Standards

Performance Requirement Performance Standard Monitoring Method

Project Oversight - Bi-weekly phone calls

- Annual face-to-face meeting to be held in August

- Project Plan developed and submitted within 2 weeks

- Final report submitted in

September 2013

Review and approval by

Project Manager and

COR, or submittal of project plan and final report.

Further expansion of

ExporTech™ program

- At least eighteen more ExporTech™ seminars run by

September 2013.

ExporTech™

- Two new facilitators trained by existing master facilitators. Done via shadowing one

ExporTech™ and one with assistance and feedback.

Bi-weekly phone calls discussing upcoming activities, schedule of events, changes to location and dates.

Review and approval by

Project Manager and

COR.

Partnerships - ExporTech™ presented at 2 conferences or meetings in 2012 –

2013.

- Participation in one overseas trade mission with the

US Commercial

Service by May

2013.

- List of federal and state agency international programs that could be leveraged and next step by

Jan 2013.

Bi-weekly phone calls discussing upcoming activities, schedule of events, changes to location and dates.

Review and approval by

Project Manager and

COR.

Marketing & Communications

Support

- Customizable

ExporTech flyer is developed by Sept

- 2 Success Stories

/ quarter are written up for clients completing

ExporTech™ demonstrating results

Review and approval by

Project Manager and

COR, or submittal of documents (including flyer and quarterly success stories).

II. Travel

Travel will be refunded in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), and will not exceed the maximum per diem rate (meals and lodging), and transportation costs, in effect at the time of travel. Overseas travel allowable in accordance with FTR.

III. Deliverables and Payment Schedule

The Contractor may invoice the Government upon receipt from the TIC that a given deliverable is of acceptable quality and that all other assigned tasks are up to date.