SIAT PWS - DRAFT.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

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PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

SURVEY OF INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVELERS (SIAT) FOR

THE NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM OFFICE (NTTO)

INDUSTRY AND ANALYSIS (I&A)

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION (ITA)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ENTERPRISE SERVICES

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Introduction The contract will consist of a base period and 4 option periods:

1.0 Task/Work orders will subsequently be issued, as funded, for each period:

Active contract periods (during which contract modifications can be implemented):

Base Period: August 01, 2026 – December 31, 2027 (CY2027) OY1: August 01, 2027 – December 31, 2028 (CY2028) OY2: August 01, 2028 – December 31, 2029 (CY2029) OY3: August 01, 2029 – December 31, 2030 (CY2030) OY4: August 01, 2030 – March 31 2032 (CY2031)

A “period” consists of the following actions:

1. Task order awarded on/before March 31, 2026

2. xxx 01 – xxx 31 contractor preparatory phase for next calendar year

3. January 1 – December 31 contractor calendar year for SIAT data collection and DHS ADIS/I-94 record processing.

4. January 1 – June 30 – ‘back office’ calendar year processing for prior year

Vision

The National Travel & Tourism Office (NTTO) plans to further transform the SIAT/I-94 program to improve the data collection (passenger response) process and enhance data analysis and reporting. It is a goal to expand the ‘brand’ through changes in technology and timely dissemination of passenger-consumer information through additional channels. NTTO will continue to increase its scope including land mode travel from the border countries (Canada and Mexico). “SIAT ” will have the capability to report multi-modal international travel data.

Background

The Survey of International Air Travelers (SIAT), is a primary research program conducted monthly since 1983, which provides statistical data on visitation patterns, traveler and spending characteristics of international air passenger markets (overseas, Mexico air, and Canada air), used by the U.S. government to calculate travel trade statistics and also used to facilitate and guide planning (market selection and justification, marketing and promotion, media outreach, partner developments, policy developments and related items) in both the public and private sectors. The international traveler market is inclusive of overseas countries, Mexico air, and Canada air travelers. NTTO focus, based on UN WTO standards, is on ‘visitors’ (specific visa types and those who spend 1+ nights in the U.S.) NTTO began to collect ‘land travel’ data from Canadian and Mexican residents in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Specifically, the Survey is mandated by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 and supports the 2022 National Travel and Tourism Strategy.

SIAT provides data integral to the:

1) Calculation of the international travel trade statistics (exports, imports and trade balance) for travel services;

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2) Determination of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP);

3) Quantification of the national level of Travel and Tourism Satellite Accounts (TTSA);

4) Enhanced reporting of passenger travel and visitation on an origin-destination (O&D) basis;

5) Providing market intelligence to the government and industry to develop strategies to support the travel and tourism industry; and

6) Development of policies and programs related to international travel to the United States.

A description of the current survey methodology and procedures being utilized, along with the history and background of the program, is provided on the NTTO website at: https://www.trade.gov/survey-international-air-travelers-siat

The Contractor shall understand and demonstrate knowledge of the international travel market, international travel research techniques, sampling methodologies, questionnaire design, data processing, report production, and survey logistics and shall become knowledgeable on the current SIAT methodology, and how this program is differentiated from other surveys. The U.S. government is seeking a proven solution for a system to provide data which will meet the requirements of the performance work statement (PWS).

Under normal economic conditions, the Survey Program collects information from a 0.175 percent sample of the international travel population (households), to and from the United States. The U.S. Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA) mandates that the program reach a sample size of one (1) percent of the nonresident inbound market (overseas, Mexico Air, and Canada Air). The Department of Commerce is seeking solutions that will increase sample size by lowering the unit cost of each questionnaire while optimizing the survey distribution and providing comparable data to previous years.

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has reviewed the survey methodology and found the “Survey and partner country air traveler average expenditures generally follow the same long-run patterns, for both tourism and business travel.” Subsequently the U.S. Census Bureau reviewed the Survey program, found it sound, and provided the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) with a summarization of their recommendations on the Frame/Venue, Interviewing/Data Collection Methods, and the Survey Instrument.

NTTO and the incumbent Contractor were able to develop several online web accessible iterative tools (i.e., “monitors” or data visualization dashboards) which displayed salient characteristics of SIAT and DHS I-94 data.

This was an immense leap forward in data dissemination to public entities focused on international visitation.

2.0 Objectives

Program Objective

NTTO seeks to continue and improve its program to assess the economic impact of international visitation and characteristics of travel behavior from passengers (non-U.S. residents) who travel to the United States, and from passengers (U.S. residents) who travel from the United States during a calendar year.

Project Objectives

NTTO is required to continue the Survey that’s been conducted monthly since 1983. The monthly intercept surveys are required for issuing annual/quarterly collection year reports of international air travelers to fulfil http://www.trade.gov/survey-international-air-

4 | P a g e mandates/requirements of the International Travel Act of 1961, the National Tourism Policy Act of 1981, the United States National Tourism Organization Act of 1996, the Travel Promotion Act of 2009.

NTTO is required to identify methodologies that would allow for continued data collections providing information on international travelers with a focus on increasing the SIAT sample size while maintaining or improving the quality of the data, and at the same time provide a consistent time series.

In addition, NTTO has taken measures to make travel data more accessible to the public and industry through the implementation of on-line iterative tools (i.e. “Monitors”). It will be an objective to enhance these measures.

Task/Work orders will subsequently be issued, as funded, for each period:

Active contract periods (during which contract modifications can be implemented):

Base Period: August 01, 2026 – December 31, 2027 (CY2027) OY1: August 01, 2027 – December 31, 2028 (CY2028) OY2: August 01, 2028 – December 31, 2029 (CY2029) OY3: August 01, 2029 – December 31, 2030 (CY2030) OY4: August 01, 2030 – March 31 2032 (CY2031)

A “period” consists of the following actions:

1. Task order awarded on/before March 31, 2026

2. xxx 01 – xxx 31 contractor preparatory phase for next Calendar Year

3. January 1 – December 31 contractor calendar year for SIAT data collection and DHS ADIS/I-94 record processing.

4. January 1 – June 30 – ‘back office’ Calendar Year processing for prior year

3.0 Scope and Requirements

3.1 The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform this requirement.

3.2 The Contractor shall monitor performance in accordance with the approved Quality Control Plan (QCP). The Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The Contractor’s QCP is how they shall ensure work complies with the requirements of the task order.

3.3 The Contractor shall maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall consider the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

3.4 During performance the Contractor shall demonstrate an understanding of the NTTO goals and business needs, the contractor shall provide viable solutions that address and solve requirements, and the contractor shall leverage organizational strengths, the contractor’s unique offerings which benefit NTTO and its ability to deliver solutions with value.

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Tasks 4.0 through 6.0

This is a non-personal services task order. The Government will not exercise direct supervision or control over the Contractor’s task order service providers performing the services herein. Such task order service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn, is responsible to the Government as defined in this PWS. The Contractor shall perform to the standards in these task orders.

The “Base Program” consists of three (3) mandatory tasks for each of the periods of performance and are designated as Task 4.1 through Task 4.3.

Contract Line-Item Number

4.0 Survey (SIAT) administration CLIN x0001

5.0 International Arrivals (DHS I-94) CLIN x0002

6.0 Surveys of Land Travel into the U.S. CLIN x0003

7.0 Transition (if needed) CLIN x0004

Task 4.0 Survey (SIAT) Administration CLINs 0001.1 - 01.8

Task 4.1: Monthly Survey of International Air Travelers (SIAT) CLIN x0001.1

Task 4.1 Summary

1. Develop and implement a monthly international traveler survey process, using the content of the required and approved survey instrument (questionnaire OMB Control No. 0625-0227 subject to OMB clearance after 11/30/2027) that measures consumer behavior, traveler characteristics and visitation patterns.

2. Collect a representative sample of both non-residents traveling inbound into the United States and U.S.

residents traveling outbound to foreign destinations. The inbound survey shall provide consistent country, state/territory, port-of-entry, and city visitation estimates and traveler characteristics data. The U.S. outbound survey data shall be representative of the ports of departure and the countries visited along with the characteristics of U.S. travelers.

3. For the survey methodology, the Contractor shall use primary research techniques and cost-effective state-of-the-art data-collection methods, including the potential implementation of digital/electronic data collection techniques to expand estimates.

4. For the solution, the Contractor shall use statistical methodologies and techniques while quantifying the various optimum sample size selections, to capture seasonal and trend data in the marketplace. The solution shall ensure the provision of timely, accurate, and detailed data about U.S. international traveler markets to enable reliable reporting on travelers who have visited the United States or U.S. travelers who take a trip abroad during the calendar year. The data the Contractor collects shall be representative of U.S. global travel patterns for all international travelers to and from the United States.

5. The Contractor shall provide a plan to accommodate improvements to the weighting of the non-U.S. resident and/or U.S. resident data to provide a better representative output of the travel population as new or better data becomes available, based on available funding. This plan shall be developed and be available to implement. The proposal shall include all items necessary to implement this improvement and fully explain how and what shall be improved.

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6. The Contractor shall provide a plan to determine the availability and usability of international WIFI on aircraft to accommodate survey completion, based on available funding. For the results, the Contractor shall provide statistically reliable financial, demographic, travel characteristic, and reliability estimates data (to ensure the integrity of the results) usable by numerous government agencies, the aviation industry, travel destination planners, industry consultants, and travel and tourism providers. The financial, demographic, and travel characteristics data must be comparable to previous years’ survey data.

7. Maximize survey collections from the top U.S. gateway airports, capturing approximately 95 percent of air traffic.

8. The Contractor shall identify how to enhance outreach to international passengers’ pre-departure and develop approaches to increase program awareness so that travelers will be more inclined to respond to the SIAT questionnaire. Based on available funding a formal program can be implemented per CLIN x013. Section 3.5.9, optional task 9.

9. Maintain an IT-based system to compile, validate and store data and query survey data online allowing for the ease of access of reporting by the U.S. government.

10. Establish and maintain a complete quality assurance and control program for the performance requirements of this contract. The Contractor shall adjust the program, if needed, to prevent quality problems, and find and eliminate sources of problems so that performance requirements are continually met. Within the quality control plan, there shall be provisions to:

a) Track completed survey collection progress and make necessary adjustments.

b) Ensure responses are representative of the travel populations by origin-destination (O&D) region, country, ports, destinations visited, and traveler characteristics.

TASK 4.1 Details

Design and implement a monthly survey program to attain the annual target of completed surveys for each calendar year.

The Contractor shall perform the following activities and provide the following resources:

1. Develop a Work Plan for U.S. Government approval;

2. Supply all necessary personnel, supervision, services, and materials;

3. Administer the contract; and

4. Perform all work activities.

This includes but is not limited to: data collection; data input; processing of monthly, quarterly and annual reports, with reports to include reliability estimates; review responses to SIAT questionnaire; data entry; editing;

verification; weighting and processing; data outputs, to include the ability to query survey data online; inventory control; data back-up; and consultation with the U.S. Government.

The Contractor shall develop, demonstrate, and implement proven processes to improve SIAT questionnaire response rates. In addition, the Contractor shall be prepared to expand inbound air traveler market coverage (i.e., increase the number of states and cities for which the Contractor provides reliable international visitor estimates), and overall, to increase the number of survey responses received to reach a one percent sample of inbound air travelers, as required by the U.S. Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA).

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4.1.1 Survey Populations

The population(s) to be surveyed consists of all air passengers traveling to/from the United States and overseas countries, Mexico air, and Canada air during a calendar year.

1. Non-U.S. residents inbound to the United States (as a main or secondary destination); and

2. U.S. residents outbound from the United States.

The Contractor shall provide a plan to define the international travel populations (residents and non-residents).

This plan shall indicate the degree to which the definition of the populations to be sampled is representative of the actual populations. In other words, what is the sampling “frame” and what elements of the populations are included and/or excluded. Since the survey is voluntary, it is critical that steps be taken to ensure full participation is obtained from all parties involved by implementing digital/electronic data collection techniques to expand estimates.

The geographic units of statistical analysis and reporting shall be focused on the origins, destinations and origin-destination combinations of the survey populations. In top-down order:

• The primary units are based upon world regions. The United States is primarily divided into 11 modified

Census Divisions. us regdiv.pdf (census.gov)

• Statistics shall be developed for U.S. airports, states and territories, large metropolitan areas (MSA’s), and selected major tourist attractions (to the extent that response frequencies for these attractions permit).

Mexico and Canada are treated separately, but similar details specific to these markets are required.

The population defined (using the government supplied data) must reflect the characteristics of the travel population. As mandated by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA), the goal is to provide as much detail by country of origin at the state and city level with statistically reliable estimates. Likewise, for the U.S. outbound population, the sample collected should be representative of the top countries visited and the states, cities, and territories of origin, and ports of departures used by the travel population and provided by the U.S. government.

For the level of detail, the goal is to report the maximum number of top countries of origin for visitors to the United States. It also needs to focus on as many markets as possible to support Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) programs. BEA is charged with reporting travel exports and imports for over 80 countries and selected world regions. On the U.S. departure side, the goal is to be able to report on as many of the top countries visited for use by NTTO, BEA and other government users.

4.1.2 Sampling Process

To enhance the quality of the data, it shall be necessary for the sampling plan to use the goal of random sampling techniques.

The sampling process includes two universes, U.S. residents and non-residents. The goal is to obtain a representative sample of the (a) non-resident travel population with a focus on country of origin to the U.S.

destinations they visit. For (b) U.S. residents, a sample of the cities and states of origin to the travelers’ respective foreign destinations is required. A major goal is to obtain a representative respondent base on the top origin and

8 | P a g e destinations markets for both populations. NTTO has travel population figures for both and they will be provided to the Contractor as needed.

The Survey shall be based on a monthly sampling plan. By distributing the sample throughout each month of the quarter, and the year, seasonal variances in travel patterns are reflected in the Survey results.

NTTO provides the Contractor with international passenger flight schedules, from a third-party provider, for administration of the sampling process. The Contractor shall use the flight schedule monthly data file as the ‘universe’, or ‘population’ of all U.S. international flights from which a random sample of flights (clusters) are drawn. The statistical selection of flights is a preliminary and necessary step in the preparation of Survey ‘kits’ (questionnaires and collateral supplies).

In addition, NTTO provides access to on-line flight schedules data system from the same third-party provider. The Contractor shall use the on-line flight schedules data to fine-tune flight selections.

Quarterly estimates are produced from the survey based on monthly samples. By distributing the sample throughout each month of the quarter the seasonal variances in travel patterns are reflected in the survey. Since the survey is voluntary it is critical that steps be taken to ensure full participation is obtained from all parties involved. The U.S. government encourages the Contractor to develop strategies and methods to optimize the sample size of the program, to include implementing digital/electronic data collection techniques to expand estimates.

Knowing that the current sampling process includes a combination of random and cluster sampling, the Contractor shall explain which sampling techniques they recommend, including the pros and cons of using them along with the justification for using the method proposed.

The U.S. government encourages the Contractor to develop strategies and methods to optimize the sample size of the program.

4.1.3 Questionnaire Design, Content, and Inventory

Questionnaire (Survey Instrument)

The questionnaire is a U.S. government document, which is controlled by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This survey instrument has an OMB clearance number (0625-0227) and the current version is approved through November 30, 2027. NTTO will submit for a three-year renewal during 2027. However, NTTO will expect assistance from the contractor during 2027.

The questionnaire version in effect was revised in 2016 with changes only to Question 28 (International Passenger Arrival Entry Experience). This enhancement was the result of a Presidential appointed interagency task force (the U.S. Department of Commerce/DOC and the U.S. Department of Homeland security/DHS) study implemented by the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB). The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) was notified of this ‘non-substantive’ change. The current questionnaire can be seen at: https://www.trade.gov/survey-international-air-travelers-siat http://www.trade.gov/survey-

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The SIAT questionnaire development was guided by the normal standards of survey instrument design to encourage the maximum response by the surveyed passengers. The SIAT questionnaire design promotes self-administration by the respondent.

Although the current SIAT questionnaire is paper based, the U.S. government seeks proven innovative solutions regarding the distribution and collection process. Therefore, the Contractor research shall include digital/electronic data collection techniques to expand estimates. The Survey shall be translated into the 12 languages currently available.1 Minimal additional translation would be needed to accommodate features of the mobile device screen. The survey responses would be captured and retained on the Contractor’s secure servers.

More in section 4.1.5.2.6.a.

Currently, there is a “short version” of the SIAT questionnaire, which includes 23 questions, and a “long version” which includes 33 questions. The short version is used for flights which typically yield low response rates and is a means of conducting an experiment to determine if a shorter survey will increase response rates. It is encouraged that the Contractor tests a QR code version to determine the propensity of passengers to fill out a non-paper version via smart phone or smart device.

The current SIAT questionnaire design facilitates easy distribution and collection by eliminating the necessity for the field Contractor to determine the citizenship of the passengers. An announcement at the top of each Survey informs the respondents of the availability of other versions. It is designed to obtain responses from U.S. residents as well as non-U.S. residents.

Questionnaire Inventory

To reach most international travelers, the SIAT questionnaire exists in English and eleven non-English language versions - Arabic, French, Chinese (Mandarin mix), German, Japanese, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. The design of the non-English language versions includes the English translation on the first half of the survey. New language versions may be added only if they facilitate an improved response from a robust sample of the travel population and if funds are available.

The Contractor shall control and manage the inventory of SIAT questionnaire stock to ensure the required questionnaires are available monthly, in all 12 language versions, to meet the required survey levels. As such, the Contractor shall maintain an inventory of the number of SIAT questionnaires used (responded to), deliveries from the printer, distributed, and returned to determine the anticipated number of surveys that need to be printed.

This shall be done for each language version of the survey instrument. When restocking is necessary, the Contractor shall advise the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), via a status report, the quantity in stock, average usage per month and the average months remaining.

Questionnaire Printing

Through the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), NTTO is responsible for the acquisition and printing of the SIAT questionnaires. The Contractor shall review and approve the printer’s ‘galley proofs’ [or digital equivalent pdfs] and is responsible for the acquisition of survey instrument kits and provides postage and transport necessary to have the surveys sent from, or to, the Contractor. A minimum of at least two months notice (with work starting on this task a minimum of three months in advance) is required to replenish the questionnaire stock

1 The Survey of International Air Travelers is currently available in 12 languages: English, Arabic, French, Mandarin, German, Japanese, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

10 | P a g e to ensure that ample time is provided to go through the government process of paperwork and approvals required to reprint surveys.

4.1.4 Field Administration and Follow-up

The Contractor shall be responsible for drawing a random monthly cluster sample to meet the objectives of the U.S. government. The Contractor shall implement processes designed to 1.a) increase overall response rates, 1.b) improve response rates in destinations visited, 1.c) improve response rates on visitor spending, 2) ensure the data collected are representative of U.S. global travel patterns, and 3) design and implement a proactive process to follow-up on non-returned SIAT questionnaires in a timely manner.

The Contractor should make every effort using resources available (i.e., funds and technology) to allow Commerce to comply with the U.S. Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA) requirement for a 1 percent sample of non-resident visitors, options will be developed to increase the sample in the contract.

The Contractor shall possess an in-depth working knowledge and experience of international travel patterns, survey processes, data collections, check-in, verification, data quality control, coding, translation process, data entry, data processing including weighting surveys results to travel populations, data analysis, review, and report production.

The key to implementing a successful survey program is flexibility and the development of relationships with the numerous travel industry contacts that may be involved in collecting this data. Active participation is needed to accomplish the goals of the U.S. Department of Commerce to improve U.S. global coverage and representativeness of international travel patterns.

The Contractor shall be responsible for the survey techniques used, obtain all clearances for personnel to work in specific areas of the airlines, airports, or other survey collection points, and, where necessary, obtains security clearances. Therefore, the Contractor shall be responsible for all elements associated with the fielding administration of collecting the sample of two traveler populations. NTTO staff is available to support the Contractor.

4.1.5 Log-in, Translations, Coding Data Entry, Editing, Verification, Weighting & Processing

The Contractor shall process the return of the completed surveys. This shall include verifying the receipt, coding, editing, and data input from the completed Survey questionnaires. The Contractor shall translate responses from the survey questionnaires (i.e., in all 12 languages) for coding and editing purposes.

The Contractor shall maintain a quality control process of the input-database-output to ensure data integrity. A system is required to check the survey kits as they are returned and the completed (responded to) SIAT questionnaires that have been processed. These include steps to identify the survey returns by control number, and cross-tabulate returns as they are entered on the computer.

Although the SIAT data are based on sampling procedures, the resulting un-weighted estimates shall be weighted to be representative of non-resident inbound travel populations and for U.S. residents traveling to all international destinations (i.e., overseas, and Mexico-air and Canada-air). The Contractor shall explain how the proper representation will occur via weighted or unweighted data. Please see Section 7.0 (Government Furnished Resources) for a listing of the two databases that the government would supply if weighted data is proposed.

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Historically, the unweighted estimates have been weighted to non-resident inbound travel populations and to U.S. residents traveling to destinations abroad (overseas, Mexico, and Canada). The weighting procedures have been based on 1) country of residence origin and 2) ports of entry (inbound using the DHS I-94 records and outbound using APIS/I-92 data).

4.1.5.a Inbound Arrivals I-94 Arrivals Data

The Contractor will be able to access monthly I-94 passenger arrival data via NTTO’s inter-agency agreement with the Department of Homeland Security (Customs & Border Protection). The ADIS/I-94 data will contain data on the number of non-U.S. residents (overseas, Mexico Air, and Canada Air) traveling by air from a foreign airport to a U.S. airport. The summarized ADIS/I-94 data shall be used to weight the survey data for non-U.S. residents (overseas, Mexico Air, and Canada Air) traveling to the United States. The weight assigned to each respondent is also attached to the answers given to each question asked in the survey.

The Contractor shall provide a plan to accommodate improvements to the weighting of the non-U.S. resident data to provide a better representative output of the travel population as new or better data comes available. This plan shall be developed and be available to implement. The proposal shall include all items necessary to implement this improvement and fully explain how and what shall be improved, based on available funding.

4.1.5.b Outbound Departures APIS/I-92 Departure Data

The Contractor will receive monthly APIS/I-92 data from NTTO. The APIS/I-92 data will contain data on the number of U.S. residents traveling by air from a U.S. airport to a foreign airport (last U.S. airport, first foreign airport) by date and flight. The Contractor shall validate the APIS/I-92 data for completeness and accuracy compared to the SIAT sample selection. The summarized APIS/I-92 data shall be used to weight the survey data for U.S. residents traveling to overseas and Mexico. Using the APIS/I-92 data to weight the survey data for U.S.

residents traveling to Canada shall be investigated. The weight assigned to each respondent is also attached to the answers given to each question asked in the survey.

If at any time, the Contractor proposes to use an alternative weighting mechanism, the Contractor shall prove that this method is superior to the current system. A detailed description of why the U.S. Department of Commerce should use the proposed alternative sources shall be submitted to prove the alternative method is superior to the current methodology.

The Contractor shall provide NTTO with sample size information on both populations at the regional level, country level, states, territories, tourism regions and cities visited.

Additionally, a system must be proposed, developed, and implemented to track sample size for both populations and compare the sample to the travel population at an unweighted and weighted level. The data shall then be used to adjust future collections to assist in achieving the goal of a representative sample of the travel population.

4.1.5.c Mexico Inbound Land Data

The Contractor shall identify methods to collect survey data on the inbound Mexican traveler and tourist market based on available funding. The Contractor shall focus on Mexican residents traveling by land mode (NTTO has air and sea market data), including and beyond the ‘border zone’ (40km). Section 6.0 (additional task, CLIN x0003.1)

4.1.5.d Canada Inbound Land Data

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The Contractor will collect survey data on the inbound Canadian ‘tourist’ market. The focus will be on Canadian residents traveling by land and air mode to the U.S. states and destinations visited. Section 6.0 (additional task, CLIN 0003.2)

4.1.5.1 Processing - Computer System Requirements

The Contractor shall maintain a system that is able to process monthly, quarterly, and year-to-date data and tables, as well as running multiple year datasets simultaneously.

One requirement of this contract is that the U.S. government shall, at a minimum, receive the same level of data content reporting that it received under current/past contracts. To see the SIAT data and reports currently provided on inbound and outbound travelers, go to: https://www.trade.gov/survey-international-air-travelers-siat

4.1.5.2 Reports

The first report shall include a detailed work outline of the project and the Contractor's planned phasing of work by reporting period.

4.1.5.2.1 Monthly Reporting: Progress Reports Base Contract

The Contractor shall submit, and/or make accessible, to the Program Manager (PM), with a copy to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), a monthly progress report after the effective date of the contract for the period of performance, no later than fifteen (15) working days after the close of a given month.

The progress report shall advise of the work completed during the performance period, the work forecast for the following period, and the names, titles and number of hours expended for each of the Contractor's professional personnel assigned to the contract, including Contractor officials.

The report shall also include any information--including findings and recommendations--that may assist the U.S.

government in evaluating progress under this contract. The response rates, number of SIAT questionnaires disseminated and collected from non-U.S. and U.S. residents shall be reported in excel (.xls) format. Reports sent to NTTO include:

• Status report (e.g., details on projects completed and action items for the future)

• Labor hours expended

• Data Entry and Processing (i.e., total number of surveys entered in system)

• Gateway report (targets and results by port)

• Airline report

• Custom Sales report

• Summary of requests (non-resident and resident) and Client Job report

4.1.5.2.2 Quarterly Reports

Each quarter, the Contractor shall prepare a quarterly national report to the Program Manager (PM), with a copy to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) shall also be http://www.trade.gov/survey-international-air-travelers-

13 | P a g e provided with the crosstab tables for each question asked in the survey using the developed U.S. Resident, Non- Resident and 12 ‘Country Report’ format (i.e., top 12 markets and U.S. to Mexico-air and Canada-air Reports).

Quarterly reports will be published (National excel reports) and will be the foundation for quarterly updates in the SIAT Monitors.

For all tables that report “destinations visited” the Contractor shall report visitation to two decimals and for each column heading a travel population figure must be presented so that percentages can be converted into numbers of travelers. Single decimals shall be used with all other tables.

Each quarter, the Contractor shall furnish the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) unweighted and weighted data files on non-resident and U.S. resident activity. BEA shall also be sent all quarterly and annual national reports issued to the public. The Contractor shall also be available to answer any questions BEA staff may have related to the data files sent to them.

4.1.5.2.3 Annual (Calendar Year) Reporting: National Reports/Data Files

Each year, the Contractor shall provide the Program Manager (PM), with a copy to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), annual national reports, both non-resident and resident, for release to the public. The Contractor shall furnish the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) with these reports as well. Each report shall include at a minimum: year-to-date data and tables, preface, survey background, a "how-to-use" section, and user guide.

The Contractor shall also provide formatted excel files (with formulas, etc.) and a web version of each of the tables and analyses issued on the inbound and outbound travel statistics section of the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) website. The Contractor shall provide NTTO with the crosstab tables for each question asked in the survey using the developed U.S. Resident, Non-Resident and 12 ‘Country Report’ format (i.e., top 12 markets and U.S. to Mexico and Canada Reports). In addition, the Contractor shall be prepared to provide a copy of the Airline Confidential Report for the top 20 participating carriers and a U.S. Airport Passenger Ratings Report for top airports.

For all tables that report ‘destinations visited,’ the Contractor shall report visitation to two decimals and for each column heading a travel population figure must be presented so that percentages can be converted into numbers of travelers. Single decimals should be used with all other tables.

Also, the Contractor shall continue to report sample reliability estimates for the salient traveler characteristics.

The expanded coverage of sample reliability estimates will provide more reliability estimates related to smaller states and cities. In general, improving the ability to report on statistical reliability affects reporting at all levels:

national, ‘top’ states/cities (MSAs) and smaller states/cities.

Changes in characteristic estimates, reflected in reliability measurements, should be indicated as the result of significance testing procedures.

Examples of recent annual reports can be found at: https://www.trade.gov/survey-international-air-travelers-siat

4.1.5.2.4 Data Backup

On an annual basis, the Contractor shall provide the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) with a copy of all current data files and program files. NTTO will store the backup files in a secure storage location.

http://www.trade.gov/survey-international-air-travelers-siat

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4.1.5.2.5 Final Period of Performance Report

Sixty (60) days prior to completion of the effective performance period, the Contractor shall submit, to the U.S.

Government, a comprehensive draft report containing the Contractor's findings and recommendations. The report shall conform to the requirements of the contract, and include all necessary data, maps and exhibits to support findings and recommendations. It shall include a recapitulation of the number of hours expended by each of the Contractor's employees, including officials of the Contractor. The report shall also include a summary, including short statements on the project's objectives, scope, methodology, information obtained, and conclusions.

The U.S. Government will review the draft and return it to the Contractor within thirty (30) days after receipt with comments and instructions for a format to be used in the preparation of the final report. The Contractor shall incorporate the comments into a final report and furnish the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) with copies fifteen (15) days prior to contract completion.

As requested, data files with lists of contacts, copies of the letters or memos developed, etc. shall be provided to the COR.

4.1.5.2.6 Additional Responsibilities

4.1.5.2.6.a Link to NTTO Website

The NTTO maintains the following website: https://www.trade.gov/survey-international-air-travelers-siat. The Contractor shall link their home page to NTTO’s site. NTTO will also link to the Contractor’s site. These links shall provide additional exposure to this database. Also, NTTO will assist the Contractor in gaining access to the International Trade Administration (ITA)/NTTO website servers. This will enable NTTO to better measure usage of the on-line monitors.

4.1.5.2.6.b Support to NTTO

The Contractor shall work with NTTO on various items, to include but not limited to, preparation of letters for industry input; preparation and signature of legal declarations; review ideas to improve the SIAT, I-94, and APIS/I- 92 programs; and develop strategies to implement ideas and assist in the preparation of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance package.

The Contractor shall also participate in U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) meetings held to discuss, among other issues, the I-94 Program and Arrival and Departure Information System-ADIS. The Contractor shall review ideas to improve these programs and help to develop solutions.

The Contractor shall work with NTTO to develop ad hoc training programs (e.g., workshops, meetings, and/or forums) to assist various stakeholders (e.g., Tourism Policy Council (TPC) members, U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB), airlines, airport authorities, U.S. state tourism offices, city convention and visitor bureaus, and foreign country national tourism offices) in understanding how the SIAT data could benefit their agencies and organizations to better understand the travel data needs of all stakeholders, based on available funding.

http://www.trade.gov/survey-international-air-travelers-siat

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4.2 Additional Task [CLIN x0001.2]

Sample Size Increases:

As mandated by the U.S. Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA), the goal is to sample up to one percent of total overseas, Mexican, and Canadian travelers inbound to the United States.

In 2024, a one percent sample would have been approximately 309,000 respondents (in 2024, international air arrivals reached 48,278,000 travelers, adjusted for a party size of 1.58 yields 30,889,000 visiting parties, one percent of which is approximately 309,000).

Historically, the SIAT inbound respondent population has not exceeded 107,000 responses. Note: Since this is a departure survey ‘arrivals’ returning home, and U.S. originating departures are separate populations of travelers in the departure gate area. The U.S. government’s priority is to increase the number of survey responses received annually, to reach the one percent goal of international inbound visitor arrivals by the end of the 5-year contract period.

Any data collected by those other than the awarded Contractor must be entered by the awarded Contractor.

Any data collected by those other than the awarded Contractor must be entered by the awarded Contractor.

4.3 Additional Task [CLIN x0001.3]

4.3.1 Canada– Air

Increase Canadian respondent size beyond 10,000 surveys completed on an annual basis.

The SIAT Research Program began surveying the U.S.-Canada air market in 2020, after a brief period in the 1980s.

By 2022, the SIAT program reached 10,000 responses from this market on an annual basis.

4.4. Additional Task [CLIN x0001.4]

Task 4.4 Custom Reports, Tables, and Files

Task 4.4 Summary

The COR and CO may request ad-hoc custom reports during the period of performance. The Contractor shall consult with the COR, CO and NTTO to develop ad-hoc custom reports, tables, and files of collected data segmented and sold to external subscribers, and assist NTTO in custom report, table, and file sales invoicing. The Contractor will also consult with NTTO about international travel data sources and produce special reports, on request, not already covered by this contract.

Task 4.4.1 Details

4.4.1 Developing Custom Products

If directed to provide custom products by the COR, the Contractor shall consult with potential subscribers and provide information on the SIAT database and the I-94 arrivals program database (both databases are maintained by the contractor) to guide subscribers to the best data use to meet subscribers' needs.

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The Contractor shall create customized reports, tables, and data files needed by subscribers whose data requirements differ from the standard information presentation in the national report templates, data tables or “monitors” posted on the NTTO website. Subscribers include states, cities, airlines, national tourism offices, airports and other travel businesses.

The Contractor shall report “destinations visited” to two decimals and for each column heading a travel population figure must be presented so that percentages can be converted into numbers of travelers. Single decimals shall be used with all other tables.

The Contractor shall provide as requested printed reports (PDFs) as well as electronic data files (e.g., Excel).

The Contractor shall also provide NTTO with a copy of each report ordered by a client.

Information on prices for clients requesting custom reports and data files are determined by the U.S. government (NTTO) and can be found on NTTO's website under “Publishing and Pricing,” (https://www.trade.gov/survey-international-air-travelers-siat?anchor=content-node-t14-field-lp-region-1-4). NTTO reviews public prices annually for appropriate adjustments. Increases need to be approved by the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB).

The Contractor shall recommend enhancements to the custom report formats to add value for the U.S.

government and their clients.

Another feature of the custom data is the use of pooling multiple years of data to increase sample sizes for a destination, airline, airport, etc. The costs to develop customized reports and data files using multiple years of data shall also be broken out separately if additional costs are involved.

4.4.2 Customized Reports

Customized reports may be required by subscribers whose data requirements differ from the standard information presentation in the national report templates, or the data tables posted on the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) website. Subscribers include states, cities, airlines, national tourism offices, airports, and other travel businesses.

If directed by the COR and/or CO to deliver customized reports, the Contractor shall consult with the subscriber(s) to determine the needs of the subscriber’s custom report. Once the determination of the information to be provided to the subscriber has been made and the price of the report calculated by the Contractor for the custom report, the Contractor shall provide the subscriber (with a copy to the COR and CO) a fixed price quote for the custom report.

The subscriber may provide concurrence for the report format/contents by providing a written (e.g., e-mail) agreement to the Contractor, the CO, and the COR. Once concurrence is received, the Contractor shall notify the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) of the subscribers’ need and cost of the report by providing a quotation (a project summary that includes the work numbers for these activities, and itemized firm-fixed pricing).

NTTO will review project summaries and provide concurrence to the COR and CO to direct the Contractor to proceed with providing the custom report to the subscriber. The CO will conduct a price analysis prior to giving a notice to proceed to the Contractor on behalf of NTTO. If any supplemental agreements are required by the subscriber (i.e. legal terms and conditions, hold-harmless, state of arbitration, etc.), NTTO will coordinate with the http://www.trade.gov/survey-

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CO, Office of General Counsel (OGC) and the Office of General Law prior to accepting any such agreements. Work subject to any supplemental agreements may not be performed prior to the application of a Contracting Officer’s signature on the agreement. The Contractor shall provide a delivery receipt to NTTO once the custom report is provided to the subscriber. Since it manages a special fund for these reports, NTTO will issue the invoice to the subscriber for payment. The subscriber will remit payment to NTTO for the custom report. NTTO receives payments directly from clients using three possible methods:

• Wire Transfer through the U.S. Department of Treasury

• Check, payable to the U.S. Department of Commerce

• Credit Card via Salesforce module

The Contractor shall issue to NTTO a monthly report to include the name, address, and contact information as well as amount of the custom report invoiced for any custom reports provided for the week of the report. The Contractor shall maintain a tracking system to ensure that invoices have been paid. The report shall include date payment has been paid to NTTO. NTTO will provide a weekly report as to any invoice payments received.

See Public Law 91-412 for the authority for the U.S. Department of Commerce to collect payments from subscribers and deposit these receipts into a working capital fund (i.e., Deposit Fund Account).

4.5 Additional Task [CLIN x0001.5]

Innovative Data Dissemination Program

NTTO has a query system to access Survey (SIAT) data online. These data can be graphically displayed on the web.

The results were SIAT monitors (Non-resident inbound and U.S. resident Outbound).

SIAT Inbound Monitor

SIAT Outbound Monitor

The Contractor will maintain and update the monitors:

• SIAT monitors with quarter and annualized (YTD) data

Also, add online tools that enhance data reporting and distribution, such as:

• Adding “entry experience” to SIAT Inbound Monitor

• Adding Canada Land and Mexican Land arrivals to SIAT Inbound Monitor

• Adding Canada-air and Mexico-air to SIAT Outbound Monitor

• Assist NTTO with estimating the economic impact of overseas visitors at U.S. state level

4.5.1 Country Level Dashboard Monitor

Create Dashboard/Monitor which will display SIAT data metrics by country, exports, and imports. This Dashboard will be updated annually.

Enhance to include international spending in the U.S. by state and territory.

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4.5.2 SIAT “Profiles”

Perform time series analysis and create data visualizations based on results; allow users the ability to filter data based on select data characteristics, including:

4.5.2.1 By region and/or country

4.5.2.2 By sector (e.g., which demographic groups reported staying in hotels, using rental cars, etc.)

4.5.2.3…