1411-26-R-RFPR-00001

The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), through the Office of Statewide Strategic Sourcing (OSSS), is requesting proposals for a full-time Asian Regional Office Representative to recruit foreign direct investment and promote Mississippi product exports to Asia, with proposals due July 24, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CDT.

The position requires a consultant based in one of seven targeted Asian countries — Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, and India — with willingness to travel throughout the region. Primary recruitment focus is automotive, aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing sectors and their supply chains; secondary focus includes metals, chemicals and energy, food processing, warehousing and distribution, and forestry. The consultant must develop a minimum of 12 new investment prospect leads annually, support up to two annual investment missions to Asia, participate in trade promotion activities, maintain databases of potential business partners and trade service providers, and deliver monthly and annual activity reports.

The initial contract term is two years with MDA retaining renewal rights at the same annual rate for up to an additional 36 months. Compensation is firm-fixed price covering salary, operational expenses, and all travel costs. Minimum qualifications require the offeror to have provided similar services for a minimum of five years, demonstrate financial stability, and provide three professional references from work completed within the past five years.

Evaluation weights three factors: technical methodology and completeness (36 points), cost (35 points), and management qualifications and resources (29 points), with the lowest responsive and responsible bid receiving maximum cost points. A mandatory Letter of Intent is due July 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CDT. The anticipated Notice of Intent to Award is August 19, 2026, followed by Public Procurement Review Board approval on October 7, 2026. The offeror must be registered with the Mississippi Secretary of State, certify non-debarment status, and comply with all mandatory terms of the standard independent contractor agreement (Attachment G). No subcontractors are permitted without prior written MDA approval.