2027 Cosmoprof Asia Trade Mission Request for Proposals

The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), International Affairs and Trade division, is issuing a Request for Proposals to procure comprehensive trade mission development and export promotion services supporting California beauty sector businesses participating in the 2027 Cosmoprof Asia Trade Show. The contractor must recruit a minimum of eight California beauty sector businesses with two representatives each, provide one-on-one export consultations and B2B matchmaking services, conduct three to four business site visits in Hong Kong, organize one to two cultural experiences, host a "Know Before You Go" briefing call, plan a welcome dinner and California product pitching event, and coordinate California pavilion booth space at the trade show. Key qualifications include two years of continuous operation, an established international trade consulting presence in Hong Kong with local delivery capability, and demonstrated experience supporting U.S. businesses or state economic development organizations on export promotion; the lead consultant must hold a bachelor's degree (master's preferred) with a minimum five years of export promotion experience supporting U.S. state economic development organizations, while supporting consultants require two years of relevant experience. Bilingual staff fluent in Mandarin or Cantonese and personnel with trade show booth experience are mandatory. The RFP was released April 6, 2026, with written questions due by April 17, 2026, proposal submissions due May 4, 2026 by 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, interviews scheduled for May 5-11, 2026, and a tentative award notice posted May 12, 2026. The estimated contract term runs from May 19, 2026 through May 19, 2028, with payment structured in three installments tied to contract execution, mid-project milestone achievement with minimum business recruitment goals met, and trade mission completion.

GO-Biz has allocated $100,000 in state funding for this contract, with payment issued via physical check in U.S. dollars; actual payment will reflect the number of California businesses recruited, with per-company B2B service costs specified in the budget proposal. Small businesses and disabled veterans business enterprises can claim evaluation preferences of five percent if certified or if non-small businesses commit to subcontracting at least twenty-five percent of the net bid price with certified entities. Proposers must complete multiple compliance certifications including the Darfur Contracting Act Compliance form, Drug-Free Workplace Certification (STD. 21), Contractor Certification form, Bidder Declaration form, and Payee Data Record Form (STD. 204); international vendors without a U.S. Tax Identification Number must provide IRS Form W-8BEN-E and acknowledge understanding of payment terms and their ability to process physical check payments. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation documents. All subcontractors must possess valid licenses and permits required by law, be qualified to do business in California, and be designated as in good standing by the State Secretary of State. The contractor must submit detailed, deliverables-based budget justification with hourly rates and estimated hours for consulting services, including estimated booth size and costs for eight businesses.