Business Development Consultant to Support DSEI Germany Request for Proposals (RFP)

The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is requesting proposals for a business development consultant to provide business-to-business matchmaking and market entry support for up to six California exporters participating in the California delegation to DSEI Germany 2027, with proposals due September 18, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. PST. Small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises may claim preference incentives of up to 5 percent if certified and meeting specific subcontracting thresholds.

The consultant must maintain an established trade promotion consulting office in Europe, preferably Germany, with a lead consultant holding a minimum of 10 years of trade promotion experience and a bachelor's degree (master's degree preferred). Required experience includes assisting U.S. corporations in exporting to European countries, particularly within the defense sector, and demonstrating in-depth knowledge of European business practices.

Pre-event deliverables include market analysis, business-to-business matchmaking with at least four scheduled meetings per company, networking opportunity identification, and webinar hosting. The consultant will provide on-site logistical support and meeting facilitation during the event, followed by post-event debrief reports and follow-up recommendations within two weeks of conclusion.

The estimated contract term runs from October 16, 2026 through March 26, 2027. Compensation is provided on a per-company basis with 25 percent of contract value due within three weeks of contract execution and the remaining 75 percent due upon project completion; payment is issued by physical check in U.S. dollars through standard California processing procedures, and proposers located outside the United States must acknowledge and accept these terms or risk disqualification.

Proposals will be evaluated on relevant experience (30 points), technical approach (30 points), cost proposal (30 points), and references (10 points). Written questions are due August 28, 2026, with responses posted by September 4, 2026. The tentative award notice will be posted October 2, 2026. Insurance requirements may apply for contracts exceeding $100,000.