Online and Print Export Promotion Products

The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service ("US&FCS" or "Commercial Service"), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), requires online and print export promotion products as described in the attached Statement of Work (SOW). The purchase will be for a Base Period and Four Twelve Month Option Periods. This is a combined Synopsis/Solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, and guidance of FAR 13.5 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only Solicitation that will be published; proposals are being requested and a written Solicitation will not be issued. This combined Synopsis/Solicitation will be provided electronically only. The Solicitation includes the following Attachments: Combined Synopsis Attachment A: Statement of Work The Government anticipates an award of a NO COST contract. This requirement is 100% set-aside for Small Businesses. The applicable NAICS is 541890, Other Services Related to Advertising Polling. The applicable size standard is $6.5M. The Solicitation is a Request for Proposal (RFP), please reference RFP NO. RFQ0918051. The anticipated award date will be no later than 08/31/2009. The Solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-26. Offerors are required to check Federal Business Opportunity website: www.fbo.gov for any amendments to this combined Synopsis/Solicitation. All questions must be in writing and received by the DOC/NOAA Contracting Office not later than 10:00 am local time on 08/18/2009. No telephonic request will be entertained. All responses to questions will be posted by way of an amendment to this combined Synopsis/Solicitation. The email address for submission of all questions is sheila.adjei@noaa.gov. Questions must be addressed to the Contract Specialist only. I. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: The RFP must be submitted electronically by 10:00 am local time, electronically by 08/21/2009 to the attention of: Sheila Adjei Contract Specialist DOC/NOAA -NCAD Via electronic transmission to sheila.adjei@noaa.gov II. Proposal Content: The offeror's proposal shall consist of Sections A through F as described below. a. Past Performance and demonstrated success within the past three years in the marketing, development, publishing and distribution of online and print magazines and on-line promotional listings. Items to be reviewed include quality of magazine and ability to maintain commercial viability of magazine and Web sites. Respondents should submit evidence to address this evaluation factor. Relevant past performance would include, but is not necessarily limited to: production and distribution of a magazine or similar publication; marketing of print advertisements in magazines; facilitation of the buying, selling, or promoting U.S. goods and services; or promotion and/or facilitation of the export of goods and services from the United States. b. Approach to sales and marketing that yields commercially viable magazine and that targets small and medium sized enterprises. c. Business plan that outlines all costs associated with marketing, production and distribution of magazine and as well as revenue streams that illustrate method for producing magazine and at no cost to the U.S. government. d. Demonstrated sustainability of operation for at least two (2) years, in combination with a sustainable business plan and model and financial statements. e. Consistency with US&FCS Statutory Mandate (provided in SOW) and commitment to working under applicable USG statutes, policies and regulations. f. Company's/Proposal's suitability for relation with U.S. Government and presence on a U.S. Government web site and print publication, which will be evaluated in terms of, but not limited to, the following considerations: criminal or civil violations charged or pending; debarment or suspension actions; documented unfair trade practices; inappropriate or illegal business practices; potential for embarrassment to the U.S. Government; or any other consideration which could jeopardize the US&FCS mission of promoting U.S. exports abroad or the objectives of CNUSA. III. EVALUATION: - This will be a best value award conducted in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12 and 13, utilizing Simplified Acquisition procedures for commercial items. The award will encompass the entire Statement of Work. No partial awards will be made. - Award will be made to the offeror proposing the most effective solution to the Government and offerors who are deemed responsible in accordance with FAR 9.104, as supplemented, whose proposal conforms to the Solicitation's requirements and is judged to represent the best value to the Government. ITA reserves the right not to make award(s) if such a decision is determined to be in the best interest of the government. - FAR 52.212-2 EVALUATION-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 1999) The above stated FAR Clause is applicable to this evaluation process. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforms to the solicitation and will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: - Section II - A through F The evaluation criteria above are listed in descending order of importance. When combined, past performance and the Business Plan are significantly more important. A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. - The Government intends to evaluate proposals and award a contract without discussions with offerors except for clarifications. Therefore, the offeror's initial proposal should contain the offeror's best terms. The Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if deemed necessary. - Past Performance: In order to facilitate evaluation of past performance, offerors who have delivered contracted products/services to public or private sector clients should identify up to three recent projects of relevance and the following information: 1. Procurement activity address, procuring contracting officer (if a USG contract), telephone number and e-mail address (if available) & client principal or representative's name, telephone number and e-mail address (if available). 2. Contract number & type of contract. 3. Period of performance. 4. Brief description of the contract 5. Description of how previous experience prepares offeror to undertake a contract of the scope envisioned in the RFP. 6. URL of any relevant sites developed a. EVALUATION APPROACH/BEST VALUE: The Government will use the offeror's proposal as a means of evaluating the offeror's ability to understand, demonstrate and satisfy the requirement of this contract. The Government will award the contract to the offeror who represent best value to the Government. IV. SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES The following clauses from the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) apply to this synopsis/solicitation 52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items 52.212-2 Evaluation Commercial Items 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications -Commercial Items 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders---Commercial Items (5, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 31, and 36) 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting 52.222-46 Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees 52.229-1 State & Local Taxes 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address (es): http://www.arnet.gov/FAR/ In accordance with FAR 13.303-3(a), END OF DOCUMENT