Request for Proposals for Professional Consulting Services to develop a Foreign Trade Zone Project Marketing and Business Development Plan I. Introduction and Purpose The Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority (GFRAA) is the grantee of Foreign Trade Zone 103 (FTZ 103). As such, the GFRAA is responsible for establishing and maintaining the zone project in the assigned FTZ 103 geographic area. This includes, but is not limited to, establishing and maintaining a zone (rate) schedule, creating and administering the FTZ agreements with operators, filing of annual reports with the FTZ Board, and marketing the zone to potential operators and users. To support the growth and use of FTZ 103, the GFRAA invites the submittal of written Requests for Proposals (RFPs) from qualified firms and/or independent contractors interested in providing consultative services and developing an FTZ marketing and business development plan. The desired outcome of this RFP will be a plan that evaluates the current GFRAA FTZ project and makes detailed recommendations for how the GFRAA can increase the number of FTZ 103 operators and users. The purpose of this plan is to provide GFRAA Management with expert recommendations and a clear implementation plan for how to manage FTZ 103 marketing, outreach and business development efforts. II. Desired Qualifications All submitted proposals that meet the proposal format and requirements outlined in Section V of this RFP will be reviewed and ranked by a selection committee. Evaluation criteria will include: Relevant knowledge and experience, including zone program benefits, applications and activations, modifications, regulatory requirements, and compliance procedures and reviews; ongoing FTZ operational and inventory support; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection s (CBP) regulations. Include any licenses and certifications (e.g. licensed customs broker, certified customs specialist, etc.) and experience with key contacts and
relationships with FTZ Board, CBP headquarters and local offices in Pembina, ND. Complete resumes should be provided as part of an appendix to the proposal. Demonstrated success in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of zone projects and developing of marketing, communications and resource plans. Quality of work plan submitted; a complete work plan will include timelines, deliverables, resource requirements, etc. Cost estimate and fee schedule Demonstrated track record of meeting/exceeding Small/Very Small Business Enterprise (SBE/VSBE) goals and commitments III. Scope of Work (SOW) and Deliverables The selected consultant will work with GFRAA staff to develop a zone project marketing and business development plan which focuses on, but is not necessarily limited to, the following areas: 1. Analyzing the effectiveness and efficiency of existing grantee structure, processes and operations. Assist with a zone change to an Alternative Site Framework to move the boundaries to the county line (provide an expert opinion on how far to expand the boundary if beyond the county). 2. Benchmarking best practices of similar zone projects from communities similar in size (Population centers 250,000 or less) and similar geographic location (Center of the United States). 3. Recommending future goals, objectives, evaluation criteria and performance measures. 4. Prepare, attend and speak at one local community meeting to help educate lawmakers, community members and local businesses on the benefits of Foreign Trade Zones. 5. Recommending partner organizations and description of the structure of those partnerships. 6. Recommending marketing, communications, training and/or outreach elements (e.g.
press releases, ads, newsletters, reports (containing economic impact findings), training seminars/workshops, email campaigns, brochures, handouts, website, etc.). 7. Creating a detailed implementation plan outlining activities, timelines, milestones and resource requirements. 8. Provide an ongoing hourly rate for consultant services after the plan completion. The final deliverable of this effort will be a detailed plan that clearly documents the process, findings and recommendations of the current FTZ 103 operations assessment, and presents a clear, detailed plan for growing the number of FTZ 103 operators and users. IV. Proposal Format and Requirements of the Proposal 1. Contact Information: The legal name of the firm/independent contractor, street address, telephone number and email address of the person to whom correspondence should be directed. 2. Overview/Background: A general description of the firm/independent contractor, including (where appropriate) the structure (e.g., individual, partnership, corporation, joint venture, for-profit, non-profit), history, and primary business area/area of expertise 3. Resumes: The resumes of the individuals who will be completing the Scope of Work and will be assigned to this contract; include project team organization chart; include the on-site availability of the lead consultant/project manager as well as other staff during the lifetime of the project. 4. Detailed work plan identifying how and within what timeframe the SOW outlined in this proposal will be completed. Please include target dates for any milestones. 5. Client references: A minimum of three (3) client references must be submitted by the consultant for the selection committee to contact. 6. Estimated cost of services to be performed: Please provide a breakdown of total proposed compensation as follows: a. Total cost of successful completion of the SOW described in this RFP
b. Proposed hourly rate for lead consultant c. Proposed hourly rate for all other team members (if applicable) d. Proposed travel expenses (including detailed description of reason for travel, frequency of travel and planned destinations) 7. Contractor Certification Form: Provide completed form located in Appendix I. The proposed cost of the zone project marketing and business development plan must be comprehensive for the entire contract term proposed (e.g., for the term of three months) and must include 100% of compensation expected. Any costs not detailed in the submitted proposal will be excluded from the contract and will not be subject to subsequent negotiation. V. Insurance Requirements The selected firm will be required to provide the following insurance: General Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and if written with an aggregate, the aggregate shall be double the per occurrence limit. Automobile Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per accident Statutory Workers Compensation Insurance $1,000,000 Employer s Liability Insurance The selected consultant will be required to adhere to insurance requirements as stated in the contract. Documents regarding insurance coverage need not accompany the proposal at this time. However, proof of insurance endorsement forms or a certified copy of the policy, which names the GFRAA as an additional insured/endorsement holder, will be required in order to execute a contract. Standard ACORD forms will not be accepted in lieu of the required endorsement forms. Failure to submit the required insurance documentation within two (2) weeks of selection may result in the termination of negotiations and award of contract to another party.
VI. Proposal Submittal Instructions and Contact Information The GFRAA is committed to waste reduction, recycling and the use of recycled materials. Electronic proposals are requested and preferred. Interested parties should submit their proposals via email to: Patrick Dame pdame@gfkairport.com Subject Line: FTZ 103 RFP If hardcopy proposals must be submitted, please submit five (5) copies using paper that has post-consumer recycled content and contains no plastic or metal, except for any easily removable plastic ring binder. Please also minimize the use of photographic, glossy or other non-recyclable paper and content. All proposals must be received no later than Friday, July 31, 2015 at 11:00 AM Central Time. Please submit hardcopy proposals as follows: By Mail: By Personal Delivery: Patrick Dame Patrick Dame Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority Grand Forks International Airport 2301 Airport Dr. #107 Byron L. Dorgan Terminal Grand Forks, ND 58203 Second Floor Administration Offices Submittals that do not adhere to these requirements will not be accepted. VII. Schedule for Selection The following tentative schedule has been established for selection of the desired consultant: Milestones Dates Proposal Period 7/6/2015 Through 7/31/2015 Questions Due 7/24/2015 Proposal Deadline 7/31/2015 at 11:00 AM
Interview Notification August 5, 2015 Proposer Interviews Consultant Selection August 17 & 18th August 27, 2015 at 8:00 AM Questions pertaining to the RFP in general must be submitted in writing (via email) to Patrick Dame at pdame@gfkairport.com and must be received no later than Friday, July 24, 2015 at 4:30 PM Central Time.