REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) is seeking proposals from qualified firms or individuals for Export Readiness Training (ERT) services to be provided within the state of Hawaii. The object of the Export Readiness Training program is to prepare U.S. food and agricultural companies to enter the international market place. Export Readiness Training services includes instruction, counseling, and activity management. It is WUSATAs intent to award a 1 year contract with one additional one-year renewal option.
WUSATA expects to enter into a contract for instruction, counseling and activity management designed to accomplish the following WUSATA objectives:
I. Target and recruit disadvantaged, minority owned and new to export agricultural producers/manufacturers within the state of Hawaii to participate in Export Readiness Training (ERT) sessions;
II. Prepare all accepted agri-businesses in the ERT sessions to complete an export activity (e.g., a trade show, a trade mission, etc.) to a selected emerging market; and
III. Provide management of the sessions and all required reporting to WUSATA within the guidelines of the ERT project.
The Export Readiness Training budget will not exceed $125,000, which includes contracted project costs and expenditures. Budget management and expenditure approval will remain with WUSATAs project manager for this activity.
The ERT program will dovetail with WUSATAs overall mission, coordinate with other programs administered by WUSATA and be executed jointly between WUSATA Outreach and Communications Coordinator, Hawaii Department of Agriculture and contracted firm staff. WUSATA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Interested parties may obtain an application packet by contacting WUSATA at 360-693-3373 or eliza@wusata.org. Questions regarding this Request for Proposal should be directed to Andy Anderson, Executive Director, at: andy@wusata.org.
Proposals are due in the WUSATA office, 4601 NE 77th Avenue, Suite 200, Vancouver, WA 98662 by 2:00 PM on Friday, March 31, 2006.
(SB05521802 3/15, 3/19/06)
