RFP – 3120003107 – South America Investment and Trade Services

Description

MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RFP RFx Number: 3120003107 South America Investment and Trade Services CLOSING TIME AND DATE Proposals must be received by: April 21, 2025, 10:00 AM CDT LOCATION Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration Office of Statewide Strategic Sourcing 501 North West Street, Suite 1301 C Jackson, Mississippi 39201 PROPOSAL COORDINATOR Shannon Smith, Statewide Procurement Analyst Office of Statewide Strategic Sourcing Telephone (601) 359-3451 E-mail: osss@dfa.ms.gov SECTION 1: Procurement Process 1.1 Background The Office of Statewide Strategic Sourcing (“OSSS”), on behalf of the Mississippi Development Authority (“MDA”) (hereinafter “Agency”) has issued this solicitation for the purpose of soliciting sealed proposals from qualified providers for the purpose of serving as a professional service consultant to represent the MDA in South America for the promotion of exports of Mississippi products and services to South American and recruitment of investment from South America. The MDA is seeking a professional services contractor to provide trade services on behalf of Mississippi firms and the MDA for the purpose of expanding Mississippi exports to South America. The contractor will also work to recruit investment from South America to Mississippi. Under MDA policy guidance, independent contractors currently operate foreign representative offices by contract with consultants. These offices provide an array of services related to expanding existing exports and/or the recruitment of inbound investment to Mississippi. Proposals are sought from qualified Proposers in Chile, Argentina, or Brazil to provide trade and investment recruitment services in South America. The major focus of the South America services is recruiting South American firms in the automotive, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing sectors and associated supply chains as primary targets for recruitment. Other industries for recruitment include metals, chemicals, energy, food processing, warehousing and distribution, and forestry. The consultant will also be performing market research, promoting Mississippi's exports and Mississippi as a foreign direct investment and logistical destination, offering in-country assistance to MDA staff and its economic development partners in Mississippi and matching importers in South America with Mississippi companies.