Cherry Industry Administrative Board Request for Proposals for Promotion Program Review

Proposal Due Date: November 30, 2017
The Cherry Industry Administrative Board (CIAB), the administrative arm of the Federal Marketing Order for tart cherries, is composed of tart cherry growers and handlers in the United States, and requests proposals for a review of its promotional spending.

1. Summary of the Request for Proposals (RFP)

Through authority granted by USDA, and supported by referendum voting of growers and handlers (processors) of tart cherries in the U.S., the CIAB collects assessments for the purposes of promotion to increase returns to U.S. tart cherry growers.

With this RFP, the CIAB seeks to contract for a review of the promotion program, and specifically for a review of the returns to investment in the promotion program funded by the CIAB over the past 10 years. The successful contractor will demonstrate knowledge of the complexities of the U.S. tart cherry industry and provide a clear plan for development and delivery of an ROI study.

Successful applicants will provide clear development of a method for evaluating the ROI for promotion programs. This must include, but shall not be limited to, proof of expertise with and knowledge of modeling demand systems. Additionally, successful applicants must demonstrate an ability to convey complicated econometric concepts into useful decision making results. Successful applicants may suggest alternative methods of analysis with a clear theoretical and/or empirical justification as to why these might be preferable to an econometric approach.

2. RFP Questions (deadline November 15, 2017)

Clarification questions about the RFP must be emailed to woods@ciab.comcastbiz.net with subject “Tart Cherry FAIR Review” no later than November 15, 2017. Telephone calls or other communication requests will not be answered.

3. Scope of Work

The firm, consultant, or researcher will develop and execute a research plan and project. The final deliverable will be the presentation of a written report and oral report to the CIAB at its June 2018 meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Development of the research project will require extensive communication with CIAB staff and Board members, as well as with its promotion and public relations contractors. The work may require travel to Dewitt, Michigan, Chicago, Illinois, and possibly the Southeast Marketing Field Office in Winter Haven, Florida.

The project deliverable, as stated above, will be a written research report and oral presentation to the industry or its representatives.

4. Proposal Requirements

a) Proposal submission cannot exceed 10 pages, must use Times Roman/Times font in the body, be no larger than 12 point in size or 9 point at the smallest, and have 1 inch margins throughout
b) Consultant/Researcher Information (contact information with address and phone numbers)
c) Proof of Qualification not to exceed 2 page(s)
d) Research design outline
e) Description of expected deliverables
f) Clear timelines for project deliverables/milestones, and associated cost breakdown
g) Reference(s)

5. Submission of Proposals (deadline November 30, 2017 5:00 PM EST)

CIAB is not responsible for any costs incurred in the development or submission of proposals for this RFP. The CIAB reserves the right to alter the scope of work or timing for this RFP, to not award a contract for the RFP and to contract with more than one vendor for this RFP. Under no circumstances is the CIAB obligated to accept any proposal for this RFP.

Electronic submission of proposals is required in PDF format to woods@ciab.comcastbiz.net.

6. Notification

The CIAB will notify all applicants who submitted a proposal of its final decision by email within 45 days of the close of this RFP.

7. Contract Terms

Successful applicants will enter into a contract to deliver a research study and results to the CIAB. The contract will be active for no longer than 9 months, but may be eligible for extension.