Hawaii Agricultural Associations Seeks Marketing Firm
SPP20 will consider proposals that request funds for marketing activities including, but not limited to, sponsorships for conferences, festivals, seminars, trade shows, or workshops; and for product promotion projects for Hawaii agricultural products including, but not limited to, ad campaigns, development of banners, brochures, or posters, collaterals (bags, buttons, clips, pens, pencils, packaging, boxes), in-store demonstrations, sampling events, or website improvement. Priority will be given to projects that introduce a new and/or innovative product, method, technology, or process to achieve the goals of the organization and/or support the membership.
Background:
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s (HDOA) 240 employees statewide work to support, enhance, promote, and protect Hawaii’s agriculture and aquaculture industries. We work to create and maximize opportunities for exporting; and facilitate growth of existing and new agricultural commodities and by-products. In addition, the department works to prevent the introduction and establishment of plants, animals and diseases that are detrimental to the state’s agriculture industry and the environment.
The General Appropriations Act (Act 5, SLH 2019) appropriated funds for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020. Act 5 includes funds for the promotion of Hawaii agricultural products through marketing activities. The Sponsorship and Product Promotion RFP (SPP20) requests proposals from Hawaii-registered non-profit associations and non-profit commodity organizations for sponsorships and product promotion activities that will be conducted within the State. SPP20 will consider marketing activities conducted out-of-state that enhance the competitiveness of Hawaii agricultural products and provide extraordinary benefit to the members of the non-profit association or non-profit commodity organization.
Scope of Work:
Project proposals and goals of offerors applying for sponsorship and product promotion funds should focus on the following state priority categories:
• Introduces a new and/or innovative product, idea, method, technology, or process to achieve the goals of the organization and/or support the membership;
• Demonstrates the need for the project or promotional activity to attain full potential of an industry or agricultural product;
• Contributes a greater ratio of matching funds (cash or in-kind);
• Promotes a fledgling industry, with a lesser ability to pay for a product promotion program but with potential for expansion;
• Benefits a great number of the producers whose production accounts for a substantial portion of the value of the industry;
• Results in greater value to the State, including labor and material, utilized, or value-added within the State;
• Supports the membership statewide and/or supports most of the stakeholders of the industry (associations, farmers, producers, businesses); and
• Has fulfilled the expectations of previous promotional programs based on staff evaluation and written reports submitted by the applicant.
SPP20 funds will be awarded for projects that will be completed within 12 months after contract execution; provided, however, that the HDOA reserves the right to extend the contract in accordance with AG-008 103D General Conditions, paragraph 19, Modifications of Contract, or other applicable provision. Project funds will likely be available in January 2020.
Project Oversight:
HDOA’s Market Development Branch (MDB) will directly oversee the planning and implementation of the project and will monitor the performance of all project activities and ensure that work is completed within the required timeline and in compliance with all program regulations.
Restrictions and Limitations of SPP20 Funds:
• Political and lobbying activities are not allowed;
• Capital expenditures for general purpose equipment, buildings, and land are not allowed as direct or indirect charges;
• Capital expenditures for special purpose equipment over $5,000 need prior approval;
• Rental costs of buildings and equipment are allowable; and
• Any activities prohibited in the State Procurement Code, Chapter 103D, HRS, are not allowed.
Due Date:
October 18, 2019
