SUBMISSION DEADLINE: August 28, 2024, by 5:00PM Central Time
RFP CONTACT:
Name: Zaira Flores
Email: americasRFP@ussec.org
INTRODUCTION:
The United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC) requests proposals to assist in the continued
development, implementation and execution of strategies and programs within the Americas
Region. For contractors, the expectations are to carry out the deliverables of the activities they
are managing and are summarized in associated contracting documentation. Therefore, specific
outputs and deliverables for personnel will be included as engagements with key contractors are
formalized. Administrative performance will be based on delivering on the terms of those
contracts. Contractors are required to provide monthly reports on progress if they are a longterm contractor, or post event reports if they are retained for a specific event. Information from
the reports are used to keep stakeholders informed of the progress of their investment.
Through a global network of international offices and strong support in the U.S., USSEC helps
build a preference for U.S. soybeans and soybean products, advocate for the use of US soy in
feed, aquaculture and human consumption, promote the benefits of soy use through education
and connect industry leaders through a robust membership program.
PURPOSE OF RFP:
USSEC’s standard practice is to RFP every 3 years in an openly and competitive manner. This
type of cost analysis will assist in determining the fair market value for the work to be performed
and allows USSEC the opportunity to evaluate various proposals and select the best contractor
for the job based on experience, availability, expertise, approach, and cost.
The purpose of this RFP is to seek proposals for a full time the US SOY Marketing Specialist and
should be based on period October 1st, 2024, through September 30th, 2025.
BACKGROUND & PURPOSE OF PROJECT:
The purpose of this position is to promote the sales brand image of US SOY. US SOY has several
extrinsic and intrinsic qualities and characteristics. Yet at this time, many purchasers see
soybeans and/or soybean meal as commodities. This position will target end users’ marketing
channels to work with them and create a campaign of differentiation, by using US SOY.
In addition to the overall promotion of US SOY as a concept and image, the promotion of high
value specialty soy ingredient innovations, like high oleic soybean oil. Additionally, the position
will be chiefly responsible for working and collaborating with other US based cooperators to
determine ways to increase the exports of US meat products and the overall increase in meat
consumption, in general.
Contractor shall provide Market Intelligence & Research to promote the use and differentiation
of U.S. soy products by supporting the human and animal utilization teams to create brand
awareness and preference.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
Soybean and Soybean Meal Importers, refiners, wholesale distributers, retail distributors, cold
chain providers, industry associations, governmental agencies, commodity traders and brokers,
restaurants, hotels and other institutions, Soybean crushers, feed manufacturers, industry
associations, governmental agencies, livestock/aquaculture and poultry producers, commodity
traders and brokers
SCOPE (SERVICES) OF WORK:
Contractor will act as MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND SOY EXCELLENCE CENTER
SPECIALIST by providing Market Intelligence & Research to promote the use and differentiation
of U.S. soy products by supporting the regional teams to create brand awareness and
preference among USSEC target audience such as industry associations, governmental agencies,
poultry producers, commodity traders and brokers and others.
Due to the nature of this position, there may be adjustments to the activities described below
and/or assignment of new tasks, depending on the market and USSEC’s needs. Contractor will
be responsible of activities such as, but not limited to:
1. Strategic
a. Identify and write proposals to help differentiate the value, sustainability, and
competitive advantage of U.S. soy to customers and to Increase USSEC
customer´s knowledge on benefits of soy and soy products.
b. Assist USSEC’s Regional Director of Americas with the strategic goals and
objectives, which includes but is not limited to:
i. Identify potential growth markets for U.S. soy.
ii. Identify areas of strengths to maintain.
iii. Identify areas of opportunities for increased support.
iv. Identify the major and targeted Customers.
v. Create a Customer Analysis for each of those targeted.
vi. Promote higher inclusion rate of soybean meal in feed formulations
c. Identify, negotiate, and coordinate sponsorship and technical assistance
opportunities in the region.
d. Work and collaborate with other US based cooperators to determine ways to
increase the exports of U.S. SOY Products
2. Relationship
a. Act as USSEC representative creating brand awareness.
b. Establish, strengthen, and maintain key customer relationships for U.S. soy.
c. Provide general Trade Servicing assistance to respond trade inquiries, meet
personally or remotely with target audience in the region.
d. Suggest, arrange visits and meetings with key customers.
e. Work in collaboration with Marketing specialist to keep Americas key customers
& contact list updated.
f. Identify possible collaborations with USSEC members as well as joint effort
opportunities with industry.
g. Travel for attending trade, technical missions, meeting/conference, among other
kind of events upon request.
h. Promote the use and awareness of U.S. soybeans and soybean products
according to USSEC’s strategic plan.
3. Program implementation:
a. Stay up to date and comply with USSEC’s and its Funding Source’s policies.
b. Stay up to date and comply with USSEC’s regional operational procedures.
c. Identify a trade team of customers that should be targeted based on the purpose
of the event.
d. Propose hosted and/or non-hosted events for approval from the Regional
Director. The event type can fall under one of the following:
i. Conference
ii. Seminar
iii. Technical Training
iv. Site Visits with Technical Consultant
v. Trade Team
vi. Trade show
vii. Feeding Demonstration
viii. Market Research
ix. Sponsorship
x. Subscription
xi. Advertisement
xii. Publication
xiii. Membership
For each event assigned, you will have to oversee & coordinate activities directly associated
with the development and implementation of events in the region by providing the
documentation required for effective operational execution. Activities such as, but not limited
to:
a. Adhere to timelines, processes, deadlines and templates established by USSEC’s
Americas office such as, but not limited to:
i. Create and provide Project Manager with draft agenda, at least, 6 months prior
to the event.
ii. Provide Project Manager with final agenda, at least 3 months prior to the event.
iii. Identify, select and define speakers and contractors’ activities by providing a
scope of work to Project Manager, at least 3 months prior to the event.
iv. Provide with customer prospect list to Project manager by Identifying key
customers to attend regional events at least 3 months prior to the event.
b. Supervise contractors on assigned projects, overseeing their deliverables, including but
not limited to:
i. Reviewing speakers’ and contractors’ presentations and reports to ensure
alignment with USSEC’s strategic plan.
ii. Collecting speakers’ and contractors’ bios in accordance with Americas Regional
Procedures and timelines.
iii. Ensuring travel authorizations by contractors comply with USSEC regulations and
timelines.
c. Assist in coordinating events in the region with other regional event support specialists,
as needed.
d. Provide scheduled reports, as required.
e. Provide Project managers with estimated dates and an anticipated budget requirement.
f. Provide Project Manager & Americas Regional Project Team Leader with the program
action plan and keep updated.
g. Provide updates on projects with information relevant to achievements on project KPIs´
as well as progress towards project and USSEC goals on promoting U.S. Soy benefits.
Information will be utilized to populate USSEC Monthly reports
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AND BACKGROUND
BUILDING A PREFERENCE FOR U.S. SOY
USSEC’s strategy can be found here: http://ussec.org/about-ussec/vision-mission/
USB’s Long Range Strategic Plan can be found here: http://unitedsoybean.org/aboutusb/strategic-planning/
We are a dynamic partnership of key stakeholders representing soybean producers, commodity
shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusiness and agricultural organizations.
Through a global network of international offices and strong support in the U.S., we help build a
preference for U.S. soybeans and soybean products, advocate for the use of soy in feed,
aquaculture and human consumption, promote the benefits of soy use through education and
connect industry leaders through a robust membership program.
Our 15-member board of directors is comprised of four members from the American Soybean
Association (ASA), four members from the United Soybean Board (USB), and seven members
representing trade, allied industry, and state organizations.
New board members are seated annually. We are receiving funding from a variety of sources
including soy producer checkoff dollars invested by the USB and various state soybean councils;
cooperating industry; and the American Soybean Association’s investment of cost-share
funding provided by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agriculture
Service.
The United Soybean Board, created by the 1990 Farm Bill to manage and direct the National
Soybean Checkoff, is dedicated to marketing and research for the soybean industry. USB is
comprised of 73 volunteer soybean farmers representing the interests of fellow growers
nationwide. Each board member is nominated by Qualified State Soybean Boards (QSSBs) and
appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
Because of the limitations on administrative and salary costs established in the Act, USB
outsources the majority of its program management responsibilities to USB’s three primary
contractors:
• SmithBucklin-St. Louis for domestic marketing, new uses, production research and
Board initiative activities;
• Osborn & Barr Communications for communications/public relations activities and;
• U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), Inc. for international marketing and global
opportunities activities.
As one of these three primary contractors USSEC may also undertake initiative activities on
behalf of USB. USB considers primary contractor staff (approximately 60 people) as core
USB staff. These three primary contractors use a number of subcontractors and, together,
these entities carry out approximately 450 projects each year for USB. USB also manages
approximately 10 subcontractors.