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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALSUBMISSION DEADLINE17:00 PM CST, 08/20/2021RFP TITLE: SOY EXCELLENCE CENTER DIGITAL PLATFORM IMPLEMENTATION PLANNINGRFP CONTACT:Name: Kim LiliensiekPhone #: 660-537-3964Email: kliliensiek@ussec.orgPROPOSAL DEADLINE:August 20, 2021INTRODUCTION:Through a global network of international offices and strong support in the U.S., USSEC (U.S.Soybean Export Council) / the U.S. Soy Industry helps build a preference for U.S. soybeans andsoybean products, advocates for the use of soy in livestock and aquaculture feed and humanconsumption, promotes the benefits of soy use through education and connects industryleaders through a robust membership program.USSEC has established Soy Excellence Centers (SEC) to aid emerging markets in addressing theirprotein challenges and create a cascade of demand for soy products by providing sustainable,renewable learning models. USSEC, launched the first Soy Excellence Center in 2019 in theMiddle East/North Africa. Since then, other centers have launched in Sub Saharan Africa, theAmericas and SE Asia.PURPOSE OF RFP:USSEC’s standard practice is to RFP every 3 years in an openly and competitive manner. Thistype of cost analysis will assist in determining the fair market value for the work to beperformed and allows USSEC the opportunity to evaluate various proposals and select the bestcontractor for the job based on experience, availability, expertise, approach, and cost.The purpose of this RFP is to seek proposals to support USSEC in the advancement of a virtualplatform that will support the digital and data requirements of the SEC program and itsaspiration of a professional certification offering.BACKGROUND & PURPOSE OF PROJECT:USSEC created the Soy Excellence Center concept to fill a development need for emergingmarkets. Typically, as GDP improves, local dietary preferences trend toward animal protein.However, participants in many emerging markets lack knowledge and means to improve theirbasic production systems to meet the growing demand. Providing technical knowledge and

educational platform for production support will accelerate stable growth of the animal proteinsector and grow demand for feeds containing U.S. soybean meal.SECs provide soy value chain expertise in emerging markets and facilitate connections thatdrive market expansion in key regions. The SECs will develop well-trained, missionaries in themarket place whose efforts should help accelerate demand growth and increase the need forU.S. Soy utilization.Since 2020, interest and expansion in the SEC program has been very high. With the increase inSEC initiatives, participants and the future deployment of a professional certification offering,there is an urgent need to develop and deploy a digital platform that supports the SEC program.There is a desire to have an implementation project initiated immediately after theimplementation planning has concluded with a goal of having the digital and data platformoperational in early 2022.TARGET AUDIENCE:The target audience for the digital platform will include USSEC Global team who will have abroad view of all SEC content, Regional USSEC team and Center Leads, who will see data andcontent across their applicable SEC Center and individual SEC students/participant who willhave access to their individual information as well as training materials applicable to theirlearning tracks.SCOPE (SERVICES) OF WORK:The scope of the RFP would be to take the design requirements that were collected in a multistakeholder forum and determine the implementation path for a web-based multi-languageplatform. The detailed requirements will be shared with the Contractor but include Learning Materials Management Repository: Virtual access to materials / curriculumand supplementary materials through a learning management system based on level ofparticipation Global SEC Participant and Professional Certification Registry: Provide visibility torecords for all global SEC education participants and their associated characteristic /results data. Access is provided at all levels Global, Regional/Center Lead and participantindividual Administration Materials Repository: Provide storage and access for a set ofunstructured materials that would be globally defined but locally executed. Exampleswould include branding templates, guideline, standardized testsImplementation options for data management and a digital platform to be evaluated couldinclude a licensing a third party hosted solution, customizing an existing solution developed bya Center Lead, or configuring a solution using third party apps.

Deliverables for the initial scope should include an understanding of the options in a side-byside comparison with a full profile of qualitative advantages and disadvantagestiming to implementimplementation costs (resourcing, licensing, platform, training aids, processdevelopment. etc.), ongoing support needsinternal resource requirements to implement (this would include roles as well asadministrative procedures to develop)ongoing costs (resourcing, licensing, platform, etc.)Contractor, working with the Global SEC team, should evaluate the options and select a pathforward to implement.ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION (if applicable)Additional Considerations to include any specific information regarding the proposal that couldaffect the Prospective Contractors ability to submit a proposal.There is a desire to have an implementation project initiated immediately after theimplementation planning has concluded with a goal of having the digital and data platformoperational in early 2022. A Contractor who could provide a clear demonstration of their abilityto implement the selected solution offering in the desired timeframe would be important.DELIVERABLES:Completion DateMid-SeptemberLater September / EarlyOctoberOctober 15, 2021October 29, 2021PROJECT TIMELINE:Description of DeliverablesReview of existing data and internal requirements of the scope;review of Contractors approach to meet scopeMid-Point review of progressDraft final report presented to Global SEC team for review andfeedbackFinal report, with feedback incorporated, submitted to Global SECteam

Our expectation is for the initial scope to last from September to October, 2021 (or be completedby a certain date). We are asking that the Project Proposal include details about what theproposed timeline and scope would look like.RFP TIMELINE: RFP Distribution: August 6, 2021Last Day to Submit Questions: August 13, 2021 by 5:00PM Central TimeProject Proposals Due: August 20, 2021 by 5:00PM Central TimeSelections Made By: August 27, 2021Prospective Contractors Notified By: August 31, 2021INSTRUCTIONS:Proposals must contain at a minimum the specific criteria listed below:1. Please email the proposal to RFP@USSEC.ORG by 5:00PM Central Time on XYZ2. A description of Prospective Contractor’s capabilities, resources and experience. Emphasisshould be placed on experience related to this RFP.3. A thorough proposal outlining Prospective Contractors planned work, deliverables andtimeline to complete the work.3. Resumes for each of the Prospective Contractor’s personnel assigned to work directly on theimplementation of the contract.4. Provide a minimum of two names and contact information for other similarly sized clientsfor reference purposes.5. Detailed Budget-All bids for services must provide a breakout of how the fee was derivedincluding but not limited to a breakdown of hourly rate and the amount ofeffort they anticipate to do the work.6. Proposals should be no longer than 10 pages (8 ½” x 11”).NOTES: Prospective Contractors are hereby notified that proposals will be duplicated for internalreview only. Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality of all informationpresented. The appropriate representatives from staff and legal counsel will reviewproposals. Proposals will not be returned.

USSEC reserves the right to retain all proposals submitted. Submission of a proposalindicates acceptance by the submitter of the conditions contained in the request forproposal, unless clearly and specifically noted in the proposal submitted and confirmedin the contract between USSEC and the contractor selected.Confidentiality - Without USSEC’s prior written consent, Prospective Contractors and itsofficers, employees, agents, representatives, affiliates, and subcontractors shall notdisclose to any third party any documents, materials or information that the ProspectiveContractors learns from or is provided in relation to the RFP request.During the evaluation process, USSEC reserves the right to request additional informationor clarifications from proposers, or to allow corrections of errors and omissions.USSEC reserves the right to reject any proposal that is in any way inconsistent orirregular. USSEC also reserves the right to waive proposal defects or deficiencies, torequest additional information, and/or to negotiate with the Prospective Contractorregarding the proposal.Prospective Contractor agrees that Fees are in lieu of any and all other benefits, including,but not limited to, repayment of any and all taxes related to contractor service fees,health and life insurance, administrative costs and vacation.Prospective Contractor agrees that any income taxes, value added taxes or any other formof direct or indirect taxes on compensation paid under the contract shall be paid byContractor and not by USSEC or Funding Sources.o Prior to any payment to a Contractor, a contractor must provide a W-9, W-8, orW-8BEN upon agreement signatureNon-Competition. Contractor shall not act as agent or representative for any product orservice directly or indirectly competitive with U.S. soybeans or soybean products for thelength of the contract.USSEC and Prospective Contractor agrees to comply with the provisions of EqualEmployment Opportunity (EEO). USSEC provides EEO to all employees and applicants foremployment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, genderidentity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status,amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state andlocal laws.SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AND BACKGROUNDBUILDING A PREFERENCE FOR U.S. SOYUSSEC’s strategy can be found here: s Long Range Strategic Plan can be found here: ng/