Request for proposals international representative for invest atlanta

INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR INVEST ATLANTA

The Atlanta Development Authority d/b/a Invest Atlanta (“Invest Atlanta”) is soliciting responses to this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) from interested and qualified firms or individuals to provide strategic representation for the City of Atlanta’s international interests, with a specific emphasis on foreign direct investment initiatives. Invest Atlanta was created to promote the revitalization and growth of the City of Atlanta (“City”) and serves as the City’s Economic Development Agency. Invest Atlanta represents a consolidation of the City’s economic and community development efforts in real estate, finance, marketing and employment, for the purpose of providing a focal point for improving the City's neighborhoods and the quality of life for all of its citizens.

Respondents shall deliver three (3) hard copies and one (1) electronic version of a response to this RFP by no later than December 9, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Submissions should be enclosed in a sealed envelope clearly marked “RFP Response: International Representative” and delivered to:

133 Peachtree Street, NE

Suite 2900

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Attn: Kevin Johnson, Senior Vice President of Economic Development
SUBMISSION REQUIRMENTS

The successful Respondent will enter into a contract to implement tactics that will attract direct foreign investment, increase international lead generation, and enhance corporate relations for select global markets with which the City of Atlanta has strategic alliance and focus. The Respondent will serve under the direction of Invest Atlanta who is coordinating efforts with the Mayor’s Office of International Trade. The successful Respondent must achieve a measureable increase in business attraction, business expansion and foreign direct investment leading to job creation and investment in Atlanta. The Respondent must have a strong global presence in variety of markets and significant ties to the international business community. While Invest Atlanta has identified specific targeted markets, Respondents with strong trade contacts, in-depth market intelligence, and expansive geographical coverage are of particular interest to the City of Atlanta.

Recognized as an international gateway and the economic engine of the southeast, metro Atlanta is the center of the 9th largest Metropolitan Statistical Area in the country, totaling approximately 5.8

The region’s skilled workforce provides the ideal talent pool for some of the country’s most revered and fast growing companies. Metro Atlanta is also home to the headquarters of 26 FORTUNE 1000 companies. Notable world headquarters include Georgia Pacific, United Parcel Service, The Coca-Cola Company, The Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, The Southern Company, NCR, and First Data, to name a few. Metro Atlanta is also home to the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Cancer Society and the Arthritis Foundation.

Invest Atlanta was created and exists under the Development Authorities Law, activated by a resolution of the Atlanta City Council, and currently operates as a public body corporate and politic and instrumentality of the State of Georgia. Governed by a nine-member board of directors, chaired by the Mayor of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta creates programs and initiatives focused on developing and fostering public-private partnerships to accelerate job creation/economic growth, neighborhood revitalization/investment, and innovation/ entrepreneurship. Invest Atlanta’s economic tools include bond financing, revolving loan funds, housing financing, tax increment financing, and tax credits. Invest Atlanta is comprised of the Urban Residential Finance Authority of the City of Atlanta, the Downtown Development Authority of the City of Atlanta, and the Atlanta Urban Redevelopment Agency, along with its subsidiary, Atlanta Beltline, Inc.

The Office of International Affairs, a division of the Mayor’s Executive Offices, exists to maintain the City’s relationships with the international community, promote international trade opportunities to spur business growth, encourage foreign direct investment by positioning Atlanta as a great place to do business, and raise the global profile of the city of Atlanta through various initiatives, events, and programs. MOIA advises small and medium business in Atlanta on international trade strategies, provides information on upcoming trade events, hosts visiting international buyers, facilitates global business connections and informs the business community of trade opportunities in global markets.

MOIA also promotes the City of Atlanta as a premier destination to do business. It offers site selection services to foreign investors and also encourages leading global companies to establish headquarters or offices in the city in effort to create jobs for Atlanta residents. MOIA encourages countries to locate consular and trade offices in Atlanta to further international initiatives within the U.S. Southeast and to provide quality service to metro Atlanta’s 700,000 foreign-born residents and 2,700 international companies.

MOIA is responsible for planning trade missions for the Office of the Mayor; these trade missions provide Atlanta businesses the opportunities to discover new markets for their products and services and meet potential partners and buyers abroad. MOIA manages initiatives that raise the global profile of the City of Atlanta and attracts large-scale global events to the city; which improve the quality of life for Atlanta residents by offering diverse cultural, educational, and athletic programming.

The objective of the RFP is to select a qualified firm or consultant to provide the goods and/or services outlined in this RFP to Invest Atlanta. The Respondent must identify and implement highly creative, cost effective initiatives to elevate the City of Atlanta’s international profile and attract foreign direct investment.

The most important measure is establishing a pipeline of, at least, 25 foreign direct investment projects resulting in 10 wins for Atlanta per year, sourced globally/country-agnostic. Each win should invest a minimum 1 million dollars and create 10 jobs. The proposal should include an estimate as to the number of such projects which the Respondent can convert in a 12-month period.

1. 
   Metrics
   
2. 
   Reporting Requirements
   
3. 
   Staff lead
   

In order to be deemed responsive for evaluation under this RFP, submissions are limited to 100 pages, inclusive of all submission requirements, narratives, and addenda. Submission requirements include the following:

1. 
   Transmittal Letter
   

Invest Atlanta

133 Peachtree Street, NE

Suite 2900

Atlanta, GA 30303

Attn: Kevin D. Johnson, Senior Vice President of Economic Development

2. 
   Executive Summary
   

3. 
   General Information Regarding the Respondent Team
   

1. 
   Identify other key team members.
   
2. 
   Provide an organizational chart and information that clearly explains the ownership and management structure, relationship of each team member and their respective roles and contributions, as well as the lead contact members and decision-making hierarchy of the development team. Include resumes for all principals expected to be involved in the project, highlighting experience with similar projects.
   

3. 
   Project Experience
   

1. 
   Experience with historic renovation or adaptive reuse projects. Please highlight any experience with large-scale and/or urban renovation projects, as well as any experience with public-private ventures, detailing the degree of success in achieving public and private objectives, and the benefits and challenges of these projects. Please be as specific as possible.
   
2. 
   Experience developing and/or operating the programmatic uses proposed in the respondent’s redevelopment concept.
   

3. 
   Equal Business Opportunity
   

All MFBEs and SBEs qualified to meet the goals and objectives of this RFP in its entirety are encouraged to submit a response. MFBEs or SBEs must be certified and registered with the City's Office of Contract Compliance MFBE Register prior to the submittal of the Response to the RFP. An SBE must be registered with the City.

3. 
   Technical Specifications
   

• 
  Achieve a measurable increase in the international business attraction wins and provide ongoing business expansion services to existing global business as a result of the work delineated in this RFP.
  
• 
  Generate list of top prospect companies based on profile in market.
  
• 
  Meet with no fewer than 5 of the companies contacted and promote Atlanta to these companies as a North American business location.
  
• 
  Generate leads through contacts to the companies and the site consultants that can be developed into active projects for Atlanta.
  
• 
  The team expects, as the results of the award of this contract, to have the Respondent perform ongoing support and follow up assistance as directed by Invest Atlanta of existing prospective companies.
  
• 
  The Respondent will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of the above services with or without the assistance or presence of the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta staff.
  
• 
  The Respondent shall advise Invest Atlanta regarding changes in the host country market which may impact foreign direct investment from that country. The Respondent will be asked to provide host country market updates.
  
• 
  On an annual basis, the Respondent will provide a suggested work plan for activities planned for the following fiscal year.
  
• 
  The Respondent will be required to attend an annual meeting (in Atlanta) with Atlanta clients and potential clients. The annual meeting will last up to five (5) business days. The Respondent is required to cover the expenses of one trip to Atlanta annually (if necessary).
  
• 
  Invest Atlanta staff should be copied on client communication. Summaries of client meetings held in-country must be posted in the database within one week of the visit.
  
• 
  Respondent is required to disclose whether Respondent currently represents or proposes to represent another U.S. city, county, state, or international economic development agency. Invest Atlanta reserve the right to terminate its contract with Respondent if in their sole discretion, it is determined that the representation of an additional economic development agency is a conflict of interest for the City of Atlanta.
  
• 
  Respondent shall reimburse reasonable expenses for one representative to make one trip to the U.S. specified by Invest Atlanta per fiscal year. This trip is typically, but not exclusively for training.
  

• 
  Respondent’s in-country offices will be available for use by the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta staff.
  
• 
  Providing a dedicated telephone number in target market country and an e-mail address with some indication of Atlanta representation (for example Respondent@ATLUK.com, atlantaRep@contractor.com) for each staff member providing services under this contract.
  
• 
  Collaboration with Georgia Department of Economic Development’s International Foreign Direct Investment Offices for mutual benefit as opportunities arise.
  
• 
  Key Industry Contacts (approximate turnaround: 2 weeks from initial request). This report provides a list of key organizations (such as trade and industry associations and important
  

trade shows) in the host country and a paragraph describing each to help Atlanta-based companies access the international market.

• 
  Tips for Doing Business in Market (produced annually). This report is updated annually and includes an overview of the business environment in Respondent's particular country/region. This report includes information on how to do business in the country and tips to be successful in the market. It should answer questions such as: Is it necessary/standard to partner with a local company to make major in-roads in the market? Are direct sales permitted in the country? Is there a certification/registration process for certain imported products, etc.?
  
• 
  International Representative will have an assigned liaison within Invest Atlanta. Communication is expected at least weekly.
  
• 
  Strategic counsel-reports rankings
  

• 
  Advanced manufacturing
  
• 
  Cyber- security
  
• 
  Health IT- Bio science
  
• 
  FinTech
  
• 
  Supply chain and logistics
  
• 
  Film production, media, and entertainment
  
• 
  Advanced professional services
  

• 
  At least 100 leads per requested market.
  
• 
  At least 15 in-market visits to Atlanta with the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs and Invest Atlanta.
  
• 
  At least 5 leads locate in the City over a 12-month cycle working with Invest Atlanta.
  
• 
  Host events for Atlanta VIPs (e.g. Mayor of Atlanta, Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, and Invest Atlanta) for potential foreign direct investment opportunities.
  
• 
  Utilize print and electronic communication tools at hosted events.
  
• 
  Leverage the number of one-on-one consultations resulting from foreign direct investment activities.
  

• 
  Global overview/preview/outlook on FDI hotspots.
  
• 
  List of important industry trade shows, events, and conferences in targeted countries.
  
• 
  Key industry contacts – provided upon request within 2 weeks of request.
  
• 
  Doing Business in . . . Guides – provided upon request within 2 weeks of request.
  

3. 
   Financing Strategy
   

1. 
   Sources and Uses - A Sources and Uses table which includes an initial “order of magnitude” estimate of the cost of the project along with any potential public or private financial sources.
   

2. 
   Conceptual Development Budget - A conceptual level development budget showing the project's total development costs, estimating acquisition costs, hard costs, and soft costs, legal and related fees).
   

3. 
   The cost/financial proposal should state the amount of money for which the Respondent will perform the requested services. It should also include information on what percentage of the contract will be allocated by the Respondent for taxes, operational expenses, travel within their country, and one trip to Atlanta per year (up to five business days in length if necessary).
   

3. 
   Mandatory Minimum Qualifications
   

Expansive geographic coverage is preferred. There are approximately 7 global markets with high foreign direct investment within the City of Atlanta. However, the Respondent’s role is supporting our current business attraction activities and develops new source markets of foreign direct investment.

Invest Atlanta interests’ preference is not to have an investment representative that works for another U.S. state or city where a potential conflict could occur.

A local U.S. presence is convenient and strongly preferred for this RFQ.

The global offices/presence must be located in a class A office space.

The service and reports must be presented both in English and target language. Representative must have at least 1 staff person who can communicate in both English and target language.

3. 
   Selection Criteria/Evaluation
   

1. 
   Company Background:
   

2. 
   Trade Promotion and Investment Experience/FDI and business attraction: (Total Points 50)
   

• 
  Demonstrated knowledge of the global markets, industries and trends. At least 5 years’ experience in working with the selected markets.
  

• 
  Overview of Respondent’s knowledge and understanding of Atlanta, its location advantages, business climate and assets.
  
• 
  Overview of Respondent understanding of business attraction, FDI and lead generations.
  
• 
  Overview of experience generating FDI leads business attraction-related events during the past 24 months. In particular, briefly describe two (2) major events coordinated, number of staff and responsibilities of staff member in accomplishing the project, proposed budget vs. actual spending, and goals achieved.
  
• 
  List of five (5) work-related references with the context for each reference.
  
• 
  List of the databases/resources/membership/assets used for lead generation market research. Indicate if these databases/resources/membership/assets are owned.
  
• 
  List of other U.S. states, local and international economic development agencies currently represented by Respondent.
  

3. 
   Resources Evaluation: (Total Points 35)
   

• 
  Staff assigned to this project with relevant experience and qualifications.
  
• 
  Physical presence in a variety of FDI source country hotspots.
  
• 
  Provide the necessary staff to accomplish the scope of work including at least one staff member who is fluent in the target market country native language and English.
  

4. 
   Financial Offer and Capacity: (Total Points 10)
   

Respondent should provide evidence of respondent’s ability to access equity and other financing resources to carry out the proposal. Each respondent shall provide the following:

• 
  Overview of the respondent’s financial strength, including any corporate resources that may be relied upon for completion of this project.
  
• 
  Description of any tentative financial commitments, and/or any preliminary letters of intent (these letters do not count against the page limit).
  
• 
  A list of any litigation the firm was involved in during the last five (5) years that may impact the respondent’s ability to execute the potential services outlined in the RFQ, including a description of any current, pending or threatened litigation involving the City and/or Invest Atlanta.
  

All Proposals and supporting materials as well as correspondence relating to this RFP become property of Invest Atlanta when received. Proposals and supporting materials are likely subject to the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. §50-18-70, et seq.  Any proprietary information or trade secrets contained in the Proposal should be so indicated. For instance, on each page that contains information that respondents believe is exempt from mandatory disclosure under the Georgia Open Records Act, respondents shall include the following legend: “THIS PAGE CONTAINS INFORMATION THAT IS EXEMPT FROM MANDATORY DISCLOSURE UNDER THE GEORGIA OPEN RECORDS ACT.” However, a general indication that the entire contents, or a major portion, of the Proposal is proprietary will not be honored.

1. 
   All applicable Federal and State of Georgia laws, City and Fulton County ordinances, licenses and regulations of all agencies having jurisdiction shall apply to the Respondents throughout and are incorporated herein.
   

2. 
   Professionals requiring special licenses must be licensed in the State of Georgia, and shall be responsible for those portions of the work as may be required by law.
   

3. 
   No Proposal shall be accepted from, and no contract will be awarded to, any person, firm, or corporation that (i) is in arrears to Invest Atlanta or the City with respect to any debt, (ii) is in default with respect to any obligation to Invest Atlanta or the City, or (iii) is deemed irresponsible or unreliable by Invest Atlanta. If requested, the respondents shall be required to submit satisfactory evidence that they have the necessary financial resources to provide the proposed services.
   

4. 
   Respondents shall provide the information and affidavits required for compliance with the requirements of E-Verify (Appendix A). 
   

5. 
   Invest Atlanta reserves the right to accept one or more proposals, to reject in whole or in part any and all proposals, to waive irregularities, when it is for good cause and in the best interests of Invest Atlanta or the City of Atlanta. 
   

6. 
   Invest Atlanta shall be entitled to reasonable transaction costs incurred by Invest Atlanta during its facilitation of the RFP process. This fee shall be designated as a transaction fee in the purchase and sale agreement and on the closing statement. The transaction fee shall be paid by the seller from the sales proceeds.
   

7. 
   City of Atlanta EBO Policy
   

1. 
   Equal Business Opportunity (EBO)/Small Business Enterprise (SBE)/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Policy. It is the policy of the City of Atlanta to actively promote full and equal business opportunity for small, disadvantaged, minority, and female business enterprises through the City’s SBE and EBO programs, as well as the administration of the federal DBE program. It is also the policy of the City of Atlanta to actively promote equal employment opportunities for disadvantaged, minority and female workers and prohibit discrimination based upon race, religion, color, sex, National origin, marital status, physical handicap upon or sexual orientation through the City’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program. The purpose of the Equal Business Opportunity and Small Business Enterprise Programs is to mitigate the present and ongoing effects of the past and present discrimination against women, minority, disadvantaged, and small business so that opportunity – regardless of race, gender, or firm size – will become institutionalized in the Atlanta marketplace.
   

2. 
   Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEO). The workforce employed by a Respondent should reflect the demographic characteristics of the available pool of labor skills normally utilized.
   

The schedule of events set out herein represents Invest Atlanta’s best estimate of the schedule that will be followed. However, delays to the procurement process may occur which may necessitate adjustments to the proposed schedule. If a component of this schedule, such as the close date, is delayed, the rest of the schedule may be shifted as appropriate. Any changes to the dates up to the closing date of the RFP will be publicly posted prior to the closing date of this RFP. After the close of the RFP, Invest Atlanta reserves the right to adjust the remainder of the proposed dates, including the dates for evaluation, negotiations, award and the contract term on an as needed basis with or without notice.

3. 
   Award Contract
   

Invest Atlanta appreciates your thoughts and responses to this RFP and encourages you to submit any questions or comments regarding this opportunity. Invest Atlanta specifically requests that respondents ask any questions that will permit respondents to (a) describe its program and commitment to fulfilling the Project Objectives in detail and (b) make a Preliminary Offer.

All written questions about this RFP must be submitted via email only to Kevin Johnson, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at kjohnson@investatlanta.com. Any questions submitted via email to the above address will be posted to the Invest Atlanta website.

APPENDICES

1. 
   E-verify Affidavit
   

By executing this affidavit, the undersigned Contractor verifies its compliance with O.C.G.A. §13-10-91, et seq. (the “Act”) and Chapter 300-10-1 of the Rules of Georgia Department of Labor (the “Rules”), stating affirmatively that the individual, firm, or corporation which is engaged in the physical performance of services on behalf of Invest Atlanta: (1) has registered with; (2) is authorized to use; (3) is using; and (4) will continue to use throughout the contract period a federal work authorization program commonly known as E-Verify, or any subsequent replacement program, in accordance with the applicability provisions and deadlines established in the Act and the Rules.

The undersigned contractor further agrees that, should it employ or contract with any subcontractor(s) in connection with the physical performance of services pursuant to the contract with Invest Atlanta of which this affidavit is a part, the undersigned contractor will secure from such subcontractor(s) similar verification of compliance with the Act and the Rules through the subcontractor’s execution of the subcontractor affidavit provided below.

The undersigned contractor further agrees to provide a copy of each such affidavit to Invest Atlanta at the time the subcontractor(s) is retained to perform such services and to maintain copies of all such affidavits for no less than five (5) years from the date provided to Invest Atlanta and otherwise maintain records of compliance with the Act and the Rules as required.

Contractor hereby attests that its federal work authorization user identification number and date of authorization are as follows:

________________
Employment Eligibility Verification (E-Verify) Date of Authorization
User Identification Number

I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Sworn to and subscribed before me

By executing this affidavit, the undersigned subcontractor verifies its compliance with O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91 (the “Act”) and Chapter 300-10-1 of the Rules of Georgia Department of Labor (the “Rules”), stating affirmatively that the individual, firm, or corporation which is engaged in the physical performance of services under a contract with ________________________________________ (name of contractor) on behalf of Invest Atlanta: (1) has registered with; (2) is authorized to use; (3) is using; and (4) will continue to use throughout the contract period a federal work authorization program known as E-Verify, or any subsequent replacement program, in accordance with the applicability provisions and deadlines established in the Act and the Rules.

The undersigned subcontractor further agrees that it will contract for the physical performance of services in satisfaction of the Contract only with sub-subcontractors who present an E-Verify Affidavit to the undersigned subcontractor with the information required by the Act and the Rules. The undersigned subcontractor will forward notice of the receipt of an E-Verify Affidavit from a sub-subcontractor to the Contractor within five (5) business days of receipt. If the undersigned subcontractor receives notice that a sub-subcontractor has received an E-Verify Affidavit from any other contracted sub-subcontractor, the undersigned subcontractor must forward, within five (5) business days of receipt, a copy of the notice to the Contractor.

Subcontractor hereby attests that its federal work authorization user identification number and date of authorization are as follows:

I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Sworn to and subscribed before me