Description
The General Services Office (GSO) at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota has a requirement for BIOTECH OUTREACH PROJECT ; we invite you to read carefully the following minimum requirements: All elements should meet or exceed the following criteria: Statement of Work: 2024 Biotechnology Outreach Program SCOPE Six biotechnology outreach activities including workshops, focus group meetings, targeted group discussions, field trips and meetings led by international and domestic experts to advocate against proposed anti-biotechnology legislation and encourage wider biotechnology understanding, acceptance, and adoption among key stakeholder groups. PURPOSE Since 2022, Colombia has remained open to the adoption of genetically engineered (GE) derived commodities and other innovative technologies and has implemented various regulations facilitating GE cultivation and acceptance. Nevertheless, anti-biotechnology influences risk undoing decades of progress in this space and threaten market access to Colombia of key GE-commodities. While technical-level government officials favor biotechnology adoption, various activist groups have successfully lobbied certain legislators to reject the science and the concept of biotechnology in general. Over four consecutive legislative years beginning July 2020, bills aimed at establishing “transgenic free” municipalities, protecting farmer rights to save, reuse, and commercialize their seeds, and banning GE-seeds have all been introduced in Congress. On November 2, 2023, Colombia’s Constitutional Court upheld a 2022 law mandating the government take actions that protect indigenous land and native seeds and must avoid “risks” derived from the release of living modified organisms from biotechnology processes. This program will include activities that dissuade Colombian officials to adopt trade-restrictive policies or enact laws that would hinder biotechnology development and prevent adoption of new technologies. MAJOR TASKS The contractor shall render the services below to accomplish the main purpose and implement the activity: Action 1: Enhance alliances formed from previous U.S. Embassy Biotechnology outreach activities in Fiscal Years (FY) 2021-2023 that worked on Colombian congressional engagement. This includes communicating the impact that proposed anti-biotechnology legislation will have on Colombia’s agriculture competitiveness, rural development, environment, and biodiversity. Conduct a workshop and field visit with 10 congressional representatives serving in agricultural committees at research centers or universities, led by biotechnology experts and domestic producers, to address non-science-based narratives and advocate for establishing science-based regulations. Action 2: Facilitate Colombian academia’s access to reliable, science-based information and stimulate educator and student acceptance of biotechnology to facilitate knowledge transfer to Colombian communities. Engage with Colombian universities to conduct virtual and in-person activities facilitated by domestic and international professionals in two agricultural regions (hubs), targeting approximately 240 agriculture students to improve the public perception and general knowledge of biotechnology. Engage a renowned research institution to organize a workshop and hands-on experience for 120 rural high school students to develop interest in agricultural biotechnology as a profession. Hold a training of trainers workshop and field trips, and engage 20high school teachers located in six regional agricultural hubs to improve science literacy and to effectively teach biotechnology in local classrooms. Action 3: Promote the benefits of biotechnology with underserved communities, including improved food security and the environment. Unite with like-minded Colombian government agencies, agricultural leaders and producers, and scientists to hold virtual and in-person activities in two regional agricultural hubs, targeting a diverse audience of 70 persons which include female producers, Afro-Colombians, and indigenous communities. Action 4: Cultivate public opinion leaders and government officials to communicate the benefits of biotechnology for improving rural development, agricultural competitiveness, land conservation, and biodiversity. Organize an interactive workshop, led by a science communication specialist, for 20 government officials and opinion leaders on how to effectively convey and share key messages with various interest groups, including traditional and non-traditional media, on the role of biotechnology in Colombia. Post will target government officials from the Colombian Agricultural Institute, National Institute for the Surveillance of Food and Medicines, Agrosavia, and the Ministries of Health, Science and Technology, Environment, and Agriculture. Generate media coverage targeting traditional and non-traditional outlets to demonstrate how biotechnology can help communities respond to environmental changes and enhance food security. Action 5: Provide a final project report translated into English within 10 calendar days of the project’s completion, which summarizes all outcomes and an evaluation of all activities taking place in Actions 1, 2, 3 and 4. This report shall include: Description of all outreach activities, Analysis of project impact as outlined in original proposal, including major achievements on how each intervention or activity has improved activity recipient perception of modern biotechnology; Summary of participants/audience reached in each project activity, including number of attendees and nature of the audience (e.g. producers, consumers, policymakers, journalists); Explanation and evidence of media coverage as a result of program activities, including the estimated number of people targeted, reached and trained; Descriptive financial report including itemized expenditures of funds; and Lessons learned for future activities. General Guidance The Contractor must coordinate with FAS and ECON to clear information presented to target audiences. At each stage of the process, the Contractor must meet with FAS and ECON to report on progress and obtain U.S. Embassy Bogota’s concurrence that all developments of each activity have been completed. The Contractor shall design and develop informational material, including flyers and infographics for target audiences. The Contractor shall secure a minimum of two international and one domestic modern biotechnology experts who can address local audiences in the target areas (FAS and ECON may provide suggested experts). Agreements with speakers should include travel expenditures (lodging, meals, incidentals, insurance and ticket fare), but not honoraria. The Contractor must secure round-trip (hotel to meeting location, and back) and local transportation for the speakers, logistics team, and Embassy attendees. The Contractor shall assist speakers with hotel and travel arrangements. The Contractor shall secure venues for actions 1, 2, and 3 that include audiovisual equipment. The Contractor shall secure translation services and equipment for non-Spanish/English speaking experts. In advance of the proposed program, the Contractor must select and invite target audiences, including representatives from the Colombian government, agricultural producers, academia, agricultural associations, female producers, researchers, indigenous communities, and student groups. The Contractor must maintain back-up strategy to ensure a high-level of attendance at the meetings. The service provider will provide the list of contacts for the U.S. Embassy’s concurrence and approval. The Contractor must develop a one-page feedback survey with a minimum of three questions to distribute to meeting participants at the conclusion of each outreach event. FAS and ECON should clear the survey. If the Contractor deems a feedback survey inappropriate or irrelevant for a particular event, the Contractor must obtain concurrence from FAS and ECON 10 business days before the event is scheduled to take place. The Contractor must provide a proposed timetable for actions 1, 2, 3 and 4 to include activities developed in each of the target areas. The Contractor should arrange other support services as necessary. Any travel and resulting expense or obligations necessary for the fulfillment of the agreement shall be the exclusive responsibility of the Contractor, without further compensation from the U.S. government. The budget for the proposed five outreach activities should not include any food or beverage items. Therefore, no such expenditure will be part of this contract. All major tasks aforementioned above shall take place within 10 months of the award of contract. Final payment will be process upon receipt of the final report. Should travel restrictions or other related restrictions remain in effect as these activities are being planned, the Contractor must coordinate with FAS and ECON to discuss the feasibility of modifying the major tasks listed above, which might include completion with domestic experts or holding virtual meetings. Items 1-3 Round trip International airline ticket, taxi to/from airport (3 experts) 2- Domestic flights (3 experts, 7 locations) 3-Lodging (3 experts, 9 days) 4-M&IE (3 experts, 9 days) 5-Local transportation (3 experts, 9 days) 6-Local transportation (3 buses, 2 days) 7-Domestic flights (20 teachers+10 congressmen, 1 day) 8-Venue rental, A/V equipment, 6 conference rooms: ( 6 days) 9-Virtual platform 10-Translation and equipment 11-Informational and marketing material