Title
Authorization to Issue Request for Proposals for Hermosillo Mexico Trade Development Consulting Services
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Hermosillo Mexico Trade Development Consulting Services.
Report
Summary
In 2019 with City Council authorization, the Community and Economic Development Department issued a solicitation and subsequently entered into a professional services contract for Mexico trade development representative services to position the City and its partners to be proactive, focused and committed to long term, bilateral and strategic economic engagement in and around Hermosillo, Mexico. Due to the City's focus on combating COVID-19 and its negative impacts in the community in 2020 and part of 2021, the City did not execute the contract for the trade services until Nov. 27, 2021. This contract expires on Nov. 26, 2022.
Mexico is recognized as the top trading partner for both the City of Phoenix and the State of Arizona. Mexico direct investments in Phoenix have increased exponentially in diverse sectors in recent years. The City has established a recognized leadership position in Mexico as it relates to key relationships and economic opportunity. Maintaining this leadership position requires a sustained effort to leverage the success to date, and position Phoenix for increased economic opportunity. The Phoenix Metro region has experienced record exports to Mexico, most recently totaling over $11 billion in 2021. Active engagement with Mexico is important and necessary to further expand these exports, which will result in new job creation.
With approval, staff will issue an RFP for Hermosillo Mexico Trade Development Consulting Services to facilitate economic activity between Hermosillo and Phoenix. These services will focus on:
- Expanding the City's footprint in Hermosillo through the existing trade office.
- Developing and enhancing business to business connections between Hermosillo-based companies and companies operating in Phoenix.
- Fostering Phoenix business expansion connections for Hermosillo-based companies seeking growth opportunities in the United States.
- Identifying perspective Phoenix investments from Hermosillo-based investors seeking both development investment opportunities and business ventures in the United States.
The successful proposer will also conduct outreach to support strong relationships between the City and local, state, and federal government agencies in and around Hermosillo Mexico.
It is anticipated the RFP will be open at least 30 days and will require each proposer and its primary consultant to have three years' experience providing Mexico trade development consulting services.
Responsive proposals will be evaluated by a panel based on the following evaluation criteria (1,000 possible points):
- Primary Consultant's Qualifications & Experience (0-300 points).
- Approach to Scope of Work (0-250 points).
- Proposer's Qualifications & Experience (0-250 points).
- Fees (0-200 points).
Staff will return to the Economic Development and Equity Subcommittee and full City Council for contract award approval. Should the new contract not be executed prior to the current contract's expiration of Nov. 26, 2022, staff requests authority to extends the current consultant's contract on a month-to-basis to ensure the Hermosillo office remains open and operational until the new contract is executed and operational.
Additionally, staff will return to City Council in the future with a separate action that outlines a plan for an additional office in Mexico City, among others.
Contract Term
If approved, the contract term will be for a one-year term with four one-year renewal options that may be exercised by the City Manager or his designee.
Financial Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund by this action.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On Dec. 10, 2019, City Council authorized staff to issue an RFP for Trade Development Services in Hermosillo and Mexico City to facilitate economic activity between Mexico and Phoenix. On March 23, 2022 the Economic Development and Equity Subcommittee unanimously recommended approval of this item.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Ginger Spencer and the Community and Economic Development Department.