"Freedom 250" Public Events and Outreach Support, U.S. Embassy Seoul, South Korea

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (19GE5026Q0065) from the U.S. Department of State seeking to establish a single firm-fixed-price Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for integrated public events and outreach support services in the Republic of Korea. These services are in connection with the 250th anniversary of the United States of America ("Freedom 250"). Offerors must demonstrate capability in managerial, administrative, technical, creative, and production personnel, as well as vendor and subcontractor management for planning and executing live public events, cultural activations, exhibitions, digital/social media campaigns, and related promotional activities.

• Planning and execution of live public events, cultural activations, exhibitions, digital/social media campaigns, and promotional activities.

• Offerors must describe their organizational capability, key personnel, staffing plan, technical approach, and management plan.

• A comprehensive Plan of Action is required, including an illustrative portfolio of events and outreach activities, timeline, and proposed Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) structure and Firm-fixed Price (FFP) pricing/billing logic.

• Offerors must demonstrate experience as a prime contractor for large-scale public-facing events in the Republic of Korea and describe existing operational capability in Korea, including in-country personnel and established partner networks.

• Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance is required for U.S. citizen or resident employees hired in the U.S. for work in South Korea.

• Type of Contract: Single-award BPA for commercial services.

• Period of Performance: 12-month ordering period from June 2026 through May 2027. Anticipated primary activity between June 2026 and December 2026.

• Each BPA call will be firm-fixed-price (FFP).

• Place of Performance: Primarily Seoul and other locations in the Republic of Korea, with potential off-site planning/design/digital support.

• Quotations are due by 10:00 Central European Time (CET) on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

• Questions are due by 10:00 CET on Friday, May 15, 2026.

• Quotations must be submitted electronically in separate files for Volume I (Price Quotation) and Volume II (Technical Quotation).

• Evaluation Factors: Compliance Review, Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price. This is not a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) source selection.

• This acquisition is not set-aside for small business concerns.

• One or more items are subject to the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and Free Trade Agreements.

• Purchase Restriction: Only U.S.-made or designated country end products/services will be considered unless insufficient offers are received.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Applicable NAICS code: 541820 - Public Relations Services.

• Attachments include: Schedule and Clauses, Representations & Certifications, IRS Form W-14, and Instructions for IRS Form W-14.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides instructions for completing IRS Form W-14, "Certificate of Foreign Contracting Party Receiving Federal Procurement Payments." This form is used by foreign persons who receive specified federal procurement payments from the U.S. government and are seeking to claim an exemption from the 2% tax imposed by Section 5000C of the Internal Revenue Code.

• General Instructions: Explains the purpose of Form W-14, who must provide it, and situations where it should not be used.
• Specific Instructions (Part I): Details how to identify the foreign contracting party and the acquiring agency.
• Exemption Claims (Parts II & III): Outlines how to claim exemptions based on international agreements (tax treaties) or if goods/services are produced/performed in the United States.
• Definitions: Clarifies terms such as "acquiring agency," "foreign contracting party," "international procurement agreement," and "specified federal procurement payment."
• Appendices: Lists countries with qualified income tax treaties that provide exemptions.

Foreign entities bidding on U.S. government contracts that involve specified federal procurement payments must understand and potentially complete this form to claim tax exemptions. The instructions guide bidders on providing necessary information about their identity, country of incorporation, and the basis for any claimed exemption (e.g., tax treaties, U.S. production/performance). Failure to provide the form or providing incorrect information could result in the 2% tax being withheld.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is IRS Form W-14, "Certificate of Foreign Contracting Party Receiving Federal Procurement Payments." It is used by foreign contracting parties to provide information to the acquiring agency regarding their status for federal procurement payments, particularly concerning potential exemptions from tax under section 5000C.

• Part I: Identification: Collects information about the foreign contracting party and the acquiring agency, including names, addresses, and contract reference numbers.
• Part II: Exemption Based on an International Agreement: Allows the foreign party to claim relief from tax under section 5000C pursuant to an international agreement (e.g., a tax treaty).
• Part III: Exemption Based on an International Procurement Agreement or Because Goods/Services Produced/Performed in the United States: Allows for claiming exemptions related to international procurement agreements or the origin of goods/services.
• Part IV: Explanation: Requires detailed explanations for claims made in Part II or Part III, including specific agreements, provisions, and the basis for entitlement.
• Part V: Certificate: A sworn statement by the foreign person or their authorized representative, certifying the accuracy of the information and acknowledging obligations related to section 5000C.

Bidders who are foreign contracting parties may need to complete and submit this form as part of their proposal or contract execution. It is crucial for determining tax liabilities and potential exemptions related to federal procurement payments. The form requires detailed information about the foreign party's identity, location, and the nature of the contract, especially concerning international agreements and the origin of goods or services.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 3 - Representations & Certifications," is a required form for offerors responding to the solicitation. It collects essential information and certifications from potential bidders to ensure compliance with various federal regulations and policies.

This attachment requires offerors to provide:

• Part I: Offeror Information: Company Name, Company Address, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and Point of Contact.
• Part II: Representations & Certifications: This section includes numerous FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and DOSAR (Defense Acquisition Supplement) clauses that require specific representations and certifications from the offeror. These cover areas such as:
  • Payments to Influence Federal Transactions (FAR 52.203-11)
  • Prohibition on Contracting with Entities That Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements (FAR 52.203-18)
  • Offeror Identification (FAR 52.204-90)
  • Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (FAR 52.209-2)
  • Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (FAR 52.209-7)
  • Certification Regarding Trafficking in Persons Compliance Plan (FAR 52.222-56)
  • Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (FAR 52.229-11)
  • Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications (FAR 52.240-90)
  • Arab League Boycott of Israel (DOSAR 652.225-70)
  • Defense Base Act - Covered Contractor Employees (DOSAR 652.228-70)
  • Authorization and Performance (DOSAR 652.242-73)

Completing and submitting this attachment accurately and completely is a prerequisite for award. Offerors must carefully review each representation and certification, ensuring they can truthfully attest to compliance. Failure to provide accurate information may result in exclusion from further consideration or penalties. The information gathered helps the government assess the offeror's responsibility, compliance, and eligibility.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document, "Attachment 1 - Schedule and Clauses," is part of a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (19GE5026Q0065) for the U.S. Embassy Seoul, Republic of Korea. It outlines the terms, conditions, and schedule for a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to provide integrated planning and execution of U.S. 250th Anniversary commemorative events and related outreach activities, known as the Freedom 250 initiative. The goal is to support approximately 10 to 15 public events and outreach activities.

• Scope of Work: Integrated event management and outreach support, including strategic planning, concept development, venue coordination, production management, creative support, digital content, media placement, event staffing, logistics, vendor management, risk management, and post-event assessment.

• Event Types: May include live public events, concerts, festivals, exhibitions, digital/social media campaigns, outdoor media, fireworks, and more.

• Management Structure: Requires a single management structure capable of executing multiple concurrent or sequential activities.

• Local Presence: Contractor must have an established operational support structure in the Republic of Korea.

• Non-Personal Services: Services are non-personal; contractor personnel are not supervised by the U.S. Government.

• Key Personnel: Requires a Contract Manager/Project Director (min 10 years experience), Deputy Contract Manager (min 7 years experience), Creative Director (min 5 years experience), and Production & Technical Director (min 5 years experience), with specific qualifications and language requirements (Fluent in Korean and English).

• Event-Specific Modules: BPA calls can be issued for various modules, and the contractor must be able to support at least two concurrent major events.

• Deliverables: Include kickoff agendas, program management plans, master schedules, staffing plans, execution plans, venue coordination plans, creative concepts, technical production plans, safety/contingency plans, digital campaign plans, media placement documentation, status reports, and closeout reports.

• Contract Type: Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA).

• Period of Performance: 12-month ordering period from approximately June 2026 through May 2027. Primary activity anticipated between June 2026 and December 2026.

• Place of Performance: Primarily Seoul and other locations in the Republic of Korea, with potential off-site planning/design/digital support.

• Obligation: The Embassy is not obligated to purchase any definite amount.

• Individual Call Limit: No single purchase will exceed USD 5,000,000.

• Insurance: Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance is required for certain employees. Other insurance as legally necessary.

• Ordering Mechanism: Services requested through individual calls placed by the RPSO Contracting Officer or authorized representative.

• Performance Standards: Measured by timely deliverables (100%), technical quality (no more than one revision for minor errors), event execution (consistent with approved plans), risk mitigation, and subcontractor control.

• Quality Assurance: Contractor must maintain a quality-control system.

• Third Country Nationals (TCNs): Specific requirements for recruitment plans and housing plans if TCNs are recruited.

• Trafficking in Persons: Strict compliance with FAR 52.222-50 and related clauses is required.

• This document incorporates numerous FAR and DOSAR clauses by reference, covering various aspects of contract performance, ethics, and compliance.

• The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will be designated upon award.