The Wisconsin Department of Commerce is currently accepting proposals to operate an international trade office in Europe for the 2007/2008 fiscal year. Wisconsin currently has offices in Brazil, Canada, China, and Mexico in addition to a European office. These international trade offices are not staffed by state employees. Contracts are awarded to private businesses that serve as the eyes and ears of Wisconsin exporters in their markets. Contractors are required to provide a set menu of services for Wisconsin firms, but they can provide additional services for additional fees.

The State of Wisconsin through the Department of Administration, Consolidated Agency Purchasing Services, has posted a Request for Proposal #DD0750061. The details of this Request for Proposal (RFP) are available online at http://vendornet.state.wi.us/vendornet/wais/docs/11210_0.DOC. If you cannot access the web-site above, or do not have internet access, please request a copy of the proposal by e-mail to Michael.Bentley@wisconsin.gov or by calling 608-266-1602. Submissions must be received no later than April 26, 2007, 2:00 PM C. T.

-- Stanley Pfrang

The newsletter is issued electronically every other month.

Please send comments or questions to Barbro McGinn, editor.