Sub-component A3.2.1.17 under Component A3.2 focuses on the development of marketing collateral and knowledge literature essential for strengthening the visibility, outreach, and communication capabilities of the Crop Stewardship Councils (CSCs). — State of Maharashtra's Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project

INVITATION FOR E-QUOTATIONS Appointment of Agency for rendering Marketing Collateral Services to IVDA under PIU VSTF 1. Department of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra has received financing from the World Bank towards “Hon. Balasaheb Thackeray Agribusiness & Rural Transformation (SMART) Project” to transform agriculture and livelihoods sector in Maharashtra. The objective of the project is “to support development of inclusive and competitive agriculture value chains focusing on smallholder farmers and agri-entrepreneurs in Maharashtra”. This would be achieved by expanding access to new and organized markets for producers and enterprises with complementary investments in provision of technical services and risk management capabilities. 2. The Indo Vegetable Development Association (IVDA) - a pioneering Commodity Stewardship Council (CSC) of Vegetable registered in December 2025 under the Hon’ble Balasaheb Thackeray Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) Project. This project is implemented by the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the Village and Social Transformation Foundation (VSTF), with support from Government of Maharashtra, the World Bank and Grant Thornton Bharat LLP as the Technical Service Provider (TSP). It is the fifth commodity stewardship council to be set up in India under this project. 3. IVDA is building a statewide stakeholder network comprising Farmer Producer Companies and other participants across the vegetable value chain. The proposed assignment is intended to establish a credible public-facing identity for IVDA, strengthen stakeholder communication, improve digital discoverability, create reusable communication assets and establish systems that IVDA can independently manage after completion of the assignment. 4. IVDA seeks an experienced agency to provide integrated marketing, communications, digital engagement, and technology setup/support services from 20 November 2026 to March 2027 (including extended project period; if any). Objectives include: 4.1 Establish and consistently communicate the IVDA brand, mandate, value proposition and stakeholder role across all platforms and touchpoints. 4.2 Create a professional digital presence through an improved, secure, mobileresponsive and search-optimised website, supported by a structured sevenmonth communication and content calendar covering stakeholders, FPOs, farmers, buyers, institutions, media and other ecosystem partners. 4.3 Generate measurable digital reach, engagement, website traffic and stakeholder enquiries going beyond creative output alone while building sustained media visibility through planned PR, press releases, media outreach and monitoring. 4.4 Build a reusable repository of editable creative, photo, video and communication assets for ongoing use by IVDA beyond the contract period. 4.5 Set up professional collaboration and communication systems, with IVDA retaining full ownership and administrative control at all times. 4.6 Ensure transparent reporting, data security, account ownership, source-file handover and operational continuity at the end of the contract. 5. Head, Project Implementation Unit – Village Social Transformation Foundation (VSTF), Hon. Balasaheb Thackeray Agribusiness & Rural Transformation (SMART) Project now invites online quotation on https://mahatenders.gov.in from eligible bidders for the items and specifications mentioned in Annexure A.