Consultancy Opportunity

Production Technologist for Whey Processing in Cosmetic Production

USDA Food for Progress Safety and Quality Investment in Livestock Project

Tbilisi, Georgia

Background: Land O’Lakes’ Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening agriculture from farm-to-fork, helping businesses grow, and linking farmers to markets. Since our start in 1981, we have been leveraging nearly 100 years of expertise in dairy, animal nutrition, crop inputs and agricultural insights from our close affiliate, Land O’Lakes, Inc., a farmer-owned agribusiness committed to fulfilling its purpose of feeding human progress.

Our team is made up of nearly 350 employees who are committed to market-led approaches, and passionate about collaborating locally to create lasting inclusive economic growth. By unlocking the potential of agriculture for the last 40 years, the lives of more than 3 million people have been transformed through nearly 300 programs in more than 80 countries.

Project Description: The USDA Food for Progress Safety and Quality Investment in Livestock (SQIL) project is an eight-year demand-driven project that will improve food safety and quality along Georgia’s dairy and beef value chains. From farm-to-fork, USDA Food for Progress SQIL aims to reduce losses, improve food safety and quality, boost competitiveness, productivity and trade within the Georgian dairy and beef market systems. The project achieves these goals through an integrated approach of expanding market access, improving sanitary standards, strengthening postharvest handling and storage, increasing productivity, improving access to finance, and promoting regulatory reforms.

Purpose and Objectives of the Assignment: The Consultant will provide onsite technical assistance to a USDA Food for Progress SQIL project partner to pilot the production of whey-based cosmetic products. The partner owns a dairy farm and cheese processing facility with capacity of 2,600 liters. The company aims to establish waste-free production and introduce innovative dairy products, specifically cosmetic products derived from milk whey. The planned product lineup includes hand cream, body lotion, and shower gel.

To produce the products, the company has purchased the following equipment:

• High Shear Dispersing Machine Ultra-TURRAX type UTC 115-KT; mobile stand IKA "SFH 150" with on/off switch
• Laboratory Mixer IKA RQ 28 digital
• Filling Machine from Gepas: (pneumatic filling machine type UAH200-P)

The Consultant shall work with the company to optimize the production flow, refine formulations, and ensure compliance with industry standards. The Consultant will conduct staff training on processing, equipment uses, and quality control while offering guidance on quality management. This technical assistance aims to support the successful pilot production of newly developed whey-based cosmetic products, marking the first such initiative in Georgia.

Tasks: To complete this scope of work, the Consultant is expected to complete the following task:

• Provide five days of individual technical assistance to beneficiaries with installed equipment to produce pilot production of whey-based cosmetics.
• Assist in finalizing cosmetic product formulations and production flow, ensuring alignment with industry standards
• Conduct staff training on processing, equipment uses and quality control
• Submit a summary report on individual technical assistance

Deliverables: Under this scope of work, the Consultant is expected to provide the following:

• Five days in-country providing on-site technical assistance for selected beneficiary company
• Summary report on individual technical assistance provided, with attachment of:
• Documentations, including developed formulas/receipts of each cosmetic product; the production flow; and manufacturing & quality control documents/checklist.
• Materials of conducted staff training on processing techniques, equipment usage, and quality control.

Deliverables should be submitted electronically in English maximum 10 pages, not including attachments.

Eligibility: Both firms and individual consultants are eligible for this opportunity.

Requested Skills and Qualifications: The ideal Consultant should present the following skills and qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in:

• developing formulas/receipts for cosmetics and personal care products made from whey
• working with similar equipment to that available at the beneficiary's facility
• providing technical assistance in development of technology lines for cosmetics made from whey
• delivering quality control training for cosmetic production plants
• knowledge of international regulation related to cosmetics
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Willingness to travel to regional areas of Georgia

Travel: Travel will be required to complete the scope of work. The consultant shall be available to travel for one week in Georgia during May 2025. Travel and accommodations will be made by the beneficiary company.

Evaluation Criteria: All received complete applications will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Professional experience in relation to the Scope of Work and the Requested Skills and Qualifications (65%)
• Cost competitiveness and reasonableness of proposed fee (35%)

Application Instructions: Interested and qualified applicants should submit the following documents no later than March 31, 2025:

• Firm/Individual profile information, including the CV(s) of the expert(s) that clearly demonstrates their alignment with the requested skills and qualifications. In the case of more than one expert, please outline and justify the roles and responsibilities of each.
• Proposed cost referring to remuneration of labor cost only to complete the scope of work. In the case of more than one expert, please outline the costs of each expert. Please note that international travel and accommodation costs will be covered outside for the USDA Food for Progress SQIL budget, by the beneficiary company.