SOW_Spotter_Training_Videos.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

SCOPE OF WORK

The USDA, Forest Service, National Technology & Development Program, transfers technologies and products to Forest Service employees to help them perform their jobs more effectively and safely. Much of NTDP’s project work relates to wildland firefighting, but our work includes all facets of natural resource management, such as engineering, nurseries and reforestation, fire chemicals, recreation, and safety.

The Forest Service is seeking a contractor to provide videography and editing services for a Smokejumper Spotter Training video series. The contractor’s primary responsibility will be to produce and edit 6-8 short videos from scripted materials and a limited amount of interview material, in accordance with government requirements.

The contractor will need to some additional work to complete the video edits. Work may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Shooting video footage with smokejumpers and smokejumper aircraft at the Missoula, MT airport

• Video recording interviews and individuals working in the field in the local area

• Recording narrations

• Developing animations or graphics

• Working with a web designer

Video Content The purpose of this contract is to update and improve the existing Forest Service Smokejumper spotter training video that was developed in the early 1990's. The primary audience for the products are smokejumper spotter trainees. The new videos will follow the Forest Service Smokejumper Training Guide. Several short videos (6-8) are expected. The videos will range from 5 minutes to 10 minutes each. The video titles include:

• Pre-Jump Equipment Check

• Spotter Commands and Jump Door Checklist

• Aircraft Instrument Navigation

• The Fire Traffic Area

• Fire Size Estimation

• Jump Spot Selection

• Determining Wind Drift and Velocity

• The Jump Run

VIDEO PRODUCTION

The project contains three distinct phases in the development and delivery of the video. The phases are as follows: (the contractor will provide its best quality worker for each task).

Pre-Production (limited amount of work): The contractor must attend pre and post work order meetings at NTDP or virtually depending on the project needs. The purposes of these meetings are to review raw footage, analyze audio tracks, and review program structure and narration. As editing progresses, the contractor will meet with project leaders to evaluate rough edits and attend various focus group meetings.

Upon notification of award, Forest Service Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer Representative, and project leader will meet with the Contractor to conduct an initial kickoff meeting. During this meeting, the parties will review: scripts, available footage, filming needs, production schedule, and deliverables.

Production: (limited amount of work): The Contractor will provide broadcast quality videography, lighting, and sound expertise. The contractor will be required to document smokejumper spotter work with video, still photography, and sound recording. This may include shooting video interviews of Forest Service employees and “background” shots of people working in the field.

The work may be in remote settings and travel is required. Depending on the location, travel will be coordinated with local Forest Service employees. The contractor may work directly with a project leader or be part of the NTDP audiovisual crew.

When working directly with the project leader, the contractor must provide their own equipment, which will include a professional video camera (HD), a still camera (24-megapixel digital), field lights, wireless microphones, and grip equipment.

When working as part of the NTDP audiovisual crew, the Forest Service may provide government furnished equipment (GFE). The contractor’s role may be camera operator, sound recording and/or lighting grip, producer, or editor.

The Contractor shall consult with the project leader to ensure the production phase will result in acceptable videos based on the provided scripts. The production schedule will be determined at the kick-off meeting and includes shooting days for background shots. In addition to the standard business days, the shooting schedule may include weekends.

Post Production (majority of the work): The contractor will use nonlinear video editing on a system capable of working with high-definition (HD) or higher resolution video files. The contractor will save files and make them available for re-editing.

Additional postproduction may include image manipulation (Photoshop), animation (Aftereffects), sound track sweetening, noise reduction (primarily for interviews recorded in the field), transcription, and DVD authoring.

The contractor will provide the editing suite (files must be compatible for Adobe Premier CC).

After completing each task, the contractor will deliver all tapes, files, and disks and will provide a document assigning copyrights of all materials used in the project to the Forest Service.

The Contractor will present the Government with rough cut version of each short video for review. The contractor will develop and produce each short video at the 60% and 90% stage for Forest Service review and approval before proceeding. The Government will identify areas that need refining or editing in order to meet the contract requirements. The Government will collaborate with the Contractor and the Contractor’s designated video editor in an iterative review process until the final film product is completed and accepted by the Government. The final video shall contain any and all revisions requested by the Government during the rough cut review.

The final video shall be in a format suitable for DVD production or online posting. The final video shall be suitable for viewing on a Forest Service imaged computer and over Forest Service networks. There is a possibility that the Government might request the Contractor to provide the video in additional electronic formats.

Deliverable dates will be dependent on scheduling.

Production Timeline: It is expected that the film production company awarded this contract will maintain adherence to timely production schedules for meetings, film shooting, and editing as mutually agreed upon by both parties. The Contractor shall adhere to the following production timeline in the delivery of services for this contract.

The first production meeting will occur on a date to be determined between the selected vendor and Government official.

The Contractor shall estimate and communicate to the Government the number of days for production, the projected length of time from production to viewing of rough cut, and the estimated length of time from rough cut to final product.

The Contractor shall identify any potential problems and additional costs that might delay each of these steps in their proposal.

Review and Endorsement by the Government: Acceptance of all the videos will be contingent upon the Government’s review and approval. The Government will discuss each specific task with the Contractor to ensure that the goals and objectives are clearly defined. Unless valid justification is cited to the contrary, the Government's recommended modifications will be incorporated into the respective final documents and video. If the Government’s comments do not conform to standard business practices, or are deemed technically unsound, it is the responsibility of the Contractor to advise the Government representative. Consensus is required between the Government and the Contractor on all of the deliverables outlined in this contract.

The Government shall conduct a review of the final videos before the Contractor proceeds with producing the final video. Once the Government determines that the final video meets the requirements defined herein, the Government will issue a written notice to the Contractor of this approval.

Once the Contractor receives the written approval of endorsement from the Government, the Contractor produces the final video.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED RESOURCES

The Forest Service will provide the following for the video production: The Government will furnish tools, transportation from NTDP, and special equipment.

• a project leader (video director/producer)

• video scripts (story boards)

• approximately 80%-95% of the video footage and graphics for editing

• smokejumpers

• smokejumper aircraft (only with government representative approval and presence)

QUANTITY OF WORK

The contractor will accomplish 6-8 short videos. The videos will range from 5 minutes to 10 minutes each. The length of each segment will be determined by the content. The Government and Contractor during the kickoff meeting will discuss and outline the major content of the video.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The Contractor shall confirm and have a qualified worker onsite in NTDP Missoula MT, within 12 hours of request. Due to the limited availability of smokejumpers and smokejumper aircraft.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The performance period for this contract will be approximately 10/01/2018 to 09/30/2019.

GOVERNMENT ESTIMATE: Is to be less than $30 thousand, and as such requires no bonding.

PAYMENT

The Forest Service will make payments upon the completion and acceptance of each short video. Through required invoicing platform, IPP (www.ipp.gov) .

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The source selection, best-value determination will largely be based on past performance and the contractor’s ability to provide a 12 hour response time for local area filming requests.

The contractor must demonstrate their video production capabilities through examples and links to previous work.

Mandatory Requirements: (to be demonstrated by sample of previous work to be included with proposal/quote)

• Provide a brief history of the company, including the number of years providing video production services, with emphasis on the requirements specified in the scope of work.

• Experience with technical videography

• Still photography

• Video recording and editing

• Shooting interviews

• Narration and audio track recording and editing

• Working in a team setting

• Provide a minimum of three (3) client references (contact name, company name, telephone number, and email).

• Provide examples of work—still photography, video-training programs produced, and examples of editing that includes sound sweetening, graphics, and animation.

• Provide experience using video and video equipment including a list of types of equipment and software

The contractor must have the following qualities:

• Knowledge in lighting and production techniques.

• Technical background to assist in modifying camera mounts for specialized videography and photography.

• Ability to work in a team setting, providing input on program structure.

• Ability to take script concepts and carry them from concept through production to final delivery.

• Pre-production—work with the project leader for location scouting, production management, and narration.

• Production—direction of video participants and set design, recording.

• Post-production—video and sound editing, which may include special effects, graphics, and animation.

Evaluation criteria for video and photography: (award is not based on price alone)

· Creativity

· Succinctness

· Clarity

· Quality of special effects and graphics

· Audio quality

· Video quality including color balance, exposure, focus, and lighting http://www.ipp.gov/