QAs - Foreign Media News 19MX5324Q0018.pdf

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

Ques�ons & Answers RFQ 19MX5324Q0018 for Foreign Media News

Previously received questions.

Q1. I want to make a bid but having trouble knowing exactly where to get the morning and a�ernoon publica�ons from Is it something that is created from scratch or is the informa�on pulled from various other sources?

A1. As per sub sec�on 1.10.5, please see the list of Outlets. (publishing �mes vary from outlet to outlet)

Q2. Where would I get the resources from so I can quote accordingly.?

A2. Each company must secure their own set of resources (equipment, so�ware, employees). As for the topics and outlets, we refer you to sec�ons 1.10.4 and 1.10.5

Questions received in the pre-proposal conference chat.

Q3. The deadline for submi�ng proposals is 15th March. Is that correct?

A3. New Deadline for submi�ng proposals is March 22, 2024. Please refer to Amendment 0001 atached in the Sam.gov website

Q4. Will you provide the relevant topics to guide our news summary samples?

A4. As per sub sec�on 1.10.4, please see the list of topics.

Q5. Are you open to a so�ware solu�on to provide the relevant output and product?

A5 While so�ware can assist, human review and edi�ng is required.

Q6. Do you have an example of what you currently receive as a summary?

A6. Sample atached in Sam.gov

Q7. Will you be providing the outlets to obtain this informa�on?

A7. As per sub sec�on 1.10.5, please see the list of Outlets.

Q8. Is there a specific number of headlines, summaries, or pages required in the daily products?

A8. No. However, we expect the report to be �mely and comprehensive, focused on the required number of topics and foreign media outlets.

Q9. Are the media outlets chosen flexible? If we iden�fy addi�onal sources of informa�on that support the topics, are you open to including those as well?

A9. No less than the provided list of outlets but proposing addi�onal sources which are appropriate is appreciated.

Q10. Did I understand you require the stories' original headlines as part of the news summary?

A10. Yes.

Q11. You mentioned summaries being required 7 days per week, however, I don't believe that is reflected in the SoW. Will there be an amendment for clarity?

A11. Please refer to Amendment 0001 atached in the Sam.gov website

Q12. We understand that lowest, technically acceptable bid will win. However, is there any budget estimate for us to work around our figures?

A12. No.

Q13. Visual example of the current summary A13. Sample is included in atached document

Q14. On what date would the answers will be published?

A14. They are published once we have all answers ready and a�er the Ques�ons deadline.

Q15. Is this the first time this program is running?

A15. Yes

Q16. If not, who is the current incumbent?

A16. N/A

Q17. What was the previous contract value?

A17. N/A

Q18. What is the expected maximum contract value?

A18. Since it is a new contract, we don’t have an es�mated amount.

Q19. Can you provide samples of the required products?

A19. Samples are included in atached documents.

Q20. Is there an expected number of specialists to be performing the work?

A20. Up to each company to determine the human resources to allocate to the project.

Q21. Does the loca�on of the people performing the work mater? Can they be located outside of Mexico?

A21. Yes, but knowledge of Mexican media and fluency in Spanish is required.

Q22. Please share the specific number of headlines, summaries, or pages required in the daily products.

A22. No specific number. However, we expect the report to be �mely and comprehensive, focused on the required number of topics and foreign media outlets.

Q23. During the conference, you men�oned summaries being required 7 days per week, however, this is not reflected in the SoW. Can you please clarify?

A23. Please refer to Amendment 0001 atached in the Sam.gov website.

Q24. Can you also please clarify what holiday repor�ng is required?

A24 Repor�ng is required also during holidays.

Q25 Page 8, 1.10.3.4.: Can you please clarify if the samples required in the proposal must be samples of the Mexican media summaries required by this RFQ, or can offerors submit sample media summaries from different regions?

A25. Please provide samples based on this specific RFQ. Op�onally, you are welcome to send addi�onal reports from different regions, sectors.

Q26. Will the Embassy request specific stories to be covered in the reports? If so, by what �me can we expect to receive these requests?

A26. We expect the vendor to track closely the required media outlets so that they can report on a �mely fashion. From �me to �me the Embassy might provide insigh�ul informa�on useful for repor�ng purposes (i.e. names of reporters/outlets traveling with a high-level US official to cover a relevant mee�ng or event in Mexico)

Q27.Is the contractor required to be available for ques�ons or clarifica�ons a�er submi�ng the daily report?

A27. Ideally yes.

Q28. En el documento principal, en la sección 3.4.2 Volumen II menciona que el proveedor deberá adjuntar: "Evidence that the offeror can provide the necessary personnel,equipment, and financial resources needed to perform the work.". ¿Exactamente qué �po de evidencia buscarían?

In the main document, in sec�on 3.4.2 Volume II, it men�ons that the contractor must atach: "Evidence that the offeror can provide the necessary personnel, equipment, and financial resources needed to perform the work." Exactly what kind of evidence would you be looking for?

A28. Financial statement, tax returns , photo of equipment, list of employees performing the job , etc

Q29. En Volume I puntos 1 y 2 hace referencia a una SF-1449; sin embargo en el link sam.gov donde se encuentra la licitación y los archivos adjuntos, la forma que se puede bajar es SF-1442. ¿Dónde podría conseguir una forma SF-1442 para poder completar estos dos puntos? o ¿U�lizo la 1442?

In Volume I, point 1 and 2, refers to cover page SF-1449; however, in the link sam.gov where the atachments are located, the form that can be downloaded is SF-1442. Where could I get an SF-1442 form to be able to complete these two points? o Do I use the 1442?

A29. Please refer to Amendment 0001 atached in the Sam.gov website.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsam.gov%2F&data=05%7C02%7CSalcedaL%40state.gov%7Cbb295857e6e84193d14e08dc3ef85373%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638454483474577349%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=qp6DehZGGWbEw71xzl6wFd3TzkEUifcldrjzNnP2GSQ%3D&reserved=0

Q30. What is the ideal number of ar�cles you wish to include in each news summary to ensure comprehensive coverage without overwhelming the recipients?

A30. No specific number. However, we expect the report to be �mely and comprehensive, focused on the required number of topics and foreign media outlets.

Q31. Are there specific requirements regarding the length of the ar�cles, such as a maximum number of characters, or specific dos and don'ts in content wri�ng for SEO strategy?

A31. The product must contain a sec�on with full ar�cles, regardless of their length. As for the summaries, we expect you to determine whether it should be a line or a couple of paragraphs, as long as it captures the essence and relevant data of the ar�cle.

Q32. What is the dissemina�on goal for these news summaries? Are they intended for internal distribu�on, or will they be communicated to an audience through a specific channel?

A32 For internal consump�on, distribu�on. Not for publishing outside the Embassy.

Q33. Are the news summaries required in both languages simultaneously?

A33 No, summaries of the top stories are required to be in English only, while full ar�cles should be reported as originally published (i.e. Univision/Telemundo/RT usually report in Spanish)

Q34. In the event of a news crisis, is there a need for monitoring or follow-up on that specific piece of news?

A34 In that case, no addi�onal product is required. We expect you to incorporate major developments and follow up stories into the “top stories” sec�on.

Q35. Do you have any specific preferences regarding the format of the news summaries and how you envision the amplifica�on of these contents? This will influence our SEO strategy for content op�miza�on.

A35 As per the SOW, the product must be “visually engaging and cleanly organized.” As for the amplifica�on, the vendor will be responsible for administering and upda�ng, in coordina�on with the Embassy, the distribu�on list of recipients.

Ideally it should have different colors and shapes that give hierarchy to each element. It must invite to reading and encourage curiosity to explore it. It should have an index from which you can access only the content of interest to the reader without the need to review the rest.

PDF format is recommended because of its versa�lity to include graphics and keep the informa�on visually beter organized than Microso� Word documents.

Regarding amplifica�on, the supplier will be responsible for managing and upda�ng the content of the product to be distributed, the distribu�on will be coordinated hand in hand with the Embassy staff to define who will receive the product.

Q36. Following the points discussed during the video conference, we understand the necessity for the news summaries to include direct links to the source ar�cles, especially from newspapers. However, regarding more comprehensive tools like Bloomberg, would it be necessary for us to have a subscrip�on through the embassy's account, or does this requirement not apply? We aim to understand if it's impera�ve to have access to all the tools men�oned in the brief or just a selected few, as the subscrip�on costs vary significantly between standard news outlets like The New York Times and specialized services like Bloomberg.

A36 Yes, you need to get subscrip�ons to the required outlets. Please bear in mind that in cases like Bloomberg and Reuters we need you to report on their “news services” only, not their specialized “financial services.”

Q37. How would you like us to handle the selec�on and verifica�on of the ar�cles included in the summaries? Will you provide a breakdown of how many news ar�cles on poli�cs, economy, etc., we should include daily?

A37 No specific number. However, we expect the report to be �mely and comprehensive, focused on the required number of topics and foreign media outlets.