19MY3026Q0011 Questions and Answers (17 April 2026).pdf

Solicitation No : 19MY3026Q0011

Questions And Answers

Date : 17 April 2026

Question 1: EVALUATION CRITERIA: The solicitation does not specify how proposals will be evaluated. Will award be made on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) basis, Best Value, or another method? What are the relative weights of technical approach vs.

price?

Answer 1: The award will be made based on best value to the U.S. Government.

Question 2: NUMBER OF ARTISTS: How many Malaysian singers/artists are anticipated to participate in the music video? Is the Embassy targeting a specific number, or is this left to the contractor's creative proposal?

Answer 2: This is left to the contractor’s creative proposal.

Question 3: SONG SELECTION: Will the Embassy provide a specific song or genre for the video, or is the contractor expected to propose and select the song as part of the creative concept?

Is there a pre-approved list of songs being considered?

Answer 3: This is left to the contractor’s creative proposal.

Question 4: FILMING LOCATION(S): Does the Embassy have a preferred filming location or venue in mind (e.g., Embassy premises, external locations)? Are there any Embassy security requirements for filming on or near Embassy property?

Answer 4: The location should be provided in the proposal. The filming will not take place at the Embassy.

Question 5: NUMBER OF REVISION ROUNDS: How many rounds of review and revision are anticipated during post-production? Is there a specified number of feedback cycles with the Embassy and stakeholders?

Answer 5: The number of revisions will be determined by the Embassy following the award.

Question 6: FREEDOM 250 BRANDING GUIDELINES: Will the Embassy provide a complete

Freedom 250 branding/style guide prior to contract award, or will this be provided after award? Can we receive this in advance to inform our technical approach?

Answer 6: Yes, the Embassy will provide the Freedom 250 logos and branding guide to the selected contractor. These materials will be made available following contract award and prior to the commencement of pre-production work to ensure proper integration throughout the project.

Question 7 : PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: The SOW states the period of performance begins in May 2026 but does not specify an end date. What is the expected completion date or total duration of the contract?

Answer 7: Final video should be ready for posting online by June 30, 2026.

Question 8: VIDEO LENGTH/SPECIFICATIONS: Are there specific requirements for the final music video length (e.g., full version, short social media cut)? What are the required technical specifications for the broadcast-ready and social media formats?

Answer 8: The final music video should not exceed 3 minutes in length.

Question 9: RIGHTS AND DISTRIBUTION SCOPE: The SOW requires global distribution rights in perpetuity. Are there any restrictions on which song genres, languages (e.g., Bahasa

Malaysia, English, or both), or artists are acceptable? Does the Embassy have any pre-existing relationships with artists or rights holders?

Answer 9: There is no restriction on song genre; however, language should preferably be either in both English and Bahasa Malaysia, or in English only. There are no restrictions to artist, however a collaboration between U.S. and Malaysia is preferred. The Embassy does have pre-existing relationship with some U.S. artists.

Question 10: PAST PERFORMANCE: Will past performance information be required as part of the quotation package? If so, how many references are required and in what format?

Answer 10: Yes. At least two references and website link of previous works.

Question 11: SUBCONTRACTOR APPROVAL: Does the Embassy require prior written approval before engaging subcontractors, or is disclosure in the proposal sufficient?

Answer 11: Proposals should include details of subcontractors.

Question 12: MYR 117,000 ceiling include all licensing costs, or is there a separate allocation for music rights acquisition?

Answer 12: The budget should include all costs including licensing.

Question 13: Music rights acquisition could represent a significant portion of the overall budget. Has the Embassy assessed the anticipated cost of this licensing scope?

Answer 13: Yes.

Question 14: Please confirm whether "global distribution" encompasses commercial broadcast rights or is limited to government and non-commercial use, and who will hold ownership of the master recording upon project completion – the Embassy or the participating artists.

Answer 14: "Global distribution" means government and non-commercial use only, including U.S.

Government social media, websites, events, and occasional broadcast on television or other media for diplomatic purposes. The U.S. Department of State will own the master recording and all materials upon project completion. The contractor must secure all necessary rights, licenses, and releases from participating artists and rights holders to enable this ownership transfer and usage. Please detail your approach to securing these rights in your proposal.

Question 15: Place of performance for the Creation of Music Video is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia or somewhere else.

Answer 15: Malaysia.