A04_SERO_IEV_Augmented_Reality_Scope_of_Work.docx

Augmented Reality Experiences Scope of Work and Technical Requirements

Project Description The National Park Service (Southeast Region) is seeking proposals to develop augmented reality experiences for four of America’s most iconic Civil Rights sites. These include: Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail (SEMO), Freedom Riders National Monument (FRRI), Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument (BICR).

The goal of this project is to enhance visitor engagement and enjoyment at the important Civil Rights sites protected and preserved by the National Park Service with jaw-dropping interactive digital experiences utilizing hand-held phones or tablets. These experiences will help visitors learn about the important people who fought for, and successfully achieved, constitutional protections of American Civil Rights. These immersive experiences should help visitors connect the relevance of the historic Civil Rights Movement to their own lives and events of today. The project should also increase accessibility to Civil Rights sites by offering new ways for visitors to access the sites in-person, or from home, regardless of time of day. This access will assist individuals as well as groups exploring Civil Rights.

Background

The six Civil Rights sites of national historic significance included in this project are:

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument: In 1963, a campaign against segregation launched in Birmingham. Images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dramatic scenes of violent police aggression against civil rights protesters in Birmingham, Alabama were vivid examples of segregation and racial injustice in America.

Freedom Riders National Monument: In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed the bus. Images of the attack appeared in hundreds of newspapers, shocking the American public and spurring the Federal Government to issue regulations banning segregation in interstate travel.

Selma to Montgomery Historic Trail: Established by Congress in 1996, the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail commemorates the people, events, and route of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama. Led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Black and White non-violent supporters fought for the right to vote in Central Alabama. Today, you can connect with this history and trace the events of these marches along the 54-mile trail.

Scope of Contract Work includes:

a) developing location anchored three-dimensional graphic overlays of indoor and outdoor architectural features of two historic buildings to show visitors what the buildings looked like historically. (time travel)

b) developing location-anchored, three-dimensional, graphic overlays of the indoor architectural and decorative features of two historic buildings to show visitors what they looked like historically on the inside while they are standing on the outside. (x-ray vision)

c) developing location-anchored, three-dimensional, graphic overlays of three historic campgrounds used by Civil Rights marchers on the march from Selma to Montgomery.

d) developing a location-anchored, three-dimensional, graphic overlay of the historic tent city at Lowndes where many marchers and their families were forced to relocate after the historic march from Selma to Montgomery.

e) developing an interactive experience that allows users to select from a dozen historic marchers who participated in the Selma to Montgomery march and “follow” them along the march.

f) developing a moving picture that provides an augmented reality view of the historic protestors who marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge marching in real-time in front of and around the viewer.

g) providing online (web/video conference) training to NPS staff on how to load, operate, and manage the augmented reality experiences.

h) creating professionally recorded audio descriptions of each augmented reality experience.

i) researching the historical colors, textures, architectural features, and building materials authentic to the historical sites during the period of significance in order to replicate them in the augmented reality features.

j) researching the marchers involved in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery and working with the park to select an appropriate dozen that represents the diversity of people who originally participated in the march.

k) travelling (if necessary) to research, photograph, measure, calculate, or document aspects of the historic places included in this project. If necessary (according to the Contractor’s methodology) travel planning should include Anniston, AL; Birmingham, AL; and 3-5 major points along the Selma to Montgomery Trail (between Selma and Montgomery, AL).

Technical Specifications:

1) All features of this project must be compatible with tablet or phone (iOS and Android) and usable for embedding within the NPS app.

2) All 3D models shall be compatible with the latest versions of ARKit (for iOS) and ARCore (for Android) at the time of submission.

3) The 3D models shall be provided in Universal Scene Description (USDZ) format for iOS and in GL Transmission Format (glTF) for Android.

4) All models must be optimized for mobile platforms to ensure efficient performance and minimal power consumption.

5) Each 3D model should include related textures, materials, and animation data (if applicable) embedded within the file or in a supporting .zip file.

6) All 3D models should be optimized for a physically-based rendering (PBR) workflow. This requires textures for base color (albedo), metallic, roughness, and normal maps. Additional maps (like Ambient Occlusion or Emissive) may be required based on the model's specific requirements.

7) Due to the nature of slow connections and download times often experienced by visitors in parks, the 3D models shall maintain a balance between visual fidelity and performance efficiency, ensuring a smooth user experience on a broad range of devices. Contractors shall avoid unnecessary polygon complexity and maintain a polygon count suitable for real-time rendering on mobile devices.

8) The Contractor will provide a thumbnail image (JPEG or PNG format, minimum size of 512 x 512 pixels) for each 3D model.

9) Contractor shall ensure that all 3D models and associated assets comply with all applicable copyright laws and regulations, and do not infringe on any third-party rights.

10) the interactive experience allowing visitors to select from a dozen historical marchers and “follow” them along the march must include:

a. a version that works with location-based mobile technology.

b. a version that can be embedded in the NPS CMS website to allow visitors to use touchscreen or keyboard/mouse technology to “follow” a selected marcher by selecting from multiple spots on a map.

c. a version that can be downloaded and exported for use without internet connection.

11) Audio descriptions must be delivered as recordings at 48kHz stereo with an accompanying paper transcript.

Sub-contractors Sub-contractors may be utilized to perform all or portions of this work. The contractor must submit a list of proposed sub-contractors, and the roles they will perform in project, along with their proposal.

Evaluation Criteria The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Technical Merit and Past Performance, when combined, are more important than Price. Award will be offered to the vendor offering the best value to the government.

A. Portfolio/Technical Merit Submit portfolio samples of past work. Portfolio samples must represent the actual work of individuals who will be assigned to this project. Portfolios will be evaluated on creativity, quality, and relevance to the project.

B. Experience/Past Performance

1. Demonstrate proof of experience (how long has the company been in business? What is the experience level of key members of the team who will be assigned to this project?)

1. List five references with current contact information.

1. The Government may, at its discretion, base past performance on past knowledge and previous experience with the contractor, customer survey, or other reasonable measure.

C. Price Price must be determined fair, reasonable, affordable, and balanced when evaluated in accordance with FAR 13. For a price to be reasonable, it must represent a price to the Government that a prudent person would pay in the conduct of competitive business. Price can also be determined reasonable by comparison with competitive offerors.

The Contractor should address each component of this project (a.-k. under the “work includes” section of the solicitation) separately in their proposal. For example:

a.) Historically accurate 3D overlays of building interiors/exteriors - $X e.) Interactive “follow the marcher” experience - $Y i-j.) Research - $Z k.) Travel - $T

Price must include travel and any other incidentals anticipated by the Contractor for performance of the work.

Schedule A. The Contractor shall contact the Project Manager within 10 days after receipt of an awarded contract to schedule an orientation meeting.

B. The first orientation meeting will serve as a pre-work orientation where there will be clarification regarding contract terms, work performance requirements, the contractor’s plan for conducting the work, and performance timeline.

C. A design charrette will be conducted after the pre-work orientation meeting.

D. Subsequent meetings will enable the Contractor and Government to discuss project progress, allow the Government to review project quality, and allow the Contractor to make reasonable adjustments to deliver a high-quality product that meets the needs of the Government.

E. Contractor will submit rough work for Government review and refinement at 50%, 75%, and 95% completion.

Timeline and Delivery Schedule:

Notice to Proceed

Government Furnished Property No government furnished property will be provided for completion of this project.

Rights to Product The National Park Service will retain rights to use and reuse any and all content created in performance of this contract. Contractor may use content created in performance of this contract for educational purposes or to provide proof of past performance to other potential clients. Contractor must conform to NPS trademarks concerning its logo and brand. In no way may the contractor use content created in the performance of this contract for the explicit or implied endorsement of its own company or other products or companies.

Payments Payments will be made in installments not to exceed a percentage of the total award amount upon NPS approval, following a payment schedule. There will be a two-week review period for each submittal.

The Contractor is required to submit invoices to the NPS CO/COR.

Contractor will be paid in phases for the completion of work. First payment will be made upon NPS approval of conceptual drafts. Second payment will be made upon receipt of 50% submittal. Third payment will be made upon receipt of 75% submittal. Fourth and final payment will be made upon receipt and approval of all files and products via digital transmission as well as removable media.

Inspection and Acceptance The NPS CO/COR will maintain contact with the Contractor during the duration of the contract and will be the primary point of contact for all discussions which may affect scope of performance, payment, cost adjustment, timeline, or any other circumstance requiring a potential modification to the contract. Contractor shall follow the schedule within this contract regarding submission of materials unless otherwise negotiated during the orientation and start-up of the project.

Final Delivery

Final product should be delivered via Microsoft Cloud and a copy of all final product shall be delivered via removable media to:

Amanda Hammond 390 Clubhouse Dr.

Page, AZ 86040

(Use Code for GLCA Headquarters internally).