A9 RFI AFN Eagle Radio Programming Services.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

DEFENSE MEDIA ACTIVITY (DMA)

AFN Eagle Radio Programming Services

RFI Tracking number: HQ0516-FY-23-0001

1.0 DESCRIPTION

1.1 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ) nor a commitment to issue an RFQ in the future. Responses to this RFI, in any form, are not offers and the Government is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this RFI. Further, DMA is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals.

Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFQ, if any is issued. It is the responsibility of interested parties to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The Defense Media Activity (DMA) provides comprehensive internal and external information to the entire Department of Defense through all available media. DMA communicates messages and themes to the Secretary of Defense, Service Secretary and other DoD and Military Service through the medium of print, the worldwide web, radio, and television in order to support and improve quality of life and morale, situational awareness, force protection and sustain readiness.

The American Forces Network (AFN) provides U.S. radio and television news, information and entertainment programming to military service members, DoD civilians and their families overseas, and aboard U.S. Navy ships. DMA AFN-Broadcast Center mission tasking per DoD Instruction 5120.20 is to support the Internal Communications mission of the Department of Defense by providing a broad range of information and entertainment programming to DoD personnel and their family members overseas, thus attracting an audience for Internal Communications messages placed within AFN programming.

2.1 Delivery Period: Anticipated period of performance is June 2023 to May 2027.

2.2 Limitations: Not specified at this time.

2.3 Security Requirements: Not specified at this time.

3.0 PURPOSE

DMA seeks radio music scheduling and programming services for AFN The Eagle radio stations.

We seek capabilities which:

3.1. Provide to researched and regularly updated 24/7 radio schedules of an Adult Contemporary or equivalent popular music format.

3.2. Provide the delivered schedule files in a format that integrates with the current Music Master scheduling software and AudioVAULT Flex automation system.

3.3. Provided schedule and clocks shall be able to accommodate for the regularly scheduled switching of audio from a variety of sources, often within an individual hour. Sources include live/local studios, satellite receivers, and audio files from a local or networked container.

Note: When addressing the above requirements, include:

Description of the process and data sources used to determine music selection and weekly schedule updates.

The music scheduling software used.

The available program file delivery options (i.e., Email, sFTP).

If applicable, separate pricing and details for an additional solution that would include the

Contractor providing music files (“weekly adds”).

3.4. Infrastructure and Facilities: The Government shall provide current clocks, schedules, and program templates. Access to AFN sFTP site may be arranged.

Projected period of performance is fiscal years 2023-2027.

4.0 RESPONSES

4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper.

The responses provided may be used by DMA to assist in budgetary planning, developing an acquisition strategy, Performance Work Statement, salient characteristics, performance specifications, and technical requirements. Responses must specifically describe the contractor’s capability to meet the requirements outlined in this RFI. This request is strictly voluntary.

4.2 White papers in Microsoft Word for Office 2000 compatible format are due no later than 4 November 2022, 2:00 PM EST. Responses shall be limited to five (5) pages for Section 2 and submitted via e-mail only to Mr. Husn Maab, husnulmaab.maab.ctr@mail.mil and Ms. Shawnte Miles, shawnte.l.miles.civ@mail.mil. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and SHALL BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

4.3 Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum:

4.3.1 Company Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact.

4.3.2 Business Type: (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 516 Broadcasting and Content Providers.

4.3.3 Unique Entity Identification Code:

4.3.4 Recommended contracting strategy.

4.3.5 Contractor’s past performance in meeting stated objectives/requirements, statement of qualifications to include information that clearly demonstrates the respondent’s capabilities, expertise, and experience to perform the specific requirements contained in this RFI.

4.3.6 Contract vehicles that would be available to the Government for the procurement of the product and service, to include General Service Administration (GSA), GSA MOBIS, NIH, NASA SEWP, Federal Supply Schedules (FSS), or any other Government Agency contract vehicle. (This information is for market research only and does not preclude your company from responding to this notice.)

4.4 Section 2 of the white paper shall provide respondents capabilities in response to Section 3 of this RFI and shall not exceed 5 single-sided pages.

5.0 PROPRIETARY MARKINGS

Please be advised that any proprietary information must be marked as such on a page-by-page basis. The Government will not assume that any of the information provided by a respondent is proprietary unless it is conspicuously marked on a page-by-page basis. Moreover, the Government does not assume any duty to contact a respondent and inquire whether any unmarked information submitted in response to the sources sought is proprietary.

6.0 QUESTIONS

Questions or comments regarding this notice may be submitted via email to: Mr. Husn Maab, husnulmaab.maab.ctr@mail.mil and Ms. Shawnte Miles, shawnte.l.miles.civ@mail.mil. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Any questions received, and subsequent answers, will be posted to https://sam.gov/ for the benefit of all interested parties. All correspondence shall reference "DMAR Eagle Radio Programming” in the subject line of your email. The deadline to submit a question regarding this notice is: 2:00 PM EST on 21 October 2022.

7.0 INDUSTRY DISCUSSIONS

DMA representatives may or may not choose to meet with interested parties. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, especially any development and certification risks.

THIS IS ONLY REQUEST FOR INFORMATION to identify sources that can provide radio programming to AFN audiences in the U.S. and abroad. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The DMA has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

8.0 GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY

This RFI is not a solicitation and should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose, nor does it restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach. Any information submitted by respondents to the sources sought is strictly voluntary and any information submitted will be evaluated without prejudice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred in responding to this synopsis or furnishing the requested information. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submissions or the Government's use of such information. The

Government reserves the right to reject in whole or in part, any Vendor's input resulting from this synopsis.

FAR Clause 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(b) Although "proposal" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

(c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of: [informational purposes].

(End of provision)