ATT2_SOW__tech_edit.docx

Editorial and Production Assistant (tech editing and writing)

SRS HQ SDG

STATEMENT OF WORK

SPECIFICATIONS

A. SCOPE OF CONTRACT

Editorial and Production Assistance. This contract requires an editorial assistant, as temporary hire, to effectively perform various publication and administrative duties related to producing publications for the Science Delivery Group, Southern Research Station Headquarters, USDA Forest Service. The primary duties include but are not limited to technical editing and styling of SRS technical and non-technical publications following the SRS technical editing and styling guidelines. It is highly desirable yet not required that the contractor have science writing skills so that this person can write articles for SRS’s blog, CompassLive. The incumbent will also periodically check in submissions of scientific and technical publications, to include verifying that submissions meet the Station’s requirements for formatting of tables, figures, and other graphic elements as well as for prerequisites such as peer reviews, manuscript approval forms and the completeness and correctness of the formatting of literature citations, which is included in the technical editing and styling guidelines. Other duties include but are not limited to inspecting technical editing work, under the guidance of the Technical Publications project manager, team lead (or an acting) and/or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

Location and Description: SRS requests that the contractor work in house initially at the Southern Research Station Headquarters, 200 W.T. Weaver Boulevard, Asheville, NC 28804 with some telework available on an as needed bases and approved by the COR or the supervisor for the Technical Publications Team. Nevertheless, SRS will entertain this contract as a virtual contract and work to be completed at the contractor’s office after a probationary period. Initially, the contractor will work in house.

Work schedule is Monday through Friday, (with some occasional work on the weekends) up to 40 hours a week, the Government and the Contractor will agree on a schedule of daily work hours. Contractor’s performance will be reviewed after 8 weeks from start of contract to ensure opportunity to perform and periodically thereafter at Government’s discretion; Government may choose to terminate contract at any time for failure to perform, inability or unwillingness to follow directions, or inability or unwillingness to work with any member of the work team.

Government Furnished Resources. SRS requests initially that the contracted hours (up to 40 hours a week) be worked in the Station headquarters building, where the government furnishes resources for work in the Technical Publications work area, unless specific alternate arrangements are made with the COR in advance and such arrangements are the exception rather than the rule. As stated above, we will review virtual applicants. If we hire a virtual contractor, the government WILL NOT furnish any equipment or allowance for office requirements (i.e., computer, fax, scanner, software, etc.)

Applicable Guidance. The Team Leader for Technical Publications or their designee is the designated COR on staff of the SRS Headquarters Science Delivery Group, and will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the contract, including but not limited to inspection of work and approval of work prior to payment of invoice. COR has authority to designate Government Work Inspectors (from staff of Technical Publications) to aid with inspection of work accomplished under the contract.

In general, work on the publications and other work covered by this contract will be prepared with the reader in mind and includes primarily technical and scientific reports aimed at scientists and others with a technical interest in forestry (examples of reports include General Technical Reports and Research Bulletins) but may also include editorial and administrative work in the production of magazine articles, brochures, fact sheets, how-to pamphlets, posters, and similar printed and electronic materials related to forest and natural resource science and emerging technology transfer opportunities. Specific guidelines for formats and styles involved in the work shall be provided by the Government.

Examples of work can be found at: http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/working/author

For all projects, needed information and source materials will be supplied by the government. The contractor will revise submitted designs and illustrations in response to review by the government.

Anticipated Travel

Expenses will be reimbursable for site visits are deemed necessary by the government. Contractor will not be reimbursed for customary expenses of normal everyday travel to and from work at SRS headquarters. Contractor should live within the Asheville area. If travel is required to field locations, contractor will be reimbursed at standard federal government per diem rates. Any such travel must be agreed on between contractor and the government, before expenses will be reimbursed under this contract.

B. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

All materials and data produced by the Contractor in performance under this contract, or in work in support thereof, are and shall be the sole property of the U.S. Government. Unlimited rights in ownership, usage, and equity for such materials and data are and shall be transferred without reservation to the U.S. Government.

For all items deliverable to the U.S. Government under this contract, the Contractor shall identify the source of all material used in production or preparation of those items for which the source is not the original output and work of the Contractor, Contractor’s employees, and subcontractors. Such material includes, but is not limited to, writing, artwork, photography, tables, graphs, logos, and symbols.

The Contractor shall exclude from the deliverable items all material for which the Contractor does not have full, exclusive, and unlimited rights in usage, and in the transfer of such rights of ownership and usage to the U.S. Government, except as provided:

1. Releases. For all material that previously was published, used, or developed by sources other than the Contractor and the Contractor’s employees, the Contractor shall obtain, prior to inclusion of that material in the deliverable items, all necessary releases, permission, and rights for unrestricted usage by the U.S. Government of such material, whether or not the material was copyrighted.

2. Document. The documents containing releases, permission, and rights for usage shall be delivered to the U.S. Government with the materials

Familiarity with SRS mission and publications.

Must exhibit professionalism as follows:

a. Contractor demonstrates consistent willingness and ability to accommodate different work preferences, communication styles, and personalities.

b. Contractor demonstrates consistent willingness and ability to remain a neutral party on the team with regard to team or Station employee differences on team or Station issues and concerns (i.e., does not side with one team member or another in consideration of personnel or work problems).

c. Contractor abides by SRS and Agency guidelines on Civil Rights and office etiquette (e.g., does not engage in or encourage deferential treatment or in bullying or office gossip).

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