Attachment 1 SOW Success Stories for NRCS Alaska.pdf

Statement of Work Success Story Video Production Services

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Alaska

Purpose:

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) seeks Contractors capable of producing five (5) video stories of professional quality, high-definition videos pertaining to NRCS projects being implemented in Alaska. Each video should be between 4 to 5 minutes in length. NRCS will use the videos as a marketing tool and outreach materials to encourage Alaska landowners and communities to work with NRCS through its watershed programs and Farm Bill conservation programs; and to demonstrate the benefits of working with NRCS in Alaska.

The success story project locations may include*:

• McGrath

• Akiak

• Huslia

• Kodiak**

• Juneau/Kake**

* Alternate locations may be required or selected depending on timing of projects and the ability to access them.

** These locations have been provided for purposes of pricing while the final locations are determined. Should an alternate location be needed, coordination will take place between the Contracting Officer and the Contractor prior to services commencing. Any impacts to pricing must be substantiated and addressed through a modification prior to commencement of the work.

Travel to and from the project sites will require airline travel on commercial airline flights and/or smaller air taxi services. Additionally, overnight accommodations may be required in remote locations, which may be off the US highway system of roads. Some sites may not have access to a traditional hotel lodging facility. NRCS will provide assistance to the selected vendor in making flight arrangements and travel plans, however all costs for air travel and hotel accommodations will be submitted by the vendor and included in the quote.

About NRCS:

The USDA NRCS is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The mission of NRCS is helping people help the land. NRCS provides voluntary financial assistance and technical assistance programs, assisting agricultural producers in proper conservation of natural resources such as soil, water, air, plants, animals/wildlife, and energy. Participation in NRCS programs is entirely voluntary. Producers typically choose to work with NRCS as a means to benefit the environment and to benefit their operation.

In Alaska, lands managed for subsistence are considered agricultural lands and may be eligible for NRCS conservation assistance. Most of NRCS financial assistance goes directly to Alaska Native Tribes and tribal organizations. Examples of NRCS conservation projects in Alaska include installing seasonal high tunnels to grow crops; installing micro-irrigation systems to improve water use efficiency on farms; improving forest health with pre-commercial thinning, fuel breaks and other forestry practices; protecting soil from erosion by building trails and walkways; and more.

Watershed programs are a priority in Alaska, specifically Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP) and the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations program. EWPP relieves imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms, heavy rains, and other natural disasters. Examples of EWPP work can include removing debris clogging stream channels or waterways, stabilizing eroding streambanks, and relocation of at-risk buildings and houses. The EWPP projects to be filmed in Huslia and Akiak involve relocating residences away from severe streambank erosion; and the project to be filmed in McGrath involves stabilizing a streambank.

Objectives:

The Contractor will conduct on-camera interviews with two (2) to four (4) local people for each success story video. Interviewees will be a mixture of private landowners, NRCS employees and representatives from the local government/municipality/Tribe that worked with NRCS on the project(s). The NRCS Public Affairs Specialist will assist in the coordination of local producers and help determine which individuals will be interviewed for each story.

Interviews will be conducted outdoors as well as in and around the project site within the village and/or community for each project. Interviews may be conducted indoors in the event of inclement weather or other weather-related factors. The Public Affairs Specialist will work with the Contractor and video crew to determine filming sites and will coordinate property access with private landowners.

The Contractor videographer may be asked to supplement video *b-roll with stock footage. Any costs to obtain such b-roll should be included in the price. Narration services are optional and any costs for narration must be included in the total price. Background music is required and costs to obtain music should be included in the total price. A written transcript for each of the final produced videos must also be provided for closed captioning / accessibility purposes.

*B-roll is recorded video of subjects or locations that provides supplementary material for a film or video project. It is intercut with the main footage to enhance the story, add dramatic tension, elaborate a point, or hide visible lines where two pieces of film are joined. B-roll can include archival and stock footage, close-ups, and dramatic re-enactment.*

Drones: NRCS requests the use of aerial drone footage showcasing these projects. Opportunities for collecting drone footage will be available at each site.

The videographer shall provide up to 18 days of services to gather video and collect all necessary shots for the story, including travel days to/from Alaska and to/from project sites within Alaska.

The videographer shall have a window of 90-days to film the necessary shots. Travel may be split multiple trips to and from Alaska; it is recommended that shots be arranged in two, week-long trips but the exact scheduling will be determined with the selected videographer and NRCS.

A draft version of each film will be provided to the NRCS Alaska public affairs specialist within three months of the completion of the video shoots. NRCS will provide feedback and edits to the videographer within two weeks of receiving the drafts.

The final films will be delivered to NRCS with all edits/comments incorporated within four weeks of receiving input from NRCS. The format for the final videos will be an MP4 file in 4K UHD resolution on a thumb-drive provided by the videographer.

Additional Travel Information:

Travel to project sites will involve commercial airlines, private small planes, and overnight lodging in traditional hotels as well as non-traditional lodging facilities. The following information is provided to assist with planning travel logistics and costs. NRCS will assist the videographer(s) in coordinating travel. All travel will be in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.

• Site: McGrath: (2 days of shooting; 1 night in McGrath) This requires a commercial flight from Anchorage to McGrath. It’s about a 1-hour flight one way. Only one flight runs per day, so the crew will need to spend the night in McGrath with limited lodging options (no hotels). The crew will only stay one night in McGrath and will shoot video on the day of arrival and day of departure.

Visuals to film: A finished streambank stabilization project (rock rip-rap, a dike/levee that has already been built in 2022).

• Site: Akiak (2 days of shooting in Akiak; 3 nights in Bethel)

This requires a commercial flight from Anchorage to Bethel (Alaska Airlines, 1 hour and 20 min flight) and then fly small plane commercial from Bethel to Akiak (about 40 minutes flight time). There is a return flight from Akiak to Bethel in the same day, so the crew will need to ensure they are done filming and ready to return to Bethel for overnight lodging. No lodging is available in Akiak. Will return to Akiak a second day for filming if needed.

Visuals to film: Homes that have been relocated; severe erosion on the streambank.

• Site: Huslia / Fairbanks. (2 days of shooting in Huslia; 3 nights in Fairbanks) This requires a commercial flight on Alaska Airlines to Fairbanks and hotel/lodging in Fairbanks. To reach the project site in Huslia, the crew will need to take a small private air taxi from Fairbanks to Huslia. It is about 1.5 hour flight one way from Fairbanks to Huslia. No overnight lodging is available in Huslia, so the crew will need to shoot video on a tight timeline to ensure they can board the plane that evening back to Fairbanks. Can return to Huslia again for a second day of filming if needed.

Visuals to film: Homes that have been relocated; severe erosion on the streambank.

• Site: Kodiak Island (2 days of shooting on Kodiak; 2 to 3 nights in Kodiak)

This requires a commercial flight on Alaska Airlines to Kodiak. Hotels are available in Kodiak. Project sites would be located within driving distance on the road system in Kodiak (NRCS will provide a vehicle). Other sites might require a small private air taxi from Kodiak to other locations along more remote parts of Kodiak Island. This will depend on the particular sites as they are determined.

Visuals to film: Livestock operations, trail and walkways projects, habitat restoration.

• Site: Juneau / Kake (2 days of shooting, 2 to 3 nights in Juneau) This requires a commercial flight on Alaska Airlines to Juneau. Hotels are available in Juneau. Project sites would be located within driving distance on the road system (rental car will be required). Other sites in Kake may require a small private air taxi (50 minute ride) from Juneau to Kake; overnight lodging will be in Juneau.

Visuals to film: forestry projects, stream habitat improvements

Rights:

The final video productions will be the sole property of NRCS. NRCS shall have rights to post the video on its public website and You Tube channel and to use the video in a variety of venues to promote locally-led conservation. The vendor may add their video credit and company name/website to the end of each video. NRCS will attribute the production to the videographer’s company name.

Responsibilities of NRCS and Videographer:

Plan of Work

Task One:

1. NRCS will identify people to be interviewed and develop background information for each video story at least three weeks prior to the video shoot.

2. Recipient will review NRCS story board and develop a video shoot strategy two weeks prior to the video shoot.

Task Two:

1. NRCS will identify shoot locations, arrange access to the sites, and will work with the recipient to set up and arrange for the video shoots. NRCS will provide recipient at least three weeks notice prior the beginning of video shoot.

2. Recipient will arrange for their own travel to the shoot location and meet NRCS staff at the designated location at the designated time.

Task Three:

1. NRCS will provide on-site direction during shooting

2. Recipient will shoot video in HD (high definition) or 4K with equipment owned and/or furnished by the vendor.

Task Four:

1. After video is shot, NRCS will provide any clarification or guidance needed for recipient to develop final video story.

2. Recipient will produce 5 video stories approximately 4 to 5 minutes in length. Video will include interviews, music (including any royalty fees) narration, graphics, and b-roll to support narrative.

Task Five:

1. Recipient will provide drafts of video stories to NRCS for review within three months of completion of video shoot.

2. NRCS will review drafts of video stories provided by recipient and provide edits/feedback within two weeks of receiving drafts.

Task Six:

1. Recipient will make edits and provide revision to NRCS within four weeks of receiving edits.

2. NRCS will provide final approval within two weeks of receiving revised products.

3. Final production shall be delivered to NRCS on a USB thumb drive within four weeks of receiving final edits from NRCS. USB thumb drive will be provided by the recipient.

Resources Required:

All equipment and supplies required to perform the work shall be provided by the vendor, including camera and sound equipment and lighting. Vendor will be responsible to provide their own mode of transportation to meet NRCS at interview locations. All travel costs associated with this project must be paid by the vendor including airfare, rental car, hotel, and meal per diem. Travel costs should be included in the total estimate for this project and shall be in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.