SOW_Senior_Programming_Researcher_3-15.docx

Senior Programming Researcher

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

Non Personal Services/ VOA Persian

Introduction:

a) The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), Voice of America, VOA Persian requires the services of a Senior Programming Researcher (hereinafter referred to as “Contractor”) for a combination of services with respect to the VOA Persian content, programming and audience research. All work must conform to VOA journalistic standards and policies. Contractor shall be responsible for meeting all obligations under the term of this purchase order (PO).

(b) The purpose of this SOW is to provide support for VOA Persian Television, Radio, and Internet broadcasting with an in-depth research and analysis for planning, designing and developing of content and programming. For purposes of this SOW, the work shall be performed on an hourly basis. The duties of Contractor are defined as conceiving and conducting research, preparing draft reports and data on priorities, activities, content and programming of VOA Persian. The Contractor’s assignment rate shall include overhead (e.g., health insurance), G&A, and profit.

2.0 Scope of Work:

The Contractor shall conduct research and analysis focused on providing data to improve planning, designing and developing of content and programming for VOA Persian Television, Radio, and Internet broadcasting. The Contractor shall assists in developing and coordinating Division efforts to increase news coverage and relevant/target audiences for VOA Persian Television, Radio, and Internet broadcasting. The Contractor shall use appropriate research tools and sources to develop reports on activities and programming of the Division. These include but are not limited to daily updates on coverage or assignments, weekly reports of originations in the Division and monthly reports to the BBG. Performs individual research assignments as requested by the Division Director. The Contractor shall participate in editorial planning and production meetings as needed.

The Contractor shall have in-depth knowledge of research techniques and analysis for television and radio programming and have professional knowledge of broadcast journalism and commercial broadcast news production techniques, including interaction between traditional broadcast television and the Internet to produce programs with unique digital content.

The Contractor shall have proven expertise in news gathering and conducting research for TV, radio and internet broadcasting as well as proven ability to identify, establish relationship with subject matter experts with knowledge of U.S. policies and global issues, including foreign relations, economic security, national defense and environmental protection; knowledge of American life and society and cultural differences between the U.S. and foreign countries; knowledge of world events, current U.S. policies and foreign relations with other nations; knowledge of relationships between nations and their regional neighbors and/or international nations; knowledge of the impact of U.S. history on current events.

The work requires ensuring accuracy and balance in content, verification of all data, the planning of work, refinement of the methods and techniques to be used, budget requirements, and the in-depth understanding of political, cultural, social, and economic issues in the targeted areas in order to present clear, factual, and impartial research, analysis and recommendations for division programming in full compliance with "The VOA journalistic code."

Contracting Officer Representative (COR) shall be able to contact Contractor between the hours of 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. Contractor must respond to the calls or emails within two hours of request from the COR. Contractor may be contacted on holidays and weekends.

3.0 Government Furnished Property, Facilities, Services or Information The Government does not require the Contractor to work on site at an Agency facility on a daily basis. However, when the need arises for the Contractor to work on site, the Government will furnish office space, expendable supplies, and equipment (e.g., PC with LAN connection, camera, laptop, fax, and telephone) if necessary solely for the contractor’s use while performing the work prescribed herein (BBG Headquarters only). All equipment shall be returned to the agency at the end of the contract.

4.0 Reimbursable Items

(a) Travel and Per Diem -- The terms and conditions of the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) shall apply to all travel and travel-related matters authorized herein. The contractor shall be reimbursed at cost for travel-related expenses upon submission of properly substantiated invoices. There shall be no profit allowed on these expenses. The contractor, in connection with authorized travel, shall be reimbursed for:

1. The cost of economy-class (coach) airfare; 2. Per Diem at Government rates prevailing when travel is undertaken; 3. Miscellaneous expenses incurred in connection with the travel, upon provision of appropriate justification.

(b) The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) shall ask the contractor to substantiate related travel expenses by supporting information (e.g., dates, purpose of travel, and per diem) and documentation including receipts for airline travel costs, lodging, parking fees, ground transportation, and other miscellaneous fees in excess of $25.

(c) Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses -- Upon presentation of substantiating data to the COR, the contractor shall be reimbursed for the following expenses without profit:

1. Passport/visa fees and photographs; 2. Taxi/limousine/bus fares to and from airports; and 3. Official long distance telephone calls from the Contractor’s office.

(d) BBG will not reimburse costs associated with “Local Travel” to/from the contractor’s office to/from BBG Headquarters or for parking at BBG Headquarters. Neither will BBG reimburse the contractor for his “travel time.” BBG will reimburse the contractor for costs associated with “Local Travel” to/from the contractor’s office to/from locations to cover stories if applicable. This reimbursement will include mileage (at FTR rates), tolls, and hourly parking.

(e) The contractor shall obtain prior written approval from the COR before incurring any of the above reimbursable expenses.

5.0 SUBMISSION OF INVOICES

(a) The contractor shall submit an original monthly invoice to the COR or the person identified in Block 21 of the OF-347 at the address listed below:

Broadcasting Board of Governors VOA Persian Cohen Building, Room 1450 330 Independence Ave., S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20237

(b) The Contractor’s monthly invoice shall list: (i) the log of hours worked, and (ii) reimbursable expenses, if any, with supporting documentation.

(c) Pursuant to the Prompt Payment Act, BBG will pay the invoice within 30 days of either: (1) receipt of the invoice or (2) acceptance of services; whichever is later.

End of Statement of Work