SOW_SENIOR_PROGRAMMING_RESEARCHER_(BOOKER).pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

Non Personal Services

Senior Writer/Researcher (Highlights)

VOA Persian Division

Introduction:

a) The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), Voice of America, VOA Persian requires the services of a Senior Writer/Researcher (Highlights) responsible for producing weekly and monthly reports of VOA Persian television, internet and radio program highlights. Contractor shall be responsible for meeting all obligations under the term of this purchase order (PO).

(b) The purpose of this SOW is to solicit talent to research, write edit and produce reports regarding VOA Persian programming highlights. For purposes of this SOW, the work shall be performed on an hourly basis. In addition, the Government will reimburse the Contractor for actual expenses as stated The Contractor’s assignment rate shall include overhead (e.g., health insurance), G&A, and profit.

2.0 Scope of Work:

The Contractor will be required to conduct research and consult with program editors, producers on air personalities, as well as VOA Persian Management Officials about the contents of the highlights report. The Contractor will participate in editorial planning and production meetings as necessary. The Contractor is up-to-date on national and international news events, newsmakers, national and international figures, scientific experts, and world authorities.

The Contractor has the proven ability to research, summarize and write reports on broadcast activities and to identify programs, features and stories that are of interest to senior broadcast management. The work requires ensuring balance in content, the planning of work, refinement of the methods and techniques to be used, budget requirements, and the political, cultural, social, and economic issues in the targeted areas, the VOA Charter, as well as VOA management priorities in order to present clear, factual, and impartial reports of VOA Persian program highlights.

Contracting Officer Representative (COR) shall be able to contact Contractor between the hours of 8 am. - 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.

The contractor agrees that no employer-employee relationship exists between the contractor and the Voice of America.

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 Deliverables

(a) The Contractor shall submit all completed work to the COR or his/her designee in the accordance with prescribed deadlines. Deliverables must be approved by the COR or his/her designee.

(b) The Contractor shall submit completed work to the COR at the address listed Below:

Broadcasting Board of Governors

VOA Persian Division

Cohen Building, Room 1450

333 Independence Ave., S.W

Washington, D.C. 20237

6.0 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: (1) the log of assignments worked, and (2) 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.

7.0 Acceptance

The Contractor shall maintain a monthly Attendance Log of all hours worked. A copy of this

Attendance Log shall be attached to the Contractor’s invoice.

8.0 Period of Performance

The period of performance is anticipated to start April 21, 2015 through September 30, 2015 with options to extend services one year from date of award.

End of Statement of Work