SOW_-_Multi_Media_Reporter_-_West_Africa.doc

Multimedia Reporter – West Africa

1.0

INTRODUCTION

(a) The Voice of America’s (VOA) English to Africa Service has a requirement for a talent vendor (hereinafter referred to as “Contractor”) to provide services as described below. The work shall be performed on a “per Assignment” basis. In addition, the Government will reimburse the Contractor for actual expenses as stated below. The Contractor’s assignment rate shall include overhead and profit. All work shall be performed in accordance with “The VOA Journalistic Code”.

(b) For purposes of this Statement of Work, an Assignment is defined as the specific duties listed below under 2.0 Statement of Work. The Contractor shall be required to complete the assignment by the deadline stated below.

2.0

STATEMENT OF WORK

The Contractor shall perform the following work at the IBB Voice of America Headquarters Building (330 Independence Ave, SW) or from an external location (including West Africa -Dakar, Senegal) suitable to perform all duties, as mutually agreed to with the Contracting Officer.

Multi Media Reporter – West Africa, VOA’s English to Africa Service Contractor is contracted to work as part of a team preparing and broadcasting news content for VOA’s English to Africa Service. Contractor will normally have five assignments per week. The schedule may vary, and include weekends and holidays, as necessary.

SPECIFIC DUTIES INCLUDE:

1. Keeping up-to-date and knowledgeable about issues, events, and developments affecting Africa and the region.

2. Participating in news discussions about English to Africa radio, television and web programming, and pro-actively contributing story ideas.

3. Reporting on breaking news and feature topics, making use of appropriate sources and materials to create fresh and relevant radio, television or web versions of the story that conform to VOA style and guidelines.

4. The radio reports can include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Short Correspondent Reports – 40-50 seconds with a 10 second introduction

b. Long Correspondent Reports – One minute to 2:30 in length with a short introduction

c. Background Reports – Three to five minute reports on news and feature topics with a short introduction

d. Question and Answer Reports – One to three minute conversations with newsmakers with a short introduction

e. Magazine Segments – Reports of varying length to fit in with requirements of programming

5. The web stories can include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Text reports

b. Slide shows with photographs

c. Text/audio/video posts

d. Social media interactives (blog entries, Facebook updates, etc)

6. The television stories can include, but are not limited to:

a. Fully produced short packages between 1 and 3 minutes in length

b. Skype or phone interviews about breaking news or feature topics

c. B-roll of events

7. On occasion, appearing live on air shows for VOA or affiliates, ensuring that content and style conform to VOA’s production and professional standards.

8. On occasion, anchoring live discussion and/or call-in segments that can include point/counterpoint debate, or analysis with newsmakers and listeners – these must always be balanced and comprehensive in nature.

9. Completing assignments and meeting deadlines. All reports must be of high quality.

10. Working successfully as part of a team.

11. Adhering to the standards and principles in the Voice of America Journalistic Code and requesting pre-approval before engaging in outside speaking and writing that might give rise to an actual or perceived violation of the Code

12. Contractor may work additional assignments.

13. Contractor may travel to carry out duties. The terms and conditions of the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) shall apply to all travel. The Contractor shall obtain prior written approval from the assigned Contracting Officer before incurring any reimbursable expenses.

14. Contractor reports to the editor on duty, under the overall guidance of the Chief of English to Africa Service, in VOA’s Africa division.

The Contractor and Agency agree that no employer-employee relationship exist between the Agency and Contractor.

The Contractor shall conduct himself/herself in accordance with the Standards of Conduct rules of the agency.

3.0

GOV’T FURNISHED PROPERTY, FACILITIES, SERVICES OR INFORMATION

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.

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; and

3. Miscellaneous expenses incurred in connection with the travel, upon provision of appropriate justification.

(b) The Contracting Officer may 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 Contracting Officer, 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) The 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 the BBG reimburse the Contractor for his “travel time”. However, the 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 Contracting Officer before incurring any of the above reimbursable expenses.

5.0

SUBMISSION OF DELIVERABLES

(a) The Contractor shall submit all material by the deadline as determined by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

(b) The Contractor’s completed assignment will be inspected and accepted by the Authorized Contracting Officer Representative (COR). The Contractor is responsible for making changes or corrections to bring any assignments into conformance with the Agency technical standard at no additional cost to the Agency.

(c) The Contractor shall submit assignments to the COR at the address listed below:

Broadcasting Board of Governors

Cohen Building -

330 Independence Ave., SW

Washington, DC 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

Cohen Building -

330 Independence Ave., SW

Washington, DC 20237

Attn:

(b) The Contractor’s monthly invoice shall list: (1) name and address of the contractor, (2) invoice date and invoice number, (3) contract number or purchase order number i.e. BBG50-P-14-0000 and (4) the number of assignments submitted and accepted, and (5) reimbursable expenses, if any.

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

Note: The BBG intends to change its current invoicing procedures to an optical reading system. The Contractor may be required in the future to use a standard invoice template. Any costs associated with complying with the invoice change will be at the Contractor’s expense.

7.0

REGISTRATION & SECURITY

The Contractor shall possess a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number and maintain current registration with SAM (System for Award Management) in order to perform government work. The Contractor shall also submit required security documents and pass security clearance.

- End of Statement of Work –

EVALUATION FACTORS

Multi Media Reporter - West Africa (Dakar, Senegal)

· At least 5 years’ experience with a national or international broadcast news organization as an on-air news and feature reporter with mature delivery, working in a live news environment

· Excellent writing and storytelling skills with the ability to tailor and adapt content across platforms

· Skillfully researches, writes, produces, and voices complex feature stories

· Adept at generating exclusive and distinctive content and able to think creatively about how to communicate that content to an African audience

· Demonstrated knowledge of Africa, it's history and culture, and an awareness of political, economic, and social developments in the region

· Applicant must submit exemplary samples of social media engagement and/or broadcast journalism including written copy and a broadcast news aircheck.