SOW_Reporter_-_Washington_DC__SOUTH_SUDAN_Project.doc

Reporter – Washington DC

1.0

INTRODUCTION

(a) The Voice of America ’s English to Africa Service has a requirement for a 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) unless otherwise mutually agreed to with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

Reporter, VOA’s South Sudan Project

Contractor is contracted to work as part of a team preparing and broadcasting news content for VOA’s South Sudan Project. Contractor will have five assignments per week, normally Monday-Friday, but also including weekends and holidays, as necessary.

SPECIFIC DUTIES INCLUDE:

1. Keeping up-to-date and knowledgeable about issues, events, and developments affecting South Sudan, Sudan, and the greater Horn of Africa region and U.S. foreign policy there

2. Attending and participating in daily news meetings to discuss South Sudan Project radio and web programming, and pro-actively contributing story ideas

3. Cultivating sources in the diplomatic community, with U.S. policy makers on Capitol Hill, and at Washington-based think tanks to cover stories pertaining to U.S. policy and international developments affecting South Sudan.

4. Cultivating sources in the South Sudanese diaspora, to report on issues, ideas, and activities of the community as they relate to the region.

5. Filing news reports, feature stories, background analysis, and interviews making use of appropriate sources and materials to create fresh and relevant radio and web versions of the story that conform to VOA style and guidelines.

6. 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

7. 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)

8. On occasion, hosting live air shows, ensuring that content and style conform to VOA’s production and professional standards

9. 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

10. Completing assignments and meeting deadlines -- all reports must be of high quality.

11. Traveling to South Sudan or other locations, as determined by the needs of the project

12. Working successfully as part of a team, including professional and positive communication with all colleagues and taking direction from supervisors

13. 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

14. Contractor works with the South Sudan Project Coordinator, under the overall guidance of the COR, who is the Chief of the 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 at least one-half hour prior to when the material is intended for broadcast use.

(b) The Contractor’s completed assignment will be inspected and accepted by the 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

(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-E-17-0000 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

Reporter (Washington, DC)

· Demonstrated knowledge of South Sudan, Sudan and Africa, it's history and culture, and knowledge of political, economic, and social developments in the region. Demonstrated knowledge of issues that interest the South Sudan diaspora.

· Excellent writing skills with the ability to tailor and adapt content for South Sudanese radio and web audiences

· Demonstrated ability to secure and execute interviews with noted newsmakers, experts and officials, from South Sudan and elsewhere

· Must possess broad knowledge of topics of interest to audiences in South Sudan

· Adept at generating exclusive and distinctive content, and be able to think creatively about how to communicate that content to the target audience

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