SOW_-_TV_Reporter-Producer-Host.doc

TV Reporter/Producer/Host

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 and shall include time spent at the VOA Headquarters studios before, during and after broadcast times as specified by the service. The Contractor shall be required to complete the assignment by the deadlines set by VOA.

2.0

STATEMENT OF WORK

Contractor provides services as a host/reporter/producer for VOA live and taped television broadcast programs. In addition, Contractor provides services as host/reporter/producer for short television inserts for affiliate stations in Africa, as needed. Contractor is expected to work in the Cohen Building Monday through Friday, unless he/she is on assignment for the service at locations outside the building.

TV Reporter/Producer/Host, 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. Attending and participating in daily news meetings to discuss Africa television programming, and pro-actively contributing story ideas.

3. Reporting on breaking news and features, domestically and internationally, making use of appropriate sources and materials.

4. Serving as a one-person production team, contractor will write, shoot, edit, produce and voice comprehensive, original video stories on a variety of subjects to be broadcast to target audiences in Africa.

5. On assignment, contractor will report, field produce, and make use of appropriate sources and materials independently. Working in a professional manner, contractor can coordinate field technicians, camera teams or others crew members on location, when required for a more complex story assignment.

6. Contractor will work with the Executive Producer and COR to plan appropriate television stories before embarking on reporting assignments or trips. Story topics must be approved in advance by English to Africa Service management.

7. Contractor shall have a thorough knowledge of television writing style and journalistic ethics. Writing must be accurate and compelling. The resulting story packages must always be accurate, balanced and comprehensive in nature, and it is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that they are.

8. Contractor will have demonstrated experience reporting and producing video packages from and about Africa for the target broadcast audience.

9. Contractor will work with Executive Producer to plan and prepare appropriate television production elements to be used in broadcast programs (including submission of mini-cam requests, studio facilities orders, booking edit suites, editing necessary packages and footage, writing scripts, transmitting material to VOA affiliates, communicating with the show director and other personnel carrying out the programs, and screening and using appropriate footage to include in packages and programs.)

10. The contractor shall be able to host daily TV news or feature segments, shows, weekly discussion programs, and/or affiliate inserts that reflect the interests of the target audience.

11. These elements must always be accurate, balanced and comprehensive in nature, and it is the host’s responsibility to ensure that they are.

12. Contractor must have a professional broadcast delivery, hosting the show with warmth and humor as appropriate, in a manner acceptable for both television and radio.

13. Contractor must be able to write on-camera introductions and, when called upon, change or ad lib as needed and directed by the line producer.

14. Contractor will also be called upon to interview a wide variety of guests that appear on English to Africa TV programs.

15. For these interviews the contractor must be fully prepared and thoroughly briefed, and interact with guests and listeners in a professional and engaging way.

16. Contractor will recruit guests for the show segments, ensuring geographic and gender balance in guests who appear on the show segments, and will be aware of cultural sensitivities when discussing issues.

17. Contractor will be appropriately attired, with appropriate hair and make-up, situated in the studio at least 15 minutes before the recording of the show begins. The Executive Producer will determine if the contractor is appropriately dressed.

18. Contractor will contribute as appropriate to social media related to the shows (Facebook, Blog, etc.).

19. The contractor shall have access to the Agency’s computer system and video equipment to perform the specific tasks assigned to him.

20. Contractor will complete assignments and meet deadlines. All reports must be of high quality.

21. Contractor will work successfully as part of a team.

22. Contractors will adhere to the standards and principles in the Voice of America Journalistic Code and request pre-approval before engaging in outside speaking and writing that might give rise to an actual or perceived violation of the Code

23. Contractor may work additional assignments.

24. Contractor will travel to carry out duties, and all travel-related expenses will be considered included in the terms of reimbursement in this contract.

25. The Contractor shall obtain prior written approval from Contracting Officer before incurring any reimbursable expenses.

26. Contractor reports to the Executive Producer 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 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-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.

EVALUATION FACTORS/QUALIFICATIONS

TV Reporter/Producer/Host At least 5 years of national or international broadcast experience with professional on-air delivery. Experience hosting a live television segment or program.

Demonstrated ability to conceive, write, shoot, edit and produce compelling television stories for African audiences

Demonstrated ability to use digital broadcast systems to accomplish tasks

Must possess broad knowledge of Africa and topics of interest to African audiences

Experience covering live events, news conferences, and reporting “from the scene” both domestically and internationally, including assignments in Africa as needed

Applicant must submit exemplary samples of social media engagement and/or broadcast journalism including written copy and a broadcast news aircheck. (no more than 3 samples)

- End of Statement of Work –