Craft_Editor_Statement_of_Work_for_FY_2015.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

(Video -Craft Editor)

1. Contractor Performance Requirements:

The contractor shall independently create high quality television programs or program elements for television programs utilizing non-linear computerized video editing controllers, sophisticated audio mixers, videotape machines, and video signal switchers.

It is important that the content for programming be produced within the Agency’s standard.

However, the independent contractor shall provide editing services (referred to as “editing”) utilizing Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) at the agency's television facilities located at 330 Independence Avenue, SW., Cohen Building, Washington, DC. 20237. The contractor shall independently provide on-site editing support to produce television programs and/or television program segments for broadcast on one or more of the television networks operated by the agency.

B. The contractor shall edit in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) formats using non-linear editing equipment provided by the agency.

C. The contractor may be required by the agency to complete the assignment with a television producer in order to create program and program segments. In addition, the contractor may also be required to perform as a producer/editor for any given assignment. The contractor is responsible for producing, editing and delivering the assignment within the timeframes designated by the COR.

D. The contractor shall modify and correct all video and audio to meet the agency's technical standards under ITU-R BT.601/709. The contractor shall also be responsible for adhering to any changes in the agency's technical standards.

E. The contractor shall perform basic user maintenance on the equipment and operating systems as needed to keep the GFE editing equipment running efficiently.

F. The contractor shall be able to diagnose file based video and audio problems. The contractor shall have a thorough understanding of video and audio compression and decompression (“codecs”) and be able to verify that the files created by the contractor meet the agency's current technical standards.

G. The contractor shall provide playback support for live or recorded productions as required.

Expertise:

· Expertise in producing a wide range of video programming including, but not limited to, B-Roll, two to three minute packages, teasers, and bumpers, magazine shows, and documentaries.

· Experience in meeting specified deadlines to produce the required video elements within specified deadlines

· Skill in working on multiple video editing platforms, including currently Avid Media Composer, Final Cut Pro (FCP), and Adobe Premiere.

· As to additional editing systems may be introduced during the contract, the Editor proficiency in Avid Interplay is a must. Candidate must be able to navigate, search and manage the media that the Editor creates in a manner that has been identified and structured by the VOA.

3. Assignment List:

A. The contractor is responsible for checking the assignment list to ensure that he/she is available for the assignment in the designated editing suite and for promptly notifying the agency if he/she is not available. The contractor shall comply with the procedures for providing notice of their availability listed in Paragraph C.1. below. The contractor shall maintain an accurate record of his/her agency ordered assignments.

B. The contractor is expected to stay in the designated editing suite for the entire time period of each assignment, except for taking one unpaid thirty (30) minute break which is built into each editing suite's schedule, unless permission is granted by the COR or Alternate. The agency reserves the right to reduce the number of contractor assignments or the time given to complete any assignment to meet changes in the agency's requirements.

C. In the event the agency reduces the time of a contractor's assignment on the day of the assignment, the contractor will be paid for the original duration of the assignment.

The agency may reduce the time of a contractor's assignment by oral or written communication between the contractor and the COR or Alternate. However, any and all changes must be confirmed in writing. In the event an assignment must be cancelled, the agency will provide the contractor with a twenty-four (24) hour notice and the contractor will not be paid for that assignment.

4. Deadlines:

All work performed under this contract shall be completed and delivered within the deadlines established by COR.

5. Attendance:

A. The contractor shall sign in and out for each assignment in the agency's Contractor's Sign-In/Out Book. The Contractor's Sign-In/Out Book will be used by the agency to verify each completed assignment as well as to verify the Contractor's assignments being invoiced to the agency.

B. The contractor shall ensure that he/she arrives on-site on time for each assignment and is ready to start providing editing services and support at the start time included on the assignment list.

C. If the contractor is not able to arrive on time to start providing editing services at the scheduled start time indicated on the assignment list, or the contractor is sick and cannot report, or while performing an assignment or unforeseen personal event arises and the contractor has to leave his/her designated editing suite, the contractor shall:

(1) Call the designated COR or Alternate.

(2) The contractor shall also send the COR or Alternate a confirming electronic mail message.

D. The Voice of America (VOA) is a twenty-four (24) hour per day, seven (7) days a week operation. The Contractor’s assignments that may include weekends (Saturdays, Sundays), and/or Holidays.

The contractor is expected to be on site to perform the assignment, as set forth on the Assignment List. If the contractor is not available, the contractor shall follow the procedures outlined in Paragraph 5.C.1.above.

6. Assignment Rate:

The contractor's assignment rate will be based upon the required skill level as determined by the COR or Alternate and approved by the Contracting Officer (CO). The assignment rate will be established by negotiation between the contractor and the Contracting Officer. The assignment rate may vary due to the skill required and the length of time required by the assignment.

The Contractor’s price per assignment is $_(government estimate)________. The Contractor’s price for an extra assignment is listed in paragraph 6.C below.

A. The agency may give the contractor an assignment that will be performed on-site and on a daily assignment basis as set forth on the assignment list (assignment). The agency assignments may be in various lengths of time. The contractor shall provide editing services and support for the creation of television programs and/or program segments/program stories for the agency. The contractor may be given an assignment between the agency’s Core Hours of 4:00am to 12:00 midnight (Core Hours). Depending upon the agency's production needs, the contractor may also be required to either begin or complete any assignment before or after the Core Hours.

B. Assignments are made based on the agency's need. The agency will reduce or add assignments to the contractor based on the actual workload of the agency. Assignments may be reduced at any time and re-assigned to another contractor at the agency's discretion to allow the agency to operate within its mission and budget constraints.

C. The contractor must obtain prior oral or written approval from the designated COR or Alternate before performing any extra work. The extra work rates will be based on the complexity of the editing requirement, as determined by the COR or Alternate. Extra work rates are as follows:

1. Simple Editing…………negotiable not to exceed government estimate

2. Fundamental Editing…. negotiable not to exceed government estimate

3. Complex Editing………. negotiable not to exceed government estimate

7. Government Furnished Equipment:

Because the content (i.e. software, hardware) for programming is only available at VOA, the Contractor shall have access to the Agency’s computer system and video equipment to perform the specific tasks assigned to him/her. Contractor’s personal use of Government computers and other equipment is prohibited. In addition, the Contractor maybe given access to the agency's computer system to read agency e-mail and perform work with special instructions.

8. Contractor Performance Evaluation Criteria:

The quality and efficiency of the services performed by the contractor shall be reviewed on a regular basis by the COR or Alternate to ensure that the contractor is meeting the requirements of the agency for standards and mission. The contractor is responsible for making any changes or corrections cited by the COR or Alternate to bring any assignment performed by the contractor into conformance with the agency’s technical standards and editorial guidelines.

The agency will incur no additional costs as a result of these changes and corrections.

In the event contractor’s work is no longer required or terminated the contractor will receive payment for work completed and accepted by the COR or Alternate before the effective date of termination.

9. Submission of Invoices:

The contractor shall submit a detailed invoice for assignment(s) completed and accepted by the government. All payments will be made within 30 days after receipt of a proper invoice, in accordance with the U.S. Prompt Payment Act.

Payment of Billing:

The Agency will pay the contractor on a monthly basis at the rate as noted above upon receipt of a proper invoice in accordance with the U.S. Prompt Payment Act.

10. Relationship of the Parties:

The contractor and the agency agree that no employer-employee relationship exists between the agency and the contractor.

11. Business Ethics and Conduct:

The contractor shall conduct him/herself with the highest degree of integrity and honesty during the term of his/her relationship with the agency and shall maintain a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics in accordance with the standards of conduct as stated in the contract.

12. Agency Inquires and/or Investigations:

A. The contractor agrees to participate in any agency inquiry or investigation if contacted by the agency and/or its designee to provide his/her personal knowledge regarding the subject matter of the inquiry and/or investigation. Such inquiries and/or investigations may relate to allegations made by agency employees under Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination In Employment Act or the Rehabilitation Act. The contractor's participation in such inquiries and/or investigations may include, but is not limited to, meeting with a counselor and/or investigator and providing a statement and/or documents that relate to the inquiry and/or investigation.

B. If the contractor is contacted by the agency or its designee (i.e., COR, CO) in connection with such an inquiry and/or investigation, the contractor will be paid for the time spent in participating in the inquiry and/or investigation at the same rate as if the contractor were performing an assignment under this agreement.

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