SOW_Writer-Researcher-Reporter-Producer-NYC_-FINAL_for_FBO.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

WRITER/RESEARCHER/REPORTER/PRODUCER

VOA Persian Division – New York, NY

V005-17-IQ-00114

Writer/Researcher/Reporter/Producer (hereinafter referred to as “Contractor”) to provide non-personal services as described below. The contractor shall be paid on an assignment basis. The work shall be performed on an assignment basis. In addition, the Government will reimburse the Contractor for actual expenses as stated below. The Contractor’s assignment rate will be inclusive of all associated cost to include overhead (e.g. health insurance), G&A (General and Administrative cost), and profit. Contractor shall be responsible for meeting all obligations under the term of this award.

For the purpose of this contract, an assignment is defined as:

An Assignment is a single, fully produced, ready-for-air, TV, WEB, and Social Media feature with a complete properly written script. The Contractor shall be required to complete the assignment by the deadline stated below. The Contractor’s ‘start time’ and “duration of effort” is a business decision on the Contractor’s part and does not influence the “per assignment” rate stated in the contract.

a. The assignment has to be accepted by VOA Persian Service.

b. VOA Persian Service can return the assignment for re-edits/correction until it is accepted based on the VOA journalistic standards and Best Practices Guide.

c. When Contractor pitching in the ideas it should contain several proposals to be considered by VOA Persian Service.

2.0 Scope of Work

The Contractor shall perform the following work at the IBB Voice of America Headquarters Building- New York City at 26 Federal Plaza, New York City, New York unless otherwise mutually agreed to by the Contracting Officer.

2.1 Contractor shall perform the following services upon direction of the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and as a Contractor shall be fluent in speaking Farsi and English as well as being able to write and read the languages.

Writing, Producing, Researching and Reporting stories for a VOA Persian Television, Radio, and/or Internet entities shall include but not be limited to the following:

1. Contractor needs to originate program ideas, Scripts, reports, and interviews are integrated, highly targeted to the audience, and well-balanced.

2. Upon completing the script for package/news stories/interviews, incumbent needs to track the script.

3. Contractor needs to research relevant video/archive footage/b-roll, and work closely with the assigned video editor to produce the piece.

4. Contractor needs to produce a web-friendly version of the package scripts, write up a headline and a sub-headline for it and submit it to the web for publishing.

5. Contractor needs to be prepared to appear on set to read News, host VOA Persian TV shows, give interviews/commentaries/toss to packages as deemed necessary by the editor of the day and/or the assignment desk.

6. An assignment, story or article must be a minimum of 95% accurate; containing no significant slips of fact or meaning and requires only minor editing. Any work meets VOA standard for accuracy, grammar, style and adaptation and work is completed with sufficient time for checking, rehearsal and timing. Contractor regularly checks developing stories and updates the script accordingly. Contractor corrects work as soon as errors are discovered. Credits are given where appropriate and copyright laws and guidelines, as well as contractual usage rights agreements, are followed carefully. Work requires only minor revision.

a) Revise work as directed by COR to ensure accuracy and completeness. The contractor shall meet deadlines as assigned by the COR.

a) The Contractor may be asked to work federal holidays and weekends.

Time of Performance: VOA is a 24/7 new/program operation and the schedule will vary depending on the need of the government.

b) The Contractor must contact the COR if cannot complete assignments.

c) Maintain equipment that is loaned out for editing, report and document all broken/lost/stolen equipment to COR. Maintain all Contractors work that is stored on the house servers to insure that the servers’ folders are organized. All work submitted must suitable for broadcasting.

d) The Contractor shall at all times adhere to the standards and principles in the Voice of America “The VOA Journalistic Code” and The VOA Charter (VOA Charter will be provided to awardee at start of contract).

e) The Contractor shall request pre-approval before engaging in outside speaking and writing that might give rise to an actual or perceived violation of the Code.

f) Provide a list of relatives working for VOA/Persian News Network.

Please indicate if any relatives currently work with VOA.

3.0 Place of Performance

Contractor shall perform the services at IBB Voice of America Headquarters Building- New York City at 26 Federal Plaza, and New York City, New York.

If the contractor fails to pass a security background check, the contract will immediately terminated.

Contractor must have a valid registration in SAM.Gov in order to provide services to the federal government.

4.0 Government Furnished Property, Facilities Services or Information Contractor will have access to Government studio and equipment, therefore, Government space and equipment will be provided. 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.

5.0 Submission of Deliverables:

a) The Contractor shall be responsible to research and find all relevant material, such as video, audio, graphics of the story assigned.

b) The Contractor shall submit edited material at least one-half hour prior to when the material is intended for broadcast use. For example, material to be used at the 10:00am broadcast must be submitted to the COR by 9:30am.

c) The Contractor shall insure that they are providing the highest level of quality (95%) without errors (such as wrong format or file type, color imbalances (color correction), audio errors, jump cuts, flash frames, missing video or missing audio for submission or use) in order for work to be approved or accepted.

d) The Contractor shall maintain all folders of accessible agency servers that they are using to insure that their folders and system is clean of clutter and unneeded material.

e) 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 at the address Broadcasting Board of Governors/VOA Persian Service Cohen Building - 330 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20237

(b) The Contractor’s monthly invoice shall list: (a) the number of assignments submitted and accepted and any reimbursable expenses if any.

(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 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 in connection with authorized travel.

b) 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 –VOA New York City 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.

The Contractor shall obtain prior written approval from the Contracting Officers

c) Representative (COR) identified in the Contract before incurring any of the above reimbursable expenses.

Qualifications/Evaluation Factors:

a) Contractor shall have at least 3 years of experience in the same field.

b) Contractor shall be fluent in speaking Farsi and English as well as being able to write and read the languages.

c) Three samples of previous work product must be submitted to the agency with technical quote. Required samples of video shoots, edits and production are to be submitted.

d) Resume must reflect the scope of work and expertise.

--End of Statement of Work--