Draft SOW-OIF Study of Analytic Tools -FINAL.docx

Sources Sought Notice Draft Statement of Work United States Agency for Global Media Study of Internet Freedom Tools Analytics and User Experience

Objective/Purpose

2.1 Objective 1

To obtain the services of a well-qualified contractor with expertise in journalism, Internet censorship, Internet Freedom technologies and privacy preserving analytics in order to lead a team of experts who will work to validate and improve upon current tool analytics collection methods mitigate or correct discrepancies between the tool vendor’s and USAGM’s analytics and offer better collection methodologies should there be any that are reasonably feasible.

2.2 Objective 2

To obtain the services of a well-qualified contractor with expertise in journalism, Internet censorship, Internet Freedom technologies and privacy preserving analytics in order to lead a team of experts who will work to perform a qualitative study of the use and impact of Internet Freedom tools amongst select users in USAGM target markets.

3.0 Specific Tasks

3.1 Independent Review of Analytics

The Contractor shall conduct an independent review of the analytics collected and methods used by three independent contractor tools, Lantern, nthLink and Psiphon, as well as provide possible suggestions in the report on how to best capture those analytics by USAGM’s Office of Policy and Research and mitigate or explain any differences in statistics collected without compromising user’s privacy in a final report. The selected reviewer will validate metrics provided by the tool developer and collected by USAGM and determine the following:

· Are the best privacy preserving practices being used to collect tool analytics?

· Are the current metrics collected useful?

· Is what is currently collected a good impact indicator or is there something better?

· What improvements or adjustments could / should be made without exposing PII of users in highly censored and surveilled Internet environments?

· What lessons in user data collection, if any, can be learned from the Tor project who are the current leaders in privacy preserving metrics collection?

3.2 Conduct independent study of users of Internet Freedom tools The contractor shall conduct the study for qualitative feedback to be returned to the tool developers of Lantern, nthLink and Psiphon for the purposes of improving the tool and increasing the likelihood of adoption and usage. The tools and geographic regions of the study will be agreed upon at the time of contracting. At a minimum, the study should include the following questions of interest to USAGM :

· Who uses USAGM tools and which ones?

· If they do not use the tools are they aware of their uses?

· If the user abandoned a tool, why

· What challenges have users experienced when adopting USAGM tools?

· What, if any, improvements would the users like to see to the tool?

3.3. Participate in scheduled meeting

The Contractor shall attend a meeting at USAGM Headquarters to discuss and come to consensus on recommendations (may happen via USAGM Teams) and may be asked to attend Board Meeting or Staff meeting on a date to be determined USAGM’s Director of Internet Freedom.

4.0 Skill or Relevant Experience Requirement

Each major area of the Contractor's performance requires specialized skills, experience, and capabilities. The Contractor shall be responsible for employing qualified personnel to perform the services required by this Contract.

The Contractor shall have the personnel, organization, and administrative control necessary to ensure that each task is completed satisfactorily. If questions arise whether the Contractor is using other than qualified personnel, the Contractor shall furnish proof that its personnel possess the proper certifications, qualifications and experience.

5.0 Contractor Performance and Milestones

The quality and efficiency of the services performed by the Contractor shall be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the Contractor is meeting the requirements of the Government. Candidates are required to submit samples of similar work when submitting their proposal. Contractor Performance Measures lists the performance requirements and standards, expected outcomes and method of surveillance for work performance and deliverables by the Contractor. The Contractor’s services shall be considered successful if the following performance requirements provide the expected outcomes within the performance standards. Additional contractor personnel performance objectives may be included as agreed upon between Contractor and COTR/TM.

The Contractor Performance Measures are as follows

Contractor provided personnel with expertise in journalism, Internet censorship, Internet Freedom technologies and privacy preserving analytics professional possesses required qualifications and/or similar experience.

The COR will oversee contractor’s performance.

The COR will direct contractor specifications and continually review on-going project activities and results.

The success or failure of the Contractor to meet the above performance standards will be reflected in a performance evaluation of the services. USAGM and other agencies may consider the results of the evaluation when evaluating the contractor’s past performance during the selection process for future contracts with the Government. The failure of the Contractor to meet the above performance standards may also be the basis for termination of the contract for nonperformance

6.0 Deliverables

Deliverables shall be submitted to the COR and/or Task Manager for inspection, review, and acceptance. All deliverables shall be Microsoft compatible. As required, deliverables shall be made available in alternative formats for individuals with disabilities. Final acceptance will occur upon COR/TM signature. All deliverables become the property of the Government. The Government will provide timely comments on deliverables, as necessary. The Contractor must incorporate the Government’s comments within three (3) working days of receipt of the COR/TM’s comments (unless otherwise mutually agreed upon). In the event of rejection of any deliverable, the COR/TM will notify the Contractor in writing of the specific reasons why the deliverable is unacceptable. The Contractor must return a revised document to the COR/TM within three (3) working days.

The Contractor shall submit the following deliverables:

6.1 Monthly Progress Reports

The contractor shall submit, to the Government, a progress report every 30 days after the effective date of the contract, and every 30 days thereafter during the period of performance. The contractor shall deliver progress reports that summarize the work completed during the performance period, the work forecast for the following period. The report shall also include any additional information—including findings and recommendations—that may assist the Government in evaluating progress under this contract. The first report shall include a detailed work outline of the project and the contractor's planned phasing of work by reporting period in accordance with the table below:

Monthly Progress Report Content

The first report is to be submitted to the TM or COR 5 working days after the end of each month covering the entire contract period. The TM or COR will notify the Contractor of any changes needed after delivery of the first report and issue approval of the report format. Once approved, this format shall be followed monthly. The TM and/or COR must approve any deviations/changes

7.0 Government Furnished Information (GFI)

Information made available to the contractor by USAGM / COR for the performance or administration of this effort shall be used only for those purposes and shall not be used in any other way without the written agreement of the COR.

The contractor agrees to assume responsibility for protecting the confidentiality of government records, which are not public information.

8.0 Period of Performance

This contract period of performance is as follows:

Base Period: Date of Award plus 6months Option Period 1: 6 months

9.0 Place of Performance

The Government anticipates all services will be performed at the contractor’s site.

10.0 Contract type

The Government anticipates award of a Firm Fixed Price Contract.

11.0 Meetings

Meetings will be expected to take place virtually via online video conferencing.

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