SQT Video Production Contract - Questions and Responses - AMD 02.pdf

SQT Video Production – H92240-20-T-0005 Questions and Responses

21JAN2020

Q1: Is it the intent of the government to produce all 14 training videos with one location shoot? I.E. all primary audio and video captured during a x-number-day shoot in San Diego?

R1) Shooting schedule must be flexible. If possible, we would like to film the videos in as few shoots as possible, but we will have to conform to the SQT Instructor’s working schedule, which will dictate filming durations. The non-binding estimate for number of days of filming is 15 – 18 days.

Q2: Will the training videos require any special animation or motion graphics beyond standard-title cards and lower thirds?

R2) Yes, animations and graphics will be used throughout the videos to best illustrate details of the instructional content needed to enhance learner’s comprehension (i.e.; angle of approach, body movements, simultaneous tactical actions, etc.). Previous videos include highlighted motion graphics and 3-D animations.

Q3: Will the vendor be required to incorporate pre-existing footage into the end product, or will the final videos consist entirely of new footage?

R3) Videos will not use any pre-existing footage. They will consist entirely of new footage.

Q4: Will the use of DJI UAS be allowed or will the vendor be required to use a non-Chinese aircraft?

R4) No drones or Dajiang Innovation drones will be used.

Q5: What is the approximate run time of each video?

R5) All videos are expected to be approximately 15 – 30 minutes in length.

Q6: What are the technical delivery specifications?

R6) Videos are to be delivered in 4K, MPEG-4 format. There may also be some special circumstances (such as stock footage or slow-motion footage) where the footage does not have to be in 4K.

Q7: Will closed captioning and/or SDH be required?

R7) No.

Q8: Will the contractor be required to source, produce, and license narration or will all narration and audio be provided by the government?

R8) Narration will be provided by government Subject Matter Experts.

Q9: Will underwater/open-dive videography be required?

R9) No.

Q10: Would the government consider modifying the contract to add travel as a separate line item with an NTE amount reimbursed using JTR guidelines?

R10) A separate line for travel will not be incorporated into the contract. Performance will be in the San Diego area in accordance with the Performance Work Statement. Offerors are to include all associated charges in the price of each of the videos, inclusive of any anticipated travel expenditures.

Q11: I am the lead producer for all productions. I personally have active DoD issued secret clearance. I do, however, see that this solicitation requires facility clearance, which I do not currently have for my location. I understand it is most often the case that contractors may obtain facility clearance with the sponsorship of a federal government agency once a need is established (ie: the award of contract). I am requesting, given the fact I have secret clearance and would have no foreseeable problems obtaining facility clearance, that you allow me to submit a response to this solicitation. I do not believe access to any classified information is necessary to bid on the solicitation, so I sincerely hope this may be an acceptable request. If awarded the contract, I believe that interim facility clearance would be a quick process with your agency sponsorship, allowing work to proceed in a timely manner R11) The Solicitation requirements remain unchanged and the offeror must have a Secret Security Clearance in accordance with the included DD254. The Government will verify/review clearance status and level in the DSS Industrial Security Facilities Database (ISFD) in accordance with the provision at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.212.

Q12: If the offeror doesn't currently have clearance, will the government provide temporary facilities and personnel clearance(s) in the performance of this contract? (Section 8) R12) See response to question 11. A clearance is required in order to be eligible for award.

Q13: What is the duration or lead time that is usual for safety briefings, etc. in accordance with Section 9?

R13) Safety briefings normally run for 30-45 minutes.

Q14: Can you provide copies of the documents in Section 13?

R14) Documents are not applicable to this contract and will be removed from the PWS.

Q15: With regards to data security in Section 8, will the offeror be required to turn over all data (footage, etc.), contractor storage devices and/or computers to the government? If so, this would affect the quote substantially.

R15) Contractor will be required to turn over all raw footage to the government POC upon completion of the contract, but they will not be required to turn over the storage devices.

Q16: Will the government accept some footage to be below 4K resolution such as stock footage, re-used footage, slow-mo, etc.?

R16) Yes, there may be some special circumstances (such as those listed in the question) where the footage does not have to be in 4K.

Q17: Is the offeror required to provide a streaming and/or download service(s) that is beyond the delivery of the deliverables (i.e. video library, online education, etc.)?

R17) No.

Q18: Are there previous examples of this project type and videos in section 4.3 or is what UF Pro, Tactical Rifleman, etc. a good facsimile?

R18) No previous examples of this project exist.

Q19: What is the expected budget? A previous contract for NSW-SWCC was awarded at approximately $58,000.00.

R19) The Government will not provide budget details. Offerors shall submit their best quote based upon the stated requirements associated with the solicitation.

Q20: Is there a budget range for the project?

R20) Please see response to question 19.

Q21: Length of the videos?

R21) Please see response to question 5.

Q22: Are there any draft scripts available?

R22) No.

Q23: Anticipated number of days of shooting?

R23) The nonbinding estimate for number of days of filing is 15 – 18 days.

Q24: On-Camera talent?

R24) On-camera talent will consist of military subject matter experts. There are no requirements for the awardee to provide on-camera talent.

Q25: Are there any examples of how the final project should look?

R25) No.

Q26: Will it be green screened?

R26) No.

Q27: Will it be an instructor in front of a camera or narrator over action footage?

R27) Both of these techniques will likely be used.

Q28: Will the subjects be trained speakers?

R28) Subjects will be qualified Naval Special Warfare instructors, who do have some basic training in public speaking.

Q29: Will the content be scripted? If so, who is responsible for writing the script?

R29) Yes. Script will be developed by Government POC (Project Director), Curriculum Developers, and Subject Matter Experts.

Q30: Will a teleprompter be needed?

R30) No.

Q31: What, if any, B-roll may need to be captured?

R31) B-Roll will likely consist of Close Quarters Combat (CQC) training evolutions, operators, and weapons.

Q32: Will there be any previously recorded content that will need to be integrated?

R32) No.

Q33: Will there be graphic design/animation required?

R33) Yes.

Q34: Does it need to be 4K or HD?

R34) Please see response to questions 6 and 16.

Q35: What are the estimated lengths of each of the 14 videos?

R35) Please see response to question 5.

Q36: Do you require a narration track on each of the videos? If so who will select the narrator?

R36) Yes, there will likely be narration used on some or all of the videos. Final say on all creative decisions (including casting) will be made by the Government’s Technical POC for the project.

Q37: Is there a requirement for background music in any of these 14 videos?

R37) Yes, background music will be used through some portions of the videos.

Q38: How many graphics do you anticipate including in each of the videos? What is the complexity of these graphics (simple, standard or complex)?

R38) Animations and graphics will be used throughout the videos to best illustrate details of the instructional content needed to enhance learner’s comprehension (i.e.; angle of approach, body movements, simultaneous tactical actions, etc.). Approximately 5 – 15 graphics or animations will be used in each video.

Q39: Will any computer animation be required in any of the videos? If so, how much and what complexity (simple, standard or complex)?

R39) Please see response to question 38.

Q40: Will each of the training videos be scripted?

R40) Yes.

Q41: You are requiring storyboards can you provide a sample of the complexity of the type of storyboard that will be acceptable to the government?

R41) Storyboards will be acceptable as long as they convey the following information for each shot: A clear idea of what the on-screen talent will be doing, the direction of any camera movements, and use of any graphics/animation, and any special technical requirements for complex shots.

Q42: Paragraph 4.2. Can you describe the type of studio recording time required?

R42) Studio recording time will consist mainly of capturing voice-over narration audio.

Q43: Training has a priority. How will you address government delays in providing personnel, locations and materials in this contract?

R43) Shooting schedules will be built around training requirements to maximize quality and efficiently for all parties involved. However, production personnel will need to remain flexible and work around any unforeseen government delays. Extended schedule delays that are the result of Government delay will be handled via the contract administration process and may result in period of performance revision.

Q44: Addenda 2 para. 6. Why do we have to track labor hours when the contract is firm fixed price?

R44) Contractor Manpower Reporting is a Department of Defense requirement for all service contracts.

Q45: Paragraph 4.4. Training videos to be filmed in 4K video. Do you require any specific 4K format (for example 1920 x 3840 24 fps, RAW, SLOG3 or rec709)?

R45) Videos are to be delivered in 4K, MPEG-4 format. There may also be some special circumstances (such as stock footage or slow-motion footage) where the footage does not have to be in 4K.

Q46: Finally Paragraph 8.1 Security. My Secret clearance was voided upon my retirement as a Navy Civilian employee, are the prospective bidders of this solicitation required to have a clearance to submit their offer?

R46) Please see response to question 11.

Q47: Are there more specific objectives in mind for this solicitation? For example, do you want existing materials to be re-produced (re-shot) in a higher resolution or reformatted/restored into modernized formats?

R47) Please see response to question 3.

Q48: Is there a specific deficiency or improvement that NSW is seeking with these 14 videos? If possible, a per-video assessment would be helpful.

R48) The videos are intended to improve general learner comprehension for each of the given topics, as well as to reduce instructor time spent on re-teaching basic concepts. There are no per-video assessments available at this time.

Q49: Would filming of SQT-related materials be permitted at locations other than the Place of Performance such as military bases/stations or other training facilities that would provide acceptable demonstration(s) of concepts, methods, etc.?

R49) No.

Q50: Would the NSW facilitate access/usage and clearance to bases/ facilities outside the Place of Performance (i.e. Quantico, etc.)?

R50) No.

Q51: What percentage of the video(s) does the government anticipate be CGI, VFX, or motion-capture?

R51) Please see response to question 38.

Q52: Is any still photography requested as part of this solicitation that would facilitate/augment SQT beyond this solicitation? (power points, documents, etc.)

R52) No.

Q53: We have two employees who would be working on this project that have “Secret Security Clearance”. Will this be sufficient for the “Facility Clearance” for submitting this proposal? If not, would this be something that can be obtained if awarded the project? Is there any additional information you can give us regarding this clearance?

R53: Please see response to question 11. Your firm must have the appropriate clearance.

Q54: What is the anticipated total run time for each of the 14 videos?

R54) Please see response to question 5.

Q55: Has the government /Technical POC already prepared a draft outline, or script for the 14 videos?

R55) Script drafts will be prepared by working hand-in-hand with Government Technical POC and Navy Instructors/Subject Matter Experts. Scripts will be completed prior to filming each video.

Q56: Have training videos been produced in the past for NSWCEN? If so, please provide a link to view relevant videos.

R56) NSWCEN videos are not cleared for public release, therefore no links to other videos will be provided.

Q57: Does the customer anticipate all production be completed in consecutive days? If so, how many production days are anticipated? If not, how many production trips and for how long will they be anticipated?

R57) Please see response to question 1.

Q58: Does the government have preference for a local small business production company?

R58) Solicitation is fully set-aside for small business. This action is not set-aside for a local small business.

Q59: Is this a new requirement? If not, please provide contract information for the incumbent.

R59) This is a new requirement.

Q60: If these types of videos have been produced in the past for NSWCEN, what was the contract value of each prior video?

R60) Please see response to question 19.

Q61: Please provide the annual training schedule for the fourteen video topics.

R61) There is no annual training schedule available for release.

Q62: What does the government envision the length of each video to be time wise?

R62) Please see response to question 5.

Q63: Does the government anticipate a single video topic being shot in a single day, therefore 14 videos shot in fourteen days.

R63) Please see response to question 1.

Q64: Do you anticipate that all fourteen videos can be captured in a single trip to San Diego vice multiple trips from the East Coast.

R64) The Government anticipates multiple filming days. If a contractor is located outside of the performance location, multiple trips would be required.

Q65: Is there a minimum/maximum length required for each of the 14 videos listed as Item No 0001 on Page 3 of 36 on the Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items form 1449?

R65) Please see response to question 5.

Q66: 52.212-1 Paragraph (m)(2): What article of proof of secret level facility clearance should be submitted?

R66) Proof of security clearance can be your firms print out from the ISFD system or a letter from the Defense Security Service verifying clearance level.

Q67: (DD254) Item 13, 2.B "Subcontracting of this effort must be approved by HQ USSOCOM prior to award." Does this include subcontracting of limited functions such as special graphics or post sound?

Our intent is to complete all contract functions contract in house, however if we wanted a backup subcontractor for the purposes of a singular task like post-production sound, for instance, would we submit such backups for approval in advance of award as well? Regardless of if it's unlikely they would be used?

R67) Response to be provided under future Solicitation Amendment.

Q68: (DD254) Item 13, 11.M: "Access to all NAVSPECWAR facilities requires contractors to possess a minimum of a top secret clearance. Is this intended to be "secret," and not "top secret?" Item 1.a.

indicates level of FCL required as "Secret," not top secret.

R68: Response to be provided under future Solicitation Amendment.

Q69: How long do each of the 14 videos need to be?

R69) Please see response to question 5.

Q70: Will “actors” or on-camera people be provided or will my firm need to hire outside acting talent?

R70) Please see response to question 24.

Q71: Based on your knowledge and expertise with the subject matter, how many days of filming will be needed?

R71) Please see response to question 1.

Q72: Will any animations be necessary for the videos?

R72) Please see response to question 38.

Q73: Do you have samples of similar content that you can share?

R73) No.

Q74: In the Performance Work Statement 8. Security, it states that the Contracting team individuals(s) will be cleared at the Secret level at the start of the task. However, in the RFQ (2) Facility Clearance, it states that the offeror must have an active Secret Facility Clearance as of the solicitation date. Is the Secret Facility Clearance something that the offeror should already have or will the Contractor be helping facilitate this after award?

R74) Response to be provided under future Solicitation Amendment.

Q75: Is there an approximate length anticipated for each video or an overall content length expected?

R75) Please see response to question 5.

Q76: Do you anticipate the trainings to be filmed over consecutive days or should the offeror expect filming to be spread out over a longer period of time and non-consecutive days?

R76) Please see response to question 1.

Q77: Are you able to provide any examples of past videos or videos that NSW likes for reference?

R77) No.

Q78: How long do you anticipate each of the 14 videos to be when completed? This can be a rough estimate but a 5-minute video will require a much different process and cost than a 1-hour video.

R78) Please see response to question 5.

Q79: Will we be able to capture footage for multiple videos during one shoot or will each video require its own separate shoot(s) at separate locations?

R79) Please see response to question 1.

Q80: Is there an incumbent for these services?

R80) No.

Q81: Will there be a need for motion graphics, such as a top-down view of a floor plan to show movement or entry patterns?

R81) Please see response to question 38.

Q82: The SOW mentions low light, but is night vision filming also required?

R82) Night vision filming is not a requirement.

Q83: Could you provide a detailed description of one or two of these methods (i.e., Door Procedures, Two Man "Next Threat", Multi Flow, etc.) to give us a better sense of the level of detail and coverage required for each?

R83) Detailed descriptions of these topics are classified and therefore not cleared for public release.

Q84: How do we go about securing an active Secret Facility Clearance before submitting our proposal?

R84) A security clearance must be secured via the Defense Security Services (DSS). Please contact your cognizant DSS office for information.

Q85: We see that there are 14 deliverables, how long would each video be?

R85) Please see response to question 5.

Q86: Do we need to budget for any studio rentals or would all filming locations be provided?

R86) Filming locations will be provided by government. No studio will be required.

Q87: Do we need to budget for any talent or would all talent be provided?

R87) Please see response to question 24.

Q88: Will we need to purchase any props for the videos?

R88) No.

Q89: Are three edit rounds per video sufficient, or would you need more edit revisions? If so, how many?

R89) Number of edit rounds would depend on the changes required after the first draft. Three edit rounds should be sufficient, but if there are more corrections required, changes will be made until gaining approval from Government Technical POC.

Q90: Will there be a need to budget for drone for this project? If so, how many anticipated days of drone filming?

R90) The use of drones is not anticipated for this project.

Q91: How many filming days are anticipated for these videos?

R91) Please see response to question 1.

Q92: Can the videos be filmed on back to back consecutive days?

R92) Please see response to question 1.

Q93: Will there need to be more than one in person meeting, besides the post-award conference?

R93) The Government anticipates approximately 5 in-person meetings, in addition to the post-award conference, will be required throughout the course of the period of performance.

Q94: What is the intended duration for each training film? Can you describe the format as well? For example, does it include drills, stand-up presentations, seminars, motion graphics, aerial video, etc.?

R94) Please see response to questions 5, 38, and 45.

Q95: Approximately how many camera angles for the presentations and exercises are needed?

R95) Number of camera angles would depend on the complexity of the subject matter in question and based on the requirement to provide clear footage for learning comprehension. This would be determined during the pre-production phase of each video.

Q96: Will there be voice over narration, stand-up presentation, or both?

R96) Both.

Q97: Approximately how many locations are needed per training film? Will the locations be provided?

R97) Approximately one location will be needed for each film. Locations will be provided and general places of performance are listed in the performance work statement.

Q98: Can you estimate the number of shoot days necessary per film?

R98) Please see response to question 1.

Q99: Do all the training videos need to be delivered at the same time? Or can they be delivered as the post production is completed?

R99) Videos may be delivered as they are completed.

Q100: Are specific graphics required (such as text, overlays, maps, etc.)? Will these be created by our team or provided?

R100) Please see response to question 38.

Q101: The bid states the bidder must have secret facility clearance. Must we have this in place to bid or can we apply once the bid is won and NAVSOC sponsors us for clearance?

R101) Please see response to question 11. Secret Security Clearance required at solicitation closing.

Q102: Is there an incumbent?

R102) No.