questions and answers.pdf

HQ0236-08-T-0051

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR SOLICITATION HQ0236-08-T-0051,

PROMOTIONAL VIDEO FOR THE GEORGE C. MARSHALL CENTER

1 - In the RFQ, it states the Producer for the shoots in Germany needs to be fluent in German. One of our producers speaks German but is not "orally conversant". Since this is a requirement, would we no longer be eligible?

Also, is a producer needed for the shoots in Bosnia and in the US or just a camera man and audio/ sound technician?

Answer: Amendment 0002 revised the performance work statement to eliminate the requirement for the Producer to speak German. English is the only required language. A Producer is needed only for the Marshall Center shooting sessions.

2 - My firm intends on submitting a proposal via email for the referenced solicitation.

However, we are a US contractor and would need to travel to the place of performance.

Could you tell me which airport we would utilize when traveling?

Also, items 0001 and 0002 total 8 days of shooting. Are those anticipated to be consecutive days – or within close enough timeframe to be completed on one trip on location by our crew?

Answer: Munich is the closest airport. CLINs 0001 and 0002 are anticipated to be 8 consecutive days.

3 - Could it be possible to shoot the Washington event and go direct to Berlin for that event?

Answer: Yes, in the event those optional items are exercised.

4 - Are your people who are going to Kazakhstan and Sarajevo travelling on commercial flights? If a military flight could we not hop a ride?

Answer: Commercial flights are being utilized, not military.

5 - The string of narration modifications. Is it possible to record them in our own studio and must we send the narrators to Germany each time. I have excellent Russian and German translators here.

Answer: Voiceover narrrations do not have to be recorded in Germany. The Marshall Center will provide all translations. Amendment 0002 revised the performance work statement to identify such translation services as Government furnished services.

6 - Do we provide the camera? It shoots onto a chip. No problem if we do, just wanted to make sure.

Answer: Vendor is expected to provide all necessary equipment.

7 - Nothing is called for about actually producing a TV special. Are we handing over video with no editing?

Answer: No editing is required.

8 - I must have something from you in order to begin a VISA process according to your own requirements. The German Consulate in (my state) advises I must have this request in hand to begin the VISA paperwork, in case we get the bid, which begins fairly quickly.

Answer: After award of a contract, if a Visa is required, an office here at the Marshall Center will assist with the details.

9 - FINALLY, when we all travelled for (another project), we had to have a CARNET which was registered with the authorities before we could fly into a country with electronic gear. This is not a problem for the Marshall Center as you are watching over us, but in Berlin proper, Sarajevo, and Kazakstan we might be stopped unless you have an official with us to clear the road.

Answer: The vendor is expected to secure all necessary documentation for any travel required.

10 -

a. HD is specified at 60i/29.97p, is this DVCPRO-HD 720p or DVCPRO-HD 1080i?

Please elaborate on the exact specification of format.

b. The student trips to Washington and Berlin have potential overlapping dates, must the contractor supply 2 film crews in this instance?

c. Is the use of a Panasonic HVX200, which is an HD P2 camera, acceptable?

d. Is there any editing required or simply the videotaping of the interviews and B Roll and the recording of the narrative scripts?

e. Will the interviews be conducted in English or German?

Answer: a. The HD camera spec is DVCPRO-HD 720p. Amendment 0002 revised the performance work statement accordingly.

b. In the event both optional items are exercised, the student trips require only one day's shooting time each, making it possible to shoot both consecutively with one camera crew.

c. The Panasonic HVX200 would be acceptable. Amendment 0002 revised the performance work statement, contract line item descriptions, and Instructions to Quoters accordingly.

d. There is no editing or post-production required.

e. A-roll "Interviews" will be conducted in English, German, and Russian. However, all "interviewees" speak English as well. The speakers will talk from a prepared script; there is no Q&A involved.

11 -

• What is the ultimate goal of the video? How will it be used?

• How long do wish the final product to be?

• What sort of field trips are expected (including how far from site and for how long)?

• Will graphics be needed other than the open and close? (i.e.: maps, graphs, charts)

Answer: The footage and the voiceover narration will be used for a promotional video about the Marshall Center.

Final product will be 10-15 minutes long.

The two field trips are described as option items in the SOW; one is to

Washington, D.C. for one day's shooting, the other is to Berlin for one day's shooting.

The contract does not require any graphic design or production.

12 -

a. I have sifted through dozens of outlets in the United States and can find no Panasonic AJ-HPX 2100 P2 cameras for rent. …. Also, there is some question as to how you want the video shipped. This camera uses P2 cards, a part of a harddrive system.

No problem downloading them while in Berlin for shooting, but elsewhere, like sending the cards from Khazakstan, Sarajevo, and Washington, could be a problem. They could be easily wiped along the way unless we hand delivered them after a shoot, which of course adds to cost.

b. It is unclear whether Item 1 (a-roll) and Item 2 (b-roll) are shot at the same time as Item 7 (European Field Study) or whether they are unconnected and separate and/or whether Item 1 and 2 are shot at a different time although later in the SOW (p. 41 4.3.1 GCMC Shots. They are itentified as being shot in Ju/Jul 2008. If they are shot at the same time and connected then we can not add travel expenses to the budget for getting to Berlin as item 7 suggests. This too is confusing as you include in the item 1 & 2 video you advised would be of Building 109...material which the Scope says will not be shot until May of 2009. A bit confusing.

Answer: a. For the delivery of the footage, the SOW stipulates:

- uncompressed Quick Time, or as uncompressed XDCAM (MSF OP1a interleaved) files

The vendor will not be required to ship P2 cards, just the above mentioned file types.

b. The 8 days of consecutive shooting are targeted for mid-October, when the Program for Advance Security Studies course is in session. Because the Marshall Center Park and Building 109 are currently not available for shooting, these items are identified separately in the pricing schedule as optional line items. The field trips are also optional line items and are tentatively scheduled to occur in November 2008. Amendment 0002 revised the performance work statement and contract line item descriptions accordingly.

13 -

a. Travel costs are mentioned to be excluded from all the field trips. Do costs for excess luggage (camera-equipment), carnet (custom papers for import and export of technical or visa count as travel costs or should they be part of the number on the bid?

b. How many travel days will occur on

- item No 0006 (US Field Study, Washington DC)

- item No 0007 (European Field Study, Berlin)

- item No 0008 (Outreach Event I, Astana, Kazakhstan)

- Item No 0009 (Outreach Event II, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

c. Travel costs for the filming days Garmisch-Partenkirchen. I suppose they should be part of the number on the paper. Is this right?

d. On page 41, point 3.8. it is explained that Contractor should provide 2 sets of files on DV-CAM and on Blue Ray Discs. Where should the transfer costs for manufacturing those items be included in the bid?

Answer:

a. Amendment 0002 clarifies paragraph 3.7. of the performance work statement.

With the exception of the Optional line items 0006, 0007, 0008, and 0009, travel costs must be included with the appropriate line item.

b. Each of the four trips is expected to generate one day of actual shooting.

Traveling to and from each veue would consume at least two more days.

c. Yes. See answer a. above.

d. Such costs shall be included in the appropriate line item.

14 - Will the VIB provide translated scripts in German and Russian, or will it be up to the contractor to provide translation of the scripts and possible script updates?

Answer: The Marshall Center will provide all translations as hard copies. This goes for the optional revisions as well. Amendment 0002 revised paragraph 6 of the performance work statement accordingly.