QUESTIONS-ANSWERS.pdf

2012 WORLDWIDE AUDIENCE SURVEY

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. Is a web survey the preferred mode of data collection or is there an option for other methods?

Answer – It is assumed that a web survey would be one of the possible modes of data collected but is not preferred over other methods the contractor may propose that could meet the project requirements. We assume that the majority of our intended audience will have internet/web access however we may not have good e-mail addresses for all so initial contact/follow up may need to use USPS.

2. Please explain deliverable 0013. Exactly what is a R & T Spot Request?

Answer – R & T refers to Radio and Television Spot or “Commercial”. Contractor shall propose language/content for these informational pieces (30 – 60 seconds) which will be produced by DMA’s

Radio & Television Production Office (RTPO) for use on AFRTS/AFN and at affiliates serving the target audiences.

3. What will be the format of the contact information for potential respondents supplied to the research vendor?

Answer – Contact information will be data file shared either electronically or via DVD/CD. Government will work with Contractor to insure file format is acceptable for use.

4. Will the contact information contain any demographic information? If so, what demographic information will be included?

Answer – Yes. Contact information will be requested to provide basic demographic information

(gender/age) and survey may ask questions to further refine (e.g. education/service/rank..).

5. How many contacts does the client anticipate will be necessary to achieve a response rate of 10,000?

Answer – 10,000 has been chosen as the size of the initial sample set not the anticipated return rate.

Intent is to maximize participation to allow a better than 95% confidence level for overall data and for as many sub-groupings as possible, e.g. Atlantic and Pacific.

6. Will results from the 2006 study be available to the contractor if an award for the project is made?

Answer – Available results from the 2006 study will be made available to the selected contractor after the initial kick off meeting.

7. What is your desired sample size? Do you expect 10,000 outgoing invitations or 10,000 respondents?

Answer – Assumption is 10,000 outgoing invitations.

8. What is mode of contact – mail, online or both?

Answer – Expectation is that physical mail and electronic mail may be necessary for adequate contact with the invitees.

9. What is the mode of survey administration? Online, or mail and online?

Answer – It is expected that after successful contact the survey will be able to be conducted/administered online.

10. What proportion of your sample has email address?

Answer – The DoD organization that will generate the list of invites estimates that 90% of Active Duty and 75% of Reserve/National Guard records have NON ZERO entries in their respective e-mail fields.

This information is self-reported so there is no guarantee that the information contains a complete e-mail address or the address is currently being used/monitored. This uncertainty results in the 10,000 outgoing invitations and the advisory that physical mailing may be required. Extent of this mailing will not be known until the list is generated and the contractor reviews the e-mail fields for first level completeness.

11. What proportion has regular access to the internet?

Answer – For purposes of this survey all respondents are assumed to have regular internet access although some may be in shared/common spaces.

12. You mention using USPS. Would you consider using APO?

Answer – Reference to USPS was used to distinguish physical mail vice electronic. Invitees/respondents will all be overseas so use of military mail is expected.

13. What sample size would you expect for the pre-test?

Answer – Sample size for pre-test is to be proposed by the contractor. Intent is to assess general accessibility to the audience, comprehension of questions…

14. Will you accept proposals by email?

Answer – We will not accept proposals via email.

15. You require one original and three copies for the technical proposal (volume 1) – is there a specific protocol for this if submitting by email?

Answer – See response above.

16. Can you give us information about past response rates with this sample? And for your 2006 survey?

Answer – Assume response rate for the AFRTS universe to track with overall US domestic response rates and is affected by similar issues, e.g. clarity of purpose, time commitment, ease of use. 2006 survey was conducted under different conditions, different audience groups and with a combination of mail and internet response. Overall response rate was approximately 11%. As this survey will not be sent to personnel in conflict areas we anticipate meeting and hopefully exceeding this response rate.

17. Can you share the questionnaire with us at this stage?

Answer – Available information from the past survey will be shared with the successful bidder after the post award conference.

18. Is there an incumbent for the study?

Answer – No.

19. We notice that in the Past Performance surveys, there is a question asking if the Contractor “has provided a range of radio, television, non-traditional or social media programming analysis and/or audience research services for you?” It is our understanding that the requirements of the brief are broader than media/audience analysis alone, and so one or more of our Past Performance references may not have commissioned media research, but instead commissioned other research relevant to this project. Would it be possible to expand the definition of services provided in this Past Performance survey question, or are you only interested in Past Performance references for solely media research projects?

Answer – Intent is that the totality of the bidder’s response will demonstrate its past performance and its familiarity with traditional and non-traditional media that would translate to the AFRTS/AFN worldwide environment. Therefore the bidder may elect to present a reference that can attest to any specific strengths or capability of the bidder that addresses the requirements of the solicitation that is not strictly media related. The overall proposal should demonstrate the bidder’s familiarity with the media market and individual references can support either a broad or a more narrow topic.

20. Within the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, point 2.

Basic Proposal Submission Requirements states: b. The proposal shall be organized, concise, and submitted in two volumes. Volumes shall be clearly identified and tabbed. Do the volumes need to be hard copies or are electronic copies acceptable?

Answer: See answer to Question #14 above.

21. If hard copies are required, to what address should the hard copy volumes be

Answer: The address is on the face of the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, para (3). It’s

DEFENSE MEDIA ACTIVITY-CONTRACTING

ATTN: LEILA MILLER

6700 TAYLOR AVE

FORT GEORGE MEADE, MD 20755

22. Section 3.3.1 states: Survey will be capable of surveying up to 10,000 individuals selected to be surveyed. Contractor should assume that all initial invitations will be sent out USPS. Will the names and addresses for the invitations be provided to the contractor?

Answer – Yes, contact information will be provided by the government.

23. For postage estimates, will the invitations be mailed to CONUS or OCONUS addresses?

Answer – all addresses will be OCONUS. Military mail may be used for estimates.

24. Section 3.10.1 states: The contractor shall provide cost to conduct audience focus groups at a) three locations in Germany, b) three locations in Italy, c) two locations in Japan and one location in Korea.

Government will review focus groups benefits and logistics with the Contractor and will determine if this option will be exercised. If exercised, Government and Contractor will agree on a schedule within the overall project timeline. If exercised, is there a preference as to when in the process the Focus Groups would need to be conducted? Is it prior to the development of the questionnaire?

Answer – If this option is exercised scheduling will be coordinated/scheduled cooperatively between government and contractor. Concept is that focus groups would allow a deeper look into audience preferences and evolving options. If schedule allows these to be done in conjunction with questionnaire then effort may also be additional tests of questions and some results may feed back into final survey instrument. If the schedule does not allow, focus group results will stand alone and will be considered by contractor in its final report and recommendations.

25. From the previous 2006 survey, what was the response rate to the initial survey invitation and the final response rate (after the reminder was sent)?

Answer – Initial/Interim response rates are not available. Final response rate was approximately 11%

26. Will only one contractor be awarded a contract for one or both of the survey and focus groups, or may the survey and focus groups be awarded to different contractors?

Answer – Only one contractor will be selected.

27. Are there focus group facilities available on each military base, or would local facilities need to be procured?

Answer – Government will provide general meeting space to be used for optional focus groups.

28. Are focus group respondent co-op/incentive payments necessary or required by any regulations for military personnel? Or are they at the discretion of the contractor?

Answer – Incentive payments are not required and should not be part your proposal.

29. Regarding travel: Item 2.7.1 states, “Travel to other government facilities or other contractor facilities may be required and will be specified in the PWS… …and is strictly on a cost reimbursable basis.” Does this:

a) refer to reimbursement for travel expenses for the audience member focus groups, and/or

b) refer to travel to DMA Headquarters in Forte Meade, MD, for pos-award coordination workshop and final presentation/discussion and AFN-BC in Riverside, CA for two-day workshop reviewing current radio/TV operations, and/or

c) refer to other travel entirely?

Answer – This was addressed in the PWS, para 2.7 (specifically para 2.7.2, “The contractor will be reimbursed for ALL travel….”)