QandA.docx

Q&A Q: For budgeting purposes, do you have a target overall budget range or not-to-exceed figure for this project?

A: A budget range cannot be provided.

Q: Is there a template or suggested proposal format that you would like to see? (maximum page length, file size etc.)

A: No, there is no template. The desired length of the video is indicated in the statement of work.

Q: Do you have a sample script?

A: A sample script is attached.

Q: Do you have links to similar shows (understanding that you are trying to step up the production quality)?

A: Please see the NOAA/PMEL YouTube channel.

Q: We realize this is for YouTube, is there a more specific audience demographic?

A: The public. However, this is also used by NOAA HQ to highlights NOAA's tasks to meet its taxpayer-funded mission objectives.

Q: How many shows will require location shoots?

A: We do not know. This will depend on the scripts, and which projects have footage.

Q: How many days of shooting do you imagine for those shows that need shoots?

A: An educated guess is 15 hours or shooting, spread over two, maybe 3 separate occasions.

Q: Will NOAA-PMEL take care of permits, permissions and releases for any shooting required?

A: For shooting on the PMEL campus only.

Q: What type of shooting will be required?

Single camera?

Multi-camera?

Specialty camera? (drone, steadycam, etc.)

Special rigging?

On-camera talent?

Professional or non-professional talent?

Interviews?

B-roll?

Natural/practical light?

A: We are not cinematographers, but special talent will not be needed. I think lighting (interior, lab shots), and a single camera is all this will be required for this effort.

Q: What percentage of material will NOAA-PMEL compile for each show versus what we will have to source? For example, how many stock images and how many stock clips?

A: It is anticipated that the majority of footage/images will be provided by PMEL

Q: Since the deliverables require HD will all the NOAA-PMEL materials supplied be in HD?

A: We will do so, although a lot of the older footage is not in HD.

Q: Has NOAA-PMEL Creative Services worked with an external production company before?

A: No

Q: Is there an existing company that has done this work before?

A: No

Q: We understand that the themes for the four individual videos are yet to be determined, and that not all four videos will require video footage. In order to give you a useful budget estimate, how much video shooting would you suggest we include in our response?

A: I assume what is stated is that not all four videos will require the production company to shoot footage specifically for that video. This is correct. I am not a videographer but suggest a total amount of on-site shooting for all the videos will amount to 15 hours or shooting. This could be filming a talking head (scientists), or a lab/engineering/logistical exercise at PMEL.

Q: Is it possible to give us an example of number of shooting days? For example…one 10-hour day in Seattle and one 10-hour day in Portland will cover everything needed for all 4 videos.

A: The amount of shooting will depend on the script, and as the scripts do not exist, I cannot give an accurate assessment. In total 15 hours of shooting will be needed, be it in Newport, OR or in Seattle.

Q: With proper planning, could all the needed video be captured on consecutive days, or should we plan for multiple trips to the region?

A: Because of the amount of effort and coordination involved with the script writing and video planning, the thought is that the videos will be produced sequentially, spread over a year.

Q: What might be the nature of the video shooting? For example...interviews with subject matter experts, location b-roll footage, etc. Might any of the footage require special gear, such as underwater videography or aerial drone footage?

A: Interviews, b-roll shooting.

Q: How complex are the illustrations mentioned that may need to be supplied by the production company? For example, are they simple graphs and text, or more like artistic renderings to describe a technical concept? Can you provide an existing sample illustration?

A: One the more complex side of the spectrum of animations required is similar to that at 00:37 in this video. On the simpler side, and what we would like to improve on, is the data animation at 00:47 in the 2017 Arctic Report Card video.

Q: Do you have a sample of the type of animations you may need for these videos? Some animations, even 2D can be very elaborate. It would help us to budget properly if we could see the level of complexity/production value you are looking for.

A: We are looking for a more innovative approach and creative direction towards PMEL's YouTube offerings. Here are two examples of our previous in-house videos that we want to have a better approach to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLAwcXt8_3I&list=PL1319F29AC98200F4&index=10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AoEUlcfdoY&list=PL1319F29AC98200F4&index=11

Q: Is travel reimbursable, or part of a Firm Fixed Price?

A: This is a firm fixed price action, any travel you will need to make should be included in your quote. All travel that is expected to be reimbursed must be included in the offer.

Q: Is there a specific format or template for the offer?

A: No, there aren’t any requirements for how the proposal must be formatted.

Q: Where do I send the quote?

A: Quotes should be emailed to ben.carlson@noaa.gov.

The animation you see at 0:45 in this video is at the more complex extent of what we will need. Otherwise it is animations to highlight the Arctic Ocean ice boundaries, or the changes over time of a variable on a time series plot.

Q: Do you have an example of a professional video done for NOAA in the past that would be comparable to what you seek in this solicitation?

A: We have previously done all videos in-house. None were done professionally. One of the objectives is to improve on the production quality of the videos on the PMEL YouTube channel.

What type of “illustrations” would be needed as mentioned in the SOW? Is this something different than the animations, like perhaps some maps or graphic text on the screen? In Section 1.04, the language reads, “up to 3 illustrations and 2 animated concept segments” per video may be required.

Answer: These are illustrations that depict a scientific process (the carbon cycle) or a data time series. We will, however, provide the technical draft of these illustrations, and ask help from the production company to "cartoonize" the illustration to be appropriate for use in the video.

Q: If filming is required for these videos, can we film for all 4 videos on one trip to Seattle?

A: No, all the on-site filming for all 4 videos can most likely not be completed during one visit. The story-lines and themes for the 4 videos will be developed with sequentially, possibly in response to new scientific results or developments. This storyline, and the content required to substantiate the message, will therefore only be known when the work focus is changed to the video. It has to be noted that we do not anticipate that all 4 videos will require on-site filming.

Q: Is there a need for the contractor to purchase any file footage/photos?

A: Yes, there may be a need for this. PMEL has a large selection of images and footage though.

Q: Is audio description required? Closed captioning?

A: Closed captioning is NOT required. Audi description is not required. Some attention to have visual subjects and topics explained in the videos is encouraged.

Q: Is it safe to assume that all footage and content delivered to the production team by NOAA-PMEL staff will be of minimum quality for final delivery (1080p or higher resolution)?

A:

Q: If travel to the Newport location is warranted, will travel expenses be compensated outside of the estimate for the PWS?

A: No

Q: In the PWS it mentions that one draft video will be delivered to the PMEL CSG team before final delivery - is this the only round of feedback that the PMEL CSG team will have?

A:

Q: It appears that some of the videos will require filming – in order to provide an accurate firm-fixed budget can you provide more details – how many anticipated days of filming are required each year and to what locations? This is important to know in order to provide a budget.

A: 15 hours, Seattle, WA and Newport, OR Q: Can you please provide information on what you expect for the proposal response? There is no information provided – i.e. do you want us to provide a one proposal including a budget? Do you want samples of work via a link? Can we email in the proposal? We’d appreciate more details on how to respond to the SOW.

A: Please email your offer to ben.carlson@noaa.gov. Samples would be nice if available. There is no required format for your response.

Q: In terms of the basis of award can you provide more details?

A: The technical proposal will outweigh price.

Q: To garner a sense of quality for the work can provide any budget information and if not, can you describe the level of quality you want to attain or another sample video as an example of quality - as that impacts the budget?

A: We are looking for a more innovative approach and creative direction towards PMEL's YouTube offerings. Here are two examples of our previous in-house videos that we want to have a better approach to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLAwcXt8_3I&list=PL1319F29AC98200F4&index=10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AoEUlcfdoY&list=PL1319F29AC98200F4&index=11 Q: Do you have a sample of the type of animations you may need for these videos? Some animations, even 2D can be very elaborate. It would help us to budget properly if we could see the level of complexity/production value you are looking for.

A: The animation you see at 0:45 in this video is at the more complex extent of what we will need. Otherwise it is animations to highlight the Arctic Ocean ice boundaries, or the changes over time of a variable on a time series plot.

Q: Is it safe to assume that all footage and content delivered to the production team by NOAA-PMEL staff will be of minimum quality for final delivery (1080p or higher resolution)?

A: Some of the footage is older, and may not be HD. Together with the production company a decision can be made if non-HD footage is acceptable where no other footage exists.

Q: In the PWS it mentions that one draft video will be delivered to the PMEL CSG team before final delivery - is this the only round of feedback that the PMEL CSG team will have?

A: There will be other milestones that will be set for each project to ensure the collaboration is on the right (message) track, and that the production company has all the information needed. The delivery of a final draft video is, however, a key milestone on each of the 4 videos.

Q: Wanted to clarify that NOAA would write the scripts but the production company would also be responsible for reviewing the scripts and providing input?

A: This interpretation is correct.

Q: The SOW notes that NOAA will provide raw video and still videos – can we assume these will be license free to use?

A: Yes.

Q: Related to question above – the production company is also responsible for locating other footage to license and use – footage and stills? Is there any way to quantify how much the production company would have to license vs. NOAA in terms of budgeting?

A: This is typically where stock footage of a non-technical/scientific nature is required. An estimate is that about 30s of stock footage (2 scenes) will be required for each video.

Q: What is the cutoff date for questions?

A: The question cutoff date is 8/20/2018.