SOW.pdf

Scope of Work Biodiversity conservation filming and filmmaker training in Bangladesh

Period of Performance: Seven days beginning o/a June 8, 2014 – June 14, 2014;

additional deliverable dates are tied to the completion of a short film.

Background:

Bangladesh’s forest resources and biodiversity has been severely degraded by population pressures in the last several decades, resulting in land clearing for agriculture, grazing, fire, uncontrolled logging, firewood collection, and illegal hunting. Protected areas which predominantly consist of forests and wetlands represents only 1.6 percent of the country’s land mass; one of the lowest rates in the world, however, this low percent of land is home to a substantial amount of wildlife, including globally endangered primates and the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger.

Over the past 20 years, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has worked to conserve forests and other important biodiversity rich habitats throughout Bangladesh.

One of the largest remaining areas of mangroves in the world, a focal point of USAID biodiversity conservation activities, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sundarbans is supporting an exceptional level of biodiversity in both the terrestrial and marine environments including a large population of the globally endangered Royal Bengal Tiger. Population censuses of the Royal Bengal Tigers estimate a population of approximately 440 individuals, a higher density than any other population of tigers in the world.

The Sundarbans diverse biological resources include a 334 plant species. The dense mangrove forests are also the only remaining habitat in the lower Bengal Basin for many faunal species including 49 mammal species, 59 reptile species, 8 amphibian species, 210 fish species, and 315 species of waterfowl, raptors and forest birds.

Beginning in May 2014, USAID will initiate the Bangladesh Biodiversity Campaign that will build local and international awareness around Bangladesh’s rich biodiversity. The purpose will be to discuss and highlight biodiversity threats including wildlife trafficking and poaching, and communicate to a variety of audiences how past and present USAID activities have and will continue to protect vital habitat and biologically and culturally important species.

Objective:

The objective of the one-week training and filming activity is to:

1) Develop a small cadre (8-10 individuals) of Bangladeshi filmmakers, cinematographers, and/or reporters with the necessary perspective, skills, and abilities to conceptualize, on film, and produce high quality, digital documentaries targeted at Bangladeshi and international audiences; and,

2) Film, produce, and edit a 3-5 minute advocacy or educational documentary film focusing on biodiversity conservation, wildlife trafficking, and/or wildlife poaching related to the Sundarbans targeted at both Bangladeshi and international audiences.

Scope of Work:

This Scope of Work is for the first event of the USAID/Bangladesh Biodiversity Campaign; a training event for Bangladeshi cinematographers, filmmakers, and television reporters.

USAID/Bangladesh is seeking a team (no more than three individuals) of experienced filmmakers and trainers to design and implement a short training course and produce a 3-5 minute and 30-second biodiversity conservation film.

Description of the training event The training course will focus on how to design, film, and produce a 3-5 minute documentary focused on biodiversity conservation and biodiversity threats in Bangladesh. As a result of the training event, a cadre of trained filmmakers, cinematographers, and/or reporters will be able to develop short films, news reports, and other media pieces that will increase awareness and raise the profile of biodiversity conservation successes and threats.

Training methods should be proposed by the Contractor and could include, but are not limited to, the use of training manuals, PowerPoint presentations, or hands-on sessions. Training will be conducted in English, with translation into Bangla as-needed. The team of consultants is expected to supply all training materials for this short-course. USAID can help identify a training venue, but all costs involving venue rental and setup will be the responsibility of the selected Contractor. The training can be conducted anywhere in Bangladesh.

USAID/Bangladesh and its implementing partners will assist in the identification of participants.

Participants should total no more than nine individuals and could include communication specialists from USAID/Bangladesh implementing partners, members of the Bangladeshi media, and Bangladeshi university film students.

Description of the films The 3-5 minute high definition digital documentary will focus on biodiversity conservation activities and current threats to biodiversity in the Sundarbans. The documentary film should be filmed in and around the Sundarbans. The applicant should provide a narrative “pitch” describing the basic film concept, refining the film focus within the broader theme of biodiversity conservation and threat, and providing illustrative examples of how the film would be structured. Final film content decisions will be discussed between Contractor and USAID before filming begins.

The finished film will be shown during segments of the USAID/Bangladesh Biodiversity Campaign, USAID/Bangladesh and USAID events, national and international meetings, and will be posted on the internet through USAID/Bangladesh social media outlets (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, etc). Additionally, a 30-second film using clips from the 3-5 minute film is also requested. This will be used for similar promotional events or potential as a public service announcement on Bangladeshi television.

The Contractor is expected to provide all necessary filming, production, and post-production equipment. No equipment or software (i.e. cameras, computers, movie editing software, etc) will be purchased under this activity. If needed, USAID can assist with the identification of computer lab space for post-production hardware and software, but the costs affiliated with computer lab space rental will be the sole responsibility of the selected Contractor and should be incorporated in the production cost of the films.

Deliverables:

1) A short report of no more than five pages describing the training event, describing participants, and major outputs.

2) An electronic copy of all training materials used during instruction.

3) Three to five minute film focusing on biodiversity conservation, wildlife trafficking, and/or wildlife poaching related to the Sundurbans. A first cut of the film is expected at the end of the initial seven day work period. A screen-able version is expected 15 days after completion of the initial seven day work period, with a final version delivered 45 days after the initial seven day work period.

4) A 30-second short film using segments of the longer film to be used for shorter introductions to the topic.

USAID will review and provide comment on both 3-5 minute and 30-second films before approving a final product.

All training materials and films developed become the property of USAID and are not for use or distribution by any other entity unless previously agreed upon by USAID and the selected Contractor.

Personnel Qualifications:

The consulting team of trainers/filmmakers will consist of up to three individuals.

- At least one of the team members should have at least three years training individuals and/or small groups in developing and filming short documentaries and/or advocacy films in developing countries focusing on international development or environmental stories or concepts, preferably biodiversity conservation or wildlife trafficking.

- Team members must also have at least three years experience filming internationally recognized documentaries or films in developing countries focusing on development or environmental stories or concepts, preferably biodiversity conservation or wildlife trafficking.

- At least one of the team members should have at least three years of filmmaking experience in Bangladesh, preferably focusing on biodiversity conservation and/or environmental issues and be fluent in Bangla.

Application Format:

1. A proposal, no more than four pages, describing how both training and film production objectives will be met in a timely manner;

2. Technical qualifications of the team of trainer/filmmakers including CVs for all proposed personnel along with select internet links or digital copies of relevant short films developed by team members;

3. Sample training and filming schedule including a proposal regarding training venue/location; and,

4. Budget including a description of costs for personnel, travel (international and within Bangladesh), logistics (including venue rental/s) for both training facilities and film production costs.

Evaluation:

USAID will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria:

1. Price will be a factor in the evaluation of all proposals. (25%)

2. Technical quality and feasibility of the approach to both perform the training and develop the 3-5 minute and 30-second film under the proposed deadlines will be a factor in the evaluation of all proposals. Proposals should include a description of the Contractor’s proposed methodology to design the training course (including training materials) and develop the 3-5 minute and 30-second films. Additionally, a proposed method to disseminate the films to the widest possible audience, both within Bangladesh and to international audiences is also requested. (40%)

3. Experience and knowledge of USAID, international development, working in Bangladesh and past filmmaking/documentary work will be factors in the evaluation of all proposals.

(30%)

4. Past Performance with USAID and the USG will be a factor in the evaluation of all proposals. (5%)