Request For Information_Shortwave Transmission.pdf

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT (SS) ONLY

This is a Request for Information/Sources Sought/Market Research announcement for information gathering, to be used for preliminary planning purposes. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this RFI/SS. THIS IS

NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FROM THIS

NOTICE. Any requests for a solicitation in response to this notice will not be honored. Submission of any information in response to this RFI/SS/Market Research is purely voluntary. The Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred.

The purpose of this RFI/SS is to engage with industry early to answer questions, have open discussions, and identify potential sources that can provide Shortwave Transmission Services based on the attached set of draft requirements.

DISCLOSURE:

THIS IS A COMBINED REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/ SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR

INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A REQUEST FOR

PROPOSAL, REQUEST FOR QUOTE OR AN INVITATION FOR BID. IT DOES NOT

CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY

THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT

IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION OR AWARD A CONTRACT AS A

RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE MADE FOR COSTS

ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS

STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. This announcement contains a draft Statement of Work (SOW) and a Contractor Capability Survey, and a Rough

Order of Magnitude (ROM). The SOW, Survey, and Estimates allows interested parties to provide their company’s capability in response to this RFI/SS.

2. If, after reviewing these documents, your company plans to participate in this Market Research, your company should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting the requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the Government being unable to adequately assess your company’s capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.)

3. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. You should identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be set-aside exclusively for Small Business Concerns. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are acceptable.

All questions, comments, or responses to this RFI/SS must be submitted electronically via email to Nicole Wright at NWright@usagm.gov. Questions regarding this announcement must be submitted electronically by 1:00 PM

Eastern Standard Time (EST) on February 28, 2025. Interested parties must submit a capability statement and completed Contractor Capability Survey to Nicole Wright at NWright@usagm.gov no later than 1:00 PM

Eastern Standard Time on March 11, 2025. To be considered timely, all responses must be submitted by the due date and the email subject must include the title “RFI_USAGM Shortwave Transmission Services”

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Part I. Business Information

Please provide the following business information for your company/organization and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

· Company/Organization Name:

· Address:

· UEI:

· CAGE Code:

· Phone Number:

· Point of Contact and E-mail Address:

· Web Page URL:

· Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 516110 - Radio

Broadcasting Stations

Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

· Small Business (Yes / No)

· Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

· Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No)

· 8(a) Certified (Yes / No)

· HUBZone Certified (Yes / No)

· Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

· Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)

· System for Award Management (SAM) (Yes / No)

· A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

A. General Capability Content Information:

1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your entity and nature of the goods and/or services you provide. This should include company background information to include an executive summary. (Not to exceed 5 pages)

2. Describe your company's past experience providing Shortwave Transmission Services. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager). (Not to exceed 5 pages)

B. Rough Order of Magnitude

1. Provide an estimated cost / price required to perform the services. See below Pricing Chart.

NOTICE: This RFI/SS is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute an Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposal (RFP), or a Request for Quote (RFQ) nor a guarantee to issue an IFB, RFP, or

RFQ in the future. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government to contract for any supply or service. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or agreement. The US Government is in no way liable to pay for or reimburse any companies or entities that respond to this announcement. Any costs incurred by interested companies in response to this announcement will NOT be reimbursed. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

PART III. DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

Shortwave Transmission Services

SECTION I – GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 BACKGROUND

This is a CONTRACT (hereinafter "Contract") between the U.S. Agency for Global Media (hereinafter referred to as the

"USAGM"), an entity of the Government of the United States of America, with its headquarters located at 330

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20237, U.S.A. and (TBD) (hereinafter "Contractor").

1.2 SCOPE

To provide high quality broadcast service of USAGM Shortwave programs Services including notifying

USAGM Network Control Center whenever transmission failures cannot be promptly corrected, or when duration is not known. Return programs to service as quickly as possible, when transmission failures occur.

Transmission services may not be subcontracted without the consent of both parties.

Transmission Services are to be provided in accordance with the Terms and Conditions and all additional

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause, Regulations, Standards or other documents referenced within this contract.

1.3 PURPOSE

The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform Shortwave Transmission Services as defined in this Statement of Work. The contractor shall meet the standards in this contract.

- Provide high quality broadcast service of USAGM Shortwave programs in accordance with International

Telecommunication Union, Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R).

- Submit monthly invoices promptly for services rendered, with deductions for transmission failures

(per minute).

- Provide satellite reception facilities suitable for downlink and distribution of USAGM programs.

The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over any subcontractors performing any work on this contract. Subcontractors are solely the responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor only is accountable solely to the Government.

1.4 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall One (1) Base Period of 6-months and four (4) Option Periods of 12-months. The

Period of Performance reads as follows:

Base Year: 1 May 2025 - 30 November 2025

Option Year I: 1 December 2025 – 30 November 2026

Option Year II: 1 December 2026 – 30 November 2027

Option Year III: 1 December 2027 - 30 November 2028

Option Year IV: 1 December 2028 – 30 November 2029

1.5 HOURS OF OPERATION

Operates 24 hours, 7 days a week as required by the broadcast schedule. Consistent monitoring and required maintenance performed when required.

1.6 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at the contractors broadcast facility or facilities.

1.7 TYPE OF CONTRACT

This is a Fixed-Fixed Price (FFP) contract.

1.8 ACQUISITION AUTHORITY

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13-Simplified

Acquisition Procedures; FAR Subpart 13.5-Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items; FAR Part 12-

Acquisition of Commercial Items. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-02; dated 01/03/2025. To view the latest Federal Acquisition

Circulars (FAC) go to https://www.regulations.gov.

SECTION II – TECHNICAL SERVICES / SPECIFIC TASKS

2.1 SPECIFIC TASKS

The contractor shall lease high quality transmission capacity for shortwave broadcasting to Africa, Asia, and

Eastern Europe (hereinafter “Areas”) as required by the USAGM and its grantees in accordance with an agreed upon broadcasting schedules and the Attachment titled “Addendum.” The Contractor must be able to cover all areas during both the summer and winter broadcast seasons. It is a technical requirement that USAGM obtains full coverage for these areas and regions.

The Contractor shall lease to the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) shortwave broadcast transmission capacity, receive USAGM programming feed provided by satellite or terrestrial circuits, and transmit the programing by shortwave for the benefit of USAGM and its grantees in accordance with the agreed upon schedules, areas and regions.

http://www.regulations.gov/

SECTION III – REPORTING AND MONITORING

3.1 QUALITY ASSURANCE AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

The Government will measure the Contractor’s performance in accordance with the elements identified in the

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP) below. This plan provides an effective method to promote satisfactory contractor performance. The QASP provides a method for the Contracting Officer's

Representative (COR) to monitor the Contractor’s performance, advise the Contractor of unsatisfactory performance, and notify the Contracting Officer of continued unsatisfactory performance. The Contractor is responsible for management and quality control to meet the terms of the contract. The role of the Government is to monitor quality to ensure that contract standards are achieved.

Performance Objective Scope of Work Paragraph Performance Threshold

Services: To lease high quality transmission capacity for shortwave broadcasting to Africa, Asia, and

Eastern Europe

2.1 All required services are performed

and no more than one (1) customer complaint is received per month.

3.2 SURVEILLANCE

The COR will receive and document all complaints from Government personnel regarding the services provided. If appropriate, the COR will send the complaints to the Contractor for corrective action.

3.3 STANDARD

The performance standard is that the Government receives no more than one (1) customer complaint per month.

The COR shall notify the Contracting Officer of the complaints so that the Contracting Officer may take appropriate action to enforce the inspection clause (FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial

Products and Commercial Services) if any of the services exceed the standard.

3.4 PROCEDURES

3.4.1 If any Government personnel observe unacceptable services, either incomplete work or required services not being performed they should immediately contact the COR. The Contractor shall perform a quarterly customer satisfaction survey to measure driver- operator performance. The Contractor shall deliver survey findings to the

COR and coordinate any changes needed to address quality control.

3.4.2 The Contractor shall perform a quarterly customer satisfaction survey to measure driver- operator performance. The shall deliver survey findings to the COR and coordinate any changes needed to address quality control.

3.4.3 The COR will complete appropriate documentation to record the complaint.

The successful Offeror or Offerors are required to provide all equipment and facilities required to perform the contract, including all equipment and facilities to accept the USAGM’s programming feed and to transmit it by shortwave to the Area or Areas identified with the requisite coverage. Each

Offeror’s proposal must state that it will provide and maintain all equipment, (including, but not limited to, any real property/leasehold facilities) required to provide the shortwave transmitting services. The

Government will not furnish property, i.e., there will be no Government Furnished Property (GFP).

3.4.4 If the COR determines the complaint is invalid, the COR will advise the complainant. The COR will retain the annotated copy of the written complaint for his/her files.

3.4.5 If the COR determines the complaint is valid, the COR will inform the Contractor and give the Contractor additional time to correct the defect, if additional time is available. The COR shall determine how much time is reasonable.

3.4.6 The COR shall, at a minimum, orally notify the Contractor of any valid complaints.

3.4.7 If the Contractor disagrees with the complaint after investigation of the site and challenges the validity of the complaint, the Contractor will notify the COR. The COR will review the matter to determine the validity of the complaint.

3.4.8 The COR will consider complaints as resolved unless notified otherwise by the complainant.

3.4.9 Repeat customer complaints are not permitted for any services. If a repeat customer complaint is received for the same deficiency during the service period, the COR will contact the Contracting Officer for appropriate action under the Inspection clause.

SECTION V - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

5.1 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE

The Contracting Officer will appoint by letter a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) who will have the responsibility of ensuring that the work confirms the requirements of the contract, and such other responsibilities and authorities as may be specified in the letter of authorization or this contract. It is understood and agreed, in particular, that the COR shall not have the authority to make changes to the scope or terms and conditions of the contract unless and only to the extent that such authority is specified in the letter of authorization or the contract.

THE CONTRACTOR IS HEREBY FOREWARNED THAT THE CONTRACTING OFFICER’S

REPRESENTATIVE (COR) CANNOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE CONTRACT WITHOUT PRIOR

WRITTEN AUTHORITY FROM THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE

HELD FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CHANGES NOT AUTHORIZED IN ADVANCE IN WRITING

BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. THE CONTRACTOR MAY BEDENIED COMPENSATION OR

OTHER RELIEF FOR ANY ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED THAT IS NOT AUTHORIZED IN

ADVANCE IN WRITING BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. THE CONTRACTOR MAY ALSO BE

REQUIRED, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO THE GOVERNMENT, TO TAKE ALL CORRECTIVE

ACTIONS NECESSITATED BY REASON OF ANY UNAUTHORIZED CHANGES PERFORMED BY

THE CONTRACTOR WITHOUT SPECIFIC ADVANCE WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION FROM THE

CONTRACTING OFFICER.

The COR is responsible for the program-related activities, including reporting, and communications.

The COR contact information is:

Name: Duane Williams, Contracting Officer’s Representative

E-mail: DWilliam@usagm.gov

Phone: (202) 869-0876

The ACOR contact information is

Name: Julio Alvarez, Alternate Contracting Officer’s Representative

E-mail: JAlvarez@usagm.gov

Phone: (202) 869-1966

5.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER

The CO has the overall responsibility for the administration of the contract. The CO, without the right of delegation, is the only authorized individual to take actions on behalf of the Government to amend, modify, or deviate from the contract terms, conditions, requirements, specifications, details, and/or delivery schedules.

Unless otherwise delegated, only the designated CO has oversight of the contract as a whole.

The CO for this contract is:

Name: Natalie Ellis, Contracting Officer

E-mail: NEllis@usagm.gov

Phone: (202) 920-2305

5.3 CONTRACTOR POINT OF CONTACT

Contractor’s Contract Administrator

In the event your firm receives a contract as a result of this solicitation, designate a person whom the

Government may contact during the period of the contract for prompt contract administration.

Name:

E-mail:

Phone:

mailto:DWilliam@usagm.gov mailto:JAlvarez@usagm.gov mailto:NEllis@usagm.gov

PART IV: Rough Order of Magnitude

Number Supplies or

Services Qty Unit Unit Price Total (Inc. disc., tax, and fees)

1 Services

Firm Fixed

Price PSC:

5,848.000000 HR

Period of Performance: 05/01/2025 - 11/30/2025

Description: Base Period: Shortwave Transmission Services

Reference Line: T001-25-IQ-00017 - 1

Pricing Options: Base

Number Supplies or

Services Qty Unit Unit Price Total (Inc. disc., tax, and fees)

1001 Services

Firm Fixed

Period of Performance: 12/01/2025 - 11/30/2026

Description: Option Period One: Shortwave Transmission

Services

Reference Line: T001-25-IQ-00017 - 2

Pricing Options: Option

Number Supplies or

Services Qty Unit Unit Price Total (Inc. disc., tax, and fees)

2001 Services

Firm Fixed

Period of Performance: 12/01/2026 - 11/30/2027

Description: Option Period 2: Shortwave Transmission

Reference Line: T001-25-IQ-00017 - 3

Pricing Options: Option

Number Supplies or

Services Qty Unit Unit Price Total (Inc. disc., tax, and fees)

3001 Services

Firm Fixed

5,865.000000 HR

Period of Performance: 12/01/2027 - 11/30/2028

Description: Option Period 3: Shortwave Transmission

Reference Line: T001-25-IQ-00017 - 4

Number Supplies or

Services Qty Unit Unit Price Total (Inc. disc., tax, and fees)

4001 Services

Firm Fixed

Period of Performance: 12/01/2028 - 11/30/2029

Description: Option Period 4: Shortwave Transmission

Services

Reference Line: T001-25-IQ-00017 - 5

Pricing Options: Option