RFI_Communication Support Services (Final).pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

RFI Number: RFI-442-23-002 Issuance Date: November 28, 2022 Responses Due Date: December 9, 2022 at 4:00 pm, Phnom Penh time

USAID/Cambodia Communication Support Services

USAID/Cambodia has developed a DRAFT Statement of Work (SOW) for a prospective activity to provide outreach communication services to assist USAID/Cambodia to promote the implementation of its Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and raise awareness among its Cambodian and international audiences about CDCS implementation and development impact.

DISCLAIMER

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and is part of USAID’s market research. This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government to issue an RFP. Responses to this RFI shall not be portrayed as offers and will not be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding agreement. Issuance of this notice does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of comments. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

Responses to this RFI are strictly voluntary and USAID will not pay respondents for information provided in response to this RFI. Responses to this RFI will not be returned and respondents will not be notified of the result of the review. If an RFP is issued, it will be announced on www.sam.gov website at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that RFP from any response to this announcement.

Businesses should identify any proprietary information in their responses. Proprietary materials will neither be distributed, nor discussed with any other organization. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used at the discretion of the U.S. Government1. Further, the information submitted will remain confidential insofar as permitted by law, including the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts.

INSTRUCTIONS

Responses (comments, suggestions, and enhancements) to this RFI are due to the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) at the identified e-mail addresses below by December 9, 2022 at 4:00 pm, Phnom Penh time. Interested parties must provide one (1) electronic copy of their response in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat format. Please email responses to Ms. Samsak Sao at

1 FAR 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997) http://www.sam.gov/ ssao@usaid.gov and to Mr. Francis Hall at fhall@usaid.gov with the subject title “Responses to USAID/Cambodia Communication Support Services Activity”. RFI submission should be in English language.

DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK

I. TITLE OF ACTIVITY

USAID/Cambodia Communication Support Services, henceforth “Activity”

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Activity is to provide outreach and communication services to assist USAID/Cambodia promote the implementation of its Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and raise awareness among its Cambodian and international audiences about CDCS implementation and development impact.

III. OBJECTIVES

USAID/Cambodia has embarked on the development of its five-year CDCS, aiming to support Cambodia to become a more open, prosperous, resilient, and inclusive partner in the Indo-Pacific region, through a range of programs in sectors such as health, education, child protection, social accountability, civil society strengthening, improving labor rights, economic growth, countering human and wildlife trafficking, and addressing climate change.

The objectives of the proposed activity are:

• To inform USAID/Cambodia’s audiences about the development and implementation of programs under the new CDCS.

• To educate Cambodia’s influencers and thought leaders on the benefits and role of USAID and the relationship between the two countries.

• To promote better understanding and awareness among key audiences of the impact of USAID’s work in contributing to positive development outcomes in Cambodia, in particular post-COVID-19.

• To improve perceptions among the Cambodian people of the benefits and strategic value of USAID/Cambodia’s programs, in order to encourage amplified development partnerships with the host country.

IV. STATEMENT OF WORK

The following outlines required tasks under the Activity. Within each task, the Contractor must perform work to achieve the required results.

Task 1: Visual Content/Graphic Design

Under this Task, the Contractor must provide USAID/Cambodia with creative and production services to conceptualize, design, and create informative, persuasive and visually appealing/interesting graphics, infographics, data visualizations, photography, and videos, among other products, of the impacts of USAID/Cambodia activities and inform a better understanding of the development challenges facing the country. The contractor must create and produce, each year, the following work:

• No less than 5 and up to 15 high quality 30 to 60-seconds videos, including filming, creating short videos, video editing, and captioning in Khmer and English, as applicable. The videos may include but are not limited to testimonies from USAID project beneficiaries; videos highlighting positive images of Cambodia; videos highlighting special events and activities, and videos that capture the work of USAID in Cambodia.

• Professional photography coverage for up to 100 days based on schedules of events and/or site visits outside of Phnom Penh. Work shall include taking significant photo shoots, editing the photo shoots, and submission of high-quality photographs either electronically or in professional print quality with proper captions, as required.

• No less than 40 and up to 60 visual products that are not limited to infographics, data visualizations, slideshows, and posters (to be produced in both English and Khmer).

• Product Design, including design for swag giveaway and marketing materials.

The swag may include: caps, umbrellas, scarves, shirts, pens, tote bags, backpacks, coffee mugs, water bottles, lanyards, motorcycle helmets, safety vests, face masks, notebooks, keychains, rain jackets, and calendars. The contractor may provide recommendations for additional swag products that are appropriate for the local target market.

• Social Media Draft Content, including social media campaigns aligned with thematic calendar campaigns. Social Media content will be published by the USAID/Cambodia Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) on USAID/Cambodia’s account at minimum once a week, up to 5 times a week.

Task 2: Translation

The Contractor must provide USAID/Cambodia with an estimated 200 translation and interpretation services per year from English to Cambodian language and vice versa (simultaneous or consecutive interpretation for public events, written documents for a variety of products from speeches, factsheets, briefing documents, PowerPoint presentations, short reports, social media post, and similar products), including sign language, as needed, particularly on short notice and with quick turnarounds.

Task 3: Public Event Support

The Contractor must provide logistical and creative support from planning to execution to close out of USAID/Cambodia’s public events, including as needed: venue rental, catering, setup/takedown, staff support, audio/visual, invitations and invite maintenance, displays, etc. The Mission anticipates:

• Up to 15 in-person events per year

a. Events involving between 40-70 participants to be held in Phnom Penh, or other major cities in Cambodia;

b. Events will include the development, sending, and management of invitations and RSVPs;

c. Events will require all aspects large professional event management and logistic planning, including the provision of Master of Ceremonies, video, and audio support;

d. Venues can vary from commercial establishments (such as hotels or conference centers) to government facilities, academic institutions, or organizational headquarters.

• Event reports with summary, number of RSVP, participation, outreach, lessons learned, media results, and other customary event reports.

• Potential for Khmer and Khmer Sign Language simultaneous interpretation may be requested.

Task 4: Press and Media Support

• Draft Press Releases weekly.

• Organize and Support Press Conferences (quantity depends on high level visits or high level events per year; quantity unknown).

• Media Engagement and Press Interview Preparation support monthly, as needed.

• Press Caravans; organize and support (unknown quantity, possibly annually).

• Monitor USAID News Coverage in Local Media.

• Monitor USAID mentions in Social Media.

Task 5: Training and Capacity Building

• Work with USAID/Cambodia DOC Team to identify USAID Communications and Outreach policies and guidelines gaps within implementing partners communications staff.

• Present/Provide relevant communications and outreach training support to implementing partners’ communications staff.

V. USEFUL RESOURCES FOR CONTENT AND MESSAGING

• USAID/Cambodia website: https://www.usaid.gov/cambodia

• USAID’s Role in Advancing the U.S. Vision for a Free and Open Indo- Pacific: https://www.usaid.gov/indo-pacific-vision

• USAID’s COVID-19 assistance worldwide: https://www.usaid.gov/coronavirus

• A Free and Open Indo-Pacific, Advancing a Shared Vision, Nov 4, 2019: https://www.state.gov/wp content/uploads/2019/11/Free-and- Open-Indo-Pacific-4Nov2019.pdf

• USAID Graphic Standards Manual and Partner Cobranding Guide https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1869/USAID_GM -02_04_2020.pdf

[END OF STATEMENT OF WORK]

https://www.usaid.gov/coronavirus

QUESTIONS

USAID seeks to solicit information on the following specific questions to inform the design of the planned activity. Please ensure comments are concise and specific to the information requested.

1. Does your company have prior experience providing services/tasks as described in the draft statement of work? If yes, please provide further information about your prior experience on each service/task.

2. Is your company majority owned by individuals who are Cambodian or lawful permanent residents of Cambodia?

3. Can your company provide up to 15 high quality videos a year - Including filming, creating short videos, video editing, and captioning in Khmer and English?

4. Can your company provide photography services for up to 100 days?

5. Can your company provide up to 60 visual products such as infographics, data visualizations, and posters to be produced in both English and Khmer a year?

6. Can your company provide 200 translation and interpretation services per year (written documents, short reports, and similar products)?

7. Can your company provide event planning services to include logistical and creative support from planning to execution including: venue rental, catering, setup/takedown, staff support, audio/visual, invitations and invite maintenance, and displays?

8. Can your company provide these event planning services for events with 100 participants?

9. Can your company provide 15 of these events per year in Phnom Penh and other major cities in Cambodia?

10. Can your company provide Khmer language and Khmer Sign Language simultaneous interpretation service?

11. Does your company have prior experience working with USAID, USAID Implementing Partners, the U.S. Embassy, or any other U.S. organizations?

12. Would you be interested in participating in a co-creation workshop/conference if held in Phnom Penh? If yes, please provide a brief statement of interest and capability statement along with the following information:

• Name, e-mail address and address of organization and primary point of contact (name, title, and e-mail address)

• General organization information

• Statement of capabilities (including staff and technical resources)