SOW_(12-02-2015).docx

Statement of Work: Preparation, production, distribution and promotion of an Emergency Red List of Yemeni Cultural Objects at Risk

Summary and Background

This contract will fund the preparation, production and promotion of an Emergency Red List of Yemeni Cultural Objects at Risk. Senate Report 109-277, FY07 Appropriations Legislation, directs the Department of State to assist international organizations to preserve and track historically and culturally significant works stolen from other countries.

Ongoing conflict in Yemen has included airstrikes that have shockingly targeted cultural heritage monuments, sites, and museums, while others have suffered as collateral damage of warfare. Military action and intentional acts of destruction are posing extreme threats to the survival of Yemen’s rich cultural heritage. Ancient heritage sites and museums have also been devastated by looters taking advantage of rising unrest and insecurity and there is evidence that antiquities are being smuggled out of the country through illicit international trafficking networks. Stemming the flow of antiquities out of Yemen and preventing their entry into market countries are essential to the success of Yemeni and international efforts to preserve these heritage sites and cultural institutions.

Red Lists are representative lists of general types or categories of objects, generally protected by national legislation and international agreements, which are subjected to illicit international trafficking. The Red Lists are intended to protect cultural heritage at risk by helping customs officials, police officers, art dealers, museums, and collectors to recognize possible illicitly traded objects and take appropriate action when they are identified.

Need

The State Department requires a contractor to prepare, edit, translate, design, print, disseminate and promote an Emergency Red List of Yemeni Cultural Objects at Risk. The Emergency Red List of Yemeni Cultural Objects at Risk must conform to standards for production and dissemination set in prior editions of the Red List series.

Level of Performance Expected

The completed publication will meet the requirements specified in the Responsibilities section below.

Responsibilities (The work to be performed)

The State Department requires a contractor to prepare, produce, distribute and promote an Emergency Red List of Yemeni Cultural Objects at Risk, which consists of:

1. Research and selection of experts for an international committee to draft the Red List brochure and provide project support;

2. Co-ordination of editorial meetings of international experts to select the categories and objects to be described and illustrated and narrative content to be included in the brochure;

3. Translation, correction and proof reading of publication copy and captions in a minimum of four language versions, including English, French, German, and Arabic;

4. Design, preparation of layout, integration/adaptation of all language versions and printing;

5. Promotion and distribution of the Red Lists worldwide, official launch in at least one country as pertinent to the project, and development of the web version of the brochure.

Required Experience/Background

The contractor must have demonstrated experience in producing and distributing a high quality publication in the cultural heritage protection field, strong credibility among law enforcement agencies and cultural heritage institutions that will be the primary users of the publication, and intimate knowledge of Yemeni cultural objects at risk.

To be fully effective, the producer of the Red List should be an international organization with world-wide membership and offices that can draw on the expertise and support of affiliated national committees, institutions, and experts who can validate the organization’s priorities and contribute to the implementation of its programs.

Evaluation Criteria

1. The contractor should have demonstrated experience in producing and distributing a high quality publication in the cultural heritage protection field.

2. The contractor should have access to experts with intimate knowledge of Yemeni cultural objects at risk.

3. To be credible to potential government and private sector users, the Red List should be produced by and attributed to a recognized, authoritative international organization.

4. So that its findings in determining the fact and nature of the threat are both credible and authoritative, the organization should have an established reputation in cultural heritage protection as its primary mission.

5. To encourage international support and participation in all stages of production and promotion, the contracting organization should have international membership and physical presence worldwide.

Period of Performance 1-year from date of award.

Location of Work To be arranged by contractor. The State Department will not provide workspace or equipment.

Security None