SF30-191Z1024R0001 Media Monitor (Amend 0002).pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

1 9

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

A0002

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

SEE BLOCK 16C

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

PR12298528‐0002

5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY CODE IZ100 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

AMERICAN EMBASSY BAGHDAD

AL KINDI STREET, INTERNATIONAL ZONE, ATTN: GSO/PROCUREMENT

(BAGHDAD)

BAGHDAD

IRAQ

AMERICAN EMBASSY BAGHDAD

AL KINDI STREET, INTERNATIONAL ZONE, ATTN: GSO/PROCUREMENT

(BAGHDAD)

BAGHDAD

IRAQ

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (NO., street,city,county,State,and ZIP Code) 9a. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

191Z1024R0001

9b. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10a. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10b. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

[ ] The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers [ ] is extended, [X] is not extended

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods: (a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning ___(1)____ copy of the amendment;(b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or(c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers.

FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b)

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

X D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor [ ] is not, [X] is required to sign this document and return _(1)_ copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMENDMENT IS TO:

(1) Publish Industry questions and Government answers.

(2) Amendment to channel list.

SEE THE CHANGES TO THE SOLICITATION HEREIN.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print) 16A. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

JAMES ADAMS

15B. NAME OF CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

BY

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

15C.DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BY

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

16C.DATE SIGNED

May 07, 2024

NSN 7540‐01‐152‐8070 Standard Form 30 (revised 10/83) Previous edition unusable Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

RFP 191Z1024R0001

Amendment 0002

Embassy of the United States of America

Baghdad, Republic of Iraq

Solicitation 191Z1024R0001 Media Monitoring Services Questions & Answers

Date: May 07, 2024

Question#1: Does our company need to be registered with the government of Iraq to compete for the upcoming remote Baghdad Media Monitoring with the US Department of State?

Not if the company is registered abroad, located abroad, and will deliver the services remotely.

However, any registration obligation by the hosting government regarding any work conducted on the ground for this contract is the sole responsibility of the contractor if and when needed.

Question #2: Who is the incumbent vendor?

The vendor currently supplying the services is Exovera LLC.

Question #3: Is it possible to see a sample of the current product?

No. Your company should submit your most informative sample media monitoring and media report to demonstrate your ability to perform the work described in the SOW to the highest standard per Section 1 – VI, page 22.

Question #4: What is the current or most recent contract value?

The current contract value is USD 2,927,904.74.

Question #5: Shall the several five‐day‐per‐week News Briefings for 0700 AST delivery be separate publications, or may they be combined into a single comprehensive News Briefing?

The several morning news briefings delivered at 0700 Iraq time may be combined into one morning report. However, each CLIN should be clearly identified within the report. Example, “CLIN 0001: News Alerts, Monitoring Reports and Analysis: Iraq and Regional Arabic Language Press” followed by its report.

Question #6: Will the five‐days‐per‐week News Briefings run Monday‐Friday or Sunday‐Thursday?

The five‐days‐per‐week News Briefings will run Sunday through Thursday as per the government of Iraq’s work week. Please refer to Section 1–V–(2), page 7.

Question #7: How shall the sample Daily Arabic Social Media Reports and Daily Kurdish Social Media Reports be assembled for the purposes of this proposal submission?

Formatting is left to bidders’ discretion to express their capability to capture the full scope set forth in Section 1, page 6.

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RFP 191Z1024R0001

Question #8: How shall the sample social media platform statistics and analysis report and summarization of a range of analytics be assembled for the purposes of this proposal submission?

Methods or formatting are left to the bidder’s discretion to express their capability to capture the full scope set forth in Section 1 of the RFP. A sample of an alert can be found in Section 1 – VI – Methodology (1), page 23.

Question #9: How shall sample daily television and radio monitoring reports be assembled for the purposes of this proposal submission?

Methods or formatting are left to the bidder’s discretion to express their capability to capture the full scope set forth in Section 1 of the RFP. A sample of an alert can be found in Section 1 – VI – Methodology (1), page 23.

Question #10: How shall sample breaking news alerts be tracked and assembled for the purposes of this proposal submission?

Methods or formatting are left to the bidder’s discretion to express their capability to capture the full scope set forth in Section 1 of the RFP. A sample of an alert can be found in Section 1 – VI – Methodology (1), page 23.

Question #11: Top of Page 23, there is an example of a news alert. We kindly request additional examples of the remaining deliverables to assist us in accurately estimating the workload of our staff and providing a more precise quotation.

This example at the top of Section 1 – VI – Methodology (1) is provided to guide the bidder in the right direction. However, bidders can estimate workload based on the provided CLINs set forth in the RFP in Section 1 – (2) Pricing Schedule quantities, page 7.

Question #12: We are wondering how to send the reports and information you request? Is it done via email or some other way?

Proposal documents and sample requests should be as guided in the RFP Letter of invitation (Page 1) and SF‐1449 (Page 4) to BaghdadGSOProcAgt3@state.gov. Upon awarding the contract, the awardee will receive further guidance from the COR on a mailing list for Media Monitoring reporting execution.

In general, daily reports received by the government must be easily shared and edited. PDFs are not preferred.

Question #13: Are the monitored materials of television channels sent by recorded video or is only information about it recorded?

A written summary of the material will be required in addition to referencing the source link.

See example Section 1 – VI – Methodology (1), page 23.

Question #14: Regarding radio channels, is the required information sent by audio recording or sent as written information only?

A written summary of the material will be required in addition to referencing the source link. See example Section 1 – VI – Methodology (1), page 23.

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RFP 191Z1024R0001

Question #15: Regarding websites and news sources, should these reports be sent as links or as written information only?

A written summary of the material will be required in addition to referencing the source link.

See example Section 1 – VI – Methodology (1), page 23.

Question #16: Regarding the place of performance, this contract stipulates that the services shall be conducted at the contractor’s place of performance. We have an office located in Baghdad outside the Green Zone. Would it be feasible to conduct the service at that office?

It’s up to the discretion of the bidder where the work would be performed as long as the requirements of SOW Section 1 are captured in full. However, If the contractor is in Iraq, they should ensure that licenses and compliance to the host nation’s laws and regulations are adhered to, as referenced in Section 1 ‐ IX Laws and Regulations, page 27.

Question #17: Is there an expected number of individuals to be performing the work in this contract?

If yes, how many individuals are currently performing the work?

The U.S. Government cannot dictate the bidder’s employment preferences as long as the scope of the RFP Section 1 is adhered to. Government is confident that the winning bidder will employ enough individuals to fulfill the requirement.

Question #18: Does the location of the individuals performing the work matter? Can they be located outside of Iraq? Is any work performed on‐site in Iraq?

The location of the individuals performing the work is up to the discretion of the bidder as long as all requirements of SOW Section 1 are captured in full. However, If the contractor is in Iraq, they must adhere to all host nation laws and regulations as per Section 1 – IX Laws and Regulations, page 27.

Question #19: Do individuals performing the work need to have security clearances?

No, security clearances are not required. Media monitoring services are derived from resources available to the public.

Question #20: Can you provide samples of each required product according to the CLIN items?

If samples cannot be provided, please let us know the estimated page or word count for each product.

What is the required number of news stories, headlines, or summaries for each product?

A sample of an alert can be found in Section 1 – VI – Methodology (1) page 23 and there is no set number of pages or specific length mandated as long as the report will cover the news comprehensively.

Reports are expected to vary in length and scope according to the importance and relevance of the event. This is the chance for bidders to provide their most informative samples showing their ability to capture full media monitoring of the region as required in Section 3 – Volume 2 – (4), page 49.

Question #21: What are the exact hours of news that should be covered in each daily report?

Please refer to Section 1 – VI – Scope of Services, page 22 which identifies that the company must be able to provide this analysis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year (24/7/365).

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

RFP 191Z1024R0001

Question #22: CLIN 0001: Refers to monitoring Arabic press, however, sections 1.3 and 1.4 mentions English only, can you please clarify if this refers to the monitoring of English‐only news sources?

CLIN 0001 sections 1.3 and 1.4 refers to monitoring Iraqi and Arabic/Regional Press published in the English language.

Question #23: CLIN 4.1: Can you please clarify if this product is required 5 or 7 days per week? What is the daily deadline for this deliverable?

Daily report, 7 days a week. For Arabic media monitoring required for CLIN 4.1 should be included in the 07:00 am report and another in the 15:30 pm report. For Kurdish media, only the morning reports are required, which may be delivered by 07:30 am.

Question #24: Would a foreign (for‐profit) company that is not based in Iraq be eligible to apply. Please note that we have a local team permanently based in Iraq.

This solicitation is unrestricted, and a foreign company not based in Iraq may apply.

Question #25: Can Government please provide an example or template regarding the evidence required in Volume 2, Sections 1‐3, and Section 5 regarding offeror’s business establishment, compliance, financial responsibility, and Comprehensive Action Plan?

The requirements address providing evidence that the offeror operates an established business, such as company registration, permits, or licenses required to operate the business. In Section 3 you’re able to express your company vision communicated in an action plan that conforms to the Government’s SOW showing how you plan to execute the deliverables. It also addresses percentages executed by your company, as a prime, and your subcontractor (if any). All documentation showing contractor financial responsibility and competence, such as resources ensuring its ability to execute, perform, and maintain service throughout the contract lifecycle. The Government needs to evaluate the received documentation and verify it is contracting with a responsible, prospective contractor capable of delivering the service.

Question #26: Please confirm whether bidders can supply the names and resumes of key experts only (defined by RDG as the leadership team, directors/managers, and analytical experts), or if the names and resumes of all prospective staff, including monitors and translators, must be included.

Names and resumes of personnel involved in the service, whether key experts or monitors and translators is the contractor’s chance to demonstrate their capability of handling a contract of such magnitude.

Question #27: Can Government please provide more information on what is considered a "customer complaint?" Any failure to perform all media monitoring, analysis, and dissemination of news as set forth in the statement of work may result in a customer complaint. One example of what may result in a complaint would be the failure to deliver a required report on time.

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RFP 191Z1024R0001

Question #28: Can Government please provide the expected range of international English media outlets expected to be monitored, particularly television and online media outlets? Additionally, what international Kurdish media outlets are meant to be monitored?

The updated list of media outlets is in the attached SF‐30, which include the following Iraqi Kurdish outlets: Awene, Esta News, BMC, Bas News, Diplomatic Magazine, Ezidi24, Gav News, Gali Gurdistan TV (GK), Hawlati, Hawler, Khabat, Kirkuk Now, KNN, Kurdiu, Kurdistan 24, Kurdistan Nwe, Kurdistan TV (KTV), Kurdsat, Lvin Magazine, NRT, Nas Kurd, Payam TV, Peyser, PUK Media, Rachlakin, Radio Dang, Radio Nawa, Rudaw, Rwn Media, SNN, Shar Press, Speda TV, Spee News, Waar TV, Westga, Wisha, Xendan, Zaman, and 7 Rozh.

Please note that media monitoring reports are not required to cite all outlets in each daily report but must rather use sufficient examples to appropriately represent Iraqi Kurdish reporting on an issue. It is essential to monitor the Kurdish language versions of these outlets, as their English translations are often inconsistent with the original Kurdish.

Question #29: Regarding social media monitoring, does Government PAS have a target number of pages/public individuals to be monitored?

PAS (represented by COR) does not have a target on the number of pages or individuals to be monitored. This is a task to be identified by the contractor and depends on the nature of the subject and related reports addressing the public conversations happening in or related to Iraq–U.S. interests.

COR will, however, point out additional accounts to be monitored upon contract award. Typically, relevant and influential politicians, commentators, journalists, and businesspeople should be monitored on social media.

Question #30: What is the expected cut‐off time for monitoring of all deliverables set for the 07:00 am delivery time? For example, does Government expect that this report to cover all developments until midnight the day before?

Include all developments through midnight for the 07:00 am report.

Question #31: Deliverables 1.2 and 1.4 describe the sources as "International News" but this is within the Arabic/Kurdish grouping. Can Government please clarify whether this is meant to cover Arabic‐ language press in Iraq and other countries or only other countries? Please also confirm that international English news is not expected.

Deliverables 1.2 and 1.4 are expected to cover Arabic‐language press in Iraq and other countries while international, English‐language news is not required.

Question #32: In the deliverable charts, 1.3 and 1.4 both read "English only" but they are within the Arabic/Kurdish grouping ‐ does Government mean that the reports should be in English only or that only English sources should be considered?

The reports to the U.S. Government should be in English only.

Question #33: For deliverable 1.5, please clarify what expectations are included. It seems to imply a "Kurdish version" of deliverables 1.1 and 1.2 but is not clear.

There are two required reports from the Iraqi Kurdistan information environment, both due by 07:30am: 1) a daily media summary and 2) a daily social media summary.

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

RFP 191Z1024R0001

Question #34: Please confirm whether alerts and reports on holidays (Eid, Christmas, etc.) are expected, and if so, under which deliverables?

Please refer to Section 1 – VI – Scope of Services, page 22 which identifies that the company must be able to provide this analysis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year (24/7/365).

Question #35: Please confirm whether there is an expectation for monitoring in Kurdish (in addition to Arabic and English) for deliverable 2.3.

The occasional Iraqi media round‐up product of Embassy‐identified events, stories, or visitors may be required to be sourced from Kurdish language media outlets in addition to Arabic or English.

Question #36: Please provide more detail about the expected scope and range for deliverables 3.1 and

3.2 ‐ will there be keywords or specific topics defined by Government PAS that tailor into more specific topics from the four broad categories listed in the RFP?

The company shall have and maintain sufficient analytical capabilities and understanding of the goals of the U.S Mission in Iraq and possess the editorial judgment to discern reporting priorities to support foreign policy objectives.

Question #37: Can Government please provide an example of the types of graphs/visualizations desired for deliverables 3.1 and 3.2?

What is meant by graphs and visualization is an analytical capture of the events as related to social media to assist the PAS office (represented by COR) with analysis. For example, a pie chart capturing the active users that mention US Embassy Baghdad on various platforms.

Offerors are free to propose such graphs and visualizations when delivering the 1‐week sample report.

Upon contract award and in consultation with the COR, final formatting preferences can be discussed and agreed upon.

Question #38: Please provide additional parameters for deliverable 4. How many hours of television are meant to be monitored? Are there specific programs on the channels listed? Additionally, please confirm that no U.S. television channels are meant to be included.

Deliverable (4) addresses monitoring and reporting of Local/Regional/International Arabic‐language television and radio news. The monitoring is expected to be 24/7/365 as per Section 1 – VI – Scope of Services, page 22. We confirm that no U.S. channels are included in the CLIN.

End of Questions & Answers …

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

RFP 191Z1024R0001

EXISTING CHANNELS LIST

TV CHANNELS & its new websites

Al‐Arabiya TV + Website Dijla TV + Website

Al‐Jazeera TV + Website NRT + Website

Al‐Forat TV Rudaw TV

Al‐Hurra Iraq TV + Website Al‐Sharqiya News TV + Website

Al‐Iraqiya TV – IMN Sky News Arabia

Kurdistan 24 BBC Arabic

Al‐Sumaria TV + Website France24 Arabic

AVA Media (TV) UTV + Website

Kurdistan TV 24 HD TV – Economic TV

Al‐Rabiaa TV + Website Al‐Rasheed TV + Website

Al‐Tagheer TV + Website

Rudaw Channel 8 (TV)

Al‐Itijah TV (KH) Al‐Ahad TV (AAH)

Al‐Arabiya Al‐Hadath

Social Media

Facebook +964 Media (social media)

Twitter / TV presenters/influencers +964 Media (social media)

Instagram +964 Media (social media)

Printed Media and Websites

Baghdad Today News // Baghdad Today‐ https://baghdadtoday.news/

NAS News

The Iraqi News Agency (INA) – IMN // Iraq News Agency (INA) https://ina.iq/

+964 Media (Website and social Media)

Al‐Sumaria PUK Media

Al‐Baghdadia Rudaw

Al‐Ghad // Al‐Ghad Press ‐ https://alghadpress.com/ Shafaaq

Channel 8 (online) Al‐Araby al‐Jadeed

AVA Media (online) Ashraq al‐Awsat

Al‐Mada AzZaman Newspaper

Al‐Masalah Al‐Sabah Newspaper

BBC Arabic Al‐Sharqiya

Dijla News ‐ TV website Sky News Arabia

Waar TV Al‐Hayat

NINA // https://ninanews.com/website France24 Arabic

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

RFP 191Z1024R0001

Awene KirkukNow

BMC Kurdiu.org

Esta News Kurdistan24

Bas News Kurdistani Nwe

Diplomatic Kurdsat News

Ezidi24 Kurdistan TV

Gav News Lvin

Hawlati NRT

Hawler Nas Kurds

Khabat Rachlakeen

KNN Radio Nawa

Payam Run Media

Peysar Rudaw

PUKMedia SNN

Shar Press Spee Media

Speda Wisha

Westga News Xendan

Zeman 7 Roj

Iraq News Network (INN) //https://aliraqnews.com/ Hath Alyoum ‐ https://hathalyoum.net/

Gali Gurdistan TV (GK) Kurdistan Nwe

Peyser TV Rachlakin

Radio

Radio Dijla Rwn

Radio Al‐Rasheed Radio Hawa Dijla

Radio Dang Rudaw

Newspaper

Al‐Mada Newsapaper ‐ www.almadapaper.net Al‐Sabaah Newspaper ‐ https://alsabaah.iq/

Azzaman Newspaper ‐ https://www.azzaman‐iraq.com/ Al‐Aalem Newspaper ‐ https://al‐aalem.com/

Zaman 7 Rozh

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

RFP 191Z1024R0001