SOWTranslator2019.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

Russian Translator

Eurasia Division, Russian Service

SECTION A.

A.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

(a) The Voice of America’s Eurasia Division, Russian Service has a requirement for a translator based in Washington, DC. (hereinafter referred to as “Contractor”) to translate/adapt from English to Russian on-camera interviews of at least seven minutes in length and/or translate the script of a 25-30 minute English language program into Russian or provide simultaneous live translations for Live or Live-to-tape TV/digital streaming broadcasts. Assignments are determined by Executive Producer or Managing Editor and determined by length and complexity of the translation.

The Contractor shall be responsible for meeting all obligations; including but not limited to technical assignments under the terms and conditions of this Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). The Contractor shall at all times adhere to all standards and principles in the Voice of America Journalistic Code at https://www.insidevoa.com/p/5831.html and VOA Best Practices Ethics. The Contractor shall request pre-approval before engaging in outside speaking and writing that will give rise to an actual or perceived violation of the Journalistic Code.

A.2 BACKGROUND

The United States Global Media Agency (USAGM) is an Executive Branch Federal Government agency that oversees U.S. broadcasting of news and information to audiences around the world. USAGM includes the Russian Service of Eurasia Division which is under the Voice of America (VOA). Together, VOA, as well as grantee entities Radio Free Asia (RFA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and the Middle East Broadcasting Network (MBN distribute programming in English and 47 other languages to an estimated weekly audience of 278 million people.

The work of the VOA centers on promoting freedom and democracy by providing objective information to the Russian-speaking population that would otherwise be unavailable. VOA produces content that is relevant to the daily lives of Russian language speakers around the globe and the work of human rights activists, journalists and dissidents.

A.3 TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

https://www.insidevoa.com/p/5831.html

A.3.1 SPECIFIC RUSSIAN LANGUAGE KNOWLDEGE, SKILLS, &

REQUIREMENTS

Apart from proficiency in spoken and written Russian, the Contractor is absolutely expected to have the flair for; and control of VOA Standard Russian-language broadcast skills-set. The Contractor must also have demonstrable experience as a certified simultaneous translation, preferably certified by the US State Department.

A.3.2 TASK OVERVIEW

The Contractor shall perform the following:

• Contractor shall translate/adapt from English to Russian on-camera interviews of at least seven minutes in length without a transcript (only audio files) and/or translate the script of a 25-30 minute English language program into Russian or provide simultaneous live translations for live or live-to-tape TV/digital streaming broadcasts.

Assignments may include translation either live or written from either English to Russian or Russian to English. Assignments are determined by Executive Producer or Managing Editor and assignments are determined by length and complexity of the translation. When performing simultaneous translations for live events such as hearings, press conferences and speeches or when translating for live TV broadcasts, arrival 30 minutes prior is required.

• Contractor will make sure that translation and adaptation is accurate, containing no significant errors and requiring only minor editing. Translations are up to date with correct broadcast terminology and current target area language usage, and written in a tone and style that is most appealing to the audience and appropriate to the medium.

Work meets VOA’s standard for accuracy, grammar, style and adaptation.

Translator/adaptor consistently consults reference aid as needed to solve terminology issues before passing work to editors.

• The ordering period is July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2020 with the option to extend the contract with four, option year periods.

A 4 DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall provide deliverables that are responsive to the statement of work and/or specifications described in each individual task order. The Contractor shall submit all deliverables to the COR identified herein for dissemination to USAGM subject matter expert(s) for review and comments. Final inspection and acceptance of all work performed and deliverables will be performed by the COR. The following deliverables are required for the successful completion of this contract. The Contractor shall submit the required deliverables to the COR in accordance with the following schedule:

Simultaneous translation of major event (hearing, speech, press conference)

EA

$ $0.00

Written translation of 25-30 minute English program such as VOA Connect EA

$ $0.00

Translation of pre-recorded skype or sit down interview at least seven mins in length without transcript (only audio files) EA

$ $0.00

Translation of multiple live interviews during a live television news program EA

$ $0.00

Simultaneous translation in post-production of pre-recorded interview.

EA

$ $0.00

A 4.1 DEADLINES

All work performed under this contract shall be completed and delivered within the established due date as started in the above table or as specified in each individual task order. The Contractor shall advise the Ordering Office and COR of any anticipated delays within twenty-four (24) hours after receipt of an order.

A.5 PLACE OF DELIVERY FOR DELIVERABLES

(a) All work performed under this contract shall be completed and delivered within the time agreed upon by the Contractor and the ordering office – VOA Russian, and as specified in each task order, oral or written. The contractor will arrive to the studio 30 minutes prior to any live broadcast where it be a tv program or congressional hearing, press conference or speech.

(b) The work will not be paid, partially or in full, in case it has not been determined to be complete by the VOA Russian Service supervisory staff, and the Contractor was promptly informed of the same immediately after the work has been evaluated.

(c) The Contractor shall advise the ordering office of any anticipated delays within twenty-four (24) hours after receipt of an order.

(b) The Contractor shall submit all deliverables to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) at the address listed below:

Item(s) to be delivered under this contract shall be delivered electronically to:

Deliverable Item #

# of Copies Address

All items 1 Joy Wagner: Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors Cohen Building – Room 3724 330 Independence Ave., SW Phone: 202-382-5220 Email – jwagner@voanews.com

CC: Yuliya Appel Alternative Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors Cohen Building – Room 3700 330 Independence Ave., SW Phone: 202-203-4706 Email – yappel@voanews.com

*The COR will specify the place of delivery for items to be delivered under each task order that have not been listed in the preceding table upon their assignment.

All Contractor Deliverable shall meet the following standards:

• Clarity − Deliverables and technical content shall be relevant and unambiguous, and shall adhere to accepted elements of style. Presentations, if any, shall be easy to understand and be relevant to the supporting narrative.

• Adherence to Requirements − All deliverables must satisfy the requirements of this statement of work and must contribute to the overall success of the tasks.

• Format − Deliverables shall be submitted in the format specified in the task order (if applicable), or as specified by the COR. If format is not specified in the task order, the Contractor shall submit all work products in formats compatible with USAGM system format.

• Completeness − Deliverables shall be comprehensive and entirely developed (i.e. have all required parts and elements).

• Timeliness –Deliverables shall be submitted to the COR at the time required (as specified in the task order) and generated on or before the specified the due date.

• Significant Deficiencies - Deliverables shall be free of significant deficiencies. Significant deficiencies are findings by reviewing officials of serious omissions, inaccuracies, noncompliance with contract requirements and standards.

A.6 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

A.6.1 INSPECTION OVERVIEW

The Contractor agrees that no employer-employee relationship exists between the Voice of America and the Contractor. The COR will review, for completeness and quality, all deliverables submitted by the Contractor, and will return them to the Contractor for correction, if applicable. The Contracting Officer may delegate responsibility for review to other employees with appropriate expertise.

Absence of any comments by the COR will not relieve the Contractor of the responsibility for complying with the requirements of the contract. Final approval and acceptance of deliverables will be provided to the Contractor in writing by the COR. The COR will have up to two-weeks to inspect deliverables and return them to the Contractor for correction.

A.6.1.1 VOA CONTROL OF THE WORK

VOA follows Voice of America journalistic guidelines and standards available at https://www.insidevoa.com/p/5831.html and VOA Best Practices. The Contractor is responsible for errors or material breaches of these journalistic guidelines. Material errors or breach are grounds for VOA to refuse to provide further work to the persons breaching these standards and can be the basis for a termination for default of this agreement in whole or part. The remedies in this clause are cumulative and do not restrict any other actions VOA may have under the agreement, at law or in equity.

Before designating a contractor to a VOA assignment (translation) VOA must have approve the use of that translator. VOA also reserves the right to restrict use of some translators for some VOA assignments. The Contractor shall notify VOA of the names of the designated translator as soon as the Contractor designates the translator. VOA has complete discretion to require the Contractor to remove translators from VOA assignments.

VOA and translators may communicate directly via the designated COR.

VOA has complete editorial control over the content of stories VOA publishes in any form or media. Translators who object to VOA editorial decisions shall present their objections https://www.insidevoa.com/p/5831.html to the Contractor/COR who can determine whether and how to pursue the matter with VOA. Editorial decisions concerning the content or presentation of stories shall not be subject to the disputes clause. Those decisions are solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

VOA is not responsible for the safety or health of the Contractor when pursuing any assignment. The Contractor must determine on their own the risks and are at liberty to stop and exit any story or situation when they reasonably believe they are at risk of injury, particularly if any person or persons, know or unknown, are reasonably believed to be seeking to inflict harm on journalists.

If VOA/COR does not accept a deliverable from the Contractor due to inferior quality, errors, etc., the Contractor may, depending on the type of deliverable, be entitled to resubmit the deliverable at VOA/COR’s sole discretion. For example, if the item submitted was a breaking news item and its publication is time sensitive, VOA will not accept resubmission of that breaking news item. In any event, the Contractor must obtain approval in writing from VOA/COR before resubmitting a deliverable that VOA/COR deemed unacceptable.

A.6.1.CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Contractor’s performance shall be evaluated quarterly to ensure that the Contractor is meeting the requirements of the VOA.

A.6.2 ACCEPTABLE CRITERA

All Contractor-produced documents and documentation, in addition to the required Deliverables as referenced in Section A.4, shall meet the following general acceptance criteria by the USAGM’s COR:-

1) Accurate

2) Translations are up to date with correct broadcast terminology and current target area language usage and written in a tone and style that is most appealing to the audience and appropriate to the medium.

3) Work meets VOA’s standard for accuracy, grammar, style and adaptation. Translator/adaptor consistently consults reference aid as needed to solve terminology issues before passing work to editors.

4) Follows the VOA Journalistic Code, https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-a-2002-07-09-12-voa- 67572457/288015.html and VOA Best Practices Guide.

A.7 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance of this Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is five years consisting of a one year base period and four (4) consecutive twelve-month ordering periods.

https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-a-2002-07-09-12-voa-67572457/288015.html https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-a-2002-07-09-12-voa-67572457/288015.html

(a) The anticipated date of award of this Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) shall be from base year July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020 (with the option to extend the contract with four, option year periods) and will be contingent upon availability of funds.

(b) Additional services in excess of the estimated amount may be requested provided upon the mutual consent of the parties as indicated by the offer and acceptance of additional orders.

The Government may terminate this contract within 30 calendar day’s prior notice in the event of discontinued need for the Contractor’s services or with less prior notice as may be appropriate in the event of unsatisfactory performance or improper conduct on the part of the Contractor.

A.8 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The Contractor shall perform work at the VOA offices in Washington, DC, unless otherwise mutually agreed to by the Contracting Officer.

A.8.1 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, FACILITIES, SERVICES OR INFORMATION

Copyright to all work under this Contract belongs to the Broadcasting Board of Governors and

VOA.

A.9 PAYMENT

*Note: The Contractor shall submit invoices only for work that has been submitted to the COR inspected and accepted by the COR

Expenses incurred in gathering and filing incumbent's reportage are included in the assignment rate. The Contractor will use of VOA's equipment and communications if possible. The incumbent may not enter into contracts or incur financial liabilities on behalf of VOA or the U.S. Government.

A.9.1 REIMBURSABLE ITEMS

(a) The USAGM will not reimburse costs associated with “Local Travel” to/from the Contractor’s office to/from or for parking during working hours.

A.11 SUBMISSION OF INVOICES

The Contractor shall submit an original monthly invoice of detailed work completed and accepted by the Government to the COR. The Contractor’s monthly invoice shall list: (a) the days for which assignments/hours are being billed for work performed, (b) the programs produced, (c) reimbursable expenses, if any, and (d) comply with 1952.232-91 Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements clause (below).

1952.232-91 Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements

- Invoice Payment Platform (IPP) (April 2016)

Payment requests for all new awards may be required to be submitted electronically through the U. S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Payment Platform System (IPP). "Payment request" means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment by the Contractor. To constitute a proper invoice, the payment request must comply with the requirements identified in

FAR 32.905(b), "Payment documentation and process" and the applicable Prompt Payment clause included in this contract. The IPP website address is: https://www.ipp.gov.

A. 12 CRITICAL EVALUATION FACTORS: RUSSIAN LANGUAGE SKILLS-SET

AND EXPERIENCE.

Apart from proficiency in spoken and written Russian, the Contractor is absolutely expected to have the flair for; and control of VOA Standard Russian-language broadcast skills-set. The Contractor must also have demonstrable experience as a certified simultaneous translation, preferably certified by the US State Department.

Base Year – July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020

(hearing, speech, press conference)

EA

$ $0.00

Written translation of 25-30 minute English program such as VOA Connect EA

$ $0.00

Translation of pre-recorded skype or sit down interview at least seven mins in length without transcript (only audio files) EA

$ $0.00

Translation of multiple live interviews during a live television news program EA

$ $0.00

Simultaneous translation in post-production of pre-recorded interview.

EA

$ $0.00

Option Year 1– July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021

Simultaneous translation of major event (hearing, speech, press conference)

EA

$ $0.00

Written translation of 25-30 minute English program such as VOA Connect EA

$ $0.00

Translation of pre-recorded skype or sit down interview at least seven mins in length without transcript (only audio files) EA

$ $0.00

Translation of multiple live interviews during a live television news program EA

$ $0.00

Simultaneous translation in post-production of pre-recorded interview.

Option Year 2– July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022

(hearing, speech, press conference)

EA

$ $0.00

Written translation of 25-30 minute English program such as VOA Connect EA

$ $0.00

Translation of pre-recorded skype or sit down interview at least seven mins in length without transcript (only audio files) EA

$ $0.00

Translation of multiple live interviews during a live television news program EA

$ $0.00

Simultaneous translation in post-production of pre-recorded interview.

Option Year 3– July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023

(hearing, speech, press conference)

EA

$ $0.00

Written translation of 25-30 minute English program such as VOA Connect EA

$ $0.00

Translation of pre-recorded skype or sit down interview at least seven mins in length without transcript (only audio files) EA

$ $0.00

Translation of multiple live interviews during a live television news program EA

$ $0.00

Simultaneous translation in post-production of pre-recorded interview.

Option Year 4– July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024

(hearing, speech, press conference)

EA

$ $0.00

Written translation of 25-30 minute English program such as VOA Connect EA

$ $0.00

Translation of pre-recorded skype or sit down interview at least seven mins in length without transcript (only audio files) EA

$ $0.00

Translation of multiple live interviews during a live television news program EA

$ $0.00

Simultaneous translation in post-production of pre-recorded interview.