Central_News-Multimedia_stringers-Request_for_Quote.pdf

The purpose of this RFQ is to acquire contractor support services for the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) to locate, recruit, hire and manage journalists (stringer reporters) in various cities domestically and abroad in order to provide regular local news and feature reports to Central News Center (VOA). BBG requests that you provide a technical proposal and price proposal in response to this RFQ.

Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.5, the Government anticipates issuing one or more Blanket Purchase Agreements in response to this RFQ, but reserves the right to make a single award or none. Please note there are twenty-six CLINS. The twenty-six CLINS appear as twenty-six (26) CLINS in Section B for the base period and twenty-six (26) CLINS in Section B for each of the three additional ordering periods. While there are twenty-six CLINS, there are only three (3) categories. The three (3) categories are listed under “Description” in Section B for each period. The three (3) categories are:

Audio Packages, Video Packages and Digital Packages as describe in Section C. Offerors must bid on at least one category and in each category they bid they must bid on each of the five (5) periods. The Government may award one or multiple categories to one or more successful Offerors. The Government plans to award without discussions, however may conduct discussions if it deems it is in the best interest of the Government. The decision to hold discussions will be at the sole discretion of the Government. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect from the Federal Acquisition Regulation FAC 2005-97 dated January 24, 2018. Detailed instructions for preparing and submitting a quote are contained in this RFQ, along with the criteria to be used by the Government in evaluating quotes.

Please note that to be considered for award, you must submit a technical and a price proposal. The Government anticipates either terminating the existing contracts or not exercising any options under the existing contracts. The North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 711510 (Independent Artists, Writers and Performers) with a small business size standard of $7.5 million.

All responses to this RFQ must be submitted via email to pabner@bbg.gov and amartine@bbg.gov no later than 12:00PM EDT, May 30, 2018. Questions concerning this RFQ must be submitted no later than May 23, 2018 by 12:00PM EDT. The Contract Specialist for this requirement is Patrice Abner and the Contracting Officer is Alisa Martine. The BBG greatly appreciates your attention to this requirement.

C-11 mailto:pabner@bbg.gov mailto:amartine@bbg.gov

Request for Quote No. VOA-CN-00047-PA Central News Center Multi-Media Support Services

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section B Schedule of Supplies and Prices

Section C Statement of Work

Section L Instructions to Offerors

Section M Evaluation Factors

Section I Contract Clauses

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SECTION B

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

The pricing indicated below for the base period and ordering periods 2-5 represents the unit price for 1 each for each of the line items listed.

ESTIMATED VALUE

The estimated value and ceiling of this contract throughout its ordering period, inclusive of calls to be awarded, and inclusive of their ordering periods of performance, if any, is one million ($1,000,000.00).

ORDERING PERIOD AND TASK ORDER PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The ordering period of this contract is xx/xx/xxxx through xx/xx/xxxx. The period of performance for calls awarded under this contract will be determined at the time calls are awarded.

BPA RATE TABLE:

CLIN

No.

Description Audio, Video, Digital and Multi Media Products

Base Ordering Period

Ordering Period 2

CLIN 200

Ordering Period 3

CLIN 300

Ordering Period 4

CLIN 400

Ordering Period 5

CLIN 500

0101 AUDIO: Audio Contribution 0102 AUDIO; Audio Vox Pops (One

Question)

0103 AUDIO: Audio Q&A/Debriefer/ROSR

0104 AUDIO: Correspondent Audio Report (CR1)- Normal

0105 AUDIO: Correspondent Audio report (CR2) - Complex

0106 VIDEO: Unproduced Video Package

0107 VIDEO: Produced Video Package

0108 VIDEO: Complexed Produced Video Package

0109 VIDEO: Video Q&A/ Debriefer/ROSR

0110 VIDEO: Reporter Stand Ups

0111 VIDEO: Single-Camera Edited Interview

0112 VIDEO: Two-Camera Edited Interview

0113 VIDEO: Man-On-The-Street Interviews

0114 VIDEO: B-Roll/Video Footage

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0115 VIDEO: Full-Day Cameraperson

0116 VIDEO: Half-Day Cameraperson

0117 VIDEO: Fixer

0118 VIDEO: Producer/Fixer

0119 VIDEO: Video Editor

0120 DIGITAL: Correspondent Audio Report with Web Story version(CR/OCN)

0121 DIGITAL: Web News Report

(CN)

0122 DIGITAL: Web Feature Report (OCN)

0123 DIGITAL: Web Photo

0124 DIGITAL: Web Photo Story

0125 DIGITAL: Web Video

0126 DIGITAL: Digital Short

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SECTION C

STATEMENT OF WORK

Central News Center Multi Media Combination Services

C.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The Broadcasting Board of Governor has a requirement to acquire for a Contractor to provide the following services: (1) locate, recruit, hire and manage journalists (stringer reporters) in various cities domestically and abroad in order to provide regular local news and feature reports to Central News Center; and (2) provide a project manager to coordinate between the stringer and Central News Center. The stringers need not be full time employees of the Contractor (i.e. they can be freelancers) but the Contractor shall be solely responsible for all necessary paperwork and payments related to the employment and payment of said stringers, including taxes, tariffs, etc., as applicable. The specific quantities and deliverables will be included in the call orders issued under the Blanket Purchasing Agreement.

C.2 BACKGROUND

The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) is an Executive Branch Federal Government agency that oversees U.S. broadcasting of news and information to audiences around the world. BBG includes the Voice of America (VOA) and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (VOA), as well as grantee entities Radio Free Asia (RFA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and the Middle East Broadcasting Network (MBN). Together, VOA and VOA grantee entities distribute programming in English and 42 other languages to an estimated weekly audience of 175 million people.

The Central News Center is a multimedia news room providing 24/7 content and editorial guidance and direction for all VOA language services and English platforms. This material includes TV reports, standups, web and digital vids, radio and web reports, photo content and animated explainers.

C.3 CONTRACTOR’s RESPONSIBILITIES

C.3.1 PROPOSED STORIES AND SERVICES

a. Must always be accurate

b. Must be verifiable, i.e. well sourced – for example, eyewitness, consistent stories from multiple perspectives (multiple perspectives requires differing ultimate sources of information).

c. Must be methodical in gathering evidence to support assertions, include, do not ignore, non-supporting evidence.

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d. Must convey to the reader if the story is outside the norm. (The crooked businessman, politician or reporter may not be the norm. If not, do not report as if it is.)

e. Must follow 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.

f. Must be focused so the reader or viewer will both be drawn in and reasonably able to understand why the information is being presented.

g. Must provide good images that illustrate the well-rounded story, but understand a good image or visual sequence alone is seldom sufficient itself to tell a story.

h. Must seek unique perspectives that can help create an attractive narrative.

i. Must provide a story to frame important news or draw readers into an important news story.

j. Must explain why the story is relevant to the reader/viewer with as much specificity as practical.

k. Must use character(s) interfacing with the issues to illustrate relevance. For example, interacting with an organization or bureaucracy, or successfully completing a process.

(1) Why are the rules there

(2) Why is this organization/bureaucracy necessary

l. Must identify the central point, evidence, character and/or place.

m. Must ask and, when possible accurately, answer “why” questions.

n. Must provide context for breaking news.

PLEASE NOTE: If the Contractor submits a story that is the same as a previously submitted story, the stringer reporter should explain to Central News Center why the resubmitted story needs to be retold or how the story adds to or changes the previously submitted story.

C.3.2 SPECIFIC SKILLSETS:

a. The Contractor(s) is (are) responsible for: (1) locating, recruiting, obtaining, and managing a network of journalists (stringers), including photo journalists, in Contractor selected areas of within the United States and countries that can provide national news, local news and feature stories to Central News Center that meet contract requirements and; (2) providing a project manager to coordinate between the network of journalists (stringers) in United States/Overseas and VOA and to be the authoritative point of contact for performance of the contract. Each Offeror must clearly explain how they propose to provide coverage throughout the United States/Overseas describing office and/or stringer locations, and any existing or potential coverage limits, of whatever nature, including but not limited to geographic.

b. The Contractor shall ensure that the Contractor’s stringers have the skills to:

1. Provide objective hard news, local news, sports, Blog Posts, B-Roll and feature stories in Spanish for broadcast on radio, television, mobile and the Internet as required, including breaking news, meeting short deadlines;

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2. Identify and cover stories related to civil society, social issues, sports, arts and entertainment;

3. Conduct interviews in Spanish and prepare reports and excerpts that are fair, accurate, and balanced;

4. Gather photographs and video to fairly and effectively present the story;

5. Write, edit, narrate and film (video) documents that can be verified by two sources or an eyewitness;

6. Pitch stories to VOA;

7. Initiate and develop news stories and ideas independently that will appeal to VOA viewers;

8. Generate original stories;

9. Establish sources both in local government and outside official channels in order to report on a wide variety of subjects focusing on politics and economics particularly;

10. Have a working mobile smart phone connected to a wireless service and know how to communicate via SMS, to take and send pictures and videos to VOA;

11. Be able to navigate on social media;

12. Comply with Voice of America journalistic guidelines and standards followed by VOA available at https://www.insidevoa.com/p/5831.html and VOA Best Practices.

13. Have journalism or equivalent experience;

14. Provide valid identification with current and correct information even if the journalist uses a pseudonym; and

15. Stringers need not be full time employees of the Contractor (i.e. they can be engaged as needed to perform assignments). The stringers need not be full time employees of the Contractor (i.e. they can be freelancers) but the Contractor shall be solely responsible for all necessary paperwork and payments related to the employment and payment of said stringers, including taxes, tariffs, etc., as applicable. The specific quantities and deliverables will be included in the call orders issued under the Blanket Purchasing Agreement.

C.3.3 Audio Products:

C.3.3.1 Audio contribution - Soundbite contributed to another story.

C.3.3.2 Audio Vox Pops (One Question) – Reporter asks the same one question of several different individuals, to get a sampling of opinion on a pertinent topic as assigned. Answers should be brief and concise, and ideally not exceed 30 seconds. Each answer should be clear and intelligible and recorded with a handheld microphone for clear audio.

C.3.3.3 Audio Q&A / Debriefer / ROSR This can include a live or pre-recorded interview for a VOA or VOA affiliate program or a “reporter on scene report.”

C.3.3.4 Correspondent Audio Report (CR1) - Normal

2 – 3 minutes in length, with an anchor intro, and preferably two or more actualities from different people for context and balance and natural sound.

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C.3.3.5 Correspondent Audio Report (CR2) - Complex

3 – 5 minutes in length, with an anchor intro, and preferably two or more actualities from different people for context and balance and natural sound. Reports can include more difficult reporting requirements and subject matter, more source interviews, additional audio, and/or other elements.

C.3.4 Video Products:

C.3.4.1 Unproduced Video Package

Report/shoot/write script and upload footage to VOA producer for video editing. This includes research, shooting video, conducting interview(s), writing script(s) approved by the requesting office and following VOA News television standards. The contractor shall provide a script, including details of news sources. The Contractor’s unproduced TV packages will consist of three to five minutes of video b-roll and sound bites (transcribed into English if necessary) which will be delivered to VOA in Washington by FTP or as otherwise directed.

C.3.4.2

Produced Video Package

Report/shoot/write script/produce and edit video to VOA production standards. This includes research, shooting video, conducting interview(s), writing script(s) which will be subject to copy editing by VOA editors, in accordance with VOA standards, before production. The contractor shall including details of news sources with each script. The Contractor’s complete TV packages shall consist of two to three minutes of video b-roll and sound bites (voiced over in English if necessary) with narration based on edited script.

C.3.4.3

Complex Produced Video Package - Report/shoot/write script/produce and edit video to VOA production standards. This includes research, shooting video of news events, conduct interview(s), write script(s) approved by the requesting office and video edit the story following VOA News television standards. The contractor shall provide a script, including details of news sources, which will be subject to copy editing by VOA editors before production. The Contractor’s complete TV packages shall consist of three to five minutes of video b-roll and sound bites (voiced over in English if necessary) with narration based on edited script. Reports can include more difficult reporting requirements and subject matter, more source interviews, exclusive material, additional video, and/or other elements.

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C.3.4.4

Video Q&A / Debriefer / ROSR This can include a live or pre-recorded appearance on a VOA or VOA affiliate program or a “reporter on scene report.” Photo of stringer is required.

C.3.4.5

Reporter Stand-ups – Between 30 seconds and two minutes of pre-recorded on-camera reporting from a scene, normally when a remote is not possible. Typically includes reporter’s summary of the news with him/her on camera. Can include on-camera sign-on and sign-off with the host of the program, as warranted.

C.3.4.6

Single-Camera Edited Interview – Stringer conducts on-camera interview with newsmaker.

Interview must be able to run as a whole segment. Typically runs 1 to 4 minutes depending upon subject and newsworthiness. Final product will include establishing shots, cutaways and sound bites from the interview.

C.3.4.7

Two-Camera Edited Interview - Stringer conducts on-camera interview with newsmaker.

Interview must be able to run as a whole segment. Typically runs 1 to 4 minutes depending upon subject and newsworthiness. Final product will include establishing shots, cutaways and sound bites from the interview. Two-camera interview will include reporter reactions and over-the-shoulder shots, as well as wide shots showing the reporter and interviewee together.

C.3.4.8

Man-On-The-Street Interviews – Reporter asks the same one question of five different individuals, to get a sampling of opinion on a pertinent topic as assigned. Answers should be brief and concise, and ideally not exceed 30 seconds. Each answer should be clear and intelligible and recorded with a handheld microphone or lavalier mic for clear audio. Scripts should clearly indicate name of each person giving a sound bite. English transcription should be provided, regardless of what language the original sound bites are in.

C.3.4.9

B-Roll / Video Footage - Edited video and audio covering news or any other location-driven event, to show what is happening on the scene. Wide, medium and close-up shots must be included, to tell the story effectively to a television audience. Can include interviews with people on the street or newsmakers.

C.3.4.10

Full-Day Cameraperson - Cameraperson will have all necessary equipment, including camera, lenses, microphones, lighting, tripod, cables, etc., to shoot and deliver broadcast-

C-19 quality video and audio from a location and/or event as assigned. Takes instruction from the assigning producer about what shots, topics, and styles are desired. All materials will be delivered electronically. Length of assignment is between 8-12 hours.

C.3.4.11

Half-Day Cameraperson - Cameraperson will have all necessary equipment, including camera, lenses, microphones, lighting, tripod, cables, etc., to shoot and deliver broadcast-quality video and audio from a location and/or event as assigned. Takes instruction from the assigning producer about what shots, topics, and styles are desired. All materials will be delivered electronically. Length of assignment is between 4-6 hours

C.3.4.12

Fixer – Can act as guide, driver, translator, adviser, and overall helper for journalists traveling to the area. Fixer will typically greet visiting journalists on arrival at the airport, assist with customs clearance, local lodging and transportation, and assist in making appointments for interviews with a variety of officials or newsmakers.

C.3.4.13

Producer/Fixer – Can act as producer, guide, driver, translator, advisor, and overall helper for journalists traveling to the area. Producer/Fixer will typically greet visiting journalists on arrival at the airport, assist with customs clearance, local lodging and transportation, and assist in making appointments for interviews with a variety of officials or newsmakers. Producer/Fixer will also help guide the story, providing background, researching elements, and helping to gather audio or video content as needed.

C.3.4.14

Video Editor: - Assembles recorded raw material into a finished product that meets broadcast standards and VOA requirements. The material may include camera footage, dialogue, sound effects, music, voice-over tracks, graphics and special effects.

Must be experienced with Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro and have a thorough knowledge of video storytelling techniques. Collaborates with TV producers to craft TV stories under deadline pressure. A creative mindset and good communication skills are also necessities.

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C.3.5 Digital or Multi Media Products:

C.3.5.1

Correspondent Audio Report with Web Story version (CR/OCN) A radio report 2 – 3 minutes in length, with an anchor intro, and preferably two or more actualities from different people for context and balance and natural sound. Accompanying web version filed. Web version adjusts syntax, structure and language as needed for a web audience.

C.3.5.2

Web News Report (CN) Breaking or commodity news and updates; under 400 words, attach audio/video when available.

C.3.5.3

Web Feature Report (OCN) Contextual or analytical stories 300 – 700 words in length. Preferably with hard news leads.

Attach audio/video when available.

C.3.5.4

Web Photo A single photo used on the VOA web site.

C.3.5.5

Web Photo Story No less than 8 original photos with captions, context, date and location of shoot. The collection of photos must tell a story visually or illustrate a theme.

C.3.5.6

Web video (WVID)

30-seconds of footage used in a web video. The footage can consist of B-roll, a sequence or a soundbite. Must also submit WVID template with transcription of graphics, soundbites. This includes electronic transmission of the footage to VOA.

C.3.5.7

Digital Short – Produced integrated visual package for the web, mobile and social media use about an issue, event, or newsmaker – sometimes related to another, longer story on VOA news platforms. Elements include moving or still images, audio, text and/or

C-21 narration to tell a compelling story in a short digitally optimized fashion. Typically last no more than 1 or 2 minutes.

C.4 VOA CONTROL OF THE WORK

While VOA encourages initiative in discovering, pursuing and developing stories, etc., until VOA accepts a story, etc., VOA will not pay the Contractor for any story, etc.

VOA follows Voice of America journalistic guidelines and standards available at https://www.insidevoa.com/p/5831.html and VOA Best Practices. The Contractor and those reporting stories are 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 the contract in whole or part. The remedies in this clause are cumulative and do not restrict any other actions VOA may have under the contract, at law or in equity.

Before designating a stringer to a VOA assignment (story, BlogPost, Feature, B-Roll, etc.) VOA must have approved the use of that stringer. VOA also reserves the right to restrict use of some stringers for some VOA assignments. The Contractor shall notify VOA of the names of the designated stringers as soon as the Contractor designates the stringer. VOA has complete discretion to require the Contractor to remove stringers from VOA assignments.

VOA and stringers may communicate directly.

VOA has complete editorial control over the content of stories VOA publishes in any form or media. Stringers who object to VOA editorial decisions shall present their objections to the Contractor 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 of the contract. Those decisions are solely within the discretion of VOA.

VOA is not responsible for the safety or health of the Contractor and its stringers when pursuing any story. The Contractor and the involved stringers 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 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’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

C-22 https://www.insidevoa.com/p/5831.html any event, the Contractor must obtain approval in writing from VOA before resubmitting a deliverable that VOA deemed unacceptable.

C.5 Period of Performance:

The period of performance of this Blanket Purchase Agreement is five years consisting of a one (1) year base period and four (4) consecutive twelve-month ordering periods. The total contract duration including the base period and ordering periods pursuant to the Options to Extend Term, clause (FAR Clause 52.217-9) shall not to exceed sixty (60) months.

C.6 Place of Delivery and Acceptance:

Central News Center, VOA 330 Independence Ave S.W., Washington D.C. 20237

C.7 Deliverables

The Contractor shall provide deliverables that are responsive to the specifications described in the call order. The Contractor shall submit all ordered deliverables to the COR identified herein for dissemination to Central News Center 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, if ordered, are required for the successful completion of this BPA.

C.8 Key Personnel

The following personnel are considered key personnel by the Government:

PROJECT MANAGER

The Contractor shall provide a Project Manager who shall be responsible for managing the day to day work and is accountable to the Government for the performance of the work. The Project Manager shall be able to be fluently read, write, and speak English and Spanish and shall have experience managing similar requirements as indicated herein in the Statement of Work.

The Contractor’s Key Personnel is:

Name _________________________________

Position________________________________ C-23

Office No: ______________________________

Email Address: __________________________

C.9 PAYMENT

The Contractor shall submit invoices only for work that has been ordered, submitted to the COR, and inspected and accepted by the COR.

C.10 SUBMISSION OF INVOICES

1952.232-91 Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements - Invoice Payment Platform (IPP) (April 2016) Payment requests for all new awards must 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.

SECTION L

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

The Government intends to award one or more Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) under which call orders will be issued on a Firm Fixed Price basis as a result of this Request for Quotation (RFQ), but reserves the right to award a single BPA or make no awards at all.

Specifically, there are three categories. A category is comprised of CLINS with the same description in the base period and each of the four option periods. Each of the three categories appears in the base period and each of the four (4) option periods. The Government may award one, several, or all categories to one or more successful Offerors. The categories are set forth in Section B, Schedule of Supplies and Services under “Description.” The Government plans to award without discussions, but may conduct discussions if it deems it is in the Government’s best interest. The decision to hold discussions will be at the sole discretion of the Government. Any information an offeror wishes the Government to consider must be submitted with the offeror's written proposals, since discussions may not occur. All communication concerning this RFQ, including any of a technical nature, must shall be made through the Contracting Officer.

1. Submission Due Dates, Questions and Format

a. Offerors must submit their quotation via email to pabner@bbg.gov andamrtine@bbg.gov no later than 12:00PM EDT on May 30, 2018.

b. Questions pertaining to this RFQ shall be submitted via email to pabner@bbg.gov and amartine@bbg.gov no later than 12:00PM EDT on May 23, 2018. The Government will

C-24 mailto:sedwards@bbg.gov mailto:andamrtine@bbg.gov mailto:pabner@bbg.gov mailto:amartine@bbg.gov respond in writing to questions submitted by this date. The response will include answers to the questions and/or RFQ amendments, as necessary. The Government will not respond to any questions initiated by phone, or in any other format except as directed herein.

c. Each offeror shall review the terms and conditions set forth in this RFQ and review its quotation to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in this document. All pricing shall comply with Section B. For example, the Unit Price for any CLIN in Section C.3.3 must be the same Unit Price for the CLIN in Section B.

2. Technical Proposal Content. Offerors shall submit their proposals in three (3) volumes:

a. Volume 1 – Introduction – This volume shall include the Offeror’s business information, to include DUNS number, Introduction and a Capability Statement.

b. Volume 2 – Technical Proposal - Includes two (2) parts:

i. Part 1 – Technical Capability-The Offeror shall describe its technical capabilities to meet the Statement of Work (SOW) including submitting resumes for key personnel and committed stringers.

ii. Part 2 – Past Performance Information- the Offeror shall describe its similar past performance relevant to the SOW requirements. This Offeror shall provide detailed information on its past performance including any relevant contracts for same or similar services performed within the last five (5) years, with a minimum of three (3) reference including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and email addresses (i.e., the point of contact who can verify the Offeror’s Past Performance).

c. Volume 3 – Price Proposal – Offerors shall provide a Separate Price Proposal for each category they are bidding on showing a price breakdown for the category’s total price and for each CLIN’s Extended Price in the category. Offerors shall complete Section I, Schedule of Prices. Please note Section I will become part of the resultant contract. All prices shall be provided in United States dollars. Additionally, for evaluation purposes, Offerors shall complete Attachment A. In their price breakdown in Attachment A (which will be used for evaluation purposes), for each CLIN Offerors must use a Quantity of 10, their Unit Price, and provide an Extended Price. Offerors must also provide a total price for each category. The total price for a category equals the sum of the Extended Prices of the five (5) CLINS in the category, that is, the sum of the Extended Prices in the base period and the four (4) option periods. This volume shall contain the price quote/price sheet as detailed in Attachment A using a Quantity of 10 to obtain an Extended Price for each CLIN. Offerors must include a total price for each category. The Total Price listed in Attachment A will be used for evaluation purposes for this procurement.

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d. Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items with its offer which is completed by registering in the System for Award Management (SAM) website at:

HTTPS://WWW.SAM.GOV/PORTAL. Proposals must also include contractor name and address, contractor’s DUNS Number, prompt payment terms, and correct remittance address, if different from mailing address. THE SUCCESSFUL CONTRACTOR MUST BE REGISTERED ONLINE

IN THE SAM WEB SITE PRIOR TO CONTRACT AWARD.

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SECTION M

EVALUATION OF QUOTES- Commercial Items FAR 52.212.2 (OCT 2014)

BASIS FOR CONTRACT AWARD

The Government intends to award one or more BPA(s) resulting from this RFQ to the responsible Offeror(s) whose proposal conforming to the RFQ will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Technical Capability and Past Performance when combined are more important than Price. The Government’s evaluation of the vendor’s proposal will include the following general areas:

1) Compliance with submitting a proposal developed in accordance with the instructions provided by this RFQ;

2) The vendor’s past performance ;

3) Overall technical capability of vendor to provide the required services ;

4) The overall cost to the government for performing each category.

Offerors are cautioned that failure to address each of the above evaluation factors may make their proposal or their proposal relating to one or more categories unacceptable.

Specifically, the agency will evaluate all quotes against the following three (3) evaluation factors.

a. Technical Capability: The government will evaluate the degree to which the Offeror’s demonstrated ability to deliver services to the Federal Government in each category the Offerors wish to bid. Please note Technical Capability could be evidenced by samples of past work which displays storytelling, writing, originality, creativity, newsworthiness, knowledge of subject matter and production values.

Technical Capability will also be evaluated on five sub factors, which are of equal importance/weight:

(i) Qualifications of Offeror’s committed journalists;

(ii) Ability and plan to recruit and retain journalists with the required skill sets

(ii) Quality of samples of past work considering the storytelling, writing, originality, creativity, newsworthiness, knowledge of the subject matter, and production values;

(iii)Procedures for verifying and vetting stories and photographs for accuracy, fairness, and compliances with journalistic standards;

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(iv) Management Plan’s demonstration of: understanding of the requirement; relation of its proposed approach to the work; key personnel designations including specific responsibilities and authorities; qualifications of proposed Project Managers; and contingency replacement plan for key personnel.

b. Past Performance Information: The Government will assess the degree to which the Offeror has verifiable experience providing similar services, as the prime contractor on complex overseas service contracts; which must include a description of at least three prior projects performed within the last five years, and their associated deliverables, and client contact information. The Government will also consider the recorded reviews of each offeror’s past performance, if any, in the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS);

In the case of an Offeror without a record of relevant Past Performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the Offeror will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance. The BBG reserves the right to consider, in addition to the Past Performance information provided by the Offeror as discussed above, information obtained from any other sources and readily available to the Government.

c. Price for Assignment Category: The Government will evaluate the total price of each category set forth in Attachment A.

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SECTION V- CONTRACT CLAUSES

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 performed by the Contractor conforms to the requirements of the contract and such other responsibilities and authorities as may be specified in the letter of authorization or in 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.

THE CONTRACTOR IS HEREBY FOREWARNED THAT IT IS FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR

ANY CHANGES NOT AUTHORIZED IN WRITING, BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER.

THE CONTRACTOR WILL NOT BE COMPENSATED FOR ANY WORK PERFORMED

THAT THE CONTRACTING OFFICER HAS NOT AUTHORIZED.

2. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

The Contractor shall designate below a company official whom the BBG may contact during the period of performance of this contract for prompt contract administration:

NAME:

TITLE:

ADDRESS:

E-MAIL:

PHONE:

FACSIMILE:

The Contractor shall also designate below a company official responsible for reviewing performance evaluation entered into the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

(CPARS).

NAME:

TITLE:

ADDRESS:

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E-MAIL:

PHONE:

FACSIMILE: _____________________________________________

3. 52.217-5 -- Evaluation of Options (Jul 1990) (DEVIATION)

Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government’s best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for the CLINS for award purposes by adding the total price for all options for each of the CLINS to the total price of the base period for each of the

CLINS.

4. INVOICE SUBMISSION

The Contractor shall submit a monthly invoice to the COR via email after the end of each month for services the Contractor provided and VOA accepted to the COR via email. The COR will be identified at the time of award.

The Contractor’s monthly invoice shall list: (1) name and address of Contractor, (2) invoice date and invoice number, (3) BBG contract number (e.g., BBG50-C-17-0000) and (4) the number of days services were provided.

Pursuant to the Prompt Payment Act, the BBG will pay the invoice within 30 days of either: (1) receipt of the invoice or (2) acceptance of deliverables; whichever is later.

Note No. 1: The BBG invoicing procedures are listed below under 1952.232-91. Any costs associated with complying with these procedures will be at the Contractor’s expense.

1952.232-91 Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements – Invoicing Payment Platform (IPP) (April 2016).

Payment requests for all new awards must 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.

Under this contract, the following documents are required to be submitted as an attachment to the IPP invoice (CO to edit and include the documentation required under this contract):

C-30 https://www.ipp.gov/

TBD

The Contractor must follow the instruction on the attached Electronic Invoicing Advisory to enroll, access and use IPP for submitting requests for payment.

5. If the Contractor is unable to comply with the requirement to use IPP for submitting invoices for payment, the Contractor must submit a waiver request in writing to the contracting officer.

6. 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within two (2) days of the expiration of the current period of performance; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least thirty (30) days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed sixty (60) months.

7. 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor.

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8. FAR Clauses and availability. The following clauses are incorporated by reference. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses and provisions are available electronically at the following Internet address: (https://www.acquisition.gov/browsefar )

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions (Commercial Items) Jan 2017 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive

Orders-Commercial Items (Jan 2017) 52.246-2 Inspection of Supplies-Fixed Price (Aug 1996) 52.246-4 Inspection of Services-Fixed Price (Aug 1996)

The contract incorporates the following clauses in accordance with Section (b) of FAR clause 52.212-5 and FAR 12.301(e):

_X_ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (SEP 2006), with Alternate I (OCT 1995) ( 41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

_X_ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Oct 2015) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

_X_ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (JUN 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

_X_ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Oct 2016) ( Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

__ (5) [Reserved]

__ (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

__ (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

_X_ (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Oct 2015) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

_X_ (9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (JUL 2013) ( 41 U.S.C. 2313).

__ (10) [Reserved]

__ (11) (i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (NOV 2011) (15 U.S.C.

657a).

__ (ii) Alternate I (NOV 2011) of 52.219-3.

C-32 https://www.acquisition.gov/browsefar https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.203-6 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=d3b32fbedc573b48b54e4eaa815cce09&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/41/ https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/41/4704 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/41/10 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.203-13 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/41/3509 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.203-15 https://www.law.cornell.edu/rio/citation/Pub._L._111-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.204-10 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=20337544af3a10f04d4d30c9b5c0af0b&term_occur=4&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=feec862c73ab6d2755f9068fd129bd37&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=e7383eaf11ba3447e6c950e6e29af84c&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/rio/citation/Pub._L._109-282 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/6101 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.204-14 https://www.law.cornell.edu/rio/citation/Pub._L._111-117 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.204-15 https://www.law.cornell.edu/rio/citation/Pub._L._111-117 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.209-6 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=a78bd960c6114cc1bd364926762fde33&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/6101 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.209-9 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=b1fec257bbbf9339978b0004042258d1&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/41/2313 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-3 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/657a https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/657a https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=75b652e0fd1da7cb1e0e227253c1acae&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-3

__ (12)(i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (OCT 2014) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) ( 15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (ii) Alternate I (JAN 2011) of 52.219-4.

__ (13) [Reserved]

__ (14) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644).

__ (ii) Alternate I (NOV 2011).

__ (iii) Alternate II (NOV 2011).

__ (15) (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (JUN 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644).

__ (ii) Alternate I (OCT 1995) of 52.219-7.

__ (iii) Alternate II (MAR 2004) of 52.219-7.

_X_ (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Nov 2016) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

_X_ (17) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (JAN 2017) (15 U.S.C. 637(d) (4)).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

__ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

__ (IV) Alternate III (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

__ (v) Alternate IV (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

__ (18) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (NOV 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

__ (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (JAN 2017) (15 U.S.C. 637(a) (14)).

_X_ (20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages - Subcontracting Plan (JAN 1999) (15 U.S.C. 637(d) (4) (F) (I)).

__ (21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2011) ( 15 U.S.C. 657f).

__ (22) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (JUL 2013) (15 U.S.C.

632(a) (2)).

__ (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (Dec 2015) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (24) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (Dec 2015) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

C-33 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-4 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=90898a423cfa4058385dd6f89e5b0662&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/657a https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=75b652e0fd1da7cb1e0e227253c1acae&term_occur=2&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-4 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-6 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/644 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=75b652e0fd1da7cb1e0e227253c1acae&term_occur=3&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=7a3290945849a2e7aa9b8a8d56dfc486&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-7 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/644 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-7 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-7 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-8 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=6faac0fcffbd719ed27dcfa2b6f6e070&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/637%23d_2 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-9 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/637%23d_4 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=75b652e0fd1da7cb1e0e227253c1acae&term_occur=4&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-9 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=7a3290945849a2e7aa9b8a8d56dfc486&term_occur=2&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-9 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=c1d555841582d68f751d8dd46681f8ae&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-9 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=81a3ef214c4db3c0e49f4d80e6597f3c&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-9 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-13 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/644%23r https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-14 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/637%23a_14 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-16 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/637%23d_4_F_i https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/637%23d_4_F_i https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-27 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=42797b1ff2e1e4d4c6977228454527c1&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/657f https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-28 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/632%23a_2 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/632%23a_2 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-29 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=e545d3dd43fba03d86e9b8b7163c23a4&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=e545d3dd43fba03d86e9b8b7163c23a4&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/637%23m https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/52.219-30 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=b0e5d60171a202d6d16a45a8aea96ce6&term_occur=1&term_src=Title:48:Chapter:1:Subchapter:H:Part:52:Subpart:52.2:52.212-5…