Persian_News_Network_MUSIC_Final.pdf

A. SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation per FAR Parts 13.5 and 12.6

B. SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

See Deliverables in SOW for potential CLINs

C. STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 Introduction/Overview The mission of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) is to inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy. The BBG broadcast services include two federal entities: The Voice of America (VOA) and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting

(OCB); and three BBG-sponsored grantees: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio

Free Asia (RFA), and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN).

The BBG upholds freedom of expression and information as universal human rights. The BBG fosters and sustains free and democratic societies by exemplifying and supporting free media.

The BBG networks pursue this mission through their own engaging content on television, radio, Internet, social and mobile platforms, and also by working closely with media partners around the world that bring our content into local markets, establishing valuable connections to critical institutions that support civil society and democratic principles. With media sources proliferating around the world, information is more powerful than ever. But the existence of more media does not yield more press freedom. Using professional journalism, BBG networks provide an alternative to disinformation and extremist propaganda.

VOA uses broadcast and digital platforms, including web and social media to engage viewers, listeners, users, and friends. Radio and television broadcast to approximately 3,000 affiliates, and satellite transmissions reach countries where free speech is banned or where civil society is under threat. VOA’s mobile apps have registered more than 1 million downloads and cater to users on all major mobile platforms. With the largest audience of all U.S. international media, VOA continues to be a beacon of hope for underserved audiences who yearn for information about freedom of expression, civil society, and change.

With programming in 61 languages, thousands of media partners, and on-the-ground reporting capabilities around the world, BBG networks are also well poised to react quickly in crisis situations. In order to have impact with audiences, the BBG must provide quality programming and earn the trust of audiences. The programming of BBG networks is consumed by a worldwide audience of 278 million people in 61 languages each week.

C.1.1 Background VOA will be launching a new foreign-language channel (i.e., Persian News Network), which will feature content for broadcast on radio, television, and across digital platforms (including social media). VOA seeks a music production company to provide custom music services for a variety of programming. Services will include all composition, arrangement, and recording.

C.1.2 Scope

The VOA is seeking the products/services of a Contractor to provide a range of original music for the BBG/VOA, for use on television and across digital platforms (including, but not limited to, websites, Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram).

C.1.3 Objectives The Contractor shall provide custom music as requested by BBG/VOA and shall coordinate with

BBG/VOA staff to ensure music that reflects stylistic goals and complement existing content.

BBG/VOA will provide both descriptive terms as well as reference samples of similar musical elements that align with BBG/VOA’s overall vision. BBG/VOA will also preview musical and background elements as they become available.

The Contractor shall incorporate multiple rounds of BBG/VOA feedback and provide revised audio products, as requested.

C.1.4 Requirements The contractor must provide the efforts to perform the tasks outlined below to meet the requirements of the Statement of Work (SOW).

C.1.4.1 Tasks

1. The Contractor must create original music, as requested.

a. Each element will be approximately the duration listed, in accordance with

VOA’s expressed overall needs.

2. Clear, detailed plan for the development of preproduction, production, and post-production of a complete music package, including each element detailed in the

Statement of Work.

a. The plan must include a step-by-step description of each production stage, with a projection of the time required for each element.

b. The plan must describe what, if any support and coordination would be needed from

Voice of America.

c. The plan should address versioning material for television, video across digital platforms, and materials adaptable for print promotion.

d. The plan must specify process for accepting and implementing proposed revisions from VOA.

3. The Contractor must be flexible, as the duration of each element may vary, according to

Agency needs and guidance. The Agency may also require shortened versions of elements. First time approximation for each element will be reviewed at first concept meeting.

4. The Contractor shall provide the Government opportunity to monitor any recording sessions electronically or in-person, as they take place.

5. The Contractor must provide all component elements of music and audio created for

BBG/VOA, for possible editing and re-versioning by the Agency.

6. The Contractor must provide all audio in the following formats:

a. Sample rates: 44.1 khz, 48 khz, 96 khz

b. Bit rates: 16 bits, 24 bits, 32 bits

c. File format: WAV, FLAC, MP3

7. Audio must be stereo- and mono-compatible. Audio shall be available in a 5.1 mix, according to Agency need.

8. The Contractor shall provide fully-mixed final tracks for each element; in addition the

Contractor shall provide split tracks of each individual instrument channel (AND isolated instrument tracks, including no drums, drums only, no strings, strings only, no horns, horns only, piano only, no piano, strings and drums only, horns and drums only, strings and horns only, etc.).

C.1.4.2 Deliverables

The following schedule of deliverables should adhere to the Draft Plan:

Deliverable Due Date Government Turnaround

Time

Draft Plan With Proposal Submission

Concept Meeting (style guidance from Government)

1 days after contract award.

Draft Main Melody/Theme

Tracks

To be delivered no later than 8/27/18

2 days after receipt of drafts the

Government provides revisions

Creation of draft original music (including all elements in Attachment 1) than 09/04/18

3 days after receipt of draft music the Government provides revisions

Full set of Near-Final Music

Package (with any requested orchestration)

No later than 09/12/18

2 days for Government to provide revisions.

Final Audio elements (all music and instrumental channels) than 09/12/2018

Government to approve after any comments are dispositioned within 3 days after receipt of draft package

Note: Times are in the format of minutes:seconds

C.1.4.3 Schedule Success in meeting the aggressive schedule for this Music requirement as outlined in the table above is critical to the success of the overall PNN program alluded to in the Background section above.

The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within the term of this contract; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

C.1.5 Assumptions

1. BBG/VOA will retain full, exclusive, and perpetual ownership of any content produced through this contract. This includes TV, radio, and digital distribution, and global distribution rights. This is work-for-hire; all royalty rights shall reside with BBG/VOA in perpetuity.

C.1.6 Monitoring Progress/Compliance The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), assigned at time of award, will follow the plan delivered per the schedule above to monitor and assess performance with the overall deliverable schedule outlined above throughout the period of performance of the contract.

D. PACKAGING AND MARKETING

Commercial Best Practices are Acceptable

E. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

All work shall be completed in accordance with standard procedures and guidelines provided orally or in writing by the COR who will be appointed at the time of award. Submissions should be made using standard business software used by the BBG, such as Excel, MS Word, and/or

PowerPoint. Any music samples should be provided via direct electronic links to samples that can be downloaded, in accordance with the aforementioned technical standards. For files exceeding 10GB, files may be delivered via external hard drive, to be provided for use by VOA.

All deliverables will be sent, via email, to the COR and/or designated Government official. All deliverables submitted during a billing cycle should be listed on the invoice.

Invoicing:

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.

F. DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

Place of Performance

The primary place of performance shall be at the Contractors’ facility and at such locations where scoring and mixing are conducted.

Period of Performance

One year from start of contract, with four 12-month options.

G. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

H. SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide qualified personnel to perform all requirements specified under this

Statement of Work (SOW).

The Contractor shall provide a Project Manager who will be responsible for all Contractor work performed under this SOW. The Project Manager will be designated as “Key Personnel” under this agreement.

Other Unique Requirements and Considerations:

Confidentiality Requirements:

Contractor shall not disclose to any third party (other than its respective employees, in their capacity as such and only on a need-to-know basis), any confidential business information concerning VOA that was acquired or derived in the course of performance.

I. CONTRACT CLAUSES

J. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

K. REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF

OFFERORS

L. INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items (Jan 2017)

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. The NAICS code and small business size standard for this acquisition appear in Block

10 of the solicitation cover sheet (SF 1449). However, the small business size standard for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, but which proposes to furnish an item which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees.

(b) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Offers may be submitted on the SF 1449, letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, offers must show— https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/FormsStandard67.html#wp1189284

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of offers;

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the offeror;

(4) A technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms;

(7) “Remit to” address, if different than mailing address;

(8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at FAR 52.212-3 (see FAR

52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the offeror shall complete electronically);

(9) Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments;

(10) Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information); and

(11) If the offer is not submitted on the SF 1449, include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Offers that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

(c) Period for acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(d) Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of offers. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples shall be submitted at no expense to the Government, and returned at the sender’s request and expense, unless they are destroyed during pre-award testing.

(e) Multiple offers. Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions, including alternative line items (provided that the alternative line items are consistent with subpart 4.10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation), or alternative commercial items for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each offer submitted will be evaluated separately.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/52_212_213.html#wp1179194 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/52_212_213.html#wp1179194

(f) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that offers or revisions are due.

(2)(i) Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is “late” and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition; and—

(A) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of offers; or

(B) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation designated for receipt of offers and was under the Government’s control prior to the time set for receipt of offers; or

(C) If this solicitation is a request for proposals, it was the only proposal received.

(ii) However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer, that makes its terms more favorable to the Government, will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

(3) Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the offer wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of Government personnel.

(4) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that offers cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of offers by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

(5) Offers may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers. Oral offers in response to oral solicitations may be withdrawn orally. If the solicitation authorizes facsimile offers, offers may be withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers, subject to the conditions specified in the solicitation concerning facsimile offers. An offer may be withdrawn in person by an offeror or its authorized representative if, before the exact time set for receipt of offers, the identity of the person requesting withdrawal is established and the person signs a receipt for the offer.

(g) Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids). The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror’s initial offer should contain the offeror’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the

Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting

Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest offer; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

(h) Multiple awards. The Government may accept any item or group of items of an offer, unless the offeror qualifies the offer by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, offers may not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Government reserves the right to make an award on any item for a quantity less than the quantity offered, at the unit prices offered, unless the offeror specifies otherwise in the offer.

(i) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation.

(1)(i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by submitting a request to—

GSA Federal Supply Service Specifications Section

Suite 8100

470 East L’Enfant Plaza, SW

Washington, DC 20407

Telephone (202) 619-8925

Facsimile (202) 619-8978.

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of

Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the addressee in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision. Additional copies will be issued for a fee.

(2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the following ASSIST websites:

(i) ASSIST (https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/).

(ii) Quick Search (http://quicksearch.dla.mil/).

(iii) ASSISTdocs.com (http://assistdocs.com).

(3) Documents not available from ASSIST may be ordered from the Department of Defense

Single Stock Point (DoDSSP) by— https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/ http://quicksearch.dla.mil/ http://assistdocs.com/

(i) Using the ASSIST Shopping Wizard (https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm);

(ii) Phoning the DoDSSP Customer Service Desk (215) 697-2179, Mon-Fri, 0730 to 1600 EST;

or

(iii) Ordering from DoDSSP, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

19111-5094, Telephone (215) 697-2667/2179, Facsimile (215) 697-1462.

(4) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance.

(j) Unique entity identifier. (Applies to all offers exceeding $3,500, and offers of $3,500 or less if the solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management

(SAM) database.) The Offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation “Unique Entity Identifier” followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the Offeror’s name and address. The Offeror also shall enter its

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator, if applicable. The EFT indicator is a four-character suffix to the unique entity identifier. The suffix is assigned at the discretion of the Offeror to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative EFT accounts (see subpart 32.11) for the same entity. If the Offeror does not have a unique entity identifier, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for unique entity identifier establishment directly to obtain one. The

Offeror should indicate that it is an offeror for a Government contract when contacting the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishing the unique entity identifier.

(k) System for Award Management. Unless exempted by an addendum to this solicitation, by submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the SAM database prior to award, during performance and through final payment of any contract resulting from this solicitation. If the Offeror does not become registered in the SAM database in the time prescribed by the Contracting Officer, the

Contracting Officer will proceed to award to the next otherwise successful registered Offeror.

Offerors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via the

SAM database accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov.

(l) Debriefing. If a post-award debriefing is given to requesting offerors, the Government shall disclose the following information, if applicable:

(1) The agency’s evaluation of the significant weak or deficient factors in the debriefed offeror’s offer.

(2) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful and the debriefed offeror and past performance information on the debriefed offeror.

(3) The overall ranking of all offerors, when any ranking was developed by the agency during source selection.

(4) A summary of the rationale for award;

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(5) For acquisitions of commercial items, the make and model of the item to be delivered by the successful offeror.

(6) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed offeror as to whether source-selection procedures set forth in the solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable authorities were followed by the agency.

(End of provision)

Addendum to FAR 52.212-1

(b) Submission of Offers

(4) Technical Proposals shall include:

Technical Approach & Capability

A clear demonstration of how the proposed approach will meet VOA’s mission, requirements, and deliverables, containing the following elements:

1. Response Paper/Plan

a. Summary of offeror’s expertise in providing diverse and complex music content for news organizations and media outlets.

a. Clear, detailed plan for the development of preproduction, production, and post-production of a complete music package, including each element detailed in the

Statement of Work

i. Plan must include a step-by-step description of each production stage, with a projection of the time required for each element.

ii. Plan must describe what, if any support and coordination would be needed from Voice of America.

iii. Plan should address versioning material for television, video across digital platforms, and materials adaptable for print promotion.

iv. Plan must specify process for accepting and implementing proposed revisions from VOA.

2. List of relevant, available staff members, including detailed descriptions of their background, experience, and projected roles in the creation of music elements.

Past Performance

The Offeror must provide past performance information in accordance with the following:

1. Provide a list of previously-serviced media entities (3 total). Include the title of the outlet/program, a brief description of the musical content produced, and internet links to the material if it is available for viewing. Examples of previously-produced style guides are valued additions to the quote submission.

2. Provide for each of the previous contracts listed above at least one contact from the entity serviced who was directly involved in the management of the promotional work, including name(s), job title(s), phone number(s), and email address(es)

3. The quote must demonstrate the offeror’s experience as follows:

a. Experience with advanced music production software and hardware is mandatory.

b. Demonstrated success in providing a full range of music for news programming on television, including sound effects, original scoring, themes, and the use of stock music.

c. Demonstrated success in providing a full range of music for news programming on digital platforms, including web, social media, and mobile versioning.

d. Demonstrated experience with use of full orchestration.

Price

The following guidance is provided with respect to the price proposal:

Offeror shall provide fully-burdened firm-fixed, price (FFP) to VOA – inclusive of any travel, applicable discounts or prompt payments. There shall be no assumptions which have cost/price implications to the meeting the requirements stated herein outside of the proposed FFP.

M. EVALUATION (CRITERIA) FACTORS FOR AWARD

FAR 52.212-2, “Evaluation–Commercial Items (OCT 2014)

Evaluation of Quotes The Government will issue a contract resulting from this RFQ to the responsible Offeror whose quotation results in the best value to the Government, considering both price and non-price factors. The following factors will be used to evaluate quotations:

1. Technical Approach & Capability

a. The Offeror’s demonstrated technical expertise in conceptualizing and producing comprehensive music packages will be evaluated to determine an overall rating, including the specification of critical staff for each stage of production.

b. Capability to deliver products and services within the accelerated period delineated in the RFQ.

2. Past performance - The Offeror’s past performance on related, relevant contracts will be evaluated to determine, as appropriate:

a. Successful performance of contract requirements similar to the requirements of this SOW, including elements such as quality and timeliness of delivery of products and services, cost management, communications between contracting parties, proactive management and customer satisfaction.

b. Specific consideration will be given to each constituent element in the content generated, including brand conceptualization, individual musical elements’ quality and variety, and ability to produce a set of complementary musical elements that reflect a unified aesthetic.

The Government may use any resource available, including the Offerors submission, Contractor’s Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), or any other applicable performance-related information.

3. Price – the Offeror’s price quote will be evaluated to determine fairness and reasonableness.

Attachment 1 - Draft Original Music

Short and extended theme music mixes

News Opens (:07 plus trailing music to :30)

- Early

- Late

- 365 News

News bumps (:30)

- Serious

- Light/happy

- Inspiring

- Neutral

Headlines

Bump In

Bump Out

Breaking News :10 with sting

Network ID (5-, 10-, and 15-seconds)

Promo (Versions 1, 2, 3, 4)

News Suite Closing theme (:59.5 + closing sting)

News interview intro :10 with sting

News Donut 1 (:05 plus trailing music to :22 and a sting ending at :29.5)

News Donut 2 (:05 plus trailing music to :52 and a sting ending at :59.5)

Topicals (:05 + trailing music to :15):

- Elections

- Weather (1:59.5)

- Weather alert

- Medical

- Green

- Mobile Alerts

- Consumer Alerts

- Tech segment

- Politics

- Online

- Entertainment

- Business

- Sports (:10 plus trailing music to :30)

- News – regional

- News – global

- News – U.S.

Music Beds:

- Investigative 1

- Investigative 2

- Investigative 3

Logo audio

Program closing theme

Short bed to logo

Network signature tone (00:01.5 minutes)

“Swish” to be used between stories and to remotes; swish sound incorporated into news music theme

Network theme ID:

- Sting ending at :14.5

- Sting ending at :09.5

- Sting ending at :04.5

Network image music:

- :59.5 version

- :29.5 version

Network program donut :05 start and trailing music to :22 with a sting ending at :29.5

Network program donut :05 start and trailing music to :52 with a sting ending at :59.5

Network lineup :19.5, ending with sting to :20

Note: Times are in the format of minutes:seconds. Any bolded items also have sub items version under them.