VOA_Persian_SOW_Tech_Series_Final_082018.pdf

Broadcasting Board of Governors Statement of Work

13 August 2018 1

VOA-PNN-18-RFQ-0015AM

Broadcasting Board of Governors

Voice of America

Television Programs, Persian Service

Statement of Work

Technology and Medicine series

INTRODUCTION

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.

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.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

For use on the BBG’s new 24-hour news channel, Persian News Network (PNN), the VOA

Persian Service has a requirement for a TV documentary series highlighting advances and discoveries in technology and medicine in the U.S. and around the world. VOA Persian will use this as a way to attract and retain its target audience of 18-35 year-olds, who are located in Iran and other Farsi-speaking communities around the world. By acquiring this series of TV documentaries, the VOA Persian service would improve its broadcast programming as mandated by its parent organization, the BBG.

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SCOPE

Contractor shall produce a documentary series for television broadcast that will introduce Iranian audiences to the latest advances in technology and medicine as developed in the United States and around the world. Each episode will be 24 minutes in length, with 26 seconds of promo. The contractor shall deliver 20 episodes to the Agency, all in the English language.

DESCRIPTION OF TASK

The Contractor shall provide a full-range of services and shall meet VOA’s specifications.

The Contractor shall be responsible for all aspects of pre-production, production and post-production including finding a character(s); picking topics; interview subjects; writing scripts;

editing video; assembling the video for final delivery; and delivery of the programs. Each episode shall be produced, shot and edited using professional standards.

The Contractor shall provide all personnel in connection with the program series, including but not limited to camera, lighting, and audio personnel, graphic artists; post-production editors, finishing editors, graphic designers, writers, copy editors, producers, and segment producers sufficient in number and experience to produce each episode.

The Contractor shall use its own resources, equipment, vehicles, and insurance for all aspects of content production, including but not limited to on-location or in-studio video production and post-production video editing. The Contractor shall secure any and all needed permissions for any elements of music, text, illustrations/graphics, photos, videos, designs, trademarks, or other artwork that are included in each episode. The Contractor shall provide a copy of all permissions, releases, and clearances to VOA upon request.

The Contractor shall be responsible for all of the production costs including travel and miscellaneous costs required to write, shoot, produce, edit, translate, creating graphics, acquiring music, and delivery of agreed number of episodes of these television program(s). All travel costs must be within the rates established by the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal

Travel Regulations https://gsa.gov/portal/getMediaData?mediaId=149442

The Contractor shall provide programming that is free of advertising and or product placements and mindful of Iran’s culture and sensibilities. Programs must not contain political bias.

The Contractor shall be responsible for all graphic elements: Opening title sequence, font, text, animations etc. pertaining to the video.

Visuals must support the content of the topics and depict the theme of each episode and may require a variety of shooting locations. Separate interviews with main and supporting characters will provide facts and commentary about events occurring in the episode.

https://gsa.gov/portal/getMediaData?mediaId=149442

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CONTRACT TYPE

This is a Firm Fixed Price contract. All pricing shall be inclusive of all costs to deliver each episode.

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: N/A

KEY CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

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 contract.

OTHER UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS AND CONSIDERATIONS:

a. Pursuant to FAR 52.227-17, VOA shall own the copyright of any data produced in the performance of this contract.

b. The Contractor shall not register a trademark for any marks, names, logos, or slogans associated with this show and must agree to fully cooperate with Agency efforts to seek trademark registration, if any.

c. The delivered episodes shall adhere to VOA Best Practices Guide and Journalistic Code and those documents are incorporated here by reference

(http://www.governmentattic.org/20docs/VOAbestPracticesGuide_2016.pdf).

CONFIDENTIALITY REQURIEMENTS:

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.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The primary place of performance will be at the Contractors’ facility and at such locations where filming is conducted.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT (GFE) N/A

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 of documents should be made using standard business software used by the BBG, such as Excel, http://www.governmentattic.org/20docs/VOAbestPracticesGuide_2016.pdf

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MS Word, and/or PowerPoint. Episodes shall be delivered in High Definition (HD) video format

(1920x1080p29.97 in Rec709 color space with unmixed audio and H.264 encoding at 50

Mbps). All work provided under this contract shall be completed and delivered by the timeframe outlined herein. All deliverables shall 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.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The base period will commence on or about September 1, 2018 – August 31, 2019

DELIVERY SCHEDULE/DELIVERABLES

Programs will be delivered no later than the following dates:

Deliverable Due Date Government Turnaround

Time

Delivery of Concept for each episode (including subject, location, key characters and summary story line)

NLT 10 days prior to production of any episode

2 days after receipt of

Concept (per episode)

Near Finished Copy of each episode

NLT 2 weeks prior to deadline of any episode

2 days after receipt of Near

Finished copy (per episode)

Two final versions of each episode:

a) a fully mastered version, and

b) a clean version

14 days after approval of Near

Finished copies (per episode)

10 days after receipt of Final version (per episode)

(including both fully mastered and clean version)

Note: All references to days above refer to calendar days.

The Contractor shall be responsible for any revisions that are requested by VOA.

October 15, 2018 Episode 1 December 31, 2018 Episode 11 October 22, 2018 Episode 2 January 7, 2019 Episode 12 October 29, 2018 Episode 3 January 14, 2019 Episode 13 November 5, 2018 Episode 4 January 21, 2019 Episode 14 November 12, 2018 Episode 5 January 28, 2019 Episode 15 November 19, 2018 Episode 6 February 4, 2019 Episode 16 November 26, 2018 Episode 7 February 11, 2019 Episode 17 December 3, 2018 Episode 8 February 18, 2019 Episode 18 December 10, 2018 Episode 9 February 25, 2019 Episode 19 December 17, 2018 Episode 10 March 4, 2019 Episode 20

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Two final versions are defined as follows: The master version is the final, ready-for-air video with graphics, mixed audio and texts. The clean version is the final video with 6 to 8 channels of discrete audio without any graphic elements such as text or lower third graphics. Note: The

Contractor shall include no more than thirty (30) seconds of program credit and acknowledgement material as part of the closing of each episode.

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS/OTHER

All reports, plans, other documents, and videos as stated herein shall be sent to the addressees indicated below:

a. Deliveries for VOA/BBG Headquarters in Washington, DC:

Voice of America (VOA)

Attn: VOA – Arkadiy Orlov

Cohen Building, Room 1450

330 Independence Avenue SW.

Washington, DC 20237

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.

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.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/FormsStandard67.html#wp1189284

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(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—

(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.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/FormsStandard67.html#wp1189284 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/52_212_213.html#wp1179194 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/52_212_213.html#wp1179194 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/FormsStandard67.html#wp1189284

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(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.

(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

13 August 2018 8 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/).

https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/ http://quicksearch.dla.mil/

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(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—

(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.

http://assistdocs.com/ https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/Subpart%2032_11.html#wp1043964 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/www.sam.gov https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/www.sam.gov https://www.acquisition.gov/

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(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;

(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

A clear demonstration of the offeror’s understanding of the SOW, and how the Offeror’s proposed approach will meet VOA’s mission, requirements, and deliverables as described herein, containing the following elements:

Concept – A demonstration that the Offeror’s concept for the documentary series will enhance the target audience’s understanding of the latest advancements, innovation and breakthroughs in technology and medicine as being developed in the United States and around the world and will meet the target audience’s needs for high-quality original content in a highly competitive satellite TV market.

Technical Approach and Capability - The Offeror’s demonstrated capability to deliver products and services called for in the SOW, within the period delineated in the RFQ and in accordance with the stated requirements/timeline for filming, editing and post-production including graphics elements.

Key Personnel - The Offeror’s proposed personnel with a demonstration of creative individuals, key personnel and a strong management team. A demonstration as to the extent of their qualifications and experience with respect to the functions they are proposed to accomplish/manage. Resumes shall be submitted for all individuals demonstrating such qualifications and experience with references, past professional awards and other information available clearly identified.

(10) Past Performance

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

1. The Offeror’s past performance on recent relevant projects during the last 4 (four) years, (a total of 3 shall be submitted) similar in complexity and scope to the work called for in the SOW.

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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 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. The degree to which the offeror’s past performance demonstrates the likelihood it can successfully perform the SOW.

b. Broadcast TV documentary series experience with a particular focus on technology and medicine-centered documentary series produced for international broadcasters, particularly based in the Middle East.

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.

(End of Addendum)

EVALUATION (CRITERIA) FACTORS FOR AWARD

Evaluation—Commercial Items (Oct 2014)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

1. Technical

Concept - The Government will evaluate the likelihood that the Offeror’s concept for the documentary series will enhance the target audience’s understanding of the latest advancements, innovation and breakthroughs in technology and medicine as being developed in the United States and around the world and will meet the target audience’s needs for high-quality original content in a highly competitive satellite TV market.

Technical Approach and Capability - The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s demonstrated capability to deliver products and services within the period delineated in the RFQ and in accordance with the stated requirements/timeline for filming, editing and post-production including graphics elements.

Key Personnel - The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s proposed Key Personnel as creative individuals and as a management team for the extent of their qualifications and experience with respect to the functions they are proposed to manage based on the resume, references, past professional awards and other information available to the

Government. The evaluation will include: a) Depth and breadth of the proposed Project

Manager’s and other Key Personnel professional qualifications and demonstrated experience to lead and manage a complex research, development, production and post-

13 August 2018 12 production of specialized documentary series for broadcast television; b) Availability and commitment to this project; and (c) Demonstrated understanding of the statement of work.

2. Past Performance

The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s past performance to determine the degree to which it demonstrates the likelihood it can successfully perform the SOW. The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s past performance on recent relevant projects during the last 4 (four) years, similar in complexity and scope to the proposed broadcast TV documentary series with a particular focus on technology and medicine-centered documentary series produced for international broadcasters, particularly based in the Middle East.

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

NOTE: In determining the best value to the Government, the Concept, Technical Approach and

Capability, Key Personnel and Past Performance Criteria are significantly more important than the evaluated price. The Government is more concerned with obtaining a superior Concept, Technical Approach and Capability proposal than making the lowest evaluated price.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the

Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of provision)