Kurdish_Domestic_Stringers_SOW_Final.doc

Overseas Reporter/Statement of Work

June 19, 2018

Domestic Kurdish Stringer Multimedia Reporter in New York, California and Nashville For: South Central Asia Division, Kurdish Service 1.0 Introduction The Voice of America’s South Central Asia Division, Kurdish Service has a requirement for a talent vendor, domestic reporter (hereinafter referred to as “Contractor”) to provide services as described below. The work shall be performed on a per assignment basis in the United States. The Government will reimburse the Contractor for actual expenses as stated below. The Contractor shall be responsible for meeting all obligations under the term of this contract. The contractor shall at all times adhere to the standards and principles in the Voice of America Journalistic Code and shall request pre-approval before engaging in outside speaking and writing that might give rise to an actual or perceived violation of the Code.

2.0 Scope of Work The Contractor shall perform the following work at the VOA, office and/or in the field in Iraq, unless otherwise mutually agreed to by the Contracting Officer:

Contractor shall perform the following work for VOA in United States:

Contractor shall produce multimedia reports (TV, Social Media and Web), and reports on events in Kurdish target area as assigned, suitable for broadcast; May be required to conduct interviews, cover events and prepare reports based on research and/or event coverage. Contractor shall be responsible for researching a given topic for a specific project/story/or program, record sound-bytes, shoot video, and edit recorded material and voices material as appropriate. TV Reports: Contractor will also be required to compile 2-3 minute TV reports, brolls, VOSOTs whenever needed.

Contractor will write for the web, post stories on the web, send pictures, and short video clips to be used on the web and social media. He/She may also be asked to update social media if needed.

· Contractor shall produce web, social media reports on events in United States.

· Writes and edit short stories using video and still photography.

· Must be proficient in video editing, web design, graphic art, and interactive media.

· Works with Managing Editor on production process (generating ideas, meeting deadlines) for multimedia projects.

Reportage will take one of the following forms:

· Video Packages-Hard News (3 to 4 Min in Length)

· TV Reports: Contractor will also be required to compile 3-4 minute TV reports, brolls, VOSOTs whenever needed.

· Interviews with officials, activists, or other newsmakers, for inclusion as actualities in reports and backgrounders and for broadcast from Washington on VOA Programs.

· Reportage must conform to VOA style and follow VOA guidelines, which require balance, objectivity and comprehensiveness, and eschew bias.

· All TV reports should have necessary video, written scrips, audio and pictures as necessary.

· Video Packages- Features (2 to 5 Min in Length)

· TV feature report up to 4 minutes in length, with actualities, that provide details and background to a story, analyze an event and its repercussions, or profile a major leader, personality or newsmaker.

· B Roll, Interviews, Sound Bites

· Videos that could be used as supplemental footage inserted as a cutaway to help complete a live report or insert it into pre-recorded package. Brolls may or may not contain SOTs and vox pops.

· Photos

· Good quality pictures in the form of an album that could be used on TV, web and/or social media platforms. Minimum 5 would be considered an assignment.

· Pictures that are part of a TV, and Web report will be considered part of the package, and not paid separately.

· VO-SOT

· Videos with Soundbite between 1 – 2 minutes in length, with text, edited and ready for airing.

· Skype Report

· Live to TV, via Skype whenever necessary. Skype report could be between 2 – 10 minutes, depending on the topic covered. Skype report could be from the studios in New York or out in the field.

· Web story, (Script, pictures)

· A text report for web and/or other digital media reports with picture/s. ideally between 200- 300 words, which could be a hard news or feature report.

· Web report which is part of a TV/report will not be paid separately, and considered part of the TV/package.

· Contractors should report live to TV, via telephone from the field on events that are of interest to VOA. Phone report could be between 2 – 10 minutes, depending the situation.

· Facebook Live

· Facebook live report could be between 5 – 15 minutes, depending on the topic covered.

· Facebook live could be in the form or a report from the field on a hard news, soft topics, health, sports, etc. or an interview with the reporter.

· Produce events for Facebook Live and bring in other technologies as they come online.

-Expenses incurred in gathering and filing incumbent's reportage are included in the monthly remuneration. VOA accepts collect calls from stringers but cannot reimburse other telecommunication costs. The Contractor shall uses his or her own equipment and communications if possible. The incumbent may not enter into contracts or incur financial liabilities on behalf of VOA or the U.S. Government.

Deadlines:

All work performed under this contract shall be completed and delivered within the time agreed upon by the Contractor and the ordering office, and as specified in each task order. The Contractor shall advise the ordering office of any anticipated delays within twenty-four (24) hours after receipt of an order.

Special Expertise Needed:

Knowledge of Voice of America programming and target audience. Journalism experience is also required.

The contractor must have at least 3 years of experience working for a news agency. Strong Journalistic and TV Production skills. Proficient in Kurdish, English or both languages. Strong understanding of Kurdish, Media Market, including social media platforms. Able to edit with Adobe Premier & Photoshop. Ideal candidates will have experience working on TV and multimedia projects aimed at young people.

3.0 Government Property, Facilities, Services or Information The Government will not provide basic equipment such as laptop, camera and/or mobile solely for the Contractor’s use while performing the work prescribed herein.

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

4.0 Reimbursable Items

(a) Travel and Per Diem - The terms and conditions of the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) shall apply to all travel and travel-related matters authorized herein. The Contractor shall be reimbursed at cost for travel-related expenses upon submission of properly substantiated invoices. There shall be no profit allowed on these expenses. The Contractor, in connection with authorized travel, shall be reimbursed.

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

(c) The BBG will reimburse the Contractor for costs associated with out of the contractor’s home province, to cover stories if applicable. This reimbursement will include mileage (at JTR rates), tolls, and hourly parking.

Expenses related to travel outside the contractor’s home province area- such as tickets, car rental, hotel, telephones and internet costs related to VOA work and per diem shall be paid separately by travel grant.

(d) The Contractor shall obtain prior written approval from the COR identified in the Contract before incurring any of the above reimbursable expenses.

5.0 Submission of Deliverables

(a) The Contractor shall submit work materials at requested time to meet broadcast requirements. The work can be a pre-recorded package or presenting content live, depending on specific broadcast needs.

(b) The Contractor shall submit programs to the Contracting Officer representative (COR) at the address listed below:

Broadcasting Board of Governors

Cohen Building – Room 3500 330 Independence Ave., SW

Attn: Ibrahim Nasar, (COR) 6.0 Submission of Invoices

(a) The Contractor shall submit an original monthly invoice of detailed work completed and accepted by the Government to the COR.

(b) The Contractor’s monthly invoice shall list: (a) the days for which assignments are being billed for work performed, (b) the programs produced, and (c) reimbursable expenses, if any.

7.0 Acceptance The Contractor agrees that no employer-employee relationship exists between the Voice of America and the Contractor.

8.0 Assignment Rate and Estimated Usage of Contractor:

Shift work, weekends, evenings, holidays and unusual hours are expected.

9.0 Contractor Performance Evaluation Criteria:

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

10.0 Contract Term and Obligation of Parties:

(a) The term of this Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) shall be from September 1, 2018 – August 31, 2023 and contingent upon availability of funds.

(b) Additional services in excess of the estimated amount may be requested provided upon the mutual consent of the parties as indicated by the offer and acceptance of additional orders. The Government may terminate this contract within 30 calendar days prior notice in the event of discontinued need for the Contractor’s services or with less prior notice as may be appropriate in the event of unsatisfactory performance or improper conduct on the part of the Contractor.

- End of Statement of Work – (Kurdish Service Domestic Stringers)

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

PRICING SUMMARY

Base Period September 1, 2018-August 31, 2019

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Qty Limits

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 20 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 10 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 25 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 100 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 60 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price

Not to exceed 60 per month

Ordering Period 1 September 1, 2019-August 31, 2020

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price

Qty Limits

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 20 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 10 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 25 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 100 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 60 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price

Not to exceed 60 per month

Ordering Period 2 September 1, 2020-August 31, 2021

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price

Qty Limits

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 20 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 10 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 25 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 100 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 60 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price

Not to exceed 60 per month

Ordering Period 3 September 1, 2021-August 31, 2022

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price

Qty Limits

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 20 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 10 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 25 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 100 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 60 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price

Not to exceed 60 per month

Ordering Period 4 September 1, 2022-August 31, 2023

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price

Qty Limits

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 20 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 10 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 25 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 100 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price Not to exceed 60 per month

Unit of Issue ea Unit Price

Not to exceed 60 per month