Russian_Anchor_Reporter_NY_Bureau_SOW_August_2019__-_to_post.pdf

Statement of Work Combination of Services /Anchor-Reporter/ Russian - NYC Bureau

1.0 Introduction

The Voice of America's Russian Service has a requirement for a talent vendor (hereinafter referred to as "Contractor") to provide a combination of services as described below. The work shall be performed on a Fixed-Price basis. In addition, the Government will reimburse the Contractor for actual expenses as stated below. The Contractor's rate shall include overhead (e.g., health insurance), G&A, and profit. The Contractor shall at all times adhere to the Voice of America's Journalistic Code and Best Practices Guide, 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. The rate will be established on per hour basis. No minimum working hours are guaranteed.

Background

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

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

2.0 Scope of Work

The Contractor shall perform the following work at the location mutually agreed to by the authorized BBG/VOA representative:

(a) Serve as an on-camera talent in live or live-to-tape studio TV shows and interactives;

initiate and conduct original live or pre-taped interviews with a wide variety of newsmakers including business and finance-related topics

(b) Develop sources for VOA Russian business and other programming; build and maintain strong relationship with these news contacts and experts;

(c) Cover key developments and figures in business and finance spheres, creating original comprehensive TV and digital stories on tight deadlines; track emerging business-related story trends, especially developments related to Russia and US-Russia relations, working with a team; Produce breaking news; write stories and file completed, distribution-ready video packages covering wide range of subjects, and using variety of news sources

(d) Contractor will produce original multimedia news reports and features for VOA Russian Service's TV and Digital platforms; contractor will write stories and file completed, distribution-ready video packages covering wide range of subjects, and using variety of news sources

(e) When assigned, engage target audience through publishing content and discussion in social media.

(f) S/he shall be capable of and be responsible for independently operating contemporary television (TV) field production equipment and systems for the recording of video programming for VOA Russian service.

(g) The Contractor shall be available to work as all of the above within mutually agreed upon flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and Government Holidays. A 30 minute non-paid meal break shall be coordinated with the COR.

(h) The quality and efficiency of the services performed by the Contractor shall be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the Contractor is meeting the requirements of the

VOA.

(i) VOA may terminate this contract within 30 days prior notice in the event of discontinued need for the Contractor’s services or within lesser prior notice as may be appropriate in the event of unsatisfactory performance or improper conduct on the part of the Contractor.

A Qualified contractor should have: demonstrated ability to quickly produce engaging TV and digital business and finance focused content in Russian language within tight deadlines and under minimal supervision; demonstrated sound editorial judgement; experience in anchoring TV programs and reporting live for TV; experience breaking news; experience bringing stories to life through narrative data and video. Demonstrated knowledge in publishing content online.

3.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance of this Blank Purchase Agreement is one year from approximately August 10, 2019 to August 9, 2020 plus four additional option years contingent upon availability of funds.

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

4.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The Contractor shall perform work at the VOA Russian Bureau, New York City area unless otherwise mutually agreed to by the Contracting Officer.

5.0 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 for:

1. The cost of economy-class (coach) airfare;

2. Per diem at Government rates prevailing when travel is undertaken; and

3. Miscellaneous expenses incurred in connection with the travel, upon provision of appropriate justification.

(b) The Contracting Officer may ask the Contractor to substantiate related travel expenses by supporting information (e.g., dates, purpose of travel, and per diem) and documentation including receipts for airline travel costs, lodging, parking fees, ground transportation, and other miscellaneous fees in excess of $25.

(c) Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses - Upon presentation of substantiating data to the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall be reimbursed for the following expenses without profit:

1. Passport/visa fees and photographs;

2. Taxi/limousine/bus fares to and from airports; and

3. Official long distance telephone calls from the Contractor’s office.

(d) The USAGM will not reimburse costs associated with “Local Travel” to/from the Contractor’s office or for parking at the Contractor’s office. Neither will the USAGM reimburse the Contractor for his “travel time”. However, the USAGM will reimburse the Contractor for costs associated with “Local Travel” to locations where he/she will be covering stories if applicable. This reimbursement will include mileage (at FTR rates), tolls, and hourly parking.

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

6.0 SUBMISSION OF DELIVERABLES

(a) All work performed under this contract shall be completed and delivered within the time agreed upon by the Contractor and the ordering office – VOA Russian, and as specified in each task order, oral or written.

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

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

7.0 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, FACILITIES, SERVICES OR INFORMATION

Copyright to all work under this Contract belongs to the US Agency for Global Media

8.0 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.

(a) The Contractor shall submit an original invoice through the IPP portal which shall list the number of hours worked, submitted and accepted.

(b) The Contractor shall maintain a monthly Attendance Log of all hours worked. A copy of this Attendance Log shall be attached to the Contractor’s invoice.

9.0 ACCEPTANCE

(a) COR for this contract is (Redacted) Managing Editor, VOA Russian Service. Alternative COR is (redacted) , Executive Producer, VOA Russian Service (redacted)

10.0 SECURITY

All staff must be able to obtain and maintain a public trust background investigation prior to reporting on-site. This process may take 30-45 days after selection. Candidates will not be allowed to work until such investigation is complete.

- End of Statement of Work –