Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source - Facilitation and Whiteboard Video Series

This is a Notice of Proposed Contract Action Synopsis. There is no solicitation available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will receive no response. This Proposed Contract Action is published to notify potential sources that the Fire, Fuels and Smoke Science Program and the Science Application & Communication group intends to award a sole source firm-fixed price contract, on behalf of the USDA Forest Service, to ConverSketch for the Facilitation and Whiteboard Video Series project with the Rocky Mountain Research Station.

1. Types of Services: The contractor will (1) Lead virtual collaborations to draft storyboards and scripts for each video and (2) produce three short (<3 minute) whiteboard-style videos from start to finish. Specifically, the contractor will:

1. Craft agendas and schedule virtual collaborations to result in draft storyboards and scripts.
2. Provide a high-quality virtual platform for collaborations.
3. Contract a technical writer to support script development.
4. Create draft scripts and storyboards based on themes from the virtual collaboration and solicit RMRS edits and feedback. This step will require considerable ‘back and forth’ until the plan for the video (script and storyboard) is deemed to result in compelling and fully developed videos.
5. Work with RMRS scientists and staff to develop product requirements.
6. Identify royalty-free or minimal cost sound effects and music for the video.
7. Contract a narrator (unless an in-house narrator is available at RMRS).
8. Comply with USDA and U.S. Forest Service accessibility and style guides for the final video.
9. Prepare and finalize three original, whiteboard-style videos with color features in a high-definition (1080p) .mp4 format. Each of these videos will be approximately 3 minutes or less and should match the tone and style of our existing two short video series.

The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals.  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  Date posted to SAM.gov:  August 19, 2021.  Date posting will close: August 24, 2021. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 512110. The Size Standard is $35.0. The desired period of performance for the services described herein is anticipated to be from September 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022.  The responses to this synopsis will be used to confirm that this is a sole source requirement. This notice is not a Request for Proposals (RFP); it is a market research tool being utilized to determine the availability and adequacy of potential sources prior to awarding the contract.