Video Production and Web Casting Services

Added: February 8, 2008 Modified: February 12, 2008Track Changes The purpose of this Amendment is to publish questions and answers relative to this Combined Synopsis/Solicitation.

Question 01: Is there an incumbent on this contract?

Answer 01: No.



Webcasting

Question 02: How long is the webcast, will they always be the same length?

Answer 02: Webcasts will vary in length, but will typically be between 1 and 3 hours.



Question 03: Will there be powerpoints for the webcast?

Answer 03: Not typically, but the potential exists.



Question 04: If so will they be given to the contractor at least 24 hours in advance?

Answer 04: No.



Question 05: Do the webcasts need to be 508 compliant?

Answer 05: Webcasts that are not streamed live must be Section 508 compliant.



Question 06: Is the webcast sent out in windows, real?

Answer 06: Flash Video; video podcast; and original video file to be provided to MCC.



Question 07: What is the required bit rate for the webcast?

Answer 07: One for broadband, one for dial-up.



Question 08: What is the expected audience for the twice a month webcast?

Answer 08: Number of viewers is anticipated to be less than 500.



Question 09: Will all webcasts be hosted for VOD?

Answer 09: Webcast archives can be hosted by MCC on mcc.gov.



Question 10: Are the webcasts always in the same area?

Answer 10: Webcasts are linked to from multiple pages on mcc.gov.



Question 11: Are their high speed lines available for the webcast only?

Answer 11: It depends on the location. Vendor should be prepared and able to provide its own high speed lines.



Question 12: What are the video production requirements for the webcast?

(a) how many cameras?

Answer 12(a): Usually one is sufficient.

(b) how many microphones?

Answer 12(b): MCC or the venue where we do the event will provide mics.

(c) is there an audience?

Answer 12(c): Yes these public meetings will have an audience.



8 minute DVD



Question 13: Is all shooting for the MCC video in town?

Answer 13: MCC will provide much of the footage in the form of b-roll. However, for the 8 minute video only, MCC will require the vendor to shoot a few interviews with MCC officials at our DC headquarters.

Question 14: How many days of shooting are estimated for the 8 minute video?

Answer 14: One day.



Question 15: Does the MCC want this video shot in High Def, if so 1080, 720,our choice?

Answer 15: If the vendor is able to shoot in high def that would be preferable but not mandatory. 1080 is fine.



1-2 minute video



Question 16: What format or formats does the MCC want this video to be encoded for the web?

Answer 16: Flash video; video podcast; final dv file to be provided to MCC for encoding in other formats.



Question 17: Are we hosting the web video or is the MCC?

Answer 17: MCC can host on mcc.gov but we would like to leave open the possibility for the vendor to host if needed.



Question 18: How many days of shooting are anticipated for the 1-2 minute "commercial"?

Answer 18: Zero days. MCC will provide all b-roll needed for the 1-2 minute video.



Change out of government logo



Question 19: Is this something the contractor is creating or will just re insert into completed videos?

Answer 19: New logo artwork will be provided to contractor by MCC.



Question 20: Can we use subcontractors?

Answer 20: There is no requirement for subcontracts. Use of subcontractors is entirely up to the vendor.



Question 21: For webcasting, if the primary contractor works with a host for a redundant network backbone is that acceptable?

Answer 21: Yes



CLIN 0001

Question 22: Statement: Initial cut of DVD for review due 5 days after contract award. Question: With only five days to produce; is the script already written and approved, or does this 5 day deadline include script origination and approval?

Answer 22: We will need the contractor to work with MCC staff to write a script. MCC will have very specific guidance and some language for the script. Given that this is a 1-2 minute piece, MCC believes a five day turn around is doable.



Question 23: Are the b-roll segments already identified?

Answer 23: MCC has the b-roll but MCC will need to use the vendor?s facilities to log the tapes and provide in and out cues. Additionally, please note, that not all the footage is in beta NTSC. Some footage will be in DV cam PAL and MCC will need contractor to provide conversion.



Question 24: Will this 1-2 min. commercial require any additional video recording?

Answer 24: No.



Question 25: Are the required graphics already produced? Or at least designed?

Answer 25: MCC will provide the logo but chyrons will need to be created by vendor.



CLIN 0002



Question 26: Will video recording be required for this video?

Answer 26: Yes.



Question 27: How many days of shooting will be required?

Answer 27: Approximately one day in DC.



Question 28: Will this shooting consist of interviews only or additional b-roll as well?

Answer 28: Interviews only of MCC executives.



CLIN 0003



Question 29: What type of events would be webcasted?

Answer 29: Various public events. Locations include but not limited to the Hill, NGOs, think tanks, MCC headquarters, etc.



Question 30: If live webcasting is required, will there be graphics that must be created on the fly? Or can all graphics be pre-designed?

Answer 30: No graphics for webcasting.



Question 31: Will events to web casted require more than one camera coverage? As in multiple speakers or audience participation. How many cameras?

Answer 31: One camera is fine.



Question 32: Will these events be held in an environment where there is sufficient lighting for video coverage? Or will additional lighting be required? And if so how much?

Answer 32: No lighting required.



Question 33: For all of the above: The statement: ?An MCC employee will have access to a beta deck in order to log time code for the b-roll footage.? Does this mean that the contractor needs to supply this beta deck and/or a place for this logging? Or is MCC providing the deck and location?

Answer 33: Contractor must be willing for MCC employee to go to the vendor?s office to provide in and out cues for the 1-2 minute and 8 minute videos. MCC does not have a beta deck.



DVD production



Question 34: What percentage of the footage used in the 1-2 minute DVD will be supplied by MCC?

Answer 34: All b-roll footage will be supplied by MCC.



Question 35: What percentage of the footage used in the 8 minute DVD will be supplied by MCC?

Answer 35: All b-roll footage will be supplied by MCC.



Question 36: Are there any foreign language requirements for the DVD's?

Answer 36: Yes, for the 8 minute video, we may need to have the vendor produce English subtitles if footage of beneficiaries describing how MCC assistance is helping to improve their lives are used.



Question 37: Do all webcasts orginate from the same location? If yes, please identify the location?

Answer 37: No, varied locations.



General



Question 38: Will preference be given to a D.C.-based company?

Answer 38: Yes. The original solicitation states that ?Contractor will provide facilities, qualified personnel, and necessary materials to complete all three CLINs? and MCC is located in Washington DC area.



Question 39: If price sensitivity is a concern, is library music an acceptable replacement for original music?

Answer 39: If the vendor has the rights to use the music, then it is acceptable.



Question 40: For the 8 minute DVD, can all interviews with MCC officials be done in one location during a single day of shooting? If not, how many locations/shoot days will be required? Answer 40: Yes, it is possible to do the interviews in one day at MCC.



Question 41: Approximately how many minutes of B-roll footage is available for these projects? Answer 41: Over 10 hours of b-roll footage is available, but MCC staff will help narrow down the footage.



Question 42: Can we assume the optional 8 minute ?infomercial? would be the same scope as the first infomercial?

Abswer 42: Yes.



Question 43: Under Description, #1, there is no mention of shooting for the 1-2 minute DVD. Will it consist entirely of MCC-provided b-roll footage with narration?

Answer 43: MCC will provide b-roll. Vendor needs to provide script with a person doing voice overs.



Question 44: Under Description, #2, there is mention of a ?crew to interview MCC officials??would this be the only original footage shot, with the rest to consist of MCC provided b-roll?

Answer 44: Yes.



Question 45: Under Description, #3, regarding ?live onsite webcasting or delayed webcasting,? Are these events all in the Washington DC area or should the contractor anticipate travel?

Answer 45: All in DC.



Question 46: What is the average duration of the live webcasting events (half-day or full-day)? Answer 46: MCC?s public events usually last 1.5-2 hours (not including the vendors? travel and setup/takedown time).



Question 47: Under Deliverables, the first deliverable (initial cut) for the 1-2 minute DVD commercial is due ?5 days after contract award.? Is this correct? In our experience, this would not be enough time to kickoff the contract, write a script, review b-roll, record narration, and edit to the rough cut stage, even under a tightly compressed schedule.

Answer 47: We would like to stick to the 5 day schedule. MCC staff is committed to helping the vendor complete the product by this timeline by reviewing the deliverables and proving comments quickly.



Question 48: Under description # 3, regarding providing equipment, i.e. ?Mackie?, can you verify the webcasting events provide in-house audio for live on-site audience? In other words, would awardee be responsible for providing audio to anyone other than web audience?

Answer 48: Usually the location of the outreach events has only ONE mult outlet for the house audio, thus MCC needs vendor to have a Mackie board so that others may plug in. Example, if TV or radio outlets such as VOA cover the event, we will need for them to plug into the vendor?s Mackie board. Also, we usually have a transcription company plug into the makie board.



Questions for BASE 1



Question 49: Scripting: Will content points be provided?

Answer 49: Yes.



Question 50: Who is there audience and what is the desired response?

Answer 50: General public, Congress, and other MCC stakeholders.



Question 51: Have any concepts or other creative decisions been made for each of these projects? Answer 51: Yes, MCC will provide guidance on the types of information we want highlighted for each video.



Question 52: Graphics: Are any graphics required for this project, like a logo?

Answer 52: Yes, MCC logo and chyrons.



Question 53: For this first deliverables, no additional shooting is needed, correct?

Answer 53: Yes.



Question 54: Footage: How many hours of b-roll will be available to this project? I'm assuming it was shot or mastered on Beta.

Answer 54: Over 10 hours. Note some footage is not in Beta NTSC but in DV cam PAL since it was shot outside of the U.S.



Questions for BASE #2



Question 55: Is this something that can be scheduled for one day?

Answer 55: Yes.



Question 56: At the bottom of this, you say you want a contractor who preferably shoots HD. Do you want all the original footage we shoot to be shot in HD?

Answer 56: If possible but not mandatory.



Questions for BASE #3



Question 57: Events: What sort of outreach events are put on by the Congressional and Public Affairs?

Answer 57: These are public outreach events that highlight MCC?s work and progressing in helping countries reduce poverty through economic growth.



Question 58: Can we tap into an audio board at the event for sound (since it says Makie board, I'm assuming the answer is a no, but how do you currently handle sound to the event audience)?

Answer 58: There is no audio board only a mult outlet for house audio.



Question 59: Delayed Webcasting: On what sort of delay can we post the events online?

Answer 59: For events NOT webcast live, we need you to provide a link.



Question 60: Facility - what is the location like where they hold these events, i.e. will we need to light it?

Answer 60: No lighting required.



Questions on Deliverables BASE 1



Question 61: If the initial cut is due 5 days after the contract is awarded, at what point will we receive the materials?

Answer 61: Immediately after the contract is awarded.



Questions on Deliverables for BASE 2



Question 62: Is there a timeframe for this work to be completed?

Answer 62: To be determined but most likely 3-4 weeks. MCC wants to talk to the awardee about timing given that it is an 8 minute piece.



Questions on deliverables BASE 3:



Question 63: How many hits or what sort of audience do you expect to receive on this webcasting?

Answer 63: Less than 500



Question 64: Will there be a need to archive webcast?

Answer 64: Possibly.



Question 65: Will there need to be a content management system in place?

Answer 65: No.



Question 66: When are you anticipating the decision being made on who the contractor will be? Answer 66: This is an urgent action. MCC anticipates to award the contract within 1 week.



Question 67: Who will be responsible for the coordination of the officials for shoot day?

Answer 67: An MCC staff member.



Question 68: Based on the RFQ, the contractor will be shooting in HD but transferring the material to beta tape so that the b-roll can be reviewed by MCC, correct?

Answer 68: Yes.



Question 69: It is specified that encoding for web will be required. Who will be responsible for posting of the encoded files to their final destination?

Answer 69: MCC staff member.



Question 70: What will the outreach events environment look like? For instance, number of people speaking, Set, Call Ins, Email Ins, Panel Discussion, Will it be hosted, Audience?

Answer 70: Public events will vary in size and speakers. Typically we have one-two key note speakers and then a panel of 3-4 experts.



Question 71: Will the events be recorded to tape as well as Webcast?

Answer 71: Yes, MCC may request 5 DVD copies of the recorded events for the historical archives.



Question 72: It is specified Live Onsite Webcasting or Delayed Webcasting. If Delayed Webcasting is used what is the maximum allowed duration of the delay?

Answer 72: Two-three hours. We would like to post in the same business day as the event.



Question 73: Is the viewer of the Webcast going to be interacting or just viewing?

Answer 73: Just viewing.



Question 74: What kind of packaging for the DVD?s?

Answer 74: Standard DVD case and DVD labels.





Questions received but not answered in this Amendment: vendors should exercise their best judgment.



All other terms and conditions of the original Solicitation MCC-08-0014-RFQ-79 remains in full force and effect.