SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- AUDIENCE SURVEY IN KUWAIT AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATE
- Notice Date
- 7/30/2002
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Broadcasting Board of Governors, Associate Director for Management, Office of Contracts (M/CON), 330 C Street, SW, Room 2500, Washington, DC, 20237
- ZIP Code
- 20237
- Solicitation Number
- CON-02-0025
- Response Due
- 8/16/2002
- Point of Contact
- Lesley Isaac, Contracting Officer, Phone 202-619-1623, Fax 202-205-1921, - Gloria Sweetney, Contracting Officer, Phone 202-619-1623, Fax 202-205-1921,
- E-Mail Address
-
lisaac@ibb.gov, gjsweetn@ibb.gov
- Description
- The Broadcasting Board of Governors/International Broadcasting Bureau (BBG/IBB) has a requirement for a contractor to obtain quantitative data on the impact of Radio SAWA in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirate using the "Test Program for Certain Commercial Items" specified in Subpart 13.500 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Pursuant to FAR 12.603, the following constitutes both the synopsis and the solicitation: (i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; written proposals are here in being requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. (ii) The solicitation number for this procurement is CON-02-0025 and this solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). (iii) incorporated provisions and clauses incorporated into this solicitation document are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2001-007.Title 48, May 15, 2002. (iv) The Contracting Officer has found and determined that the nature of the services to be performed are appropriate for an "unrestricted" procurement in accordance with FAR Subpart 19.502 entitled "Setting aside acquisition". (v) The contract line item is as follows: Item 1. Quantitative data on the impact of Radio SAWA in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The assessment shall be performed by conducting surveys of the adult populations in each country. Research specifications are as follows: Nature of Surveys: Audience data shall be obtained through surveys of the UAE and Kuwait. In the case of the UAE, the survey shall cover the Emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi only. Both surveys should begin in October, 2002, with precise dates to be agreed upon by IBB and the contractor. The surveys shall be designed to measure the size and composition of the audience for Radio SAWA programming and other domestic and international radio and television broadcasters. Both surveys will also collect basic information on the overall media usage patterns and attitudes of the population of interest. The interviewing shall be conducted face-to-face and in the home of the respondent by a trained interviewer. 1) General Responsibilities of Contractor. The contractor shall be responsible for the project design, translation, formatting, pretesting, adaptation, and printing of IBB supplied questionnaires; developing the sampling plan; training interviewers; supervising fieldwork; cleaning and encoding survey responses; entering and processing the data; ascertaining the representativeness of the sample and weighting the data, if necessary; preparing cross-tabulations in data books; submitting data on diskette; and communicating all necessary information and results to IBB in a timely manner. 2) Sample Design. Interested quoters are herein requested to submit price quotations for surveys in each country, each with a samples of 1,500 adults age 15 or older and fully representative of the population of Kuwait and of the Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Because Radio SAWA is aimed at a youthful audience, residents under the age of 30 shall be over sampled so that they represent two thirds (or 1000 cases) of the achieved sample of 1500. In both countries, only citizens and expatriates from other Arab countries shall be interviewed. Non- Arab expatriates shall not be included in the survey universe. Weights shall be derived and applied to the survey data by the contractor in order to correct for the age imbalance resulting from the oversampling of younger respondents as described above and, if necessary, to bring the sample into conformity with the other characteristics of the entire populations of the survey universe in each country. The sample shall be drawn using recognized probability methods, all the way down to the selection of the individual respondent at the household level. Only one individual per household shall be selected, and at least three attempts shall be made to interview selected respondents before substitution is allowed. A detailed Sampling Plan, including stratification criteria, description of the sampling frame, listing of anticipated Primary Sampling Units (PSUs), approximate number of interviews in each, procedures for selecting households within PSUs, and procedures for selecting individual respondents at the household level, shall be submitted to and approved by IBB prior to commencement of fieldwork. 3) Questionnaire. IBB will supply a set of questions for an interview of approximately 30 minutes consisting of approximately 50 questions (in English), up to 5 of which may be open-ended. The questionnaire will be provided in draft form for suggestions and comments by the contractor. Following receipt of the contractor's comments, IBB will provide a final version of the questionnaire for translation by contractor into Arabic. The contractor shall prepare translation of the questionnaire in Arabic and shall submit these translations to IBB for approval prior to pre-test. The contractor shall be responsible for compiling a comprehensive list of both local and international broadcast media available in the areas to be surveyed. This information shall be used to compile a precoded list of stations on the survey and shall be submitted to IBB for approval prior to finalization of the questionnaire. Following IBB's review of any contractor comments and final approval of translations of questionnaires, the contractor shall prepare final versions in English and other languages as agreed in form suitable for use by interviewers. 4) Pre-test. The questionnaire shall be pre-tested by the contractor prior to the commencement of any fieldwork. At least 25 pre-test interviews shall be conducted. The contractor shall provide IBB with a written report of the results of the pre-test, along with details of any problems encountered and suggested remedies, prior to the commencement of any fieldwork. 5) Fieldwork. Interviews shall be conducted by experienced field workers who will be thoroughly briefed by the contractor prior to commencement of any work. The contractor shall ensure that interviewers are thoroughly familiar with household and respondent selection procedures, call back procedures, and the structure of the questionnaire, including routing and filtering. Interviewer training shall include practice sessions in administering the questionnaire. A minimum of 10% of interviews shall be back checked and 5% shall be accompanied by a team supervisor. The contractors' proposals shall include a description of the professional qualifications of the proposed interviewers and a description of the training that will be provided to interviewers. 6) Data Processing. The contractor is responsible for data entry, cleaning, and processing. The contractor shall provide printed tabulations of results, including percentage responses to all questions broken down by gender, age group, and educational level. Tabulations shall show weighted and unweighted base for each question. The contractor shall supply data to IBB as an SPSS for Windows syntax file (*.sps) (SPSS version 10.0 or lower) file and as an SPSS "*.sav" file with a complete data dictionary of variable names and value labels. The contractor shall also supply raw data on computer diskettes in ASCII fixed format with accompanying codebook identifying location of all variables and coding scheme. There shall be one data record for each respondent and records shall be of fixed length. If weights are used, weighting factors shall be in the same position on each record, with location specified in the codebook. Each record shall include a unique respondent ID number, interviewer ID number, PSU ID number, and codes for precise location and date of interview. Each record shall include demographic information about the respondent, including: gender, exact age, education level, and occupation. 7) Technical Appendix. When delivering printed tabulations and raw data, the contractor shall provide a Technical Appendix which shall include the following: (a) a complete Sampling Plan, including list of PSUs and individual sampling points and number of interviews conducted in each and a map showing location of each PSU (b) details of response rates (c) interviewer instructions (d) brief report on survey operations including any practical difficulties encountered in carrying out the survey (e) estimated sampling error (f)complete explanation of the weighting scheme including details of how weighting factors were developed and applied, as well as the demographic data on which weights were based. 8) Summary of deliverables. See preceding paragraphs for detailed description of requirements for each deliverable. (a) Raw data on computer diskette, with codebook; (b) Complete data set formatted as SPSS file (see description above under 6); (c) Printed tabulations of results (d) Technical Appendix. (vi) This survey is being conducted to determine the impact of the Radio SAWA, a new IBB Broadcast Initiative in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (vii) Delivery Schedule: a.) Fieldwork: Fieldwork for both surveys shall begin on the same dates in October, 2002. Precise dates shall be agreed upon between IBB and contractor, but all fieldwork shall be complete by the beginning of Ramadan. b.) Final Data: The final, clean data file shall be delivered by November 25, 2002. (viii) The provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items is hereby incorporated by reference (1) Offerors are reminded to submit their DUNS Number with their proposal. (2) Each offeror's proposal shall include: (a) detailed description of the proposed research methodology, including specific listing of oranizations the offeror shall use for any fieldwork; (b) current information on the qualifications of offeror's office and field staff: (c) specific information on offeror's past experience in conducting media research and survey research in Kuwait and UAE (d) detailed description of the proposed fieldwork plan, including sampling (e) a schedule showing the time required for each phase of the project. (3) Omission of any of the points of information requested will weigh against the offeror during the Contracting Officer's evaluation of the proposal. (4) Price quotations submitted in response to this RFQ that exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (as specified in FAR Subpart 2.101, Definitions) will not be considered as responsive to this RFQ. (5) The price quotation shall be submitted on a separate page from the Technical Capabilities/Experience and Schedule information. (6) In the event that quotes for the work outlined in this RFQ significantly exceed IBB's budgetary limitations, IBB reserves the right to reduce the scope of the work specified herein. This could include reduction in the overall sample size, a reduction in the length and complexity of the questionnaire, or both. (ix) FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The Government will award a firm-fixed price contract (i.e., purchase order) resulting from this RFQ to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the RFQ will be the most advantageous to the Government, based on: A) the offeror's Technical Capabilities/Experience (for which there are six (6) equally weighted subcriteria) (a) demonstrated experience in conducting quantitative research on broadcast media; (b) professional qualifications of key project leaders (c) demonstrated experience in conducting survey research in Kuwait and UAE (d) quality of the proposed sampling technique; (e) quality of the proposed procedures for data collection, entry, and verification; and (f) ability to complete the project in a timely manner. (x) Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications--Commercial Items, with its offer. (xi) The FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition-with no addenda to the clause. (xii) Far Clause 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders--Commercial Items applies to this acquisition as well as the following clauses contained with FAR Clause 52.212-5: 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222.36; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (E.O. 11246); 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (38 U.S.C. 793), 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era and Other Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212); 52.225-13, Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchase (E.O. 12722, 12724, 13059, 13067, 13121, 13129); 52-232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration (31 U.S.C. 3332); (xiii) The following FAR clause is also applicable to this acquisition: 52.222-22, Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports. There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and condition (such as contract financing arrangements or warranty requirements) necessary for this acquisition other than those consistent with customary commercial practices. (xiv) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating is not applicable to this acquisition. (xv) None of the Numbered Notes are applicable to this acquisition. (xvi) Offers are due not later than 3 pm EST, Friday, August 16, 2002 and they shall reference RFQ No. CON-02-0025. Price Quotations may be sent via either facsimile to (202) 205-1921; e-mail at lisaac@ibb.gov or by mail to: BBG/IBB, Office of Contracts, 330 C Street, SW, Room 2512, Washington, DC, Attn: Lesley D. Isaac Jr. Quoters responding to this RFQ shall submit to the above-listed Contracting Officer the following information by mail, facsimile, or e-mail, as part of their price quotation: unit and extended price for the above-listed line-item, prompt payment terms, correct remittance address if different from the quoter's mailing address, and a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications--Commercial Items. Full text of all FAR clauses and provisions are available electronically at the following Internet address (http://ww.arnet.gov/far). Oral price quotations will not be accepted for this procurement (xvii) Any questions related to this proposed procurement shall be in writing and shall be sent directly and only to the Contracting Officer, Lesley D. Isaac Jr. All responsible sources may submit a price quotation, which will be considered.
- Place of Performance
- Address: 1) Kuwait and 2) the United Arab Emirates
- Record
- SN00128058-W 20020801/020730213140 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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