SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- INDONESIANS QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
- Notice Date
- 7/24/2013
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541910
— Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling
- Contracting Office
- Broadcasting Board of Governors, Director, Office of Contracts, Office of Contracts (CON), 330 C Street, SW, Room 4300, Washington, District of Columbia, 20237, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20237
- Solicitation Number
- BBG50-R-13-00066
- Archive Date
- 8/22/2013
- Point of Contact
- Diane Sturgis, Phone: 202-382-7849
- E-Mail Address
-
dsturgis@bbg.gov
(dsturgis@bbg.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors, (BBG), International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB), pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6 intends to issue a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation for commercial items in accordance with format of Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and proposals are being requested in accordance with below Statement of Objectives. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541910. This Solicitation Number BBG50-R-13-00066 is issued as a request for proposal (RFP) that will result in a single award of a Firm Fixed Contract using FAR Part 15 (Contract by Negotiation) procedures to provide for Indonesians Qualitative Research. BBG is seeking a well experience contractor to provide insight and development in the international media in Indonesia and SE Asia. The government reserves the right to make an award on the initial proposal without discussions of this procurement. STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) has a requirement for a contractor to conduct qualitative research on how and why Indonesians contribute User Generated Content (UGC) related to domestic and international news. This study will provide insights in the development of future-leaning user interfaces and technical requirements in support of the mission of US international media in Indonesia and SE Asia. Submit pricing and technical capabilities and experience information for conducting qualitative research as outlined below. •I. DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS •a) Nature of Project. Recognizing the rapid growth of digital media in Indonesia and the importance of audience engagement and inclusion of locally relevant content in its programming, the Broadcasting Board of Governors is seeking research and insights on how and why Indonesians contribute and share User Generated Content (UGC) on local and international news. The objectives of the research are to explore the [ 1] nature of the UGC currently contributed by Indonesian audiences to both local and international media organizations, the trigger situations or points that motivate content contribution, emergent behaviors and conditions of sharing UGC for news and information among Indonesians between 18 and 29, the technical means by which current and emergent contributions are made, the user-centric obstacles, if any, to encouraging contribution of UGC, and recommendations to the BBG in designing user interfaces, services, technology and outreach campaigns to increase UGC contributions from Indonesians. BBG envisions this research taking place among two groups of Indonesians: (1) those who currently share UGC with news media organizations, and (2) Voice of America (VOA) Indonesian's current base of Facebook fans who have posted comments. Some of the specific research questions to be addressed are: Among Indonesians who presently share information with other news organizations via digital platforms: What motivates Indonesians in general to contribute UGC to news organizations? What are the trigger points and/or threshold conditions of UGC sharing around news? What type of news events, brands or technologies that motivate them to share more? What do they share, how often, with whom, and through what channels? What would motivate them to contribute content to an international news media organization such as the Voice of America as opposed to a local media outlet? Does potential re-publishing of UGC content in different channels (i.e., a news organization's television program versus a Facebook page) change the user's motivations? Understand and define the types of UGC use by channels (e.g., SMS, mobile, Facebook), types of actions (e.g., contributing original content, participating in comments, sharing a link, etc.), and subject matters (domestic news, international news, health, business, science & technology, politics, etc.) by the target audience that are prone to contribute UGC in the Indonesian market •· Understand and define the types of stories/issues/events that elicit audience contributions of UGC in the Indonesian market •· Identify the content areas (i.e., politics, religion), news event types (i.e., natural disaster), time (i.e., morning commute, evening) and on what channels (i.e., call-out on TV, Facebook) where the VOA Indonesian service could be effective in encouraging contribution of UGC from Indonesians? •· Define the feasibility and effort required to reach out to the existing Indonesian UGC market, from the existing Facebook fan base and outside the current fan base. •· Discover possible intelligence that might shed light on sites that are considered by Indonesians as exemplary sites that encourage and generate good UGC. For example, what would the look and feel of a successful Indonesian UGC interface looks like, according to the consumers. •· Unearth cultural and logistical blockers, if any, to completing a UGC transaction (e.g., topics or issues that prevent consumers from doing so). Among fans of VOA Indonesian Facebook Examine the UGC behavior of the Indonesian service's Facebook fan base in Indonesia. What are the behaviors and factors that motivate these fans to share with the Indonesian service? (i.e., does VOA Indonesian service or other audience comments or "Likes" of comments promote more comments? Does re-publishing of UGC increase the likelihood of contributors to contribute in the future?) Do they consider themselves acting as "news sources?" What positives associations does the Indonesian Facebook crowd have with VOA? What reservations or concerns to they have? •b) Target Audience and Sample: The study will be among UGC contributors who have posted original content (videos, photos, or text), a comment, or a link on a regular basis to local and/or international news media sites in Indonesia. VOA Indonesian Facebook fans who have posted comments on a regular basis will also be part of this pool of sample available to the contractor. Half of the participants need to have contributed UGC at least monthly. BBG will assist the contractor to obtain permission from necessary sample sources for them to release sample for the proposed research. However, it is the contractor's sole responsibility to coordinate with the sample sources. Contractor should recruit a mix of participants with various levels of UGC participation described above, but with an emphasis on those who contribute original content. •c) Methodology(ies): BBG has not pre-defined the specific methodologies to be used for this study and encourages potential contractors to propose solutions that are both cost-effective and most likely to provide the insights that BBG is seeking, whether online, in-person, or some combination of both. Proposals should describe the rationale for choosing the methodologies selected and specific merits and benefits of each. Regardless of the approach chosen, BBG prefers that the methodology allows its staff to observe and provide timely input into the qualitative research, via either a virtual platform or real-life setting. Vendor should prioritize different methodological options based on relevance to research needs, budget, and time frame for project completion. The study will be conducted in Bahasa Indonesian. If online methodologies are proposed, budget sufficient time to allow timely English translation for BBG staff to observe and provide feedback on comments from the participants, if possible. To provide the contractors with some guidance on the budget framework for the proposed project, BBG is tentatively considering a sample size of the equivalent of six (6) traditional focus groups if "group activity" methodology is proposed. For contractors who propose "non-group activity" methodology, please use this as a guideline for your cost estimates. This guideline is for cost estimation only, and is not indicative of BBG's preference in traditional focus groups. •d) Contractor responsibilities: Contractor will be responsible for designing, with input from BBG, and executing the study, translating and adapting the questions/guide, recruiting participants, and setting up platform/facility for the study. Contractor will coordinate with all necessary parties to secure the use of the platform/facility, and implement necessary technologies for use of the digital platform. Contractor will also be responsible for providing any incentives customarily used to encourage project participation. •II. DELIVERABLES: Deliverables required under this SOW shall be: •a) A complete, clean sheet of the demographic information for the participants. This includes, but are not limited to, age, gender, tenure using social media, tenure contributing UGC, and geographic location. •b) A copy of the final guide in Indonesian and English. •c) A final report of the study detailing at least the following areas: Sample source and recruitment method Methodology(ies) used Detailed findings Summary, key takeaways and recommendations •III. TIMING: It is anticipated that study fieldwork should kick off and finish no later than 6 weeks after award of project. Deliverables as specified in Item II shall be provided no later than 3 weeks subsequent to completion of fieldwork. •IV. SELECTION CRITERIA: An award will be made based on review of the following: •a) Technical Capabilities/Experience [include six (6) equally weighted sub-criteria]; and •b) Pricing. Of the two Selection Criteria, Technical Capabilities/Experience (each is equally important) sub-criteria are as follows: •1. Demonstrated experience in conducting qualitative research on UGC contributors and/or social media users in the context of news in the developing world. •2. Demonstrated expertise, as documented by previous research or publications, on the development and role of digital media in Indonesia. •3. Validity of the proposed methodology(ies) and their suitability to the research needs. •4. Quality of the proposed for sample source and recruitment methods. •5. Professional qualifications of proposed project managers. •6. Ability to complete the project in a timely manner. While it is BBG's preference to award this contract to a single vendor who can fully provide the services in the required markets listed in this SOW, BBG will consider making awards to multiple vendors in the event that no single firm can fully provide these services. V. SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES TO THE RFQ In the event that pricing exceeds BBG's budgetary limitations, BBG reserves the right to reduce the scope of the work specified here in. This could include reduction in the overall sample size and reduction in the scope and complexity of the study. Each quoter's response shall include sufficient information on the following technical items to enable BBG to objectively evaluate the quoter's capabilities and experience to successfully perform the work specified in I and II. •a) A detailed description of the proposed research methodology and technologies used, including specific listing of organizations the quoter shall use for performing fieldwork (if subcontractors are to be used by the contractor). •b) Current information on the qualifications of quoter's office and field staff who will participate in performing the work specified in I and II. •c) Specific information on quoter's past experience in conducting research of the nature described. •d) A detailed description of the proposed sample source and recruitment methods. •e) A schedule showing the time required for each phase of the project. VI. Additional background on VOA News Indonesian Language of Broadcast: Bahasa Indonesian Distribution: The Indonesian Service employs an affiliate-based distribution system. Radio: Over 250 AM/FM affiliate stations in 128 cities relay VOA Indonesian's programs including Headline News, Breakfast and Evening Shows, VOA Direct Connection and 24 additional short inserts ranging from business and economics to environment to pop culture. TV: The Service produces tow long-form TV shows and 18 short TV segments for 8 of the 11 national TV stations and over 30 regional stations. Dunia Kita, a 30-minute human interest TV magazine show, is in its 11 th season on Metro TV, Indonesian's version of CNN, a 24-hour news channel. TV produces special events coverage for major stories, e.g. elections, or the death of Osama bin Laden. New Media: The service has web and mobile sites and a daily headline news e-newsletter. The main Facebook page has over 725,000 fans. Dunia Kita Facebook alone has over 110,000 Facebook fans. The Service's YouTube page has over 4,000 videos with more than 2 million views and its Twitter feed has more than 25,000 followers. Please click on the following URL's for more information about VOA Indonesian Service. http://www.voaindonesia.com/ http://m.voaindonesia.com/ https://www.facebook.com/voaindonesia https://www.facebook.com/DuniaKita Questions must be submitted in writing to the Contract Specialist at the email address provided at the end of this notice. Please note that the deadline for submission of questions by 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time on 31 July 2013. Questions must be submitted in writing by email to: dsturgis@bbg.gov. Proposal shall be submitted as an original and one copy must be sent via courier or overnight delivery prior to the deadline. (No electronic submissions will be accepted, Proposal shall also be submitted via digital disk). (Price proposal shall be submitted on separate documents). Proposal should be addressed to ATTN: Diane Sturgis, Broadcasting Board of Governors, International Broadcasting Bureau, Office of Contracts, 330 C Street, SW, Room 4007D, Washington, DC 20237 by 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time on 09 August 2013. The point of contact for this requirement is Diane Sturgis, Contract Specialist who can be reached via email at dsturgis@bbg.gov. All responsible sources may submit an offer that will be considered by the Agency.
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