U.S. Department of Education, OCFO, Contracts & Purchashing Operations, Support Services Group, 7th & D Street, SW, Room 3616, ROB-3, Washington, DC 20202-4443

A -- MEDIA SERVICES SOL 154012 DUE 021397 POC LaShawn Flemming, Procurement Assistant, 202-205-0177 Media Services SOL 154012 DUE 02/13/97. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation only here no hard copies will be mailed. The Department of Education is issuing a Request for Quotations for The National Education Goals Panel (NEGP). The Government intends to award a fixed price Simplified Acquisition. This notice is intended for competitive proposals from Small Business concerns. All proposals received by 2:00pm on 2/13/97 will be considered by the Government. The National Education Goals Panel (NEGP) is a unique, bipartisan and intergovernmental body of 18 federal and state officials charged under the Goals 2000: Educate America Act with monitoring and reporting progress toward the eight National Education Goals. Each year the Panel releases an annual report showing the progress of the nation and each state toward the Goals. This year, the Panel will also release publications relating to Goal 1, that by the year 2000 all children in America will start school ready to learn, and up to two advisory group reports. It is intended that these publications be released in conjunction with scheduled Panel meetings or hearings. To increase knowledge, awareness, attendance and favorable news and editorial coverage of these activities, the Panel requires and experienced media relations contractor to conduct a high volume, high intensity campaign. This campaign shall begin immediately after the contract is awarded and continue through November, 1997 with the release of the 1997 Goals Report and follow-up with feature news stories in electronic and print media. The contractor shall demonstrate that it has: -- a successful tract record of communicating complex public policy issues and making technical information highly accessible to the media and the general public; -- established, senior-level contacts with media decision-makers needed to make and shape news and public opinion; -- superior message design, writing, and analytic skills. -knowledge of the current issues related to education and standards-based reform; and -the ability to commence work immediately upon contract award and direct a high volume of activity and level of effort needed to conduct the media activities at NEGP meetings while sustaining favorable news coverage. The contractor shall work with NEGP to design and implement a news genderation strategy for three scheduled panel meetings in May, July and October, 1997 and other panel events. This scope of work shall include the following tasks: 1. The contractor shall Analyze the content of the Goals Report, the Goal 1 publications and up to two additional advisory group reports in order to design messages, prepare news releases and secure placement of stories in print and electronic media and trade journals. The contractor shall develop processes to enhance news coverage and shall: 1.1 Write national news releases focusing on the 1997 Goals report and for each of the Goal 1 publications, and advisory group reports; 1.2 Modify the national news release with leads and additional information needed to generate interest among reporters, editors, producers and columnists covering: 1.2.1 the home states and localities of Panel members and: 1.2.2 news and feature issues related to the education goals. 1.3 Write necessary news advisories for distribution prior to each Panel meeting or hearings. 1.4 Write radio and TV talk show "pitch letters," correspondence to secure editorial board meetings, and one-on-one media interviews. 1.5 Write one general article based on the central message of the news events regarding respectively the Goals Report, the advisory group reports and Goal 1 publications. 2. For the release of the 1997 Goals Report in October, the contractor shall plan and conduct a news conference with principal Goals Panel speakers. This shall include: 2.1 Handling liaison with event hotel and coordinating final site logistics such as room set-up, audio-visual needs, site check, etc. 2.2 Writing, reproducing and assembling media kits and other print materials as needed for the event and follow-up mediaactivities. The kit shall include an agenda and/or overview of activities, necessary news releases, 3-5 page summary of fact sheets drawn from information in the Goals Report, and other documents provided by NEGP. 2.3 Preparing suggested talking points for each of the main news conference speakers and a set of general talking points to assist Panel members with their media interviews. 2.4 Working with the press secretaries, scheduling offices, and Governor's education policy aides to schedule and confirm Panel member participation in interviews and other media opportunities. 3. For each of the Panel meetings, the contractor shall conduct all medial outreach and make telephone calls to generate media interest, encourage attendance at events, and secure news and editorial coverage, including necessary follow-up calls and contracts. 4. The contractor shall arrange for audio and video taping of the Panel meetings and news conference, and shall provide NEGP with a VHS video tape for viewing. 5. The contractor shall be responsible for out-of-pocket expenditures such as charges for telephone, preparation and duplication of materials, courier service, transportation, etc. NEGP shall cover the costs associated with securing hotel space and any food and beverage needs for the Panel meetings. 6. The contractor shall provide guidance on ways to improve NEGP's media outreach and dissemination of reports. Hard copies of the RFQ are not available. The Internet addresses are: http://gcs.ed.gov. or gopher://gcs.ed.gov. See Contract Information/Documents On-Line Menu. ED BBS for dial-up computer users at (202) 260-9950. The BBS has four 14,400 bps modems. New users create their ID and password at logon. At the BBS main menu, select Contract RFP and Work Statement On-Line for available contract documents. For questions only on GCS Web or ED Board BBS, contact Audrey Hawkins on (202) 708-8503 or George Wagner at (202) 708-7811. Proposals should be submitted to the address above. (0029)

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