U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/OFA/PGAS/Contract Administration Branch -- OFA513, 1305 East West Highway -- Station 7604, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

U -- PRODUCE VIDEO IN SUPPORT OF GLOBE PROTOCOLS, SCIENTIFIC TOPICS SOL 52-DKNA-7-90069 DUE 080197 POC JOEL PERLROTH, 301-713-0829 x121 E-MAIL: Click here to contact the contract specialist, joel.l.perlroth@noaa.gov. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation 52-DKNA-7-90069 is issued as a request for proposal (RFP). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 90-46. Background The GLOBE Program is a hands-on environmental science and education program that unites students, educators, and scientists from around the world in studying the global environment. The goals of the GLOBE Program are: to enhance the environmental awareness of individuals worldwide, to increase scientific understanding of the Earth, and to improve student achievement in science and mathematics. GLOBE is a worldwide network of K-12 (or equivalent) students working underthe guidance of teachers trained to conduct the GLOBE Program. GLOBE students: make a core set of environmental observations at or near their schools, report their data through the Internet to a GLOBE data processing facility, receive and use global images created from worldwide GLOBE school data, and study environmental topics in their classrooms. Over 4000 schools in over 55 countries are participating in the GLOBE Program. GLOBE students have reported over 500,000 science observations in the areas of atmosphere, hydrology, land cover/biology, and soils. These data are used by GLOBE students and scientists to support environmental research and other environmental science programs. Environmental scientists from many nations have participated in selecting GLOBE environmental measurements, developing measurement procedures, and ensuring overall quality control of data. Age-appropriate GLOBE educational materials have been developed by international environmental educators for use in GLOBE schools. GLOBE teachers receive special training on teaching the measurement procedures, using GLOBE images as instructional materials, participating in GLOBE using Internet/World Wide Web technology, and creating partnerships among students at GLOBE schools around the world. Broad international participation is integral to the design of the GLOBE Program. GLOBE international partners sign bilateral agreements with the U.S. for schools in their country to participate in the program. In the U.S., GLOBE is administered by a Federal interagency team led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and which includes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Departments of Education and State, working together with over 25 state and local partner organizations. Statement of Work The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the lead agency for the GLOBE Program, requests proposals for the production of several videos Three categories of videos are to be produced: (1) a series of protocol (topics) videos; (2) selected scientific topics or issues videos; and (3) update of the GLOBE overview video. (1) Measurement Protocols or Procedures (on the following topics) Topics: Cloud Type; Cloud Cover; Rainfall; Solid Precipitation; Maximum, Minimum and Current Temperatures; Water Temperature; Dissolved Oxygen; pH; Alkalinity; Electrical Conductivity; Land Cover Mapping; Ground Observations and Biometry; Training and Validation Data Collection; Accuracy Assessment; Soil Characterization Field Measurement; Soil Characterization Lab Analysis; Soil Moisture; Gypsum Blocks; GPS; Ultraviolet Flux; Nitrogen as Nitrate; Turbidity of the Water Column; Macro Invertebrates in a Shallow Water Column or Near Surface Water; Fertility of Soil; Infiltration of Soil; Bulk Density of Soil; Vertical Extent of Each Soil Horizon; and Offset GPS. Proposed length: 28 videos @ 5-10 minutes each Format: Professional developmentfor teachers and instruction for K-12 students. Purpose: To provide teachers with a professional development tool to supplement the GLOBE Teacher=s Guide and GLOBE training in the performance of the protocols and to provide teachers with a tool for the instruction of K-12 students in the performance of the protocols. Intended audience: Primary and secondary school teachers and students, world-wide. Proposed locations: Controlled studio environments, GLOBE training sites, and other locations within the U.S. and in selected GLOBE partner countries. (To be determined -- the proposed budget should allow flexibility for travel and per diem costs.) Estimated completion date: First videos produced as soon as possible after award, with others completed month by month, with the last one completed no later than eight months from awarding of contract. (2) Selected scientific topics or issues Topics: Accuracy of Data Collection; The Importance of Persistence and Consistence in Data Collection and Reporting; The Scientific Method and Inquiry Process Proposed length: 3 videos @ 7-10 minutes each Format: Professional development for teachers and instructional for K-12 students. Purpose: To provide teachers with a professional development tool to supplement the GLOBE Teacher=s Guide and GLOBE training and to provide teachers with a tool for the instruction of K-12 students. Intended audience: Primary and secondary school teachers and students, world-wide. Proposed locations: Controlled studio environments, GLOBE training sites, and other locations within the U.S. and in selected GLOBE partner countries. (To be determined -- the proposed budget should allow flexibility for travel and per diem costs.) Estimated completion date: First videos produced as soon as possible after award, with others completed one per, with the last one completed no later than eight months from award of contract. (3) GLOBE overview Topic: GLOBE Program Overview Proposed length: 2 videos, one @ 7-9 minutes and one @ 2 minutes. Format: Documentary video Purpose: To inform the international educational community about the program and to recruit participating schools. Intended audience: International primary and secondary school teachers, scientists, government officials, and students. Proposed locations: Controlled studio environments, GLOBE training sites, and other locations within the U.S. and in selected GLOBE partner countries. (To be determined -- the proposed budget should allow flexibility for some U.S. and international travel and per diem costs.) Estimated completion date: no more than eight months from award of contract. The contractor must provide appropriate equipment and personnel to ensure the highest quality product that meets the needs of the Government and that meets the highest quality industry standards, including a professional video graphics and animation specialist and equipment. Preparation of Proposal The proposal shall be prepared simply and economically. It must contain the following information. 1. Technical Proposal: a. Provide a sample of work produced by the proposing organization that is illustrative of the technical and artistic capabilities in producing the specific kinds of training and educational videos requested. b. Provide the following information about the sample: title, length, objective, involvement of the proposed production team, budget, year of completion, and length of production schedule. c. A description of the qualifications of the proposed production team. This shall include resumes of the producer, director, writer, editor, camera and other key production personnel. Also, list subcontractors as appropriate: post production, sound, music, etc. Change of personnel for those represented in the proposal as part of the project team must be approved by GLOBE. d. A brief statement indicating the creative approach the offeror proposes, to handle the subject. The proposal should show an understanding of the GLOBE Program and its objectives. e. Provide information on the level of production the offeror will provide for the bid price. (Graphics, special effects, etc.) f. Scripts/treatments shall be submitted for editing to the satisfaction of GLOBE prior to production. g. Provide a detailed timeline and task description for production of the required videos, and a description of the approach to be used in preparing each type of video, also with an explanation of how each type of product will meet the needs of the GLOBE program and the intended audiences for the videos. h. An oral presentation by each offeror may be required. Deliverables and Approval Schedule The contractor shall deliver the following items: 1. Shooting script/treatment and production schedule: A complete outline of the visual and narrative approach. Research travel to selected locations shall be planned. A production schedule and period updates should be delivered with the shooting script/treatment. Both the script/treatment and production schedule for all videos should be submitted for approval within 20 working days from the contract award date. 2. The videos shall be suitable as professional development tools for teachers and as instructional tools for K-12 students. 3. Location taping: Work shall begin within 15 working days from approval of the shooting script/treatment. The federal government executive producer (government technical representative) may accompany the production unit on location. Principal photography will be screened for approval at an agreed upon location. The screening of a time coded VHS tape shall take place within 10 working days following completion of location taping. 4. Rough-cut (off line): A screening of a rough cut edit of the production shall be held in Washington, DC within 20 working days following acceptance of the location taping. The rough-cut should include a scratch track with the proposed final narration copy. 5. Narrator selection and recording. The selection of a professional narrator is subject to approval by the federal government executive producer. 6. On-line edit: The digital on-line session shall be held within 5 working days from the acceptance of the rough-cut. The federal government executive producer (government technical representatives) will be present at the session and will approve all special effects and graphic designs. 7. Music: Stock music is appropriate for this production. Music selection is subject to approval by the Government executive producer. 8. Sound mix: the mixing of the sound tracks shall be held within 2 working days from the on- line session. 9. Final approval screening shall be held within 2 working days from the completion of the audio track. 10. Delivery: The contractor will deliver a Betacam SP edit master and 6 VHS duplicates. 11. All production materials will be delivered to the federal government within 15 working days from the final approval. 12. Final products will be closed-captioned. Technical Specifications 1. The videos must include the following points. a. The videos must be fully understandable by adult laypeople and K-12 school students. b. Participants in the videos must clearly be multi-national, multi-lingual, multi-racial and bi-gender. c. The program goals for scientific data collection and the education of students about science and the environment must be clearly presented. d. Audio should be designed so that alternate voice overs of the six UN languages can be incorporated after completion of the initial English language version. The contractor will be responsible for obtaining high quality, native-language speaking talent for the voice overs of the six UN languages. 2. Responsibility: The contractor shall assume, under the technical monitoring of the government=s contracting officer=s technical representative (COTR), the responsibility for producing the completed videos as described herein. The videos will be of the highest quality, technically accurate, properly motivating, educationally effective and entertaining. The COTR will be the sole judge of the acceptability of these qualities. The COTR will provide supervision, advice and consultation at each step in production. The COTR will arrange for program experts to be available as necessary, and assist in providing access to government facilities. a. Videography: The project will be taped in Betacam SP format. The contractor shall engage highly qualified production personnel using the highest quality equipment. The crew size and equipment should be appropriate and justified for the specific product produced. The contractor shall be responsible for all crew transportation and housing, and for making all shooting arrangements. Per diem shall be at standard federal government rates. Stock footage where appropriate will be acceptable based on approval by the federal government executive producer. b. Post Production: The contractor will provide all post production facilities either directly or through a subcontract. The qualifications of the editor shall be reviewed by the COTR. The music score can be stock or original. All sound, including narrator, music and effects are subject to approval by the COTR. c. Screenings: All screenings will be at a mutually agreed upon facility in the Washington, DC area. A VHS copy shall be sent to the COTR for review. d. Production Schedule: The contractor will continually correct the production schedule reflecting changing conditions and will be based on approval by the federal government executive producer. e. Talent Release Indemnification: The contractor will indemnify and hold harmless the United States Government, its officers, agents and employees from all judgments and from such settlements as the United States Government shall deem proper arising from claims, suits or similar actions against the United States Government resulting from appearing in the film. f. Payment Schedule: A mutually agreeable payment schedule will be stated in the award contract. g. Ownership of Materials: All materials produced in connection with these videos including visual materials, sound recordings, music, effects and art work shall become the property of the government. The contractor shall have no right to duplicate or grant permission to duplicate any of the original materials without prior written authorization by the COTR. h. Delivery Instructions: The following items will be delivered to the COTR at the GLOBE Office. 1. 1 Betacam SP duplicate master and one duplicate master with split audio tracks, 6 VHS duplicates. 2. Copy of final as narrated script. 3. All documentation of music ownership and performance clearances. Proposal Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be evaluated based on the quality of the following, which are listed in descending order of importance: Approach, artistic and practical, providing concepts and examples of narrative and visuals, including animation. Demonstrated expertise, including past videos produced, especially in educational productions for appropriate age groups. Organizational capabilities, including personnel, equipment, and facilities capable of producing numerous, high quality videos in a timely fashion. Proposals must be submitted in writing. The Government will not accept electronic, telegraphic, facsimile, or telephonic proposals. FAR Provision 52.212-1, entitled "Instructions to Offerors- Commercial Items", applies to this solicitation. There are no addendas, Items being used. Award will be made to the responsible, responsive offeror whose bid is technically acceptable and whose offer represents the best value to the Government. The Government intends to make one award. Each offeror should include a completed copy of FAR Provision 52.212-3, entitled "Offeror Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items", with its proposal. The size standard is 500 employees. FAR Clause 52.212-4, entitled "Contract Terms and Conditions- Commercial Items", applies to this acquisition. There are no addenda to FAR 52.212-4. FAR Clause 52.212-5, entitled "Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders-Commercial Items," applies to this acquisition. With respect to the additional FAR clauses cited in FAR 52.212-5, the following apply: 52.219-8, 52.219-9, 52.219-14, 52.225-3, 52.222-35 (Department of Commerce Deviation), 52.222-36, and 52.222-37. Other than as stated above, there will be no further terms and conditions. This acquisition is not rated under the Defense Priorities and Allocations System. Offerors must be submitted not later than 15 days from the date this notice is published. See Note 1 (Small Business set-aside). (0183)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0095 19970707\U-0002.SOL)