U.S. Information Agency, Office of Contracts, 301 4TH STREET SW, Room M27, Washington, DC 20547

R -- REVIEW, ANALYNE AND EVALUATE IBB RADIO AND TELEVISION SCHEDULING PROCESSES POC Technical Point of Contact: Ms. Jean Peelen; Contracting Officer; Gloria Sweetney, (202) 619-1623 R -- REVIEW, ANALYZE AND EVALUATE IBB RADIO AND TELEVISION SCHEDULING PROCESSES. This is a Request for Quotation No. B/PA-97-30 using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13. Quotes that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold will not be considered. The United States information Agency (USIA), International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB), has a requirement for a contractor to review, analyze and evaluate the IBB radio and television scheduling processes and hardware and software systems, and where applicable, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) and make recommendations regarding an automated, consolidated system that better serves the present and future needs of the Agency. This requirement is subject to the availability of funds. Scope of Work: 1. The Contractor shall consult with each element to ensure full understanding of operational needs, review and analyze the scheduling processes and hardware and software systems of the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB), and where applicable, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Radio Free Asia (RFA). Existing processes should be evaluated to determine if they can be enhanced or modified to achieve efficiency. 2. The Contractor shall recommend, based on the analysis conducted in paragraph 1, above, the following: a. how the scheduling processes can be consolidated and streamlined, b. what uniform scheduling system(s) and documents should be implemented, c. the architecture of an integrated, automated system for communication of information and data among the scheduling and traffic elements and the program offices they serve, d. Whether a centralized Traffic Unit should be created, and if so, a plan for its establishment e. the adequacy of existing IBB computer hardware and software to provide an integrated computer database system 3. The Contractor shall investigate and evaluate: a. available, "off-the-shelf", software and hardware which could provide the capabilityfor development and maintenance of interactive databases for IBB broadcast scheduling requirements b. available,"off-the-shelf", automated scheduling systems that would interface with existing playback systems. 4. The Contractor shall prepare a report which documents the findings and conclusions of all reviews, investigations, and analyses. The Contractor's report shall also include: a. recommendations for consolidation of IBB's various traffic and scheduling offices/requirements, if needed b. a transition plan and schedule for consolidation of the traffic and scheduling requirements, if recommended c. identification of the hardware and software requirements for a consolidated, automated scheduling and traffic system, if recommended d. a budgetary estimate of the cost of a consolidated, integrated traffic and scheduling system Government Furnished Information (GFI): The Government will provide a copy of the current mission statement, flow charts and associated forms for each respective scheduling activity for the Contractor's use under this contract. Deliverables and Schedule: 1) Weekly verbal reports on his/her findings and recommendations; 2) Written reports to be submitted at two and four month intervals for IBB review and approval; 3) Final report, incorporating all findings and recommendations, shall be submitted no later than six months after contract award. Selection Criteria: The following will be the principal criteria used in selecting the contractor for this project: The consultant must be a qualified Operations Research Analyst or have equivalent demonstrated experience in the field of Operations Research. In addition, the following demonstrated experience is also required: a) Development of scheduling processes, schemes, approaches for facilities and broadcasts for large radio and television stations transmitting multi signals simultaneously, b) design/development of complex automation systems for radio and television stations, and c) development of computer systems at the system design level. Submission of Quotations and Due Date: Quotes should be submitted within 15 days of the publication of this notice and shall reference this RFQ No. B/PA-97-30. Please submit any questions concerning technical requirements via fax to: Ms. Jean Peelen, c/o Gloria Sweetney at (202) 205-1921. Proposal and price quotation should be faxed to Gloria Sweetney, Contracting Officer, at (202) 205-1921. Price quote must be on a separate page from the proposal. (0247)

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