U.S. Information Agency, International Broadcasting Bureau, Office of Personnel and Administration, Contracts and Procurement Division, B/PA/AC, Room 1645, 330 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20547

T -- FOREIGN LANGUAGE (MANDARIN OR CANTONESE CHINESE) RADIO BROADCASTERS AND WRITERS SOL n/a POC Contact Point/Contracting Officer: Technical Point of Contacts: Kelu Chao or Peter Chen Fax (202)619-3765. Contracting Officer: Claudette Swann. Voice of America, the Government's international radio and television broadcast organization, broadcasts to an international audience in English and 52 other languages. VOA has a requirement for qualified individuals on a free-lance assignment basis, in the following areas: (1) Radio Broadcasters and (2) Writers (information assistants). Radio Broadcasters -- must have an excellent native speaking ability in standard Mandarin or Cantonese Chinese, broadcast quality voice, strong oral and written capability in English, and a good knowledge of international current affairs. A written examination and voice audition is required. Individuals interested must submit a resume, a writing sample and voice sample on cassette tape with a letter of interest to provide contractual, non-personal services to the U.S. Government. Writers (information assistants) must demonstrate written fluency in the English language, possess a strong working knowledge of Chinese, and have a background in Asian studies or work experience in Asia. Journalism training is preferred but not required. Individuals interested must submit a resume and a writing sample with a letter of interest to provide contractual, non-personal services to the U.S. Government. Additional information: 1) Freelance assignments will be performed on a contractual basis (individuals are not employees of the U.S. Government). 2) Assignments require working in Washington, D.C. (some assignments require work at International Broadcasting Bureau studios). 3) Individuals will be required to undergo a background security investigation and pass the clearance process successfully to receive assignments. 4) Contractor candidates must be willing to work on an as-required basis. Some broadcasting activities require working irregular hours -- very early in morning or late into evening -- depending on IBB's broadcast schedule. 5) Freelance assignments will be requested on an as needed basis by the contracting officer. The International Broadcasting Bureau makes no guarantees on the amount of work contractors can expect to receive. 6) The Government is obligated to inspect all of the contractor's work to insure it satisfies the Government's specified requirements. The Government is further obligated to reject all work which fails to meet Government specified requirements. The following criteria, depending on the type of contract services, will be used to evaluate prospective contractors: a) Radio broadcast experience, including translating and adapting broadcast scripts. (Note: For broadcasting work, VOA requires that prospective contractors demonstrate verbal proficiency by successfully completing a voice test.) b) Extensive knowledge of the target broadcast language and ability to adapt English material into the target language. c) Ability to produce work which demonstrates a keen knowledge of national and international issues. d) Ability to explain complex issues in clear, logical terms that can be understood by the target audience. Individuals having the ability to furnish either of these services should write or fax the required information, as stated above to: International Broadcasting Bureau, Voice of America, Chinese Branch, Room 2600, 330 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20547, Attn: Kelu Chao or Peter Chen. Fax number: (202) 619-3765. Information must be received by February 13, 1998. Prospective contractors shall be evaluated using the criteria identified above. The contracting officer will provide qualified individuals with a copy of the Request for Quotation (RFQ) when requirements are identified. Contract rates/fee for services will be negotiated based upon the individual's experience, background and other qualifications as specified above. (0029)

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