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

B -- NATIONAL AUDIENCE SURVEYS IN BANGLADESH SOL n/a POC Contact Point/Contracting Officer: Technical Point Contact: William Bell, FAX: NATIONAL AUDIENCE SURVE7S IN BANGLADESH. This is a Request for Quotation No. B/PA-98-13 using Simplified Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13. Quotes that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold will not be considered. The United States Information Agency's International Bureau of Broadcasting (IBB), has a requirement to: (1) obtain quantitative data on the size, composition, and media habits of the audience for Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts in Bangladesh; and (2) to conduct qualitative evaluations of VOA's broadcasts by listeners in Bangladesh. Vendors are requested to submit quotes for conducting a national survey and focus groups in Bangladesh as outlined below. Contractors may submit bids for both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of this project or for one part only. SECTION A: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH 1) Audience data shall be obtained through a national survey of Bangladesh that is designed to obtain the most accurate possible information about: the number of regular (i.e. weekly) and occasional listeners to VOA's Bangla and English-language broadcasts; the demographic characteristics and geographical distribution of the audience; the size of the regular and occasional listening audience for other international and domestic broadcasters; and general patterns of media use. The interviewing is to be face-to-face and conducted in the home of the respondent by a trained interviewer. VOA will require demographic information on each respondent including, gender, age, native language, ethnicity, education, occupation, and area of residence. 2) General Responsibilities of Vendor. The vendor will be responsible for the project design, translation, formatting, pretesting, adaptation, and printing of VOA supplied questionnaires; developing the sampling plan; training interviewers; supervising fieldwork; cleaning and encoding survey responses; entering and processing the data; ascertaining the representativeness of the sample and weighting the data, if necessary; preparing cross-tabulations in data books; submitting data on diskette; and communicating all necessary information and results to VOA in a timely manner. 3) Sample Design. Vendors are requested to submit quotes for samples of 3,000 4,000 and 5,000 adults, age 15 or older, representative by ethnicity, gender, region (urban vs rural), age, and education of the national population. The sample will be drawn using recognized probability methods, all the way down to the selection of the individual respondent at the household level. Only one individual per household shall be selected. A detailed sampling plan, including stratification criteria, description of the sampling frame, listing of anticipated Primary Sampling Units (PSUs), approximate number of interviews in each, procedures for selecting households within PSUs, and procedures for selecting individual respondents at the household level, shall be submitted to VOA prior to commencement of fieldwork. The plan shall also include a description of the training and instructions to be provided to the fieldwork team. 4) Questionnaire. VOA will supply a set of questions for an interview consisting of approximately 80 questions (in English), up to 5 of which may be open-ended. Questionnaire will be provided in draft form for suggestions and comments by contractor based on contractor's knowledge of local cultural or political sensitivities. Following receipt of contractor's comments, IBB shall provide final version of questionnaire for translation by contractor into Bangla. Contractor shall submit translation of the questionnaire to VOA for approval prior to pre-test. Following VOA's review of any vendor comments and final approval of translations of questionnaires, contractor shall prepare final versions in Bangla in form suitable for use by interviewers. 5) Pre-test. The questionnaire shall be pre-tested prior to the commencement of the fieldwork. At least 25 pre-test interviews shall be conducted. Contractor shall provide VOA with a written report of the results of the pre-test, along with details of any problems encountered and suggested remedies, prior to the commencement of fieldwork. Any modifications to questionnaire based on pre-test results must be approved by VOA. 6) Fieldwork. Interviews shall be conducted by experienced field workers who will be thoroughly briefed by contractor prior to commencement of work. Contractor will ensure that interviewers are thoroughly familiar with household and respondent selection procedures, call back procedures, and the structure of the questionnaire, including routing and filtering. Interviewer training will include practice sessions in administering the questionnaire. A minimum of 10% of interviews will be back checked and 5% will be accompanied by a team supervisor. Contractors' proposals shall include a description of the professional qualifications of the proposed interviewers and a description of the training that will be provided to interviewers to ensure proper understanding of the survey instrument. 7) Data Processing. Contractor is responsible for data entry, cleaning, and processing. Contractor shall provide printed tabulations of results, including percentage responses to all questions broken down by gender, age group, education level, and urban/rural status. Tabulations will show weighted and unweighted base for each question. Contractor will supply data to VOA as an SPSS portable (*.por) or SPSS for Windows (*.sav -- version 6.1 or lower) file with a complete data dictionary of variable names. Contractor will also supply raw data on computer diskettes in ASCII fixed format with accompanying codebook identifying location of all variables and coding scheme. There shall be one data record for each respondent and records shall be of fixed length. If weights are used, weighting factors will be in the same position on each record, with location specified in the codebook. Each record shall include a unique respondent ID number, interviewer ID number, PSU ID number, and codes for precise location and date of interview and whether interview location was categorized as urban or rural. Each record shall include demographic information about the respondent, including: gender, exact age, education level, occupation, and ethnicity. In addition to exact age, record for each respondent will be coded by age group as follows: 15-24; 25-39; 40-49, 50+. 8) Technical appendix. When delivering printed tabulations and raw data, contractor shall provide a technical appendix which will include the following: -a complete sampling plan, including list and maps of PSUs and individual sampling points and number of interviews conducted in each -details of response rates -interviewer instructions -brief report on survey operations including any practical difficulties encountered in carrying out the survey -estimated sampling error -weighting scheme including details of how weighting factors were developed and applied, as well as the demographic data on which weights were based. 9) Summary of deliverables See preceding paragraphs for detailed description of requirements for each deliverable. a. Raw data on computer diskette b. Complete data set formatter as SPSS file c. Printed tabulations of results d. Technical appendix 10) Delivery Schedule a. Provision of detailed sampling plan to IBB within 2 weeks of contractor receiving confirmation of contract award. b. Submission of translated questionnaires within 2 weeks following contractor's receipt of VOA draft. c. Pretesting to be completed and pretest report submitted to IBB within 2 weeks of IBB's approval of questionnaire translation. d. After pretesting and USIA approval of the final questionnaire, interviewing should begin within 2 weeks and be completed within an additional 8 weeks. e. Cleaned, verified data and a final report must be delivered to USIA no later than 8 weeks after conclusion of the fieldwork. SECTION B: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH 1) Purpose of Study Qualitative evaluations of VOA's broadcasts shall be obtained through the use of focus groups.The study will provide VOA management with (a) audience reaction to and suggestions for improving VOA Bangla programs and (b) provide in-depth analysis of audience attitudes toward VOA programs, in particular, and international radio programs in general. The study will also focus on attitudes toward and use of different media, both foreign and domestic. It is anticipated that each discussion should last approximately 2 hours. 2) General Specifications Focus groups shall be comprised of 7-10 people. All discussants should have at least a complete secondary education, be fluent in Bangla, and be citizens of Bangladesh. Other recruitment criteria shall be established by mutual agreement of the contractor and VOA. The contractor and VOA will mutually agree on the means for focus group participants to listen to VOA programming whether it be by asking participants to tune into specific programming prior to the discussion or by providing the contractor with sample tapes to play during the discussion, or both. 3) Number, Composition, and Location of Groups Vendors are requested to submit quotes a total of 6 focus groups. Three groups shall be held in Dhaka, and three in a secondary city such as Khulna, Jessore, or Mymensingh. The contractor shall suggest the secondary city and the final decision shall be made jointly between IBB and the contractor. All groups should be comprised of individuals who listen regularly to at least one international radio station. Further screening criteria shall be as follows for groups in each city: Group 1: Males, 18 -- 25, minimum secondary education Group 2: Females 18 -25, minimum secondary education Group 3: Mixed, 26 -- 40, university graduates 4) IBB Responsibilities The IBB shall perform the following tasks: Provide the discussion guide, in English, which will include the basic questions of interest and suggested sequencing. Provide either a sample cassette tape to be played for participants during the focus group or a schedule of VOA programming for participants to listen to prior to the group's meeting. 5) Contractor Responsibilities The contractor shall perform the following tasks: -- Review VOA supplied discussion guide and submit recommendations for changes based on the contractor's knowledge of local conditions and sensitivities; -- Translate and reproduce focus group discussion guides; -- Secure appropriate facilities in which to conduct the sessions; -- Identify and recruit appropriate participants, according to the criteria outlined in this RFQ; -- Provide an experienced, professional focus group moderator(s); -- Ensure that moderator(s) is/are thoroughly familiar with the discussion guide and the material to be reviewed; -- Conduct focus groups in each countries. The sessions will be conducted in Bangla; Provide a brief report on the media environment, with particular emphasis on factors that may bear on listening to foreign radio broadcasts; For each city, provide a summary and detailed analysis, in English, of the groups' views on issues of interest to VOA. Such issues will include but not be limited to: -Evaluations of the production style, presentation quality, and content of specific programs. -Comparison of the views of listeners in the different cities. -General evaluation of relevance, timeliness, and usefulness of VOA broadcasts in the context of the entire range of media available to the potential audience. -Qualitative comparison of VOA programs and those of other international broadcasters. -Views as to the continuing relevance (or lack thereof) of international broadcasting in the present media environment. -Suggestions, based on group discussions, of possible strategies for strengthening the competitive position of VOA in each market. 6) Summary of Deliverables Final report, in English. The report shall be delivered in hard copy and on 3.5 inch computer diskette in WordPerfect 5.2, 6.0, or 6.1 format. The report will contain appropriate direct quotations from focus groups to illustrate points made in the report. The final report will address in detail the points listed above. Report on the media environment in Bangladesh. (This may be included in the Final Report.) Complete audio cassettes of each focus group session; Complete transcripts of each focus group session in English and Bangla. 7) Proposed Time Schedule Focus groups shall be conducted within 4 weeks of final award. Final reports will be due no later than 4 weeks after conclusion of the final focus group. SECTION C: SUBMISSION OF QUOTES: In the event that quotes for the work outlined in this RFQ significantly exceed IBB's budgetary limitations, IBB reserves the right to commission all or only part of the work specified herein. In submitting quotes, therefore, vendors are requested to break down proposed costs as follows: a) Cost for national survey with sample of 3,000, 4,000, and 5,000 b) Cost for six focus groups as described in B.3 above Each vendor's proposal shall also include: -- detailed description of the proposed research methodology, including specific listing of organizations the vendor will use for fieldwork (if sub-contractors are to be used); -- current information on the qualifications of vendor's office and field staff; -- specific information on vendor's past experience in conducting media research and survey research in Bangladesh; -- detailed description of the proposed fieldwork plan, including sampling plan and procedures, number and type of sampling points and manner in which interviews will be allocated across the population of the cities included in the survey; and -- a schedule showing the time required for each phase of the project, consistent with the schedules laid out in A.10 and B.7 above. SECTION D: SPECIFIC TIMETABLES Upon contract award, IBB will provide contractor with an actual timetable for the completion of all phases of the work agreed upon, including precise dates when each portion of the work should be completed. Timetable will be based on schedule submitted by vendor with bid, with any modifications to be mutually agreed upon by vendor and IBB. If delays in the work are required due to circumstances beyond the vendor's control, the reasons and anticipated length of such delays must be reported immediately to IBB and must be approved by IBB by modification of contract. Unless written approval is granted by IBB, all deliverables must be received by IBB by the date specified in the timetable. IBB reserves the right to deduct 5% of the agreed upon payment for each week for which receipt of deliverables is delayed beyond the date specified in the timetable. SECTION E: SELECTION CRITERIA In addition to total project cost and ability to meet the proposed schedule, proposals will be evaluated and vendor selected on the basis of the following equally important technical criteria: -- demonstrated experience in conducting quantitative and/or qualitative research on broadcast media; -- demonstrated experience in conducting survey research and/or focus groups in Bangladesh; -- quality of the proposed sampling technique (survey bids only); -- quality of the proposed procedures for data collection, entry, and verification (survey quotes only); -- ability to complete the project in a timely manner. Please note that omission of any of the points of information noted herein will weigh against your proposal from being selected for this work. Submissions should also provide details on any subcontractors who would be engaged to work on this projects. Firms interested in the above are requested to submit proposals within 3 weeks of the publication of this notice and shall reference this RFQ #B/PA-97-13. Technical questions concerning this requirement may be faxed to : William Bell, Director of Research at (202) 401-1494. Proposal and price quotation may be faxed to Lesley D. Isaac Jr., Contracting Officer, at (202) 205-1921. The price quote must be on a separate page from the proposal and include a break outof the following categories: preparation work, field work, data processing, etc. as explained in the evaluation and contract selection criteria above. (0054)

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