Inactive Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Sole Source (FAR 19.14)

This Sources Sought Notice is posted under SAM.gov, under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it doe... This Sources Sought Notice is posted under SAM.gov, under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), or Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this notice. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future RFQ, IFB, or RFP, if any is issued. Response Package submissions are limited to no more than 15 pages in length, single spaced and 12 font minimum, demonstrating its capabilities in reference to this requirement. The Government prefers that your firm submit its response in Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, or a combination of both and the document must be searchable. The capability package shall be sent by email to: the Contract Specialist, Robert Namejko (namejkorb@state.gov) and the Contracting Officer Michael Henderson (HendersonMP@state.gov). Your email subject line should reflect: “Firm’s Name, Response to the Sources Sought The size limit of each email, with all attachments, cannot exceed nine (9) megabytes (MB) due to the Government’s email system restrictions. Do not send zipped files as the Government please provide: Please provide your Company profile to include name of your firm, point of contract, phone number, email address, CAGE code, and UEI. Respondents must also indicate whether they qualify as an SDVOSB. Identify your firm's In addition, please provide list of current contract numbers (for no more than the past 3 years) for similar work in an Excel Sheet Format listing the Agency, period of performance, labor categories (may cross-walk to the DoS Categories), number of emplotyees per category, contract amounts, points-of-contact and set-aside information (if any) . The Excel Spreadsheet does not count toward the 15 page maximum. The spreadsheet has no page limitations. The Contractor iwill be responsible for providing personnel with the necessary level of expertise to support the task activities and requirements in this SOO. The Contractor will be required to provide a single point of contact that shall serve as the project manager for the life of the contract. At the time of the formal solicitation, the Contractor will be required to provide resumes for each person proposed for the project as directed by the GPA Program Office. All staff for which resumes are submitted will be considered key staff and dedicated to this public diplomacy program if a contract is awarded. The Office of Editorial Content may provide resumes of incumbents or prospective candidates upon request. Current contract employees will be given the right of first refusal for all positions but are not required to provide their resumes to prospective offerors if they so desire. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES: GPA Professional Content Services (PCS) This statement of objectives (SOO) outlines the objectives to be fulfilled under the contract and provides a listing of Professional Employee Support Services that are illustrative of future task order activities relating to content services. Desired outcomes and constraints including deliverables, performance requirements, quality assurance standards etc., will be developed for each task order issued by the Department of State (DoS). Objective 1 – Provide professional service employees, as defined in 29 CFR 541, to meet the performance objectives and business requirements of the Department of State (DoS). Anticipated services include, but are not limited to, the following activities: Maintain program continuity, uninterrupted high-quality work, and availability of required competent professional service employees; Obtain existing and future qualified professional service employees to meet the mission objectives of the program office; Provide a compensation package that attracts and retains competent professional service employees to ideally include three weeks annual leave (120 hours); Meet any travel requirements established for the individual professional services employee; and Provide customers with a positive experience by maintaining a professional and efficient workforce. Description of Service: The Bureau of Global Public Affairs (GPA) has a continued need for professional editorial, design, video, and content creation (in general) personnel to support on-going and new public diplomacy and public affairs initiatives. Background: GPA is the Department of State’s public diplomacy and public affairs communications Bureau, leading the Department’s support for global engagement to advance USG foreign policy goals and message on American values. GPA produces, curates, and distributes electronic, print, and social media content and also acquires rights to content that U.S. missions, the interagency, and 3rd party outlets use to engage, inform, and influence global audiences on foreign policy goals and U.S. values. Task Purpose: The purpose of this contract is to acquire professional content creation, production, and support staff to contribute talent and material to DOS content optimized for a variety of platforms as well as advertising. Task Requirements: The following are the duties and responsibilities of the labor categories required to meet the Department’s needs: Labor Categories: ***Each labor category will have three levels (I, II, III) equivalent to junior, standard, senior expertise and supervision levels. E.g. I = roughly less than 5 years of experience and requires heavy oversight; II = roughly less than 10 years of experience and requires some oversight; III = roughly more than 15 years of experience and requires little to no oversight.*** Communications and Marketing Specialist[GHE1] Content Producer Copy Editor Digital Media Editor Graphic Designer Illustrator Line Editor Photo Editor Production Coordinator Program Manager Strategic Media Analyst Writer A. Communications and Marketing Specialist: Communications and Marketing Specialists work with stakeholders to formulate solutions based on the clients’ needs. Interfacing directly with clients to both conceptualize and execute GPA’s marketing and communication strategy. Lead the development and execution of a marketing strategy (via email and/or other means) for the bureau of Global Public Affairs to engage with domestic and foreign audiences, considering key Department audiences, email best practices, and the Department’s national security priorities. Craft public-facing marketing content for Department flagship digital products in collaboration with Bureau and Department stakeholders, factoring in national security priorities, nuances, target audiences, and regional sensitivities to include Email messaging. Collaborate with DoS personnel, post staff, interagency officials, industry representatives and the public to ascertain and validate the reliability and relevance of public-facing content, with the objective of improving, planning, or implementing recommendations to improve customer relations and program effectiveness. Lead the interpretation of subscriber behavior, evaluating the click and open rates of digital products to determine the effectiveness of messaging, branding, design, and topical areas. Presents findings to senior management to help shape future content decision making. Create strategies, both high-level and project-specific, including writing scripts and messaging, developing standard operating procedures and outreach campaigns using various platforms and methods. Execute campaigns—from outreach to project specific marketing and communications campaigns. Help guide GPA’s reporting practice for senior leadership and clients, including playing an integral role in developing insights from variable data. Work with others at GPA, managing internal conversations to execute on client deliverables and create marketing & communications strategies and creative output for GPA clients. Support leadership by helping qualify leads, developing win themes/concepts, write proposals, and take part in new business pitches. Work to help plan, strategize, and develop internal processes and best practices for both short and long term team growth is ideal. Measure, analyze, and report results, being able to distill learnings to improve project effectiveness. B. Content Producer: The Content Producer creates and publishes content optimized for a variety of platforms including social media, 3rd party, USG websites, and more. Track how content performs on a variety of platforms and identify the best content format (or package) for the audience and platform. Produce authentic and compelling content (video, graphics, visuals, text, etc.) that tells America’s story and advances USG foreign policy goals. Particularly skilled in identifying what content (or package of content) works best on which platform. Adapt projects to audience to increase engagement and consumption while being able to track where audiences are consuming content and on which platforms. Optimize content for platforms including sizing and search engine optimization (e.g. Google Search console, Google trends, keywords, etc.). Draft, refine, and edit text. Work collaboratively with graphic designers, illustrators, photo editors, videographers, and other content professionals to shape content for maximum effectiveness in identified output format. The incumbent can anticipate that a growing proportion of the portfolio will require adaptation to new technologies, new platforms, and collaborative work with other content producers specializing in different content forms. Utilize Adobe Creative Suite software, versions CS5-6 and subsequent editions, Flash, and Adobe Creative Cloud applications to create visuals including graphics. Film, edit videos, provide audio, or be on camera. Draft video scripts, add captions, interview stakeholders on camera, etc. Comfortable learning new content formats and platforms. Skilled in publishing social media content to platforms using both native apps like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and professional tools like Hootsuite, Twitter Media Studio, and Meta Business Suite. Collaborate as required through Trello, Google Suite, or other production platforms adopted by the Bureau to follow Standard Operating Procedures for creating and publishing content. C. Copy Editor: Copy editors work with manuscripts prepared by noted subject matter experts and collaborates with design and video teams to produce publications, posters, articles, graphics, and videos. Refine and edit texts, assure overall content quality in the context of the output format, i.e. traditional print publication, web content, social media posting, and/or other formats identified over time. Copy Editor positions may be flextime due to irregular business hours. Flextime Copy Editors must be able to perform editing of articles, infographics, videos, and related texts in collaboration with writers, graphic designers, illustrators, and photo editors with minimal supervision from the chief editor. Work collaboratively with graphic designers, illustrators, photo editors, and other content professionals to shape content for maximum effectiveness in identified output format. The incumbent can anticipate that a growing proportion of the portfolio will require adaptation to new technologies and collaborative work with other content producers specializing in different content forms. Assure that materials apply the best style and tone for global audiences ranging from learners of English to foreign government officials and experts, as identified for each project. Provide comprehensive editorial support for hardcopy and electronic publications. In addition to basic editing for correct grammar, punctuation, style, and format, the incumbent evaluates documents in terms of purpose, audience, scope, content, organization, and logic. Ensure documents are suitable in terms of coverage, balance, method of expression, and presentation, and adheres to document objectives. Coordinate proposed changes in approach, emphasis, or presentation directly with the originator to produce necessary revisions, analyses, and recommendations when documents are unclear or extensive rewriting is needed to achieve a more organized presentation. Work closely with office editors, graphic designers, photo editors, illustrators, and commissioned writers during the revision process to assure that materials advance DOS policy goals and objectives. Edit print and digital publications intended specifically for global audiences and ranging from small pamphlets to posters, magazines, and books. Evaluate and approve concept papers and tables of contents to align a given publication with Bureau-identified messaging and target audiences. Review and approve recommendations of graphic design staff on selection and placement of images and overall look and feel. Assure that editorial staff meets deadlines as established for each assignment, multitasking as required to manage multiple projects with deadlines ranging from same-day to long-term. Manage time and prioritize tasks to meet fluctuating schedules and deadlines. Collaborate as required through Trello, or other production platforms adopted by the Bureau. Completely familiar with recognized current manuals of style used in publishing, journalism and government – The Chicago Manual of Style, the MLA Style Manual, and the Associated Press Stylebook. D. Digital Media Editor: Digital Media Editors are the Bureau’s primary experts for technical solutions. Primary experts for digital-first publishing and social media distribution optimization; and share this information and knowledge with management and staff. Serve as primary liaison to Bureau web developers and design team, help formulate and communicate to web developers Bureau development needs including stylesheet changes, feature enhancements, needed plug-ins, and related support. Tailor user experience by creating tools that enhance how users see and interact with webpages, social media accounts, newsletters, and the content in general regardless of platform. Design pages based on concepts and/or wireframes produced by designers with HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Implement and test responsive design for pages using CSS best practices. Design and implement newsletters with HTML and CSS for multiple target audiences. Repair formatting issues that may occur in pages with HTML and/or CSS. Test website during development for usability and repair of bugs. Input SEO and SCORM data when necessary. Contribute to back-end experience of the website collection to enhance available features. Test the site during updates for usability and fixing of any bugs. Demonstrate proficiency in the WordPress and/or other specified publishing systems, and in “Newspaper” or any alternate WordPress overlay specified by the Bureau. Under guidelines and using WordPress and other tools supplied by the Bureau, build “landing pages” to house thematically-related materials already published to the Bureau’s WordPress-based web properties. In developing landing pages, display aesthetic and editorial judgment in determining page structure, item positioning, photo size, and optimizing the look and feel of all elements pertinent to page appearance. For each article published to Bureau properties, verify, and as needed, tag content for §508 compliance, optimize photo sizing and positioning; select tags, and optimize HTML coding, photo sizing, captions, audio files and video files. Possess basic taxonomy skills and assist in the creation and application of a tag structure for Bureau digital content. Compile, draft, and deliver a daily social media feed for regional and embassy social media managers and a daily promotional newsletter. Research and analyze information from government and industry sources and write or edit a variety of documents including: digital operational plans, standard operating procedures, training instructions for internal staff use and with consultation with Bureau managers. Collaborate as required through Trello, or other production platforms adopted by the Bureau. E. Graphic Designer: Graphic Designers perform a wide range of services related to GPA editorial content including websites, social media platforms, magazines, books, posters, and infographics. Graphic designer positions may be flextime due to irregular business hours. Flextime Graphic Designers must be able to perform a wide range of services related to GPA editorial content with minimal supervision from the chief editor. Irregular business hours for flextime positions will be as follows: M-F 12:15pm-9:00PM with possible requests during non-standards business hours (evenings, holiday and weekends.) Demonstrable skill designing for individual projects appropriate print and screen formats to present effectively and attractively given text and images. Demonstrable skill designing infographics for use on screen or in print and incorporating interactive elements in infographics. Demonstrable ability to add interactive elements into a .pdf #le. Proven expertise utilizing Adobe Creative Suite software, versions CS5-6 and subsequent editions, Flash, and Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Ability to work closely and collaboratively with editorial staff. Excellent, timely and precise organizational skills and multi-tasking abilities. Demonstrated critical and creative thinking and analytical skills; and written and oral communication skills. Excellent ability to multi-task in a high volume, fast-paced work environment. A portfolio of print publications and infographics. Collaborate as required through Trello and Zendesk, or other production platforms adopted by the Bureau. F. Illustrators: Illustrators perform a wide range of illustrator services related to GPA editorial content. Demonstrable skill creating digital illustrations, infographics and designs for individual projects appropriate print and screen formats to present effectively and aesthetically. A portfolio of print and web publications, illustrations, and digital graphics. Demonstrable ability to integrate interactive elements into solution and create various file formats as needed. Proven expertise utilizing Adobe Creative Suite software, Flash, versions CS5-6 and subsequent editions, and Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Ability to work closely and collaboratively with graphic designers and editorial staff. Excellent, timely and precise organizational skills and multi-tasking abilities. Excellent critical and creative thinking and analytical skills. Excellent ability to multi-task in a high volume, fast-paced work environment. Collaborate as required through Trello and Zendesk, or other production platforms adopted by the Bureau. G. Line Editors: Line editors perform first line editing of articles, infographics, and related texts in collaboration with writers, graphic designers, illustrators, and photo editors. Refines and edits texts supplied by writer, assures overall content quality, and, on occasion and on a fast turnaround basis, writes original content when needed. Incumbents can anticipate that a growing proportion of their portfolios will require adaptation to new technologies and collaborative work with other content producers specializing in different content forms. Edits and assures maximum effectiveness with targeted global audiences of materials including articles, electronic photo galleries, extended photo captions, short texts for social media, and other materials. Assures that materials apply the best style and tone for global audiences ranging from learners of English to foreign government officials and experts. Provides comprehensive editorial and production support required for hardcopy and electronic publications. In addition to basic editing for correct grammar, punctuation, style, and format, the incumbents evaluate documents in terms of purpose, audience, scope, content, organization, and logic. Ensures documents are suitable in terms of coverage, balance, method of expression, and presentation, and adheres to document objectives. Coordinates proposed changes in approach, emphasis, or presentation directly with the originator to produce necessary revisions, analyses, and recommendations when documents are unclear or extensive rewriting is needed to achieve a more organized presentation. Works closely with Bureau writers, graphic designers, photo editors, illustrators, and commissioned writers during the revision process to assure that materials advance U.S. foreign policy goals and objectives. Evaluates photo research in the Associated Press database and/or other sources, approving selections of appropriate and effective items for each project as required. Supplies photo editors with effective guidance and collaborates in photo selection. As required, recommends for approval by editorial chief and director acquisition of intellectual property rights for outside materials. As assigned, edits print and/or digital publications intended specifically for global audiences and ranging from blog style postings and social media-friendly electronic features to small pamphlets to posters, magazines, and books. Evaluates and approves concept papers and tables of contents to align a given publication with Bureau-identified messaging and target audiences. Reviews and approves recommendations of graphic design staff on selection and placement of images and overall publication look and feel. As required on a given project, reviews and evaluates collaborative efforts of writers, graphic designers, artists, video producers, and other content producers. Supplies editorial guidance to project teams with these content producers, contributing to projects that leverage multiple content forms. Assures that editorial staff meets deadlines as established for each assignment, multitasking as required to manage multiple projects with deadlines ranging from same-day to long-term. Manages time and prioritizes tasks in order to meet fluctuating schedules and deadlines. Actively and on a daily basis interacts with Trello, Slack, Google Apps, and any calendaring or production platforms adopted by the Bureau. Supplies editorial chief with accurate and complete accountings of all editorial projects in progress on a schedule specified by Bureau management. Develops a familiarity with and monitors outside print and digital content sources. Identifies materials suitable for repurposing through Bureau print and digital channels. Identifies third party materials that can serve as the predicate for Bureau content. Guides writers in devising effective daily searches of RSS feeds, Associated Press databases, and other content sources to identify potential stories. Offers editorial guidance to writer-editors, web editors, graphic designers, and web editors. Sharpens writer story pitches, helps writer identify most effective story angles and long-term story arcs. H. Photographic Editor: Photo Editors complete extensive photographic research for print, electronic, social media, and online editorial content. Photo Editor positions may be flextime due to irregular business hours. Flextime Photo Editors must be able to conduct extensive photographic research for print, electronic, social media, and online editorial content with minimal supervision from the chief editor. Irregular business hours for flextime positions will be as follows: M-F 12:15pm-9:00PM with possible requests during non-standards business hours (evenings, holiday and weekends.) Photo editors capable of performing research in multiple highly specialized electronic image databases, commercial stock photo houses, and the Associated Press newspicture service. Photo editors must possess a demonstrated capacity for identifying images that are aesthetically pleasing and culturally appropriate and which advance the public diplomacy objectives of GPA publications. For each publication, the photo editors must apply to the image search an understanding of the different intended audiences for each publication, viz. print articles, print book, electronic book, poster show, social media, and others, and must be able to exercise discrimination in supplying editors with an appropriate range of choices. Evaluates and as necessary modifies photo caption information. Confirms and prioritizes project plans and deliverables as agreed upon between the photo editor and Office/Division supervisor (or Office Director or Deputy Director). Excellent computer skills. Experience in FTP file transfers, both upload and download. Experience performing research in specialized electronic image databases, including by way of example but not limited to, Getty, National Geographic, Shutterstock, Instock, the Associated Press, and other photographic suppliers based on need, cost, and time. Knowledge of industry practices governing the print and electronic use of photo images. Knowledge of pricing and other market conditions prevailing for the use of images in electronic and print publications. Professional experience negotiating intellectual property rights for images to be used in electronic and print publications, including, as necessary, on short deadlines. Knowledge of the cultural sensitivities that govern content in public diplomacy publications. Excellent, timely and precise organizational skills and multi-tasking abilities. Excellent critical and creative thinking and analytical skills. Excellent ability to multi-task in a high volume, fast-paced work environment. Excellent ability to also have a flexible, team-oriented approach to work. I. Production Coordinators: Coordinates all content production to ensure all content is delivered on time. Maintains and updates daily a status grid or calendar capturing progress on content assignments. Reports problems and recommends solutions to appropriate stakeholders. Basic editorial skills including ability to implement changes in and maintain conformity among versions of a given text in multiple records including Microsoft Word, Excel, and other content management systems. Basic proofreading skills, sufficient to assure that changes made by graphic designers in design files accurately reflect edits made by a division chief or managing editor. Maintains proficiency in Adobe Acrobat Pro software and basic skills in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Flash, and Adobe Photoshop software, sufficient to resize image files and convert image file formats as required for use on Bureau web, mobile, and social media properties. Assist in the maintenance of publishing equipment, including scanners, large format printers, and other devices. Must possess a comprehensive knowledge of FTP and other file storage solutions, including folder structures and file naming nomenclatures; and must possess a comprehensive knowledge of file transfer technologies and protocols. Must develop a working knowledge of Bureau publishing technologies. Ability to generate URLs and other information required to publish content to the Internet using Bureau publishing technologies and protocols. Knowledge of office production tools including CD-ROM drives, scanners, cloud-based and other file storage solutions. Knowledge of Adobe Acrobat and Creative Suite software to tag PDF files for §508 compliance, by adding to PDF files metadata elements enabling access to graphics by visually impaired individuals employing special assistive technologies such as screen readers; assuring full compliance with 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Ability to develop, in coordination with the Production Chief, a mutually acceptable project plan, which includes identification of the work to be done, the scope of the project, and deadlines for its completion. The production coordinator informs the Production Chief of potentially controversial findings, issues, or problems with widespread impact. Completed projects, evaluations, reports, or recommendations are reviewed by the Production Chief for compatibility with organizational goals, guidelines, and effectiveness in achieving intended objectives. Ability to develop and maintain recordkeeping systems and procedures as needed for invoicing and program management requirements. J. Program Manager: The Program Manager oversees the administrative and daily operations of the program, ensuring compliance with Department of State and Federal policies and regulations. Oversees the supervision of personnel, which includes training, promotion, enforcement of internal procedures and controls, and problem resolution. Evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance. Provides technical and/or professional coordination and leadership in the execution of day-to-day program/project activities, as appropriate to program objectives and area of expertise. Assists with staffing and recruitment for the project in the instance of expansion and/or employee turnover. Meets with personnel on a weekly basis to monitor performance, resolve issues, address pain points, etc. K. Strategic Media Analyst: The Strategic Media Analyst will make extensive use of audience research to monitor trends in social media on issues related to U.S. foreign policy goals. They will research and analyze relevant content, as well as other state and non-state actors. At higher levels there may be additional Program Management aspect to include owning the responsibility for creation and analysis of social media and digital content and audience behavior and implementation of various digital products that support the mission. A demonstrable interest in social media and a good appreciation of what working within the industry involves is helpful for applications. Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to understand global audiences including cultural norms, preferred platforms, social media usage, word choice, preferred content types, sentiment nuances, etc. Monitor properties and track trending narratives (e.g. headlines, topics, conversations). Preferred but not required: Ability to read/write/speak in at least one foreign language at an expert level where nuances and context are understood fully (initial priority languages: Arabic, Chinese, Russian). Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing in English at an advanced level. Both English and foreign language skills may be tested.[ANW2] Assist with drafting content that resonates with audiences, based in metrics. Strategy should include suggested narrative, targeted audience(s), recommended foreign language translation (if any), recommended distribution outlets, recommended media to accompany text. Conduct campaigns around particular issues to create a narrative (v. react). Provide media landscapes, content strategy recommendations, distribution and advertising. Background in public diplomacy, public relations, advertising, communications, or other messaging field with experience crafting and conceptualizing messages is preferred. Alternatively, a background in statistics with a focus on messaging or communications will be considered competitive. Experience with but not limited to: social platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp), web (e.g. Telegram, WordPress), advertising, social listening tools (e.g. Meltwater, YouScan, BrandWatch), audience analysis tools (e.g. Google Analytics), content distribution tools (e.g. Hootsuite, Cision, BuzzSumo, etc.) to identify trending narratives and distribu...