Inactive

1.0 INTRODUCTION THIS NOTICE IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This is not a request for proposal(s) and unsolicited proposal(s) will not be accepted in response to this request. This notice is for i... 1.0 INTRODUCTION THIS NOTICE IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This is not a request for proposal(s) and unsolicited proposal(s) will not be accepted in response to this request. This notice is for information and planning purposes only. In accordance with Part 10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, the Government is conducting market research to determine the availability and adequacy of potential business sources. This Request for Information (RFI) does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals, and it is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The information herein is subject to change, and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a competitive contract. Non-proprietary responses are preferred, however responders submitting proprietary information should mark any controlled information in a conspicuous fashion. The Government is not obligated to, and will not, reimburse the contractor for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the sender. Please provide information at the unclassified level only. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. 2.0 BACKGROUND 2.1 The mission of the USAGM is to inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy. The USAGM broadcast services include two federal entities: The Voice of America (VOA) and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB); and three USAGM -sponsored grantees: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN). The USAGM upholds freedom of expression and information as universal human rights. The USAGM fosters and sustains free and democratic societies by exemplifying and supporting free media. The USAGM networks pursue this mission through their own engaging content on television, radio, internet, social and mobile platforms, and through working closely with media partners around the world that bring our content into local markets, establishing valuable connections to critical institutions that support civil society and democratic principles. With media sources proliferating around the world, information is more powerful than ever. But the existence of more media does not yield more press freedom. Using professional journalism, USAGM networks provide an alternative to disinformation and extremist propaganda. With programming in 61 languages, thousands of media partners, and on-the-ground reporting capabilities around the world, USAGM networks are also well poised to react quickly in crisis situations. In order to have impact with audiences, the USAGM must provide quality programming and earn the trust of audiences. The programming of USAGM networks is consumed by a worldwide audience of 278 million people in 61 languages each week. 3.0 DESCRIPTION & PURPOSE The Voice of America (VOA), Studio Production and Operations Division, is seeking information regarding how an interested contractor could provide integration and information technology (IT) services for the platform required to manage the Broadcast Scheduling, Delivery, and Resource Management requirements of the agency. This requirement is primarily for Television Operations, although systems that can manage Radio Operations as well may be considered. The required software would be used to schedule, control, and drive “live”, prerecorded programs and interstitials to the agency distribution network. The software would need to interact with the agency Media Asset Management platform (Dalet Galaxy), and the Broadcast Transmission delivery system (ITX). The Contractor will provide integration, development, deployment, and sustainment of Broadcast and Resource Management platform. The system is intended to operate in UNCLASSIFIED security domains. Purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is as follows: Gather current information in support of market research. The VOA intends to document industry’s response and their capabilities for the requirement and acquisition strategy of a Broadcast and Resource Management system. General criteria for the Broadcast Scheduling and Resource Management System is as follows: Provide the capability to either directly or thru a “translator” (e.g., Dataminr) drive / control Broadcast Transmission Systems such as ITX Manage the scheduling of “live” program feeds from the control room or an alternate source to air Manage the scheduling of playouts from recordings in the Media Asset Management System to air Schedule recordings in the Media Asset Management System. Provide management and control of all broadcast “air” source material, including “live” feeds, replay schedules, slates, chyron, music, transitions, promos, and interstitials Interact with CMS / agency streaming platforms Interact with other United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) support entities (for example NCC, TSI.) Provide searchable and reporting capabilities on various criteria such as media ID, program name and, language. Provide scheduling management of internal and external resources To include both equipment and a personnel management function, with the capability to schedule personnel, track and report concerns such as hours, leave, overtime, and costs for contractors Identify resource conflicts Track turndowns Provide cost documentation and reporting Provide adaptability to time changes in various time zones Provide availability in primary VOA Bureaus: Washington, London, New York, and Los Angeles, as well as Remote / Mobile, web-based access Maintain an archived and searchable database of previous schedules / work orders Provide variable user interfaces, adjustable to pertinent user areas (for example Broadcast Scheduling, Master Control, Control Rooms, Traffic, Editing and ENG.) Provide a client interface, which allows internal clients to submit new orders and review previously requested orders Provide a Master Control Interface with visual screen status updates, to include feedback (i.e. alerts/warnings), for the creation of new orders, amendments, previously placed orders, and in-progress/pending order(s) Provide user training Provide ongoing system maintenance support General criteria for the Software & Platform is as follows: Software must be able to run in a Virtual server environment, preferably hosted in an Azure Cloud instance Software must have API’s to enable control interface integration with studio broadcasting equipment Software must have XML interfaces and allow integration with video and audio production technology Software must conform with NIST 800-53 FISMA standards 4.0 GENERAL INFORMATION The Broadcast and Resource Management Scheduling Management contract type is to be determined. The Government will express effective sub-contracting goals in the solicitation. The current projected award date for the Broadcast and Resource Management Scheduling Management contract is 4th Quarter FY22. 5.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (POP) Estimated POP: Base of (1) year, with (4) 1 year option periods, from date of contract award 6.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE(S) The work will be primarily performed in Washington, D.C., with potential travel to and from VOA Bureaus in New York, Los Angeles, and London. 7.0 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS The Contractor must be capable of providing software research, development, sustainment, adaptive maintenance and integration services of new and previously developed software when provided by the Government (i.e. Dalet Galaxy and Grass Valley ITX). 7.1 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS Software must conform to NIST 800-53 FISMA standards. Preferred hosting in FedRAMP approved cloud environment. 8.0 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST This RFI is for the development and sustainment of Government-Off-The-Shelf (GOTS), Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS), Open Source Software (OSS) and Custom Code items. Potential respondents should identify actual or potential conflicts as early as possible to the Contracting Officer (CO). In accordance with FAR Part 9.5, please discuss any performance which may lead to an Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) and how the respondent would mitigate, avoid, or neutralize the conflict. 9.0 ADMINISTRATIVE Responses must only contain UNCLASSIFIED information and be marked “UNCLASSIFIED” on all pages in both the header and footer. No classified information may be included in your response. Neither proprietary or classified concepts, nor classified information should be included in the submittal. Input on the information contained in the responses may be solicited and reviewed by non-Government consultants or experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements (NGA). To be considered for a Small Business set-aside, at least 50 % of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be small business Information to include the following as a minimum: Name of primary point of contact for the response Company Business Name DUNS Mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address) Phone number Fax number Company website address Business size (Large or Small) Socio economic status (i.e. 8a, women owned, etc.) E-mail of designated point(s) of contact A brief summary (300 word limit) description of previous relevant experience in system development. The VOA identified the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code as 541512 – Computer Systems Design Services as being applicable to this RFI. 10. 0 POINT OF CONTACT FOR INQUIRIES AND SUBMISSIONS: Inquiries regarding this proposal may be directed to USAGM Contracting Officer, Jr. Hill at chill@usagm.gov and Amber Gray, Contract Specialist at AGray@usagm.gov. All inquiries and submissions must reference “BSDRM RFI Inquiry” or “BSDRM RFI Submission”. All inquiries and submissions must be emailed by the due date of February 18, 2022 at 2:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. No extensions will be granted to this deadline.