Media Consulting

This is a Request for Information (RFI) as outlined in FAR 15.201(c)(7). The purpose of this RFI is to accomplish market research pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10, and to identify businesses capable of performaing the functions described herein. The Government is requesting information from service providers to support the requirement of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) as described in this RFI. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a commitment on the part of the Government to conduct a solicitation for the below-listed services in the future. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for information submittted in response to this RFI, nor will it compensate respondents for any costs incurred in the development/furnishing of a response. Please note a decision not to submit a response to this RFI will not preclude a vendor from participating in any future solicitation. Those vendors who do want to provide information, please provide a clearly written capability statement outlining qualifications, business size (i.e. large or small), and how much the vendor thinks it should cost the Government to procure these services (outlined in the statement of work below) for the three day period specified. Please break down and identify costs (i.e. travel, etc.). E-mail this information to the contracting officer, Kevin T. McGhee at mcgheekt@state.gov. NO PHONE CALLS. COMMUNICATION WILL BE VIA EMAIL ONLY. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF DIPLOMATIC SECURITY PUBLIC AFFAIRS ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA HYPOTHETICAL STATEMENT OF WORK 1. BACKGROUND The mission of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security is to provide a safe, secure environment for the conduct of American diplomacy and the promotion of American interests worldwide. In furtherance of this mission, one of the primary goals is to provide professional training to Diplomatic Security personnel on selected topics. As part of this professional training, a course on speaking with the media is necessary. 2. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this three (3) day training course is to provide Diplomatic Security personnel with an intensive course of instruction designed to enhance their ability to interact with the media, represent Diplomatic Security in a positive manner, and effectively communicate Diplomatic Security's key messages in pursuit of their official duties. Specifically, students should learn the basics of effective communications; gain confidence in their ability to effectively communicate in friendly as well as hostile media interviews; learn how to conduct a press conference; learn how to conduct effective radio and TV interviews and speak in "sound bites." While the students should learn basics about crafting a message, this lesson should be learned experientially by reviewing and critiquing interviews, and message crafting should not be a main focus during the class. There will be eight (8) students each day who will need to receive instruction. 3. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES Each student will be interviewed and recorded four times. Each interview will be approximately 7-minutes. These interviews will include one audio, two mock television interviews, and a mock press conference. There will also be an unrecorded speech. The contractor will be able to use Diplomatic Security Public Affairs person as mock audience/press. Each interview will be self-critiqued as well as critiqued by the instructor and other participants. 4. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS The contractor and all sub -contractors must have specific, extensive and relevant knowledge and experience pertaining to working with the press and media. It's preferred that the sub-contractor interviewers each have radio and television experience. In addition, the contractor should have presentation and facilitation skills and classroom experience working with every organizational level. The contractor will provide three (3) days of lecture and role-playing instruction on how to deal with the media in accordance with Diplomatic Security media policy. The subjects to be covered in the instruction include, but are not limited to Diplomatic Security Media Policy, addressing print media, addressing television media, addressing radio media, staying "on message" in a press conference as well as a speech and typical strategies that reporters employ to sway an interview. Examples provided by the contractor of ineffective or effective interviews with media must contain law enforcement personnel. 5. DELIVERABLES Period of Performance: This purchase order shall be for offerings on the following HYPOTHETICAL dates in 2016: July 12, 13, 14 Coordination of Performance/Delivery Schedules: The DS Office of Public Affairs and DS Training Center are designated as project managers and will provide coordination and guidance to the vendor. Place and Time of Delivery: Each course will be conducted in classrooms at the Diplomatic Security Training Center (DSTC). On July 12 and 13, class hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with lunch scheduled from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. On July 14, class hours are from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The DSTC is located at SA-l1B, 2216 Gallows Road, 3rd Floor, Dunn Loring, Virginia 22027. 6. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT, DATA OR SERVICES Government property and/or facilities: The Government will provide 1 classroom and 1 store room to use as a studio for mock interviews or press conferences. The Government will also provide a videographer, at least one camcorder with tripod, and DVDs. The Government will also provide applicable curriculum materials to support instruction. The Government will provide mock press/audience for exercises.