T -- Video Production Services

This amendment is issued to provide Final Questions/Answers to Solicitation 05MSD7039The deadline to submit quotes is 2:00 p.m. EST, April 20, 2005. 1. Question: What do you mean by a Steadi-lens? Answer: A lens with internal image stabilization. 2a. Question: Is that a Gyrolens used for shooting in helicopters? Answer: Yes b. Question: If so, will there be a tyler mount for the camera? Answer: There will not be a Tyler mount. 3. Question: Your description in the production, it states that the government will provide a DigiBeta field deck. I will be providing through my bid, 2 Beta/sp packages complete with audio and camera support. My question is, are you going to be recording to those DigiBeta decks that you are providing? If so, with the current configuration that the cameras will in, you will be receiving a NTSC signal from the output of the Beta/sp deck (BNC out). If the DigiBeta decks that you are providing are to be the prime recorders, then I might recommend that you configure the cameras with a back that allows a multi-pin adapter that ends in RGB connectors to connect into your Digibeta decks (higher quality signal). If that is the case, then I have to include that into my bid. Then you could use the Beta/sp backs for any kind of B-roll that requires a lot of moving around. Answer: The DigiBeta Field desk is for another Government provided camera and not part of this Statement of Work. 4. Question: I am assuming that when you say you provide tape that you will provide both Beta/sp for the Beta/sp backs and Digibeta tape for your Digibeta recorders? Answer: Yes 5. Question: Will this be a live switch shoot (will the cameras run through a switcher)? Answer: No 6. Question: We have a portable studio where you can switch back and forth to each camera will this production require something like that? Answer: No 7. Question: Will all the footage be shot outside? Answer: Yes 8. Question: Will this production require Hand held Microphones and Lapelled Microphones? Answer: No, camera mounted mics only 9. Question: How far is Artesia, NM from Taos, NM? Answer: Don't know. Can look it up on - Map Tech 10. Question: Will this Production Require Lighting? Answer: No. This is all shot outside so natural light will be used. 11. Question: If weather does not allow us to shoot production will a extra day be added on? Answer: Possibly, (TBD) 12. Question: According to the RFP, it appears that you are depending totally on "on board" camera microphones. Is there a particular reason for this, or would you like for us to provide wireless lavaliere mics for individuals and boom mics for group shots, etc.? You will receive much better sound with using the lavs and booms and there would be no additional charge for this. Answer: No 13. Question: Approximately, how many will be acting as talent (in front of the camera) at one time? This will be helpful in determining the number of mics needed should you decided to go with the lav/boom option. Answer: None needed. 14. Question: Will you need a teleprompter for talent? Answer: No 15. Question: Is everything to be shot outside in natural light or is there need for a lighting set up, i.e. inside a training center, etc.? Answer: Everything will be shot outside. This is a driver training course. There is no need for a lighting set up. 16. Question: We noticed that the "government will provide a steadi-lens, field deck and tape." Since they are not providing the camera, would it be possible for us to simply provide the entire camera package ourselves to ensure that the lens indeed fits the camera, etc.? There would be no difference in cost to you. It would simply avoid any unforeseen compatibility problems. Answer: The stedi-lens will be mounted on the contractor's camera for aerial shoot. There will be no Tyler mount. 17. Question: We are capable of shooting in any format. Are you opposed to DVCAM or are you absolutely set on Digibeta or Beta SP? (Regardless of what format it is shot on, we can still provide the final product on any format - Digibeta, Beta SP, DVD, etc.) Answer: Yes, Government is opposed to DVCAM. 18. Question: As we understand the RFP, there is to be no editing. Is this correct? If you decided ultimately that you would like to edit this project and add an opening and closing, for example, we have a full state-of-the-art editing facility at your fingertips. Answer: No editing. The Government has its own editor. 19. Question: Would the client be willing to allow a different tape/camera format - specifically DV. Answer: No 20. Question: What is the closest airport to Artesia, NM? Is it Calsbad, NM? Answer: Roswell, NM. 21. Question: Only one steadi-lens and one Digibeta Field Deck is listed but two cameramen are required, what will the other Camera be using? Answer: Steadi-lens and one Digibeta Field Deck is provided by the Govt. The request is for two complete camera packages of DigiBeta or BetaSP. 22. Question: Will it be the camera back? Answer: No 23a. Question: In the equipment list it requests either Digibeta or Beta-Sp. I don't think you want to mix these formats. That being said will the Government be supplying more than one field deck? Answer: We don't plan to mix formats. The contractor must provide either 2 complete Digibeta camera packages or 2 complete BetaSP camera packages. b. Question: If so what will be the format? Answer: Dependant upon contractor's bid. 24. Question: Is the steadi-lens a 2/3" Sony Bayonet type? Answer: Yes 25. Questions: Your synopsis/solicitation for the New Mexico video production shoot is pretty self-explanatory. However, before I send in a proposal I want to make sure that you do not need boom or wireless microphones for interviews. The synopsis indicates camera mics, which normally are used for recording natural sound only, i.e the squeal of tires going around a track, dog barking, etc. They aren't used for ON-CAMERA interviews. You're not requesting this or sound technicians either. But I just wanted to make certain before I responded. Answer: This is an outside shoot of cars on the Driver Training Courses. We will be using natural sound only. No additional mics are needed and no sound technicians are needed. 26. Question: Does contractor need to provide camera mounts for helicopter shots? Answer: No 27. Question: Can these training videos be shot on a SONY DVCAM Format rather than DigiBeta? Answer: No. Only Digibeta or BetaSP. 28. Question: Does contractor need to provide camera mounts for helicopter shots? Answer: No 29. Question: That TWO complete crews (two camera operators with gear and two grips) are needed for each week of production and not two crews split between the two weeks. Answer: Two complete crews for each week. 30. Question: We would like to confirm that no special equipment such as color monitors, HMI lights, wireless microphones or wide angle lens will be needed for this shoot. Answer: No 31. Question: What level of expertise do you expect for the grips? Answer: We expect them to be a high level professional. 32. Question: Am I correct in assuming from the Solicitation that the grips will be doing basic production work, such as holding reflectors, running cables, moving the camera, etc.? Or, do you anticipate more complex tasks for the grips, such as exterior car mounts for the cameras, etc.? Answer: They will be mounting exterior car mounts. 33. Question: Will you be evaluating the responses on price, experience of the crew, experience of the production company, or some combination of these? Answer: A combination of these. 34. Question: Is lunch included in the ten hour workday, i.e., nine hours shooting and one hour lunch? Answer: Lunch is available on-site but will not be paid for by the Government. 35. Question: When you say equipment requirements include - all other accessories to complete a 5 day exterior shoot, do you mean only camera accessories, or do you want items such as reflectors, stands, sandbags, silks, etc.? Answer: This bid is for two 5 day shoots with a non-work weekend between. 36. Question: Are you willing to shoot with other than Beta SP or DigiBeta cameras, with all footage transferred to BetaSP or DigiBeta for delivery to you? For instance, shoot with DVC Pro cameras with transfer to Beta SP, or shoot with DVC Pro HD with transfer to DigiBeta? Answer: No 37. Question: How do you plan to utilize the DigiBeta field deck during the shoot? Answer: The contractor in conjunction with the onsite Govt. representative will mount a Govt. provided lipstick camera using Govt. provided grip equipment to the undercarriage of a 4 x 4 Govt. provided vehicle. The video signal will be run into the DigiBeta deck which will be in the interior of the vehicle. 38a. Question: Is lowest price the deciding factor? Answer: No, best value for the Government is the deciding factor. b. Question: If not what other factors are you taking into consideration. Answer: See answer #1. 39. Question: Besides price, do you want references included in the bid ? Answer: No 40. Question: If we direct you to the company website, will that be factored in your judging the proposal? Answer: No 41. Question: You talk about shooting out of helicopters are you aware that special mounts are sometimes used to maximize the quality of such video? Answer: We are aware however we can not use mounts in the helicopter available. 42. Question: If the shoot is shorter than 5 days will the government pay the difference to change the airline tickets? Answer: No 43. Question: How much of a chance is there that the shoot would be extended beyond 5 days? Answer: Very little, however, in case of extreme delays caused by weather or other factors, additional days may be added and the contract modified. 44. Question: What about hotels? Answer: Resources are available on the internet. Government does not make reservations or provide housing for contractors. 45. Question: Everyone's definition of a grip is different, can you qualify that especially since lighting is not called for? Answer: We expect them to demonstrate a high level of professional skill such as being able to mount exterior car mounts.