This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This combined synopsis/solicitation is issued as a Request for Proposals (RFP) for United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), Voice of America's Persian News Network. The Government intends to award multiple Firm-Fixed Price Blank Purchase Agreements (BPAs) resulting from this solicitation.

SAM: System for Award Management (SAM) applies to this procurement. You must be registered in SAM in order to submit a proposal and be eligible for an award from this solicitation. Information on SAM registration and annual confirmation requirements may be obtained via the Internet at http://www.sam.gov. Prospective contractors must be registered in SAM database prior to award. Lack of registration in SAM database will make an offeror ineligible for award. CONTRACTORS MUST COMPLY WITH FAR 52.204-99 System for Award Management (SAM) Registration (August 2012) (DEVIATION).

NAICS Code: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 711510 with a small business size standard of $7,500,000.00 in average annual receipts for the past 3 years. Please identify your business size in your response based upon this standard. This requirement will be a 100% Total Small Business.

Period of Performance:
On or about January 1, 2019-December 31, 2019 with an option to continue services for an additional year through December 31, 2020 subject to the availability of funds.

Contract Type:
Firm Fixed Price (Assignment)
Time of Performance:
VOA is a 24/7 news/ program operation and the schedule will vary depending on the need of the government. The Contracting Officer Representative will make the determination at the time of award.

Place of Performance:
VOA's Persian News Network is seeking digital multimedia reporters and social media reporters to work remotely in the following North American cities:
• Los Angeles, California, San Francisco, California; Chicago, Illinois; Houston, Texas; Miami, Florida; New York City, New York; Baltimore, MD and Northern Virginia area and Toronto City, Canada

Applicable Clauses:
**52.252-1 -- Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998). This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer.

*FAR clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.
FAR clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items., applies to this acquisition.
Proposal Submission:

Interested contractors are required to submit two (2) separate written documents (proposals) to the USAGM.
1. A Price Quote that states the Offeror's proposed rate per assignment that may be negotiated with the USAGM. A quote template is located on the last page on each statement of work.

2. Technical Proposal that includes which position he/she is applying for:
a. Curriculum Vitae/Resume which states in detail the Offeror's experience, qualifications and evidence of the Offeror's pertinent past performance that can be easily and quickly validated by the USAGM. Dates (months/years) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed.

b. Press credentials (if applicable)

3. Copy of active Registration in SAM. HTTPS://www.sam.gov

4. In the event offerors did not complete the responsibility and certification portion of the SAM registration they shall include completed copy of the provision at FAR Subpart 52.212-3 (Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items) with its offer.
This provision can be found at the following website https://www.acquisition.gov/Far/; if requested by an offeror, a copy of FAR subpart 52.212-3 can be obtained by contacting the Contracting Officer.

Questions must be submitted electronically to [email protected] The deadline to submit questions is Monday, December 17, 2018 at 12 Noon EST. Answers will be posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 12 Noon EST.
Proposals must be submitted to:
[email protected]

This solicitation is being extended through January 4, 2019

Proposals are due NLT 4pm Friday, December 21, 2018 EDT.
Provision at 52.212-2 -- Evaluation -- Commercial Items. (Oct 2014) The Government will award a single Blanket Purchase Agreement resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

EVALUATION FACTORS
(The following factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified potential contractors in comparison to other contractors. The factors are listed in priority order from highest to least.).

Factor #1 - Technical ability to include work experience, education and specialized training

Factor #2 - Price

Factor #3 - Past Performance

Basis for Award: Best Value

The procurement is being conducted under FAR Part 13. Best value is defined as the expected outcome of an acquisition that, in the Government's estimation, provides the greatest overall benefit in response to the requirement, in accordance with FAR 2.101.

The Government reserves the right to make a selection based upon the initial proposal submissions so the offeror should submit its best terms in the initial proposal. The Government may also determine to make no award.