U.S. Information Agency, Office of Contracts, Room 1611, 330 C Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20547

R -- FINANCING SERVICES FOR MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPONENTS DUE 090795 POC John G. Busch, Tel: 202-205-5480, Fax: 202-205-5466 R - Commerce Business Daily/Federal Register Announcement The Voice of America (VOA) is the United States Government's worldwide broadcasting service and a major component of the U.S. Information Agency's (USIA) International Broadcasting Bureau. VOA has an unparalleled worldwide newsgathering service, with more than 25 bureaus around the globe; it produces a wide variety of programming in English and 46 other languages, reaching about 100 million people around the globe; it has a fifty-three year worldwide reputation for accuracy and excellence, making it far and away the best known and respected American source of news and information in the world; its music programs have brought and now bring American popular culture to remote areas of the world; millions of people have learned English by listening to the English teaching and Special English programs of VOA; many of its language services, such as the Spanish and Portuguese Services for Latin America, now work with a strong line-up of about 1400 local affiliate stations, as does its Worldwide English Service and its 24-hour per day English-language adult-contemporary program service now known as ''VOA Europe,'' which is delivered by leased satellite circuits to numerous affiliate cable systems and FM and AM broadcast stations located primarily but by no means exclusively in Europe. VOA news broadcasts are also available by telephone, and VOA has a major presence on the Internet, with the text of English and Mandarin language news reports, and audio files in 17 languages. Like other major media enterprises, the VOA is now prepared to explore a variety of possible arrangements with non-commercial and private companies. VOA is prepared to accept proposals for joint ventures, corporate underwriting, and other relationships designed to further its mission while reducing the expenditure of taxpayer dollars. The Agency is authorized, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 1437, to encourage and utilize private agencies' participation, including existing American press, publishing, radio, et.al., in carrying out its mission. Accordingly, the U.S. Information Agency and its International Broadcasting Bureau are seeking private sector partners for its various VOA programs and program services. It is specifically interested in exploring proposals from companies that would like to provide financing for the music and entertainment component of ''VOA Europe,'' while VOA continues to provide the service with news, information and special events programs. Expressions of interest should be submitted in writing by September 7, 1995, to John G.Busch, 330 C St., S.W., Rm. 1611, Washington, DC 20547. Telephone no: 202-205-5480; fax no: 202-205-5466; or internet:JBUSCH@USIA.GOV. All correspondence will be considered. (0229)

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