U.S. Information Agency, Office of Contracts, 301 4TH STREET SW, Room M27, Washington, DC 20547

T -- FOREIGN LANGUAGE (MANDARIN) WRITER SOL n/a POC Contact Point/Contracting Officer: Claudette Swann, B/VOA/F, Phone: (202) 619-1405; fax: (202) 619-1840. Technical POC: Eugene Nojek, B/VOA/F, Phone: (202) 619-3651. This public notice is also a written Request for Quotation (RFQ) pursuant to procurement of the required services described below using the "Simplified Acquisition Procedures" specified in Part 13 of the Federal Acquisition (FAR). Price quotations submitted in response to this RFQ that exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (as specified in FAR Subpart 2.101, Definitions) will not be considered as responsive to this RFQ. The USIA International Broadcasting Bureau's Voice of America, the Government's international radio and television broadcast organization, broadcasts to an international audience in English and 50 other languages. B/VOA has a requirement, subject to the availability of funds, for an individual or company to provide the following services: The creation of a series of broadcast programs aimed at enriching Mandarin Service English teaching programming with readings in American life, lore, and literature. The series shall be comprised of fifty-two (52), 25-minute episodes which shall offer listeners practice in listening to brief readings and an introduction to new vocabulary; while providing glimpses into American life and institutions with short vignettes. These vignettes can include short story readings, samplings from American folklore, and other prose readings. The series shall be aimed at intermediate-level students of English, such as high school and college students, as well as the self-taught not enrolled in a formal English program, but interested in further exposure to spoken English. Each episode shall consist of a reading of a brief passage -- 3-5 minutes -- followed by an explanation of the passage, and an introduction of vocabulary and grammatical points. There shall be some practice sentences. The episode can end with a final reading of the episode for further listening practice. The contractor shall be a recognized authority in the field of teaching English as a second language, with experience in the preparation of English teaching materials for publication. The contractor shall provide a broadcast quality tape of each episode along with an English transcript. Total length of the English version of each episode shall be 15-17 minutes. The VOA Chinese Branch will add a Chinese version of the explanation, vocabulary, and grammatical discussions to bring the total length of each episode to 25 minutes. Submission of documentation for the above-stated services shall include a Statement of Work (SOW) with an outline and introductory script. Quoters responding to this RFQ shall itemize preparation costs, including tape production. The following technical criteria will be used to evaluate prospective contractors: A) Excellent qualifications as a professional in the teaching of English as a second language, and a knowledge of current U.S. methods in that subject; B) An excellent understanding of American life, society, and culture; C) A general understanding of Chinese life and society, so as to select appropriate text materials which illuminate those aspects of American life least likely to be understood by Chinese listeners; D) An ability to write original English explanatory material, language drills, and exercises so as to enhance listener understanding of the material being covered; and E) An ability to establish, in consultation with Chinese Branch managers, a schedule for production of the series and to maintain that schedule. Individuals or firms interested in furnishing the above-stated series shall submit, via either facsimile or mail, their responses to this RFQ (i.e., Technical Capabilities/Experience and Price quotation in U.S. dollars) to the USIA International Broadcasting Bureau, Voice of America, East Asia & Pacific Division, B/VOA/F, Room 2708, 330 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547, Attn: Ms. Claudette Swann, Fax: (202) 619-1840 by the close of business (5 p.m. EST), Friday, September 4, 1998. Any questions (technical or otherwise) and the quoter's complete written response to this RFQ shall be sent directly and only to the ContractingOfficer for this procurement. Quoters will be evaluated by the Government using the above-stated technical and price criteria. Fee/rate requirements for scripts shall also be submitted with the Price quotation, but they are negotiable based upon the individual's or the organization's experience, background, and other qualifications as specified above. Per FAR Subpart 19.502 (Setting Aside Acquisitions), the Contracting Officer has determined that this proposed work is appropriate for an "unrestricted" procurement. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which will be considered. Posted 08/12/98 (W-SN236051). (0224)

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