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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Q&A) SOLICITATION # 19SA7025Q0006 - (YAU – News Summary) Q1. Language Requirements: Beyond English translation capabilities of the Yemeni dialect, are there specific language proficiency requirements for staff working on this project? A. This project requires fluent idiomatic American English, fluent Arabic with strong Yemeni dialect comprehension, and the ability to translate nuanced text from Arabic to English. Q2. Security Clearance: Will any security clearance be required for personnel working on this contract? If so, will the government bear the cost? A. No, security clearances are not required. Media monitoring services are derived from resources available to the public. Q3. Are samples of the existing summary available for review? A. No. Your company should submit your most informative sample media monitoring report to demonstrate your ability to perform the work described in the SOW to the highest standard. Q4. How long should the daily summaries be (words)? A. Formatting is left to bidders’ discretion to express their capability to capture the full scope. The summaries should be concise yet comprehensive, capturing the key news articles. Q5. How long should each item being summarized be? How long in total should summaries run? A. Formatting is left to bidders’ discretion to express their capability to capture the full scope. The summaries should be concise yet comprehensive, capturing the key points of each article. Q6. Inclusion: Is the choice of news sources to be highlighted each day at the sole discretion of the vendor? A. Yes, the bidder can choose the news sources, as long as the summaries capture key news, include official agencies, and ensure variety. Q7. Additional sources: Will the “additional” international media sources referred to in the contract be specified in advance? If not, how soon in advance will the vendor be notified of the additional requirement? A. The primary international media sources are listed in the SOW. It is expected that any articles from legitimate international news outlets that are relevant to Yemen/U.S. relations be included. If there is an additional international media source requested, the vendor will be notified in advance. Q8. Will the cost of summarizing additional sources be compensated in addition to compensation for the base Contract? A. No. Q9. Analysis: What will be the format of the periodic “analyses” that are part of the Contract? A. Formatting is left to bidders’ discretion to express their capability to capture the full scope as described in the SOW. Q10.What is the desired length of each Analysis? A. Formatting is left to bidders’ discretion to express their capability to capture the full scope as described in the SOW, but preferably no longer than two pages. Q11. Is the expectation that each will involve external experts? If so, will the distribution of the daily summaries to the author(s) of the analyses be authorized under terms of the Contract? A. No, external experts are not expected, and distribution of daily summaries to them is not authorized. Q12. Social media: In what format will the daily “social media” measurements be expected to be delivered? Which metrics will the Embassy expect to be measured? A. Formatting is left to bidders’ discretion to express their capability to capture the full scope as described in the SOW. Q13. Expansion: Are there requirements to produce similar news summaries being considered for future solicitations or as optional additions to this contract? A. No. Q14. Comprehensiveness: Will the summaries need to include abstracts from each publication detailed in the solicitation or will “newsworthiness” be left to the discretion of the vendor? A. This is left to the discretion of the vendor. Q15. Source Access: If potential paywalled or subscription-based news sources essential for comprehensive coverage of Yemen are identified as beneficially owned by individuals subject to U.S. government sanctions, will the Embassy work on behalf of the vendor with Treasury to ensure continued access without penalty? A. No. Q16. Previous Embassy Experience: Has this service been previously provided to the Embassy? If so, what aspects of the previous service were most valued and what aspects were most in need of improvement? A. This is an existing service. Timely delivery and comprehensive coverage are highly valued. Your company should submit your most informative sample media monitoring report to demonstrate your ability to perform the work described in the SOW to the highest standard. Q17. Evaluation Criteria: Beyond the factors outlined in Section 4 of the solicitation, are there any specific qualitative metrics that will be used to evaluate the ongoing performance of this service? A. No. Q18. Classified Content: How should reporting in Yemeni or international media of sensitive or potentially classified information encountered by the vendor during monitoring be handled within the daily reports? A. If it has been reported in the media, it can be included in the report for further review and editing as needed. Flagging this information in the report would be helpful. Q19. Contingency Planning: In the event of regional internet or communications disruptions, what contingency expectations does the Embassy have for service delivery by the vendor? A. The report would be expected as soon as possible in the event of regional internet disruptions. Q20. Contact Person: Who will be the primary point of contact at the Embassy for day-to-day coordination and feedback on deliverables? Will that person function as the Contract Officer? A. You will have a primary contact in the Public Affairs department. Q21. Does the Embassy also plan to use Contract Officer Representatives in the administration of the contract? If so, what will their roles be? A. The Contract Officer or COR will review and edit the daily report for further distribution. Q22. Local Staff Requirements: Are there any requirements regarding the employment of staff inside Yemen as part of the project team? A. No. Q23. Additional Work: What will be the process for billing for additional days of work (e.g. reports required on holidays or on normal days off) or supplemental reports or analyses required during periods of “breaking news”? A. The vendor may submit an itemized invoice for any extra work performed, provided it has been requested and authorized in advance. No work outside of the SOW is expected. Any breaking news should be included in the following daily report. If the “breaking news” occurs over the weekend, it should be included in the following Sunday report. Q24. Minimum Staffing: Does the Embassy expect the vendor to be staffed 24/7 or will staffing be left to the discretion of the vendor? A. The U.S. Government cannot dictate the bidder’s employment preferences as long as the scope of the RFP is adhered to. Government is confident that the winning bidder will employ enough individuals to fulfill the requirement. Q25. Conferences: Will the vendor have opportunities for periodic review meetings with the Embassy? If so, how many and in what location? A. Periodic virtual meetings are an option as needed. Q26. Delivery Confirmation: What process will be used to confirm receipt of daily deliverables, and how will any quality issues be communicated to the contractor? A. Confirmation and quality issues may be communicated via email. Q27. Is this an existing contract? If so, would it be possible to see the current product for comparison purposes? A. This is an existing contract. Your company should submit your most informative sample media monitoring report to demonstrate your ability to perform the work described in the SOW to the highest standard. Q28. Is there a budget or target price range for this contract? A. Please submit your quote for the services requested. Q29. Which employees need to be covered by Defense Base Act insurance? A. Insurance requirements will be based upon the location of the bidder. This is not mandated by the contract. Q30. Our company has an office in Abu Dhabi. Would we still be required to establish an office in the UAE? A. This solicitation is unrestricted, and a foreign company not based in Yemen may apply. Q31. Is there a specific number of clients from the past three years for which references are required? A. This is not a requirement. Q32. Could you please confirm whether “including holidays” refers to U.S. holidays, Saudi holidays, or both? We want to ensure alignment on expectations regarding report delivery on public holidays in both countries. A. Delivery is not required on official Yemen Affairs Unit holidays which includes some US and some KSA holidays. The official holiday schedule will be shared upon award. Q33. Regarding the bi-monthly analysis of press narratives, what is the expected word count, length, focus areas, or key narratives? Would you be able to provide a sample? A. Formatting is left to bidders’ discretion to express their capability to capture the full scope as described in the SOW. Your company should submit your most informative sample media monitoring report to demonstrate your ability to perform the work described in the SOW to the highest standard. Q34. In reference to Point 5, could you kindly clarify the scope and breadth of coverage required? Specifically, you mention that coverage should include items related to U.S. policy towards the entire Gulf region, not just Yemen. A. The focus of this daily media report is Yemen and U.S./Yemen relations. Other regional news may be included in the report when relevant. Q35. In reference to Point 6, would you like an expanded section for full coverage of Almahriah TV and Suhail TV programs, similar to the format currently used within the YPS? A. Formatting is left to bidders’ discretion to express their capability to capture the full scope as described in the Statement of Work. Q36. Which company had this bid for the last time and what was the amount paid per year? A. The vendor currently supplying this service is DBN Media. Q37. Which company will participate in this Solicitation? A. This solicitation is unrestricted. Q38. Any certification is required for this Solicitation? A. No. Q39. There's written about housing at the end of this Solicitation, you need details of that. A. Housing is not provided under this contract. Q40. May I know the previous year awarded price? A. No. Please provide your quote for this service. Q41. Any specific requirements? A. Please review the Statement of Work for project requirements. Q42. May I know the budget for this? A. All proposals will be considered. Q43. Is having a business in Saudi Arabia a must-have requirement to support this contract? A. This solicitation is unrestricted, and a foreign company not based in Yemen or Saudi Arabia may apply.