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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION<\/b><\/p>\n
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY<\/p>\n
MOBILE AUDIO LAB<\/p>\n
Statement of Work<\/b><\/p>\n
April 2013<\/b><\/p>\n
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Objectives<\/b><\/p>\n
The National Museum of Natural History (\u201cMuseum\u201d) is soliciting proposals from individuals, groups of individuals and companies to develop and fabricate a multi-media rolling cart and associated programming. The Mobile Audio Lab will invite visitors to engage with the fascinating world of bioacoustics, explore the different ways scientists use sound to learn more about the natural world and allow them to make their own sounds that they can share with friends and family via email and social media. The Lab itself will be outfitted with multiple touch screen tablets loaded with simple audio editing apps, headphones and microphones, allowing visitors to create their own music and soundscapes using sound clips. They\u2019ll be able to record their own voices to add to the track, allowing for storytelling Story-Corps style and user feedback. The Lab will also have speakers to share visitor-created sounds with more visitors. A large screen mounted to the top of the cart will be used to show videos and presentations about the topic. The Mobile Audio Lab should connect with NMAH\u2019s DJ Cart where visitors will be able to use the recordings made at NMNH and mix their own music at NMAH.<\/p>\n
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For an example of the kind of programming that can happen with the Lab: At a Mobile Audio Lab placed in the Insect Zoo, visitors will explore the phenomena of human sounds changing the natural world. A volunteer will talk with the visitors and demonstrate through audio and animation how a machine sound, like airplanes, automobiles, or air conditioners, can take over a part of the audio spectrum that an insect uses for its mating sounds. Visitors will be challenged to compete to create a song using a variety of insect-made sounds that can be heard best in an urban environment. Each visitor uses the simple sound editing tablet software to construct a song, adding their own voices if they\u2019d like, and then each song is played within a replicated dense urban soundscape. The most audible song wins a special badge. All of the participants are able to share their songs with friends via email or social media.<\/p>\n
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The Audio Lab will serve as a foundation from which new programming using recording and playback equipment can expand and grow. The Lab will be modular, giving education teams the flexibility to collaborate with partners to use audio to explore many different topics in nature and culture in a creative way. Potential questions and topics for visitors to explore include:<\/p>\n
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The desired educational impacts:<\/p>\n
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The Lab will be mobile, and can be used anywhere in the museum, from the busy Rotunda to the Insect Zoo to the new Q?RIUS education space that is due to open in 2013. It should support a quick 5-minute activity in a busy and loud space, or a 1-hour in-depth workshop in a quiet study space.<\/p>\n
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The Lab\u2019s target audience will be middle- and high school-aged teenagers, although all visitors will be invited to use the Lab. It is expected that more than 20,000 visitors per year will use the Lab.<\/p>\n
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Background<\/b><\/p>\n
The Smithsonian\u2019s National Museum of Natural History welcomed 7.4 million people in 2012, making it the most visited museum in the United States. Opened in 1910, the Museum, located on the National Mall, is dedicated to maintaining and preserving the world\u2019s most extensive collection of natural history specimens and human artifacts (126 million specimens). It also fosters significant scientific research, as well as educational programs and exhibitions that present the work of its scientists to the public. The Museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world\u2019s largest museum and research complex. Admission to the Museum is free.<\/p>\n
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The Museum is launching a new education initiative in 2013 called Q?RIUS, the quintessential embodiment of the Smithsonian\u2019s new brand message, Seriously Amazing<\/i>. The new model will focus on dynamic, interactive participatory and creative museum experiences.<\/p>\n
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Scope<\/b><\/p>\n
The scope of this work includes the physical fabrication and assembly of the cart and any other equipment and hardware; software and attendant strategies for using the software for a variety of content applications; at least one full educational program using the cart; and interface and sign design and implementation. The length of contract is within five months of the signing of the contract.<\/p>\n
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Tasks\/Requirements<\/b><\/p>\n
Contractor shall develop and fabricate a multi-media rolling cart and associated programming.<\/p>\n
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Contractor shall provide the following:<\/p>\n
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Delivery and Period of Performance<\/b><\/p>\n
The timeline should run no more than five months from signing of the contract to completion.<\/p>\n
By the End of Month 1:<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Initial 2-hour in-person workshop at NMNH, including science topic review<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Detailed fabrication, hardware and software proposal for NMNH review<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Educational program outline and requests for content-specific information, data or other materials<\/p>\n
By the End of Month 2:<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In-person presentation of the educational program plan at NMNH<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Written update on the fabrication, hardware and software plan<\/p>\n
By the End of Month 3:<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rough prototype for testing, at least 2 hours of testing with visitors at NMNH, and documentation of testing<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fabrication, hardware and software plan submitted for approval<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Up to three revisions of the educational program plan based on feedback from NMNH<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Up to three revisions of the fabrication, hardware and software plan based on feedback from NMNH<\/p>\n
By the End of Month 4:<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Final hardware approved and purchased<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Educational program plan submitted for final approval. One more round of revisions is possible in this final approval period.<\/p>\n
By the End of Month 5:<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 hour Volunteer training at NMNH<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In-person final presentation at NMNH<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Finished cart including hardware, signs and all other deliverables<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Final written report<\/p>\n
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Place of Performance<\/b><\/p>\n
All performance will take place at the contractor\u2019s facility, unless noted above.<\/p>\n
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Smithsonian Institution<\/b><\/p>\n
OCon 105<\/p>\n
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MOBILE AUDIO LAB<\/b><\/p>\n
Request for Quote<\/b><\/p>\n
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Technical or Professional, Non-personal Services<\/b><\/p>\n
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This Request for Quote (RFQ) is issued by the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution (SI), for technical professional, non-personal services to provide fabrication and program development services in accordance with the Statement of Work (SOW).\u00a0 <\/b><\/p>\n
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I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Submitting YOUR Quote<\/b><\/p>\n
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Price quotes may be submitted by electronic mail. <\/b>Quotes are due by 9am, on Friday, April 19th, 2013<\/b>. Email to brayr@si.edu<\/a>. If attachments total more than 2 MB, please send via a<\/p>\n link.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Questions concerning this RFQ are required to be submitted by e-mail no later than 3:00 PM on Friday, April 12th<\/b>. All responses will be provided to all vendors who email brayr@si.edu<\/a> by 3:00 pm April 12th<\/sup> with a request to be on the contact list.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n II.<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0 Description of Required Services<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The SI has a requirement for the fabrication of a Mobile Audio Lab and for the development of programming for the product.\u00a0 A Firm Fixed Price, award is contemplated. The award will be for a five-month contract.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n III.\u00a0\u00a0 EVALUATION <\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n The SI plans to award based on best value to the SI considering the following factors. <\/i>The SI plans to award without asking for additional information, however, does reserve the right to ask for information if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All of the following factors are of equal importance.\u00a0 Evaluation factors are:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.<\/b> \u00a0 Relevant Experience <\/b><\/i><\/p>\n The contractor will have experience producing creative educational technology projects, and have demonstrated abilities in the four major aspects of the project:<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Audio-visual production<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Educational program development<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Design and fabrication<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Testing, evaluation and training<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Provide demonstrated experience providing these services.\u00a0 Identify a minimum of three (3) projects, customers, time frames, contract dollar values, locations of contract performance, and complexity of work to facilitate determination of capabilities to perform the work required as cited in the statement of work.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Past Performance <\/b><\/p>\n Provide names of points of contact and their current telephone numbers who can answer specific questions on quality, workmanship and scheduling.\u00a0 Provide contract periods of performance dates, dollar value, and brief description of the work performed.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n C.\u00a0 Qualifications\/Technical Competence<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n 1. Technical Information – <\/b>Technical information should include a narrative discussion addressing the technical competence, the firm\u2019s capabilities, qualifications, and approach to satisfy the requirements of the SOW.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2.<\/b> Product Samples<\/b> – Provide links to images or video that showcases at least three (3) examples of past work and demonstrates high quality audio-visual production, educational program development, design and fabrication. The projects can be the same as those included as examples of \u201cRelevant Experience\u201d indicated above.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n D.\u00a0 Price. <\/b>Ideally, the price will be in the range of $26,000 – $34,000. <\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n IV.\u00a0\u00a0 INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Prospective contractors are required to have <\/i><\/p>\n a)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Certificate of Insurance – Commercial General Liability coverage for bodily injury, property damage, advertising and personal injury, in the minimum amount of one million ($1,000,000) dollars per occurrence.<\/p>\n b)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If Contractor uses auto(s) in the course of this contract, and must bring them on to Smithsonian property, they are required to have Auto Liability in the minimum amount of five hundred thousand ($500,000) dollars combined single limit.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Smithsonian Institution must be listed as additional insured for the General Liability insurance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Proof of insurance must be submitted with quotes.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n V.\u00a0\u00a0 DUNS NUMBER<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n A DUNS number is a unique nine digit identification number available for each physical location of your business and is needed to register in the System for Award Management (SAM), formerly the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) system (see Section VI of this RFQ).\u00a0 DUNS numbers are provided through Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) at no charge when you contact D&B via toll free telephone call to 1-866-705-5711, or on the internet at http:\/\/fedgov.dnb.com\/webform. \u00a0Non-U.S. (international) vendors may also contact D&B via email at help@dnb.com.\u00a0 Indicate that you are requesting a DUNS number to assist with eligibility for U.S. Government contracts.\u00a0 New DUNS numbers for U.S. vendors will be active and available for SAM registration within 1-2 business days of request; international vendors DUNS will be active and available normally within 2-5 days of request.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n VI.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>System for Award Management (SAM) registration (<\/b>formerly CCR)<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n It is a requirement that current and prospective recipients of contract and purchase orders awarded by the SI must complete registration and maintain an active record in the System for Award Management (SAM). <\/b>The <\/b>SAM requires a one-time business registration, with annual updates, and allows vendors to control the accuracy of the business information they enter.\u00a0 The financial data you enter, which includes the electronic funds transfer (EFT) data collected by SAM, will assist the SI in paying your invoices and complying with the Federal Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.\u00a0 You may complete or update your information in SAM online at http:\/\/sam.gov<\/a>.\u00a0 Questions regarding the process may be directed to the Federal Service Desk online at www.fsd.gov<\/a> or via toll free call to 1-888-606-8220.\u00a0 There is no charge for registering in SAM.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For vendors who were registered in CCR prior to July 30, 2012, this means:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n