Invisible Children
To better raise public awareness of our work, strengthen our partnerships and improve advocacy efforts, Invisible Children would like to recruit a Sudanese film director or a production studio with a Sudanese crew to produce a film that promotes social cohesion and peaceful conflict mediation**. The film will be focusing on project communities in South Darfur, with both a global and regional target audience** for distribution in film festivals, with worldwide broadcasters and in movie theaters. The total budget of the film should not exceed US$50.000.
Background:
In Darfur, violence and intercommunal conflicts keep rising. IOM reported that displacement increased by 500% in 2021 as compared with 2019, after the adoption of the Juba peace agreement and termination of the UN peace keeping mission. The tension at the border between Sudan and CAR resulted in a new wave of displacement. Sudan hosts 28,035 refugees who fled the conflict in Central Africa Republic, most of whom are residing in South Darfur state. The military takeover has precipitated a political, economic, and security crisis in Sudan which has undermined achievements attained during the transitional period and threatens to further destabilize the country. Since the military takeover, conflict in Darfur has intensified, mirroring levels of violence seen in the early 2000s. The situation was compounded by the security vacuum created by the exit of UNAMID, all of which has led to gaps in the protection environment in conflict-affected areas. This violence has been particularly severe in certain areas, with significant tribal clashes in Darfur region and South Darfur where the project is focusing.
Building on Invisible Children’s extensive experience, the Preventing Atrocities and Connecting Communities along the CAR-Sudan Border (PACC) project aims to empower civil society, particularly women and other vulnerable groups, in marginalized areas of northeastern Central African Republic (CAR) and South Darfur (Sudan), to implement a locally-led, holistic approach to atrocity prevention which includes early warning and prevention and crisis response and conflict mitigation, while addressing the aftermath of conflict. PACC includes with two local partners (LPs), Bria Londo in CAR and Malam Darfur Peace and Development (MDPD) in Sudan, and builds the capacity of volunteer, community-based Peace Committees in seven communities along the border while collaborating with nine Peace Committees created during a previous project.
One of Invisible Children’s most successful sensitization tools is Mobile Cinema. Film is a powerful medium to convey ideas and open discussions, especially in CAR where there are high rates of illiteracy. In 2020, Invisible Children with partners produced The Power of Dialogue, a film which promotes the importance of peaceful conflict resolution to avoid violent retaliation and distributed it onto SD cards to the local communities.
Under PACC, Invisible Children would like to collaborate with Sudanese filmmakers to produce film content that can be screened through mobile cinema locally, on subjects related to social cohesion and atrocity prevention needs in South Darfur. Depending on the initial assessment, the film’s focus could address a cross-border issue shared by all communities in Northeast Central Africa Republic and South Darfur or it could include a docu-series portraying successful positive-impact stories by active Peace committees. Film content will show the positive impacts empowered community members can have in their region and provide behavioral examples in certain scenarios. During this phase of the project, film content will be finalized and distributed via SD cards given to Peace Committees representatives at the transborder workshop, who will then distribute within their communities. Additional screenings will be organized for key stakeholders in Bria in Central Africa Republic and Nyala in Sudan.
Overall objective of the Assignment
The overall objective of the assignment is to produce a film on PACC project communities highlighting the positive impacts empowered community members can have in their region.
To better raise public awareness of our work, strengthen our partnerships and improve advocacy efforts, Invisible Children would like to recruit a Sudanese film director or a production studio with a Sudanese crew to produce a film that promotes social cohesion and peaceful conflict mediation**. The film will be focusing on PACC project communities in South Darfur (Tulus, Rehiad Elbirdi and Nayla), with both a global and regional target audience f**or distribution in film festivals, with worldwide broadcasters and in movie theatres. The total budget of the film should not exceed US$50.000.
Scope of Work & Technical Requirements:
Invisible Children welcomes creative ideas & suggestions for an impactful and innovative delivery of the message. The documentary is to be empathy driven, moving and motivational, told mainly from the perspective of Darfur conflict/ atrocity survivors, with interviews and inputs from local communities, local / national authorities, Invisible Children and its local partner MDPD. The film will be produced in Sudanese Arabic with English and French subtitles, at highest market quality standards, high-definition, fast paced and colorful, with clean stylistic touches. The total running time of the documentary is to be 30 minutes. The entire film production i.e. writing, filming, editing, voicing/narration etc. should be done by the contractor, delivering a final ready-to-air product in broadcast standards and in HD technology format 16:9. The contractor will be responsible for securing all necessary permits. The entire development and production process will be closely monitored by Invisible Children and its local partner MDPD providing continuous review, comments and thematic inputs support when needed. Invisible Children are the Executive Producer of the film and have the “final cut” of the film.
Specific Tasks:
Under the direct supervision of the designated Invisible Children Coordinator, the contractor will be required to do the following:
+ Development: Planning and conceptualizing of script and film’s overall concept and scenario.
+ Interview selected participants for the film who will include project grantees and beneficiaries, Invisible Children and MDPD members, National Coordinator, Program Assistant and Invisible Children Policy Director.
+ Visit three selected project sites (Tulus, Rehiad Elbirdi and Nayla) and interact with the local communities/beneficiaries who have been impacted by the Invisible Children-supported projects to get context.
+ Develop the film script and storyboard to be used in the film.
+ Perform appropriate video filming and shoot interviews with the projects’ beneficiaries and stakeholders.
+ Present a draft documentary for comments on contents.
+ Produce one final documentary film in Two (2) DVD of 30min long and also on an external HDD.
Expected timeline:
+ The contractor shall commence the work as soon as possible, immediately upon signing contract.
+ A detailed timeline, work plan and draft outline should be submitted within 14 calendar days.
+ A detailed budget and shooting schedule should be provided prior to commencing filming.
+ The rough cut of every phase of the documentary should be provided to Invisible Children and MDPD Office for review, comments and approval.
+ The final product i.e. the movie as well as all the raw material and project files, should be delivered to Invisible Children on an external HDD no later than December 29th 2022.
Deliverables & payment distribution:
+ Payments of total budget will be processed upon delivery of the following product along with invoice:
+ Detailed timeline, work plan and draft outline (10%)
+ Detailed budget and shooting schedule (20%)
+ First cut of movie (30%)
+ Project files & all raw material (10%)
+ Final cut of movie (30%)
Performance indicators for evaluation of results:
The evaluation of the contractors’ performance will be based on:
+ Completion of tasks specified in ToR;
+ Compliance with the established deadlines for submission of deliverables;
+ Quality of work.
Requests For Clarification
Bidders are required to submit any request for clarification or any question in respect of this RFP by e-mail at [email protected]. The deadline for receipt of questions is 23:59 hrs EST on 10/07/2022. Bidders are requested to keep all questions concise.
Intellectual Property
All information pertaining to this project (documentary, audio, digital, cyber, project documents, etc) belonging to the client, which the service provider may come into contact with in the performance of his/her, duties under this procurement shall remain the property of Invisible Children who shall have exclusive rights over their use. Except for purposes of this assignment, the information shall not be disclosed to the public nor used in whatever form without written permission of Invisible Children.
How to apply
Proposal Requirements and Submission
IMPORTANT: Invisible Children reserves the right to cancel a solicitation at any stage of the procurement process prior to final notice of award of a contract.
Proposals must be submitted in English.
IMPORTANT: Inclusion of copies of your proposal with any correspondence sent directly to the attention of any Invisible Children staff member other than the submission email address will result in disqualification of the offer. Please send your proposal directly to [email protected] no later than 10/14/2022 – 23:59hrs EST.
Proposals must be comprised of the following two sets of documents:
+ Technical offer
+ Financial offer
Your proposal must bear your official letter head, clearly identifying your company.
The Technical and Financial proposals shall be clearly separated in separate attachments. Proposals must be sent by e-mail ONLY to: [email protected]
IMPORTANT: Any proposal received after this date or sent to another Invisible Children address may be rejected. Invisible Children may, at its discretion, extend the deadline for the submission of proposals, by notifying all prospective bidders simultaneously.
It is your responsibility to verify that all e-mails have been received properly before the deadline.
Please indicate in e-mail subject field:
+ No.RFP/IC/2022/001
+ Name of your company
Invisible Children will not be responsible for locating or securing any information that is not identified in the bid. Accordingly, to ensure that sufficient information is available, the bidder shall furnish, as part of the bid, any descriptive material such as extracts, descriptions, and other necessary information it deems would enhance the comprehension of its offer.
Content of the TECHNICAL OFFER
IMPORTANT: No pricing information should be included in the Technical Offer. Failure to comply may risk disqualification. The technical offer should contain all required information.
The Terms of Reference (TORs) of the services requested by Invisible Children can be found in above**.** Clearly state and disclose any discrepancies with the specifications given.
Your technical offer should be concisely presented and structured in the following order to include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following information:
1) Description of the company and the company’s qualifications A description of your company with the following documents: company profile and registration certificate:
+ Year founded;
+ At least three references samples of similar and successfully completed projects;
+ Detailed list with technical information of the equipment intended for use, such as camera, light, sound, editing software etc.
Include any information that will facilitate our evaluation of your company’s substantive reliability, financial and managerial capacity to provide the services.
2) Understanding of the requirements for the video production, proposed approach, creative ideas, Any comments or suggestions on the TOR, as well as your detailed description of the manner in which your company would respond to the TOR:
+ A description of your organization’s capacity and experience in video production.
+ A suggested detailed filming plan and timeline for the project.
+ A presentation of how you intend to approach filming on location with sensitivity and security (both for crew and for individuals appearing on film).
+ A presentation of proposed creative direction and ideas for the film.
+ A compliance to the requirements stated on the TOR.
3) Proposed personnel to carry out the assignment Brief presentation of the team, with CVs and functional responsibilities of the key people to be engaged in the production of the documentary highlighting qualifications and experience in similar projects.
4) Work references At least three (3) contact details (e-mail addresses) of referees (firms for whom you’ve produced similar assignments);
Content of the FINANCIAL OFFER
Your separate Financial Offer must contain an overall offer in US Dollars.
The financial offer must cover all the goods / services to be provided (price “all inclusive”).
The Financial Offer is to be submitted as per a detailed price breakdown with a clearly stated total cost. Bids that have a different price structure may not be accepted. Please note that all costs, including transport, should be included in the total sum, no additional payments will be made outside of the total budget.
You are requested to hold your offer valid for 90 days from the deadline for submission. Invisible Children will make its best effort to select a company within this period. Invisible Children’s standard payment terms are within 30 days after satisfactory delivery and receipt of documents in order.
The cost of preparing a bid and of negotiating a contract, including any related travel, is not reimbursable nor can it be included as a direct cost of the assignment. Any activity undertaken or expenses incurred in preparation of a contract before an actual contract is signed shall be borne by the Bidder. An advance notice or information of award is not to be considered as a contract.
Invisible Children will not provide any advance payments or payments by letter of credit. The standard payment terms are by bank transfer net thirty (30) days after acceptance of contractor’s invoices and delivery of deliverables.
Bid Evaluation
Each proposal from a Bidder will be considered separately and independently. Bidders shall submit a complete proposal. Award of a previous contract with Invisible Children will not be considered in itself as a preference or guarantee for the award of future solicitations on the same subject.
Supplier Registration: The qualified supplier(s) will be added to the Vendor Database after investigation of suitability based on the submitted Vendor Registration Form and supporting documents. The investigation involves consideration of several factors such as:
+ Financial standing, Core business, Track record, Contract capacity, OFAC search
Failure to provide the above mentioned documentation, might lead to disqualification.
Technical and Financial evaluation: For the award of this project, Invisible Children has established evaluation criteria which govern the selection of offers received. Evaluation is made on a technical and financial basis. The percentage assigned to each component is determined in advance as follows:
The Technical offer will be evaluated using inter alia the following criteria and percentage distribution: 75% from the total score:
Eligibility & Past Performance (Range and depth of portfolio) (20%)
+ 3 years’ experience documented work experience in the area of film/reportage/documentary writing, producing, directing and editing.
+ Expertise of the company: samples of previous works of similar nature as well as full list of productions completed and in process, including references from previous clients.
+ Extensive experience in producing development work related documents for publication and documentaries for international organizations with the aim of reaching both local and international audiences.
+ Ability to operate under strict time limits and apply high production and technical standards.
Key Personnel & Equipment (15%)
+ Brief presentation of the team, with CVs and functional responsibilities of the key people (experience in development communication) to be engaged in the production of the documentary.
+ Excellent technical capacities (state of the art filming equipment preferably High Definition) to ensure smooth and high-quality production.
+ Ability to communicate and conduct interviews in English and Arabic, French is plus.
+ Access to highest quality filming, light, sound and editing equipment.
+ Ability to field a Sudanese crew, capable of being deployed in the location of filming.
Motivation & Creative Direction (40%)
+ Proposed methodology, approach (creative and innovative ideas) and brief implementation plan with proposed timeframe for pre-production and postproduction.
The cut-off points for submissions to be considered technically compliant will be 50 out of the 75 points.
Invisible Children will draw up a short list of three (3) offers from the submissions received and expects to conduct clarification phone calls on or after 10/20/2022.
Clarifications of Proposals: To assist in the examination, evaluation and comparison of proposals Invisible Children may at its discretion ask the Bidder for clarification about the content of the proposal. The request for clarification and the response shall be in writing and no change in price or substance of the proposal shall be sought, offered or accepted.
The Financial offer will use the following percentage distribution: 25% from the total score.
Financial proposal must incorporate break-down of all estimated costs, including estimated days of shooting, production team, days of editing, travel costs, music, etc.
The financial component will be analyzed only for those suppliers that pass the technical evaluation.
Bid Acceptance:
+ Invisible Children reserves the right to accept the whole or part of your bid or allow split or partial awards on this project.
+ Invisible Children may at its discretion increase or decrease the proposed content when awarding the contract and would not expect a significant variation of the rate submitted. Any such increase or decrease in the contract duration would be negotiated with the successful bidder as part of the finalization of the Purchase Orders for Services*.* Invisible Children may, at its discretion, extend the deadline for the submission of bids, by notifying all prospective suppliers in writing. The extension of the deadline may accompany a modification of the solicitation documents prepared by Invisible Children at its own initiative or in response to a clarification requested by a prospective supplier. Please note that Invisible Children is not bound to select any of the firms submitting bids and does not bind itself in any way to select the firm offering the lowest price. Furthermore, the contract will be awarded to the bid considered most responsive to the needs, as well as conforming to Invisible Children’s general principles, including economy and efficiency and best value for money.