What are the specific stations in danger of losing their CSG funding?
It is CPB's position that identifying these stations would be counterproductive to the spirit of the program. Therefore, CPB will not be releasing the information publicly. The affected stations have already been notified of their status by CPB and have been encouraged to apply for this program.
Although there are only 10 stations that will be selected for participation in Phase I, there is a fairly sizable pool of stations eligible to participate. The potential list includes stations located throughout the country and varied in format and market size. The final list of participating stations will be the result of the station solicitation RFP process which is scheduled to begin in June 2006.
Will the focus likely to be on stations that are at-risk of losing funding, or major market stations that have historically under-performed, or stations not currently receiving CPB funding but showing promise, or is this yet to be decided?
As stated, CPB is targeting stations that are failing to meet the Audience Service Criteria (ASC) of the Community Service Grant (CSG) program and stations that are performing near the minimum thresholds of the Audience Service Criteria. All station applications will be reviewed on their own merits.
Will CPB be looking to improve only the audience numbers at the selected stations?
CPB is looking for stations to improve their performance against the Audience Service Criteria as established in FY 2007 Radio Community Service Grant General Provisions & Eligibility Criteria, which can be accessed under the Eligibility heading at http://www.cpb.org/grants/radiocsg/
What will the Audience Service Criteria be for the Community Service Grant program starting in FY2007?
The FY 2007 Radio Community Service Grant General Provisions & Eligibility Criteria can be accessed under the Eligibility heading at http://www.cpb.org/grants/radiocsg/
Will CPB engage more than one team in Phase I of the project?
No. CPB will engage one managing consultant who will assemble the team necessary to complete the assessments of all ten stations.
For the "at least five consultants" that CPB will pick from, if the managing consultant has expertise in station management, will CPB need, for example, five potential development consultants to chose from and five programming consultants to choose from?
The managing consultant is expected to have expertise in at least one area of public radio management -- programming, development and/or station management. CPB is asking for a list of five organizational development professionals to choose from to be part of the team. We expect the team to consist of no less than the managing consultant and the organizational development professional. Any supplemental needs beyond that are at the discretion of the managing consultant.
The RFP states that "the managing consultant will be responsible for engaging the services of the individual chosen by CPB radio." Will the managing consultant be responsible for formally contracting and paying the other consultant, or will CPB do that?
The managing consultant will be responsible for the contractual relationship with the organizational development professional.
Does the organizational development professional have to have an organizational development degree? What criteria will CPB use to select the organizational development professional?
A degree in organizational development is not a requirement. CPB is interested in identifying the most appropriate professional project team member to participate in that capacity.
Does the grantee select the rest of the "team" based on management disciplines/capabilities within the station?
The managing consultant is expected to have expertise in at least one area of public radio management -- programming, development and/or station management. We expect the team to consist of no less than the managing consultant and the organizational development professional. Any supplemental needs beyond that are at the discretion of the managing consultant.
Are proposals from a team -- with expertise in programming, management, and fundraising -- welcome?
All who feel they meet the requirements set forth in the RFP are encouraged to respond.
Will Phase II consultants contract directly with CPB?
CPB will contract with the managing consultant. The contractual relationship of other Phase II consultants has yet to be decided. The current RFP is for services rendered during Phase I only.
Is the project budget for the consulting team a maximum of $250,000, as it appears to be? (10 stations x $25,000 in services) What will the $35,000 per station cover (personnel, programming purchases)? How much discretion will the consulting team have on how the $35,000 is spent?
The $35,000 per station is an estimate. All 10 participating stations are expected to receive the same level of assessment and equal direct station grants of $10,000. These direct station grants are not expected to cover consulting costs. Proposals should reflect what work will be completed and the total budget. No implementation activities will be covered in Phase I -- Assessment.
How is the $10,000 to be distributed to the ten stations meant to be used by them? Is any of it available to the project?
Each station will receive $10,000 in a direct grant from CPB to offset some of the stations' expenses associated with a comprehensive needs assessment. These direct station grants are not expected to cover consulting costs.
$25,000 is earmarked for "services." Are these services above and beyond the work to be done by the CPB consultants? Please give an example of what CPB considers a service?
No, "Services" encompasses all assessment consulting activities performed by the CPB consulting team and minimal associated travel costs in Phase I.
How will the benchmarks used in the needs assessments be established?
The managing consultant is expected to participate in the RFP process for station solicitation and make recommendations. The final benchmarks to be used will be established in consultation with CPB.
Page 2 of the RFP, under "Project Management" says, "The team will also provide CPB Radio with its assessment of the impact of the suggested improvements." When is this assessment expected - at the end of Phase I or Phase II?
The assessments are due at the conclusion of Phase I -- Assessment.
The narrative requirements of the RFP do not appear to request a workplan. Is the description given under project management on p. 2 of the RFP the intended workplan, or should applicants describe the approach they will use to deliver these requirements?
Applicants should provide an explanation of their approach for meeting the goals of Phase I: needs assessments for 10 stations; recommendations for improvement for station leaders; and an assessment for CPB of the impact and potential for success of the suggested recommendations for each station.
The assessments and recommendations surfaced in Phase I will help inform participation in Phase II.
Would it be beneficial to CPB if a consultant could help recruit stations for the project, increasing the number who apply?
Yes.
Will CPB staff be available to answer questions and review draft proposal copy in advance of the April 18th deadline?
Yes.