CPB will engage in a review of the Radio CSG program in the coming year, which includes meetings with a panel of system representatives (“Panel”). These meetings will involve in-depth discussion and evaluation of media trends, financial data, audience data, and other information. The meetings must be completed by April 30, 2019, with a final report and detailed recommendations provided by June 1, 2019. The facilitator will advise CPB on meeting strategies and agendas, facilitate the meetings, and provide notes, feedback and a final report (“Project”).
FAQ Topic:
General
FAQ:
Is there an overall page limit for the proposal or for individual sections (Technical Approach, Resumes, Experience, Cost Proposal, etc.)
No
Does CPB envision that each meeting will be the same design, format, and structure with different stakeholders?
The participants will be the same for each meeting and we expect the format to be similar.
The Project Overview on page 1 states that there will be 3 to 5 meetings and the Timeline indicates 3 to 4 meetings. Can you please clarify?
There will be between 3 and 5 meetings
What materials (e.g. flip boards, markers, projectors, etc) will you already have on-hand at your facility for the facilitator to use?
CPB will provide standard materials including a flip chart, markers and a projector. The facilitator should identify any other necessary materials.
Is CPB looking for the facilitator to aid in the recruitment and scheduling of stakeholders? If yes, to what degree?
The facilitator will not assist in recruiting the stakeholders or scheduling the meetings.
Have the meeting dates already been scheduled, tentatively or certainly? If so, on what dates?
CPB has not yet scheduled the meeting dates although they are expected to begin in December 2018
If you've already identified the specific individual stakeholders, have they already committed to taking part in 6-10 days of onsite sessions in Washington DC?
CPB is in the process of setting the meeting dates and identifying the participants.
What is the profile/job title of the participant CPB is seeking to have take part? (eg. General Manager/CEO, Grants Manager, etc.)
The participants will primarily be general managers, chief executive officers, chief financial officers and chief operating officers.
Have you already defined the stakeholders you plan to invite to these meetings, or will that need to be established as part of this engagement?
Yes, CPB selects the stakeholders.
If some stations are unable to join in person (e.g. from across the country or due to weather circumstances) for every meeting, is your facility equipped with videoconferencing so that they may join remotely?
While we have the capability to allow for videoconferencing, we have found that it affects the meeting dynamic and progression.
Is CPB expecting all 20 people to participate in each meeting? Or do you expect to need duplicate meetings for subgroups, to accommodate schedules?
CPB expects all 20 people to participate in each meeting and will not hold duplicate meetings for subgroups.
If CPB finds that the meetings create extensive scheduling conflicts for stations, would you want the facilitator to collaborate with you to find a different approach to soliciting feedback, provided it does not change the budget or delivery date?
No, CPB is committed to the approach detailed in the RFP.
How much time per day should the facilitator expect to have with the panel participants each day? (e.g. the full day? 4 hours?)
While the session length will be determined by the panel, a rough estimate is that each two-day meeting with start with an eight-hour session the first day followed by a four-hour session the second.
The RFP indicated a preference for 3-5 two-day meetings. How did CPB arrive at that volume? (i.e. a total of 6-10 business days + the webinar).
Based on previous CSG review panels, we have determined that this is an appropriate range.
Given the potential for competition between different stations - especially in a digital environment - what is the rationale for seeking group interviews rather than 1 on 1 interviews?
As explained in the response to question 1, the Communications Act requires a system consultation. In addition, the information we obtained from a survey of 221 radio station leaders will be used to guide the panel discussions.
Would CPB consider a facilitating team (e.g. 2-3 people) rather than an individual?
Yes
What is the volume of information/reports CPB will be providing as context for the facilitator to review?
It is difficult to estimate the amount of data; however, it will be a reasonable amount that the facilitator can easily digest.
Will this information be provided to the facilitator, or will secondary research (i.e. desktop research beyond reading any provided reports/data) be required as part of the meeting preparation?
It is important that the facilitator review the information prior to the panel meetings and CPB will make it available as soon as practicable.
Is CPB seeking a facilitator who will also present its existing media trends, financial data, audience data, and other information - or will that be presented by an employee of CPB, with follow up discussion led by your facilitator? (Or, are you open to either approach?)
CPB will be responsible for securing and presenting the trends and other data followed by a facilitator led discussion.
In previous reviews, how have media trends, financial data, audience data, and other information informed grant program changes? (e.g. Is the expectation that this will inform where grant money is invested? Could it/has it also informed procedural changes?)
Trends and other data have been of assistance at differing levels in past reviews when deciding whether and what changes to the CSG program are appropriate. Not only can the issues vary substantially between reviews, seldom does a single data point coincide with a specific change in the CSG program.
Which potential grant processes, programs, or funding priorities is CPB open to or considering changing? (If everything is up for consideration/evolution, what in particular precipitated the decision to conduct a review?)
To comply with the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. §396 (k) (6) (B), et seq., CPB periodically reviews, in consultation with public radio and television licensees or permittees the community service grant program.
Are the rehearsals walk throughs of the agendas or full run throughs with materials?
The rehearsals will include the agendas and we expect any newly created materials.
Is it possible to conduct one-on-one interviews instead of group interviews, possibly in 3-4 different locations across the country?
No
Should the cost of travel for participants in the discussions, the cost of a meeting room, food, etc be included in the proposal?
No
There is a discrepancy in the RFP between the Section I Project Overview statement that “the meetings must be completed by April 30, 2019, with a final report and detailed recommendations provided by June 1, 2019,” and the Section VII Review Timeline activity and dates that indicate Panel Meetings be completed (3-4 meetings) by December 2018, and the Final Report to CPB by April 30, 2019. Please clarify the appropriate dates for the conclusion of the sequence of meetings and delivery date for the Final Report to CPB.
Panel Meetings are expected to commence in December 2018 and be completed by April 30, 2019 with the Final Report due to CPB by June 1, 2019.