This RFP is for a professional development initiative for station general managers who oversee public media newsrooms, as opposed to the Editorial Integrity and Leadership Initiative, which is designed for editorial leaders (news directors, editors, executive producers). Although there are some parallel elements, this program will assist station managers in understanding the principles of journalism, including ethics, and navigating firewalls when fundraising for news coverage and overseeing content production.
Successful elements are reflected in this RFP and include the following:
1) Using cohorts of participants: Building relationships among the fellows has proven to be a way for them to continue learning together – even after the program ends.
2) In-person convening to kick off the program: Meeting trainers and fellows in-person helps to lay the foundations for more successful outcomes.
3) Timeliness of topics: The ability to modify the program to address new, unforeseen, and emerging issues ensures relevance.
4) Assessment: CPB requires that the entity implementing the program survey the fellows to evaluate the program’s effectiveness, as a way to improve the program.
The evaluations and related materials are proprietary and may be made available to the selected vendor once an agreement is executed.
Materials from the current program and any past programs are proprietary.
The station’s editorial leadership and other executive-level staff are key station stakeholders, along with governing boards or authorities, such as university officials that oversee university-licensed stations. A 360-type assessment can be informative.
CPB has collected data and select information about station employment demographics is available at CPB.org, under the tab “About CPB/Other Reports.”
The training required by this initiative is governed and managed by the selected vendor.
CPB does not provide a training platform for this initiative. Applicants should specify the training platform they recommend in their proposals.
The proposal evaluation factors and weights are set forth in Section V of the RFP and those factors do not consider the type of organization or partnership.
Please refer to the Goals detailed in Section I of the RFP.
Please refer to Section I of the RFP.
No, we have not established any OKRs, KPIs, or baseline metrics and we will consider those recommended by the applicants and selected vendor.
Applicants should propose a realistic approach and number of hours for station managers, as their positions are demanding.
Please see answer to Q13.
Please see the answer to Q13.
Applicants must include in their proposals the coaches and mentors that will lead and/or participate in the Training and /or will work individually and with small groups of fellows (Section III, (1)(b) of the RFP).
No, we do not have a preliminary set of selection criteria. However, applicants are required to describe the assigned staff’s relevant experience in their proposal.
Please refer to the answer to Q16.
CPB has found that, with similar projects, a cohort approach facilitates mutual support among station leaders, so that they see themselves as part of a larger public media ecosystem.
Applicants should explain how the design of the initiative meets the RFP goals.
Section III, (1)(c) of the RFP states one (1) in-person training per cohort, if public health guidance permits.
No, as we expect the background, experience, needs, etc., of initiative fellows will inform the inputs. The selected applicant should assist CPB in identifying the inputs.
No, CPB does not have preliminary selection criteria. However, the fellows should be representative of public media news stations.
This program is limited to station general managers.
Public media stations that employ journalists are in all 50 states.
The survey should be developed with input from the evaluator. If initial survey results show that the program could be more effective if modified, CPB expects the selected vendor to make the necessary adjustments.
The evaluator must provide an unbiased assessment of the program. Accordingly, it is important that the evaluator have knowledge in the fields of journalism and leadership training but, more importantly, understand how to measure the impact of the initiative.
Applicants must identify their proposed evaluator and include the cost in their technical and cost proposals. The selected vendor must retain the evaluator, subject to CPB’s approval.
29. How do you plan on advertising this initiative internally to potential fellows and will this initiative be mandatory for all fellows selected?
The program is open to all general managers overseeing newsrooms.
All the activities need to be completed within a two-year frame, so the selection process should be conducted in a timely manner.
Since this RFP is a competitive solicitation, CPB will not disclose the funds budgeted for this project.
No, those costs should be included in applicants’ cost proposals.
The selected vendor will be responsible for booking travel, and the estimated costs should be included in the applicant’s cost proposal. Travel for the station managers, the selected vendor, coaches, and trainers should be limited to the in-person convening for each cohort.
Please see the responses to Q25 and Q34.
Please refer to Section IX of the RFP for the expense guidelines.
Cost is one of several factors CPB will consider when evaluating proposals. Each evaluation factor and its weight are set forth in Section V of the RFP.
The selected vendor is responsible for submitting to CPB, quarterly narrative and financial progress reports addressing the work complete to-date. Narrative reports should be submitted as Word documents and financial reports as Excel spreadsheets.
Applicants must include travel in their cost proposals and will be responsible for booking and paying for travel costs.
There is no requirement that applicants be based in the United States.
The proposed activities should begin after May 2024, following contract execution.
The project is allocated over a two-year period, which limits the time allotted to the discovery process. Nonetheless, CPB will consider applicants’ recommendations.
The training curriculum should include applicants’ plans for providing ongoing mentoring and coaching and specify whether these activities extend beyond the contract term.
CPB is committed to following the timeline set forth in Section VI of the RFP.
