REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) STUDIO MANAGER COMCAST DIGITAL MEDIA STUDIO AT WESST RFQ RELEASED DATE: APRIL 5, 2016 RFQ CLOSE DATE: APRIL 29, 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND... 3 2. PURPOSE OF THE RFQ... 3 3. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES... 3 4. REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS TIMELINE AND REVIEW... 3 5. REMUNERATION AND RELATIONSHIP... 4 6. SCOPE OF WORK... 4 7. SUBMISSION / CONTACT INFORMATION... 6 8. ABOUT THE WESST ENTERPRISE CENTER... 6 Request for Qualifications Studio Manager, Comcast Digital Media Studio at WESST 2
1. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND The Comcast Digital Media Studio at WESST is a state-of-the-art production studio that provides equipment, work space and assistance for creating and producing multimedia projects, presentations and much more. Conveniently located in downtown Albuquerque, the studio is housed in the WESST Enterprise Center, a best-practice business incubator that facilitates the start-up and growth of Albuquerque companies. Impact Filled by the Comcast Digital Media Studio Digital Cinema and Video Production Creation of new entrepreneurial clusters in Animation, Forensic Animation and Digital Video Gaming Ability to easily access other WESST wrap-around services: lending, incubation, consulting & training Targeted outreach to women and minority entrepreneurs Targeted job creation for low and moderate income residents of Albuquerque 2. PURPOSE OF THE RFQ The purpose of this RFQ is to hire a qualified manager that will guide the day-to-day operations of the Comcast Digital Media Studio at WESST, both administratively as well as technically to ensure all financial and program goals are met. This manager will also create/maintain a portfolio of individuals with technical expertise to produce the highest quality digital media and digital peripheral projects for its clients/customers. 3. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES WESST wishes to evaluate all responses equally. To ensure consideration for this Request for Qualifications, your proposal should include all of the following: Cover Letter Resume 3 Professional References Narrative Writing Sample: As Studio Manager, what will my first 90-day work plan look like? A general narrative response to the Scope of Work (Section 6) with specific responses to the Statement of Qualifications section. 4. REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS TIMELINE AND REVIEW Request for Qualifications Timeline: All responses to this RFQ are due no later than 5pm MST April 29, 2016. Request for Qualifications Studio Manager, Comcast Digital Media Studio at WESST 3
Evaluation of responses will be conducted from April 29, 2016 to May 6, 2016. If additional information or discussions are needed with any submitters during this two-week window, the submitter(s) will be notified appropriately. WESST will contact respondents; phone calls will not be accepted. Interviews will be held with the final candidates as soon as committee review is complete. Upon committee decision and notification, contract negotiations with the chosen submitter will begin immediately. Notifications to respondents who were not selected will be completed within 30 days after contract award. 5. REMUNERATION AND RELATIONSHIP The relationship between WESST and the accepted respondent will be that of an independent contractor. The title of this position will be Studio Manager. WESST is offering a base contract amount of $25,000 annual base, plus, 18% commission from net profit generated with each project commenced and completed in the Comcast Digital Media Studio at WESST. (Details discussed during interview) All performance payments will be paid bi-weekly with the receipt of properly filed performance/project forms received by the WESST Finance Office in a timely manner. The contract shall have an original term of 12 months with a review conducted at month 9 for the opportunity for renewal. However, WESST, at its sole and absolute discretion, may terminate the contract with a 30-day notice if the manager fails to meet the terms of the contract. 6. SCOPE OF WORK Title Studio Manager - Comcast Digital Media Studio at WESST Position Description The Studio manager will develop, oversee and maintain the equipment, business processes and operations of the Comcast Digital Media Studio at WESST. Major Areas of Responsibility - Serve as the primary contact at WESST for clients wishing to use the studio Request for Qualifications Studio Manager, Comcast Digital Media Studio at WESST 4
- Own and drive the Studio s success (assist to define financial and other business goals, track progress to the goals, and create & drive plans to increase performance to goals) - Maintain a certification process for technical studio users - Establish contractual arrangements with users to ensure that correct safety, insurance, pricing, procedural, and other requirements are met for each studio project - Manage the calendar for studio bookings - Design and implement marketing and promotional strategies to achieve WESST s utilization and financial goals for the studio - Maintain and improve the contracting process, facility policies, maintenance arrangements, etc. to grow the added value of the studio for our clients and for WESST over time - Engage in the regional digital media development community to understand opportunities, create alliances, build awareness for the Studio, support Albuquerque economic development, and increase our value proposition Primary Objectives - Make the Comcast Digital Media a successful, self-funding, and growing business to enable WESST to better incubate and grow businesses in New Mexico - Enable digital media professionals to succeed and grow their businesses by providing a high quality, efficient, and flexible facility - Enable digital media novices, advertising agencies, and solopreneurs to succeed and grow their businesses by educating them on digital media production and facilitating the assembly of the right team of experts to produce the results they need to succeed Statement of Qualifications - Describe demonstrated skills as an independent self-starter and successful builder of a business; demonstrate past experience/performance understanding the basics of small business management including marketing, bookkeeping, insurance, managing expenses, etc. - Demonstrate through three examples your ability to deal with diverse team members and skill sets (creative, technical, business ), to facilitate the creation of project teams and ensure collaboration to bring a project idea to fruition - Describe your organizational skills to facilitate multi-tasking: tracking and driving many projects in different stages, creating leads for the future, ensuring that the studio is being maintained, keeping a critical mass of certified studio technical users, etc. - Demonstrate knowledge of typical digital media production processes, roles, and equipment sets. The Studio manager is not expected to act as producer, director, or in any technical roles but must have a working knowledge of these roles and the Request for Qualifications Studio Manager, Comcast Digital Media Studio at WESST 5
ability to ensure appropriate skills and personnel are assigned to make projects successful - Provide any applicable degrees/certifications that demonstrate advanced training in any of these disciplines: o Digital Media o Digital Film Making o Digital Cinematography o Film Making o Related Disciplines o Business o Business Management Physical Demands - The Studio Manager is expected to be hands on with the studio space and equipment. He or she will assist as needed to demonstrate the studio, test equipment, reconfigure areas, etc. Therefore, the person must be willing and able to work safely with ladders, lift and move objects up to 40 pounds, crawl under work surfaces to check cable connections, move portable light stands, help others with larger objects, etc. A more complete delineation of physical requirements will be included in the final contract. 7. SUBMISSION / CONTACT INFORMATION Respondents should submit their entry to the address below by April 29 th, 2016 at 5pm MST. Submissions may also be sent via email to jsilva@wesst.org. WESST Enterprise Center 609 Broadway Blvd. Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102 Attention: Julianna Silva, Managing Director, WEC RE: Comcast Digital Media Studio, Studio Manager RFQ 8. ABOUT THE WESST ENTERPRISE CENTER Mission: The mission of the WESST Enterprise Center (WEC) business incubator is to attract early stage businesses with high-growth potential to Albuquerque s federally designated Pocket of Poverty as a means to growing sustainable companies and creating new jobs. Unique Attributes of the WEC: Physically located on a Superfund site in one of Albuquerque s most underserved neighborhoods Job creation targeted to low-moderate income populations Request for Qualifications Studio Manager, Comcast Digital Media Studio at WESST 6
Public-private partnership including EDA, State of New Mexico, City of Albuquerque and the private sector First certified Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) project in Albuquerque Seven Hottest Start-up Incubators cnnmoney.com, 2010 Implementation of best practices methodology in Business Incubation Co-working space targeted to armed services veterans Innovative Attributes of the WEC: Digital media studio designed to spur new cluster development Mixed used incubator co-located with a Women s Business Center Linked to 5 regional offices of WESST which promotes statewide networks Provides member companies access to mentors, advisors and a network of entrepreneurs Member companies have access to WESST s microloan program and business consultants co-located at the site Management Team Attributes: WEC is an economic development project of the Women s Economic Self-Sufficiency Team (WESST), a 25+ year veteran in the delivery of small business assistance to women, minorities and underserved individuals in New Mexico Long-term management stability with diverse staff expertise in business incubation, entrepreneurial training and development The WESST Enterprise Center (WEC) is a Best Practices Business Incubator, designated as a mixed-use incubator. The WEC has many attributes to assist the development and enhancement of both new and existing businesses. One attribute within the WEC is the Comcast Digital Media Studio. Request for Qualifications Studio Manager, Comcast Digital Media Studio at WESST 7