Overview Request for Proposals for the future of Bluegrass Country Bluegrass Country ( BGC ) is currently a service of Radio Station WAMU. It is distributed on the Internet and is also broadcast on a portion of WAMU s digital signal at 88.5 MHz ( HD-2 channel ). The HD-2 channel is rebroadcast in analog format on a low power FM translator on 105.5 MHz in Washington. WAMU s affiliation with and hosting of BGC will end December 31, 2016. WAMU invites proposals from parties that have the creativity and means to carry on the legacy of BGC and to continue providing service ( New Owner ). Cost This RFP describes the assets that WAMU will make available to the New Owner of BGC and the facilities that the New Owner will be required to obtain on its own. Certain assets will be donated at no cost to the New Owner. Specified support services will be provided at no cost to the New Owner, but for only a limited period of time yet to be defined. Intellectual Property & Branding WAMU will donate its existing intellectual property rights to the name Bluegrass Country and any related branding and trademark rights, removing the affiliation to WAMU prior to transfer. WAMU makes no warranty regarding the scope of those rights. Music Library WAMU will donate, to the extent consistent with copyright laws, the sound recordings contained in the existing BGC music library. Unless expressly noted, the donation of the sound recordings does not convey ownership of any copyright in or copyright license with respect to the sound recordings. Material originally produced by WAMU and used by the New Owner will need to be credited to WAMU 88.5. Distribution WAMU will make its HD-2 digital signal available to the New Owner at no cost until December 31, 2017. Starting January 1, 2018, the HD-2 signal will be available in return for reimbursement of WAMU s operating costs. The FM translator on 105.5 MHz in Washington is not owned or controlled by WAMU. WAMU will terminate its rebroadcast agreement. WAMU will introduce the New Owner to the translator owner, but the New Owner will be responsible for negotiating its own rebroadcast agreement if it desires
continued distribution on 105.5 MHz. WAMU makes quarterly payments to the translator owner, and the New Owner should expect to do the same. WAMU will no longer operate translators in Frederick and Hagerstown, Maryland. Interested parties should note that under FCC regulations, an FM translator may rebroadcast only the signal of another radio broadcast station. Therefore, distribution on the WAMU HD-2 signal or the signal of another radio broadcast station will be a prerequisite if continued use of the 105.5 MHz translator is desired. Interested parties should also note that WAMU s HD-2 signal is authorized to transmit only noncommercial programming services. The New Owner must operate BGC on WAMU s HD-2 signal without selling commercial advertisements. Sponsorship messages conforming to FCC guidelines will be acceptable and will be monitored by WAMU. Internet Distribution and Website The domain name, bluegrasscountry.org, and digital assets will be transferred to the New Owner, with all WAMU affiliation removed prior to transfer. All web streaming of BGC, including website hosting and music performance rights from Sound Exchange and others will become the sole responsibility of the New Owner upon assuming control of the BGC service. WAMU will end its support of streaming on the BGC website on December 31, 2016. Program Production The New Owner will be responsible for all program production, content acquisition, staffing, and physical studio and office facilities. WAMU will consider allowing the New Owner use of WAMU studio and office space. New Owner is required to propose a solution that is mutually beneficial to itself and WAMU. However, new owner is not required to use WAMU s studio and office space. If WAMU space is used, the prevailing rent will be charged and will include a portion of the existing administrative and technical support costs related to this service. If the New Owner continues distribution over the WAMU HD-2 signal, it will be responsible for the cost of delivering a real-time, broadcast quality, audio signal to WAMU s control room at 4401 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, DC. The technology will be mutually agreed upon and may include Internet; a circuit from a telephone company, other common carrier, or cable company; or satellite delivery. If the WAMU HD-2 signal is used, the New Owner will be responsible for compliance with all applicable FCC rules, including non-commercial operation and station identification, and will be required to indemnify WAMU for the cost of any non-compliance. WAMU will provide Emergency Alert System tests and alerts. In accordance with statutory and FCC requirements, WAMU will retain ultimate control over content and may refuse to transmit any material that it deems unsuitable in its discretion. {00934007-1 }Request for Proposals WAMU s Bluegrass Country Page 2 of 5
Selection of a New Owner The decision to negotiate with and/or to select a New Owner(s), will be at the sole discretion of WAMU. Requirements for Submission Interested parties should submit written proposals that demonstrate the ability to meet, and acceptance of, the terms and conditions specified in this document. Proposals should include a business plan, including proposals for staffing and facilities, the ability to sustain the BGC service for at least two years, and financials. Proposals should identify the principals (owners or officers and board members) of the proponent and should state whether the party is a forprofit or non-profit entity and whether it plans to operate BGC as a noncommercial service. Unauthorized Release of Information The information provided in this and any subsequent related document is provided in strict commercial confidence. This also applies to all other communications between WAMU and the recipients. It must not be divulged to a third party without the prior express written consent of WAMU. Interested parties may be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement during this process. {00934007-1 }Request for Proposals WAMU s Bluegrass Country Page 3 of 5
FORMAL RESPONSE INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR WAMU Company Name Point of Contact Email Address Company Website address Address Telephone Number Fax number Other Website Address [Insert Name] [Insert Name] [Insert Email address] [Insert Address] [Insert Address] [Insert Telephone Number] [Insert Fax Number] [Website address] PROPOSED TIMELINE KEY DATES Stage 1 Public posting of this document 7/7/2016 Stage 2 Response/proposals due 10/17/2016 by 4:00 PM Stage 3 Presentations 10/24/2016-11/11/2016 Stage 4 Negotiations November 2016 Stage 5 Select New Owner December 2016 Stage 6 New Owner is operating BGC January 1, 2017 SUBMISSION OF RESPONSE Please provide an email copy of this document containing your response by no later than the date shown within the timetable to: bblair@american.edu Formal printed copies along with the information specified within the response template may be sent [in duplicate/via email] to the address(s) shown below: Brian Blair Senior Director of Procurement & Contracts American University 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Brandywine Building, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20016 {00934007-1 }Request for Proposals WAMU s Bluegrass Country Page 4 of 5
FURTHER INFORMATION Any queries regarding this document should be addressed via email to: Terms of Issue bgcrfp@wamu.org The issue of this document by WAMU does not constitute an offer to buy. Any commercial arrangements are subject to contract. By issuing this RFP, WAMU assumes no obligation to pay any cost associated with the preparation of proposals or commit to any of the requirements offered. This Request for Proposal is intended to serve as an expression of interest by WAMU and no Agreement or understanding will be binding on WAMU unless and until a final Agreement is executed by authorized representatives of WAMU and the selected New Owner. This solicitation should not be construed in any manner to be an obligation at this time to enter into a contract or subcontract or to result in any claim whatsoever for reimbursement of costs for any effort expended by your organization. WAMU may modify this RFP, any of its key action dates, or any of its attachments, prior to the date for submission of proposals by issuance of an addendum. Proposals submitted shall impose no liability nor obligation on WAMU and WAMU reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, and further reserves the right to request future information at its discretion. Any proposal which in the opinion of WAMU is incomplete, conditional, obscure or which contains irregularities of any kind, may be rejected. {00934007-1 }Request for Proposals WAMU s Bluegrass Country Page 5 of 5