By Greg Hazley
Centcom, the U.S. Central Command based at MacDill Air Force Base, is taking proposals through late June for PR, monitoring and media analysis of its operations, primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The sweeping contract will cover a 24/7 monitoring and engagement operation, from broadcast TV and newspapers in various languages, to blogging, social media and overall analysis of public and media opinion of the command’s interests.
SOS International is an incumbent for some of the work outlined in the solicitation, while Fulcra Worldwide, the Rendon Group and other companies have provided similar support to the military.
Knowledge of media mapping, conducting research on foreign communicators like journalists and religious leaders, experience with social networking, blogs and online forums, and developing sources are among the experience the military is looking for in a contractor.
Most of the work by the contractor will be handled on site at MacDill, although some staffers can be at the contractor’s own facility.
Centcom put out a feeler for interested parties last spring. Since then, Gen. James Mattis has taken over as commander, replacing Gen. David Petraeus, who was tapped by the president last June to oversee the Afghanistan war.
Proposals are due June 27 (link to RFP documents). The government hopes to make an award as soon as July 15.
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