Homeland Security to compile database of journalists, media influencers

Meghan54

Lifer
Oct 18, 2009
11,504
5,027
136
The Department of Homeland Security posted a contract request this week for "Media Monitoring Services," which will compile a database of hundreds of thousands of journalists, bloggers and "media influencers" for the federal government.

The work request also seeks the ability to build lists of journalists based on beat, location, outlet type/size and journalist role. Creating an online "media influence database" is also included.

DHS spokesman Tyler Q. Houlton tweeted that "despite what some reporters may suggest," this is "standard."

"Any suggestion otherwise is fit for tin foil hat wearing, black helicopter conspiracy theorists," Houlton wrote.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/h...lists-media-influencers/ar-AAvzs68?li=BBnb7Kz

Seriously? Compiling a database of journalists doesn't sound quite "standard" in our country. Something's not kosher in Denmark.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DarthKyrie

NostaSeronx

Diamond Member
Sep 18, 2011
3,683
1,218
136

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
62,678
11,017
136
All the easier to round up the rabble-rousers when the time comes...
 

Puffnstuff

Lifer
Mar 9, 2005
16,015
4,785
136
I see these things and immediately my mind goes back to the things Hitler did after coming to power in Nazi Germany. I wouldn't be surprised if the same spirit that influenced Hitler wasn't doing the same thing to Trump.
 
Aug 11, 2008
10,451
642
126
Is Trump and Fox news going to be at the top of the list???

Really, of all the things Trump has done, his attempt to control the media, deflect from legitimate issues, and discredit any criticism is his most frightening. I would not go so far to say we are going to become a dictatorship, but it certainly is one of the first things a potential dictator does.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Thebobo

Puffnstuff

Lifer
Mar 9, 2005
16,015
4,785
136
With each passing day Trump and the GOP continue proving that their base are the lowest common denominator in our land.:eek:
 
  • Like
Reactions: DarthKyrie

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,681
136
If it were some Deep State conspiracy they probably wouldn't contract it out...
 

FIVR

Diamond Member
Jun 1, 2016
3,753
911
106
No need for conspiracies in 2018. These days the government simply tells you you're being watched and you conduct yourself accordingly.
 

UNCjigga

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
24,800
9,002
136
If it were some Deep State conspiracy they probably wouldn't contract it out...

Zuckerberg and Facebook gotta be like
6997dafe977f82ffe94ae4feeb36e299.jpg
 

Meghan54

Lifer
Oct 18, 2009
11,504
5,027
136
The DHS spokeswoman is correct - these "media influencer" lists already exist. They are also already used to influence US citizens. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Mockingbird


Quick question....if these lists already exist, why is DHS letting a contract go to create a list that already exists? Seems a rather stupid waste of money since they already exist, don't you think? Why a new contract instead of simply updating said "already existing" lists?
 

FIVR

Diamond Member
Jun 1, 2016
3,753
911
106
Quick question....if these lists already exist, why is DHS letting a contract go to create a list that already exists? Seems a rather stupid waste of money since they already exist, don't you think? Why a new contract instead of simply updating said "already existing" lists?

Probably because prior lists consisted of different individuals. They sort of give you a clue why they are making a new list in the announcement - they refer to "media influencers". Prior lists would not have included social media personalities (media influencers) because these platforms did not exist.

It is notable and interesting that they have transferred the responsibility for making such lists from intelligence agencies like the CIA to domestic surveillance agencies like DHS. It makes sense though given that DHS is already "licensed" by the government to spy on all of us.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
55,825
13,865
146
The implications are shocking. Everyday we step closer to a tin pot dictatorship. This is the road to fascism. This step, a step the US has NEVER taken before, is a step that HAS been taken by every tyrant including Adolf Hitler. Full stop.

We warned you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DarthKyrie

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
55,825
13,865
146
Here's a link to the announcement and sow for those of you who might want to try to do your own thinking. Good luck.

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportu...e05efd160cfa36d7a8acc&tab=core&tabmode=list&=

You post this as if it undermines the cause for concern here. Did you download the docx and read it? I did. And everything journalists have pointed out is in there.


DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)


STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)
FOR

Media Monitoring Services






1.0 GENERAL


1.1 Background

NPPD’s mission is to lead the national effort to protect and enhance the resilience of the nation’s physical and cyber infrastructure. NPPD includes the Office of the Under Secretary (OUS) and five sub-components: the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications (CS&C), the Office of infrastructure Protection (IP), the Federal Protective Service (FPS), the Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) and the Office of Cyber and Infrastructure Analysis (OCIA), which are headquartered with the National Capital Region (NCR). Along with NPPD/OUS, Public Affairs is responsible for media communication.


1.2 Scope

The contractor shall provide NPPD/OUS with traditional and social media monitoring and communications solutions.


1.3 OBJECTIVE

Services shall enable NPPD/OUS to monitor traditional news sources as well as social media, identify any and all media coverage related to the Department of Homeland Security or a particular event. Services shall provide media comparison tools, design and rebranding tools, communication tools, and the ability to identify top media influencers.


NPPD/OUS has a critical need to incorporate these functions into their programs in order to better reach Federal, state, local, tribal and private partners.


2.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/TASKS

2.1 Tasks One: Online & Social Media Monitoring


Ability to track global online sources for coverage relevant to Washington and the six media hubs:

· Ability to track > 290,000 global news sources

· Ability to track online, print, broadcast, cable, radio, trade and industry publications, local sources, national/international outlets, traditional news sources, and social media

· Ability to track media coverage in > 100 languages, including Arabic, Chinese and Russian. Translation function to instantly translate these articles to English.

· Ability to create up to 20 searches with each unlimited keywords

· Unlimited coverage per search (no cap on coverage)

· Ability to change the searches at keywords at any given time

· Ability to create unlimited data tracking, statistical breakdown, and graphical analyses on any coverage on an ad-hoc basis


2.2 Task Two: Media Intelligence and Benchmarking Dashboard Platform

24/7 Access to a password protected, online platform for users to access:

· Overview of search results in terms of online articles and social media conversations

· Customized and Interactive Dashboard that provide real-time monitoring, analysis, and benchmark of media coverage.

· Ability to analyze the media coverage in terms of content, volume, sentiment, geographical spread, top publications, media channels, reach, AVE, top posters, influencers, languages, momentum, circulation.

· Ability to select time-period of analysis: per day, week, month, and selected dates

· Ability to build media lists based on beat, location, outlet type/size, and journalist role

· Automated weekly overview of these dashboards sent via email

2.3 Task Three: Email Alerts



Daily email alerts with new search results:

· Ability to customize these email alerts per user

2.4 Task Four: Access to Mobile app


24/7 Access to a password protected, mobile app for users to access:

· Overview of search results in terms of online articles and social media conversations

· Ability to view coverage written in Arabic, Chinese and Russian. Ability to access English translation of this coverage within the mobile app.

· Ability to set up push notifications to be alerted of new search results

· Ability to forward media coverage via email, sms or what’s app

2.5 Task Five: Media Engagement


24/7 Access to a password protected, media influencer database, including journalists, editors, correspondents, social media influencers, bloggers etc.

· Ability to browse the database based on location, beat and type of influencer

· Ability to perform ad-hoc searches on the database based on keywords, concepts, or using Boolean search terms

· Ability to perform searches in other languages including Arabic, Chinese and Russian, in order to find influencers that publish in these languages.

· For each influencer found, present contact details and any other information that could be relevant, including publications this influencer writes for, and an overview of the previous coverage published by the media influencer

· Ability to create unlimited media lists for specific topics

· Ability to export the contact details of the media influencers per media list.

· Ability to send out unlimited press releases via the platform and to monitor the open-rate of the press releases send out.

· Ability to manage contacts


2.6 Task Six: Customer Service


Implementation Support:

· The contractor shall provide access to an implementation consultant who is an experienced trainer and implementer and whose goal is to prepare NPPD/OUS to go live with the solution and provide best practices. The contractor shall work closely with NPPD/OUS project managers throughout the implementation process.

· Ongoing Support: The contractor shall manage technical requests and issues through a ticketing system via phone, email, or online during regular business hours in the U.S Eastern timezone. In addition, 24-hour emergency online support must be available during off-business hours.

3.0 OTHER APPLICABLE CONDITIONS


3.1 Period of Performance



The period of performance for this contract is base year one (1) 12-month, and four (4) 12-month option periods. The period of performance will be determined after award


3.2 Place of Performance


The principal place of work will be at the contractor’s facility or its designated alternate work place.


3.3 Disclosure of Information

Information furnished by the contractor under this contract may be subject to disclosure under

The freedom ofinfo1mation act (FOIA). Therefore, all items that are confidential to business, or

Contain trade secrets, proprietary, or personally-identifiable information must be clearly marked.

Any information made available to the contractor by the government must be used only for the

Purpose of carrying out the requirements of this contract and must not be divulged or made

!Mown in any manner to any person except as may be necessary in the performance of the

Contract.


3.4 Advertisements, Publicizing Awards, and News Releases

All press releases or announcements about agency programs, projects, and contract awards need to be cleared by the Program Office and the Contracting Officer. Under no circumstances shall the Contractor, or anyone acting on behalf of the Contractor, refer to the supplies, services, or equipment furnished pursuant to the provisions of this contract in any publicity news release or commercial advertising without first obtaining explicit written consent to do so from the Program Office and the Contracting Officer.





3.5 GENERAL REPORT REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide all written reports in electronic format with read/write capability using applications that are compatible with DHS workstations (Windows XP and Microsoft Office Applications).


3.6 SECTION 508 COMPLIANCE

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220) requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology (EIT), they must ensure that it is accessible to people with disabilities. Federal employees and members of the public who have disabilities must have equal access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that enjoyed by non-disabled Federal employees and members of the public.


All EIT deliverables within this work statement shall comply with the applicable technical and functional performance criteria of Section 508 unless exempt. Specifically, the following applicable EIT accessibility standards have been identified:


36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1194.21 Software Applications and Operating Systems, applies to all EIT software applications and operating systems procured or developed under this work statement including but not limited to GOTS and COTS software. In addition, this standard is to be applied to Web-based applications when needed to fulfill the functional performance criteria. This standard also applies to some Web based applications as described within 36 CFR 1194.22.


36 CFR 1194.22 Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications, applies to all Web-based deliverables, including documentation and reports procured or developed under this work statement. When any Web application uses a dynamic (non-static) interface, embeds custom user control(s), embeds video or multimedia, uses proprietary or technical approaches such as, but not limited to, Flash or Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX) then 1194.21 Software standards also apply to fulfill functional performance criteria.


36 CFR 1194.41 Information Documentation and Support, applies to all documents, reports, as well as help and support services. To ensure that documents and reports fulfill the required 1194.31 Functional Performance Criteria, they shall comply with the technical standard associated with Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications at a minimum. In addition, any help or support provided in this work statement that offer telephone support, such as, but not limited to, a help desk shall have the ability to transmit and receive messages using TTY.


14.2 Section 508 Applicable Exceptions


Exceptions for this work statement have been determined by DHS and only the exceptions described herein may be applied. Any request for additional exceptions shall be sent to the COR and a determination will be made in accordance with DHS Management Directives (MD) 4010.2. DHS has identified the following exceptions that may apply: 36 CFR 1194.3(b) Incidental to Contract, all EIT that is exclusively owned and used by the contractor to fulfill this work statement does not require compliance with Section 508. This exception does not apply to any EIT deliverable, service or item that will be used by any Federal employee(s) or member(s) of the public. This exception only applies to those contractors assigned to fulfill the obligations of this work statement and for the purposes of this requirement, are not considered members of the public.



14.3 Section 508 Compliance Requirements


36 CFR 1194.2(b) (COTS/GOTS products), When procuring a product, each agency shall procure products which comply with the provisions in this part when such products are available in the commercial marketplace or when such products are developed in response to a Government solicitation. Agencies cannot claim a product as a whole is not commercially available because no product in the marketplace meets all the standards. If products are commercially available that meets some but not all of the standards, the agency must procure the product that best meets the standards. When applying this standard, all procurements of EIT shall have documentation of market research that identify a list of products or services that first meet the agency business needs, and from that list of products or services, an analysis that the selected product met more of the accessibility requirements than the non-selected products as required by FAR 39.2. Any selection of a product or service that meets less accessibility standards due to a significant difficulty or expense shall only be permitted under an undue burden claim and requires authorization from the DHS Office of Accessible Systems and Technology (OAST) in accordance with DHS MD 4010.2.


All tasks for testing of functional and/or technical requirements must include specific testing for Section 508 compliance, and must use DHS Office of Accessible Systems and Technology approved testing methods and tools. For information about approved testing methods and tools send an email to accessibility@dhs.gov.


4.0 INVOICES AND PAYMENT PROVISIONS

Invoices shall be prepared per Section VII, Contract Clauses; Paragraph A. entitled “FAR CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE,” FAR Clause 52.232-25 Prompt Payment, and FAR Clause 52.232-7, Payments under Time and Materials and Labor-Hours. In addition to invoice preparation as required by the FAR, the Contractor’s invoice shall include the following information:


1) Cover sheet identifying DHS;

2) Task Order Number;

3) Modification Number, if any;

4) DUNS Number;

5) Month services provided

6) CLIN and Accounting Classifications

7) ATTN: NPPD/OUS


B. The contractor shall submit invoices monthly.

C. Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) and description for each billed item.

D. Any additional backup information as required by this contract.

E. The Contractor shall submit the invoice electronically to the address below:


E-mail: NPPDInvoice.Consolidation@ice.dhs.gov


F. Simultaneously provide an electronic copy of the invoice to the following individuals at the addresses below:


E-mail: <Contract Officer>


<Contract Specialist>


Remond Ragin

Contracting Officer Representative (COR)

1616 N. Fort Myer Drive

Arlington, VA 22209

Phone: 703-235-2164

remond.ragin@hq.dhs.gov



The contractor shall submit invoices to the email addresses above. Additionally, the contractor shall prepare and submit a sufficient and procurement regulatory compliant invoice and receiving report for technical certification of inspection/acceptance of services and approval for payment. The contractor shall attach back up information to the invoices and receiving reports substantiating all costs for services performed. The receiving agency’s written or electronic acceptance by the COR and date of acceptance shall be included as part of the backup documentation.


If the invoice is submitted without all required back up documentation, the invoice shall be rejected. The Government reserves the right to have all invoices and backup documentation reviewed by the Contracting Officer prior to payment approval.


5.0 DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall consider items in BOLD as having mandatory due dates. Items in italics are deliverables or events that must be reviewed and/or approved by the COR prior to proceeding to next deliverable or event in this SOW.
 
Feb 4, 2009
34,494
15,729
136
The implications are shocking. Everyday we step closer to a tin pot dictatorship. This is the road to fascism. This step, a step the US has NEVER taken before, is a step that HAS been taken by every tyrant including Adolf Hitler. Full stop.

We warned you.

I wonder if someone got a suggestion from Puti?
 

tweaker2

Lifer
Aug 5, 2000
14,475
6,896
136
Hey, not to worry folks. There are millions upon millions of our fellow citizens who have complete faith in our president such that they know without a single doubt in their minds that whatever Trump decides is good for himself, Putin and the oligarchs they chum up with will always be good for the nation.

Mark my words, "Trust in Trump" will eventually appear on every currency we issue to commemorate the fantastic job Trump is doing for us. I mean, look at how well our health insurance companies, the banksters and Wall Street are doing now that Trump is in charge and look at how well the coal mining industry is expanding (heh) and look at those millions of jobs that were sent overseas are coming back to our shores and look at how prosperous our middle class have become and look at how well the rust belt states who tipped the scales in Trump's favor are now doing in the way of jobs, jobs jobs.

And Trump is only getting started. Geeez, I wet myself every time I think about that. He's just getting started. Yeh, can you imagine how well we're all going to be doing by 2020 with the thought in mind of how fantastically well the middle class and the poor are doing since Trump took over and how great our relations with Russia is going to be by then? Whooopie!!! Huzzzaaahhh!! За здоровье!!!

Whether it's a cigar or your favorite AR derivative, light'um up folks! Now sing along with me to the tune of "Happy Days Are Here Again".......
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
55,825
13,865
146
This should be the single most alarming news out of this admin. If it is not to you, you do not understand what freedom is.

It's amazing me how this has not set off a viral storm today.

This is a definitive step towards authoritarianism.
 

Meghan54

Lifer
Oct 18, 2009
11,504
5,027
136
Probably because prior lists consisted of different individuals. They sort of give you a clue why they are making a new list in the announcement - they refer to "media influencers". Prior lists would not have included social media personalities (media influencers) because these platforms did not exist.

It is notable and interesting that they have transferred the responsibility for making such lists from intelligence agencies like the CIA to domestic surveillance agencies like DHS. It makes sense though given that DHS is already "licensed" by the government to spy on all of us.


So what you're saying is that everyone prior to Trump had no clue how to include "media influencers", whether they are on TV, radio, Youtube, FB, in their list that is outdated and has never been updated in recent memory...which in reality means it doesn't exist in the first place.

Sorry. Just doesn't play. What need is there for the government to generate a database of every journalist by political outlook or who the write for? Damn, you conservatives just are incredibly ignorant or willfully so. Resist registering gun owners but damn near create the same thing for journalists.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DarthKyrie