SITUATION:
The Democratic National Committee decided to renovate their existing national headquarters in Washington, DC to create a more efficient and technologically advanced space in time for the 2004 presidential election. As part of this major renovation the DNC wanted: the ability to broadcast directly from their own studio; the ability to broadcast two feeds simultaneously; a professional grade nonlinear editing suite; a tape duplication facility; and in-house satellite downlink capabilities. These technology upgrades enable the DNC to cost effectively produce and broadcast in-house, avoiding the need to outsource all of their television production needs.

APPROACH:
QRS had worked with the DNC for many years and had a keen understanding of not only the committee's needs but a strong idea of the broadcast needs of associated democratic committees and along with QRS's years of experience in the broadcast industry knew how to incorporate the requirements into a usable broadcast facility. QRS quickly formed and conducted meetings and working groups with all departments concerned with the Media Center to determine the needs of each department and the requirements that would be placed on the studio.

QRS wrote, edited and distributed a SOW to leading broadcast systems integrators in the Washington DC area. QRS conducted site surveys in the beginning stages of construction of the new building with the prospective vendors. We evaluated each submittal based on technical expertise, amount of experience in the field, past client recommendations, percentage of minority ownership, union participation and cost. QRS visited local installations of similar scope to the DNC project engineered by each of the vendors for evaluation and to determine overall client satisfaction. After careful review QRS created summaries of each bid for presentation to the DNC and gave recommendations on each of the vendors.

QRS identified and negotiated with equipment vendors for all studio components. QRS managed procurement, delivery and inspection of all incoming equipment.

QRS held continuous meetings with the building architects, electricians and engineers to insure correct design of the studio and operations center. QRS oversaw the raising of the studio ceiling to achieve adequate floor to ceiling height to install professional television lighting. QRS oversaw the installation of the HVAC cooling system to reduce noise, insure proper ventilation and provide necessary cooling for the television control room and studio. QRS provided the complete design, drawings, lead engineering and oversight of the entire project.

RESULT:
QRS delivered to the DNC on time and under budget a complete professional broadcast television studio. Meeting all requirements set forth during the planning meetings. QRS trained the DNC staff in operations of the entire system.