Scope of work
Background:
Room to Read has been working in India since 2003 in the areas of Literacy and Girls’ Education. In the past thirteen years, Room to Read has helped set up over 7300 libraries in government schools, trained teachers on literacy instruction in over 1000 schools, published over 175 titles of children’s literature in local language and provided material, academic and life skills support to over 8000 girls. We currently work across the 11 states Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Karnataka, MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, UP, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh
RtR’s Literacy program works towards developing literacy skills and habit of reading and creating an enabling reading environment. RtR has three distinct models of operation
- A comprehensive literacy program in targeted schools, comprising of explicit reading instruction in grades 1 and 2 and school libraries for grades 1-5. The key outcome is children developing both skills and habit of reading.
- A school library program in targeted schools, for grades 1-5 with the key outcome of developing children’s reading habits.
- A Technical Assistance model in which RtR works with governments and other organizations to build their capacity for implementing literacy/library programs. This is usually done with an objective of scaling up early reading interventions.
Literacy Cloud:
- Room to Read stepped into the digital space with the launch of their platform, Literacy Cloud. This platform enables a new generation of teachers and young learners to access original, high-quality children’s book titles and videos in their local language to help create a culture of reading.
- Digital storybooks are currently available in over 24 languages and more continue to be added all the time. These books have been produced by authors and illustrators from around the world. The books can be sorted and searched by the reading skill level of the child, among various other criteria.
Additionally, there is also access to a library of read-aloud videos by celebrities along with friendly, accessible professional development resources for teachers, children’s book creators, members of the international publishing community and governments. Literacy Cloud aims to build an online knowledge hub, for all stakeholders, to promote effective foundational literacy skills among primary school children.
Assignment
Room to Read India seeks to engage an agency to produce a 7–8-minute video showcasing classroom interactions between teachers and students around reading and Children’s Literature. The video will highlight effective practices for asking good questions and engaging students in meaningful discussions around literature.
The final video will be uploaded to the Literacy Cloud platform for wider access and use by teachers and education stakeholders.
Sample videos:
The agency will implement all Room to Read India Trust video production guidelines, ensure the video is high quality, develop a script according to the theme and identify video production requirements accordingly. The agency should work closely with the Room to Read India team to ensure the videos are as per the requirements, and identify any issues and recommend changes as necessary,
Deliverables and Role of the Production house/ Agency:
- The production house/ agency will create 1 live-action video to be uploaded on Literacy Cloud 7-8 minutes duration. The video shoot will take place in Delhi. The production agency should submit a detailed work plan to provide a blueprint for the video and share the approach and treatment notes.
- The agency will be expected to write scripts and outline the flow for the video.
The Video should be of at least the same quality as reference videos. Keeping the reference RTR videos in mind the agency needs to do detailed research, to give the film an Indian Context, before starting the scriptwriting which will need to be validated by subject experts as the script is being developed. The production team engaged in the recording /shooting should include:
- Scoping Location, Sourcing Props and Artists, as needed.
- Professional voice-over artists as per need of the script: it may require two or three different voices as well. Share voice-over samples with RTR team for approval on VO.
- Music, as per script demand
- Storyboards
- Illustrations/infographics as per need of the script
- Coordinate with Video participants (students, Teachers, room to read staff, etc) on behalf of Room to Read – India to seek inputs, and conduct interviews featured in the film.
- Proper Captions wherever required.
- The production team, as final handover, would share the-
- Final Scripts
- Subtitles of the video
- First cut of the film
- Raw footage of the film
- Un-mixed master with separate track/project file
- Final Film - format (mp4 or .wmv)
Experience
- At least five years of video production experience.
- Ability to deliver impactful and thought-provoking videos.
- Knowledge of new evolving technology.
- Ability to read and write both Hindi and English.
- Experience of developing videos for the not-for-profit sector, especially in the education sector is desirable
Evaluation Criteria
The technical proposals will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria. Each criterion will be scored out of 10 marks, for a total of 50 marks.
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S.no
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Evaluation Criteria
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What will be assessed
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Scoring Guide
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Maximum Marks
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1
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Technical Quality of Samples
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Quality of previous video work, including cinematography, lighting, sound, editing, storytelling, and overall production quality.
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0–2: Poor 3–5: Basic 6–8: Good 9–10: Excellent
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10
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2
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Understanding of the Project
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Understanding of the assignment, objectives, target audience, Literacy Cloud, and expected video deliverables.
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0–2: Poor understanding 3–5: Basic understanding 6–8: Good understanding 9–10: Excellent understanding
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10
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3
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Relevant Experience and Alignment
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Experience in live-action video production, particularly in education, development, social-impact, or similar projects, and relevance of previous work to this assignment.
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0–2: Limited experience 3–5: Some relevant experience 6–8: Strong relevant experience 9–10: Extensive and highly relevant experience
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10
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4
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Scripting and Creative Approach
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Ability to develop a clear, engaging, and contextually appropriate script, along with a strong creative approach for presenting the subject matter.
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0–2: Weak 3–5: Basic 6–8: Good 9–10: Excellent
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10
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5
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Production Capability
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Availability of an experienced production team, equipment, technical resources, and ability to manage the complete production process, including the shoot in Delhi.
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0–2: Limited capability 3–5: Adequate capability 6–8: Strong capability 9–10: Excellent capability
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10
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|
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Total
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|
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50
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Minimum Technical Qualifying Score: 30 out of 50 marks..
Duration of Agreement: Sep 2026 – Dec 2026
The production agency is expected to begin work immediately upon signing the contract. The project will be completed as per the following indicative timeline:
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Project Phase / Milestone
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Timeline
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Initial Discussions, Location Finalisation & Draft Script Submission
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Within 20 days of signing the contract
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Script Review and Finalisation with Room to Read (RtR)
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Within 30 days of signing the contract
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Production, Shoot & First Cut/Edit Submission for RtR Review
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Within 15 days of script approval
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Feedback Incorporation & Finalisation
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Within 10 days of receiving RtR’s consolidated feedback
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Final Handover
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As per the agreed project timeline and no later than December 2026
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The agency will be required to work closely with the Room to Read team throughout the process and incorporate feedback at each stage. The detailed work plan and timeline will be finalized jointly with the selected agency at the start of the engagement.
Payment Terms:
- 25% advance.
- 25% payment will be made on the script/concept final approval
- 50% after completion of the videos
How to Apply:
Proposals are invited from the interested agency for the above assignments and the last date for receiving the proposal is 6th September 2026 at India.bids@roomtoread.org [do not copy anyone from RtR]
Kindly submit two separate emails with following subject lines:
- EMAIL (1): TECHNICAL PROPOSAL – Video Production
- EMAIL (2): FINANCIAL PROPOSAL – Video Production
Note:
- Read the SOW thoroughly before applying.
- Technical proposal should also include Detailed CV and Portfolio work and work sample
- Only Shortlisted agency will be contacted.
- Any incomplete application or process deviation, the proposals will automatically be rejected.
- Proposal received after the prescribed deadline will not be considered.
- Selected agency will be required to sign and abide by the Child Protection policy of Room to Read.
The selected agency shall be required to visit the Delhi office one or two times, as required, for in-person review of the developed materials during the course of the project
For queries, please contact:
Mr. Dheeraj Kumar
Email: dheeraj.kuamr@roomtoread.org