Questions and Answers.pdf
PDF 426 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 1232SA26Q0122
About this file
This document is a Questions and Answers compilation for Sign Language Solicitation 1232SA26Q0122, addressing key aspects of a federal contract opportunity for accessibility services within the USDA REE Mission Area. The Government seeks a single contractor to provide sign language interpreting, video remote interpreting, Computer-Aided Real-Time Translation (CART), and TypeWell transcription services. Historical demand in FY25 ranged from 110-175 service hours annually, though demand has decreased following an Administration change. The current incumbent is Vital Signs, with Access Interpreting also providing services for the National Capital Region. Historically, the Government has paid $99 per hour for sign language interpreting, video remote interpreting, and TypeWell services; $175 per hour for onsite CART; and $150 per hour for remote CART. Over 90 percent of service requests are virtual, with approximately 111 total requests in FY25, mostly for one-hour sessions. FY25 historical usage data shows approximately 56-65 CART work hours and 110-150 ASL work hours.
The Government confirmed several important clarifications: travel must be approved prior to assignment confirmation; commercial off-the-shelf scheduling platforms are acceptable rather than proprietary systems; multiple points of contact for scheduling and escalation are acceptable; separate hourly rates are permitted for on-site versus video remote ASL interpreting services; and pricing is allowed for TypeWell services despite initial RFQ language. In FY25, the contractor received eight short-notice requests with less than two days' advance notice and experienced 11 assignment cancellations with insufficient notice. For small business concerns with subcontracting limitations under FAR 52.219-14, labor performed by independent contractors counts toward the maximum 50 percent restriction on subcontracting unless they are similarly situated small businesses under the same NAICS Code. No preferred pricing structure exists for hard-to-fill rural assignments, and no anticipated surge periods or mission-critical coverage windows were identified.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Attachement 2 - Price Quote.pdf | ||
| RFQ_1232SA26Q0122.pdf | ||
| Attachment 1 - Statement of Work.pdf |
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Questions and Answers Sign Language Solicitation 1232SA26Q0122
Here is a compilation of questions and answers for this solicitation.
1. Historically, what has been the annual demand in total service hours under this requirement? Used 110-175 service hours in FY 25, but demand reduced significantly after the Administration change.
2. Approximately how many assignments are typically requested with forty eight hours or less advance notice? In FY25 there were 8 requests of short-notice (less than 2 days). In FY25, 11 assignments were cancelled with insufficient notice (less than 48 hours).
2. How many Deaf or Hard of Hearing individuals currently utilize these services across the USDA REE Mission Area? Varies.
3. Who is the current incumbent contractor providing these services? Vital Signs, with services for the National Capital Region also provided by Access Interpreting.
4. What pricing has the Government historically paid for these services, including interpreting, CART, and transcription?
1. Sign Language Interpreting - $99
2. Video Remote Interpreting - $99
3. Onsite CART - $175
4. TypeWell (remote and in person) - $99
5. Remote CART - $150
5. Does the Government currently utilize any internal or staff provided resources for these services, or are all services contractor provided? All services are contract provided.
6. Is this requirement anticipated to result in a single award or multiple awards?
Single
8. Historically, how many emergency or short notice requests have been made, and what level of advance notice is typically provided for those requests? In FY25 there were 8 requests of short-notice (less than 2 days). See response to 2.
7. Is travel required to be negotiated and approved prior to confirmation of an assignment, or may travel be billed as incurred in accordance with the RFQ?
Approved prior
8. Is there a preferred pricing structure for hard-to-fill rural assignments (e.g., capped travel hours, per-diem guidance, or historical averages)? No
9. Are remote/video interpreting services expected to represent a minimum or maximum percentage of total tasking? Over 90% of our service requests are virtual)
12. For limitations on subcontracting under FAR 52.219-14, does the
Government consider interpreter labor as subcontracted cost when interpreters are independent contractors? Yes, the Government considers labor performed by independent contractors as subcontracted costs. If the interpreter is not a similarly situated entity (a small business under the same NAICS Code), their labor hours count toward the maximum 50% restriction on subcontracting.
10. Is the online scheduling portal required to be proprietary, or are commercial off-the-shelf platforms acceptable? Commercial off-the-shelf is acceptable
14.Are historical usage volumes (hours per year by service type) available for pricing realism? Rough estimate from FY25, 56-65 CART work hours, roughly 110-150 ASL work hours. A total of 111 requests for all services, most about one hour sessions.
11. Are there any anticipated surge periods or mission-critical coverage windows we should plan for? Generally, no.
12. Will the Government accept multiple points of contact for scheduling and escalation purposes? Yes
13. ASL Interpreting Rates The Price Quote template appears to require a single hourly rate for ASL interpreting regardless of delivery method (on-site vs. video). As video-based ASL interpretation is typically priced significantly lower than on-site services, would the Government consider allowing separate hourly rates for on-site ASL interpreting and video remote ASL interpreting? Yes
14. TypeWell Services The RFQ appears to request TypeWell services at no cost. As TypeWell is performed by trained and certified professionals who must be compensated in a manner similar to CART transcriptionists or ASL interpreters, would the Government consider allowing pricing for this service? Yes
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .