Final Revised SOW-2010.doc

STATEMENT OF WORK

Sign Language Interpreter Contract

1.0

BACKGROUND

The United States Secret Service (USSS) headquartered in Washington, D.C., has several Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals. The USSS has a requirement to utilize the services of an interpreter qualified in American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting and transliterating. It is essential for the contractor to provide a sign language interpreter to be available on a full-time basis and dedicated to fulfill the requirements of one Counterfeit Specialist and it is essential for a second sign language interpreter to be available on a part-time basis to meet the communication requirements of other Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals. Fulfilling this requirement will support effective communication between Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals located within the Treasury Obligations Section (TOS) of the Criminal Investigative Division (CID), the Forensic Services Division (FSD), the Personnel, Payroll Operations Branch, and other individuals within the Secret Service as well as those from external sources.

2.0

OBJECTIVE

The USSS is responsible for providing a quality communications network between the Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals who can hear, but lack the skills necessary for direct communication or interpretation. To procure the services of a interpreter for on-call, part-time and/or intermittent interpreting services will enable the USSS to meet the federal and legal requirements of 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 to provide a reasonable accommodation to Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals, applicants, and visitors.

3.0

SCOPE OF WORK

The interpreter shall be responsible for providing sign language interpreting/ transliterating for the Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals as well as for professional associates within CID, (deleted the) FSD, the Personnel, Payroll Operations Branch and other individuals within the Secret Service as well as those from external sources. The interpreter will also be required to accompany a specified Counterfeit Specialist at various times on domestic and international travel.

MAJOR DUTIES

· Interpret spoken English into appropriate form of communication, American Sign Language (ASL) or manually coded English.

· Interpret from sign language or manually coded English for hearing employees or visitors who are not familiar with sign language.

· Interpret in all settings where services are required. Possible settings may include performance appraisals; training classes; non-captioned videotapes; one-on-one meetings with supervisors, managers and employees; staff meetings; interviews; and USSS or Department of Homeland Security ceremonies. There may be times when sessions will be videotaped.

· Contractor shall be able to provide video remote interpreting (VRI) services if needed. The contractor will be required to provide a rate schedule for VRI services.

· Demonstrate adherence to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct.

· Provide advice to managers/supervisors concerning the profession of sign language interpreting.

· Maintain involvement in RID and other professionally related organizations and/or training programs.

· Inform the USSS Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) of any issues or concerns such as those relating to the Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals, scheduling, assistive devices, etc.

· Work closely with the USSS COTR concerning scheduling and/or matters relating to the provisions for services at USSS.

· Maintain professional business conduct, dress and manner.

4.0

TASK REQUIREMENTS/DELIVERABLES

4.1 CID On-Call Position

The Interpreter shall fulfill the two below requirements:

The interpreter shall fill one in-house sign language interpreter position within the TOS, CID, USSS. This requirement shall cover the following base schedule:

In-house interpreters shall consult daily with the specified Counterfeit Specialist for specific instructions regarding assignments. Estimated hours 35 hrs/wk and 1,794 hrs/year. Generally, the interpreter will be apprised of all assignments in advance. However, the interpreter is expected to be flexible in assignments due to changes that may develop during the timeframe of the request process through its execution.

The interpreter shall be available for domestic and foreign travel with the Counterfeit Specialist to provide interpreting services for meetings, presentations, and expert witness testimony in criminal trials. Travel durations will range from one day to three weeks. These trips will be arranged through invitational travel.

EEO Part-Time Position

The interpreter will provide Sign Language interpreting services on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Estimated hours 24 hrs/wk. On a case-by-case basis and with sufficient prior notice, additional service may be necessary beyond these days and/or times. At times, the interpreter may be required to provide interpreting services outside the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The services provided will be professional in nature and will be done in accordance with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Ethics. Under no circumstances will the interpreter represent the USSS or act as an official spokesperson on behalf of the agency.

4.3 Intermittent Services

Intermittent services are defined as services required in addition to the on-call position. The interpreter shall provide interpreters who have appropriate clearances and qualifications on an as-needed basis to satisfy this requirement. Daily intermittent services may include requests for services outside of the core work hours.

Examples of intermittent services include the following:

· The interpreting assignment is expected to exceed the standard period that an interpreter works continuously without a team, and based on professional discretion of the interpreter and consultation with the COTR, determines that an additional interpreter is necessary.

· Other situations that require additional contracted personnel are those two days or longer in duration.

4.4 Preparation

When the interpreter is not providing interpreting services, the on-call and part-time interpreter shall remain available and accessible for other assignments.

The interpreter shall assist the counterfeit specialist in coordinating and preparing a second interpreter for assignments that require travel or intermittent services.

5.0

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED SUPPORT

5.1 Work space

The USSS will provide the necessary equipment and supplies needed for performance of duties including agreed upon locations for workstations with a desk, telephone with Voice/TTY answering machines, videophone, computer equipment, and e-mail connectivity during all office duty hours. The interpreter will provide the services to complete the tasks required by the contract.

5.2 Coordination of Services

The Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals, in coordination with the COTR when necessary, will identify the type and nature of each assignment (date, service, time, place, classification, nature, technical terminology if known), and provide advanced copies of the briefing or other materials to be used during the sessions (when possible) to the interpreter. The specified Counterfeit Specialist and other Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals will coordinate the specific requirements and provide them as necessary to the sign language interpreter.

The EEO Office, in coordination with the COTR when necessary, will coordinate sign Language interpreting services on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and on a case-by-case basis for other Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals, applicants and visitors of the USSS. CID, in coordination with the COTR when necessary, will coordinate sign language interpreting services for the CID on-call interpreter assigned within the TOS/CID The COTR will approve all additional funding considerations for intermittent services. This is to include, but is not limited to daily requirements, and all requirements for training, conferences, and long term assignments. The COTR will coordinate with the interpreter on all intermittent assignments.

5.3 Requests and Cancellations

When possible, the schedule for daily interpreting services as well as preparation materials will be provided to the interpreter in advance of the activity.

Cancellation for daily on-call services as well as intermittent services will be provided to the interpreter a minimum of 48 business hours in advance of the scheduled assignment.

Cancellation for any assignment of 2 days in length or longer, (training, conferences, travel, etc.) will be provided to the interpreter no less than three (3) full business days in advance of the scheduled assignment.

The interpreter will strive to provide and maintain satisfactory services to the Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals on the job. This includes being open and responsive to the needs and suggestions of those to whom the services are being provided. Any questions or concerns in regards to the provision of interpreting services will be directed to the COTR.

5.4 Special Circumstances

In a conflict situation where the interpreter is required to participate, the COTR and a neutral interpreter must be present. For example, if there is a meeting regarding the performance of a particular interpreter with a Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individual and both parties are present, then a neutral interpreter should interpret that meeting.

When services have been confirmed for travel involving a trial at which the specified Counterfeit Specialist will be testifying, cancellation of services will be provided no less than ten (10) full business days prior to the date of travel.

6.0

INTERPRETER REQUIREMENTS/ QUALIFICATIONS

6.1 Skills Required

American Sign Language interpreters/transliterators contracted to work for the USSS must be Qualified/Certified members in good standing of the Registry of interpreters for the Deaf (RID). These individuals must demonstrate high competence in and knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL), manually coded English and Pidgin Signed English (PSE) with at least 3 to 5 years of experience sufficient to fulfill contractual requirements. Interpreters must possess knowledge of: Deaf Community and Deaf Culture; telecommunication devices for the Deaf (TTY); and regulations set forth in Sections 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008. In addition, they must have obtained education from an Interpreter Training Program (ITP). Interpreters must submit their resume and a copy of a RID certificate with their bid. Failure to submit these items will deem the interpreter non-responsive and have the bid rejected.

6.2 Specialization

The interpreter shall be able to understand, translate, and interpret technical terminology, laws, regulations, concepts, principles, practices, and procedures applicable to the federal government, specifically pertaining to the TOS, FSD, Personnel, and Payroll Operations Branch within the USSS. These may include but are not limited to currency production and security features, printing process characteristics, and chemistry related terms and procedures.

The primary interpreter for CID, and anyone backfilling in their absence during courtroom assignments, must be able to understand and interpret/translate legal terminology, and be qualified to perform in a courtroom setting.

6.4 Backfilling

In the event that the primary interpreter is unable to perform as scheduled, the contractor shall arrange (in advance if possible) for a replacement interpreter, meeting the minimum requirements of the contract and possessing any clearances required for the assignment.

The replacement interpreter must be RID certified and qualified. The Secret Service will not pay the interpreter for Federal holidays that fall within their regular scheduled days, for days the Government closes for inclement weather, or for days that all Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals are out and the interpreter has been provided a 48-hour notice.

The contractor must have a replacement on hand at all times in the event that the schedule interpreter cannot perform. If a replacement is not provided for more than 3 times in a fiscal year then they maybe subject to termination or the option year not being exercised.

7.0

ADMINISTRATIVE CONSIDERATIONS

7.1 Period of Performance

The period of performance for this contract is from October 1, 2010 until September 30, 2011, with four subsequent option years for FY 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.

7.2 Applicable Standards

All communications performed by the interpreter shall remain confidential and all actions will be in accordance with the Code of Professional Conduct (CPC), as established by the RID.

The United States Government Standards of Conduct also applies.

7.3 Work Product

All documents (both hard and soft copy) that are produced during the duration of the contract by the interpreter for the government shall be considered government property and shall be provided back to the government upon termination of the contract, or upon request of CID or EEO.

8.0

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

A DD Form 254 (facility clearance for the firm) will be required for contract award. The primary CID On-Call interpreter must possess a Top Secret/SCI clearance. Intermittent service providers, part-time providers, and those providing on-call, backfill services for EEO and CID must possess at a minimum, a Top Secret security clearance. Indications of a “good faith effort” in attempts to gain this clearance shall be considered for initial award, however, all interpreters must agree to have the background investigations and be in the process of obtaining clearances prior to accepting assignments, unless otherwise specified by the requesting office.

It is understood that the interpreter shall keep all documentation and information pertaining to the services they provide within the laws covering the Privacy Act, The Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008, and shall consider all activity to be confidential in nature when servicing the Agency or individuals.

9.0

GUIDELINES

Guidelines consist of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Ethics, the operational policies of the Secret Service EEO Office, the regulations set forth in Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008, as amended.

10.0 TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS

The interpreter shall be available for domestic and foreign travel with the Counterfeit Specialist to provide interpreting services for meetings, presentations, and expert witness testimony in criminal trials. Travel durations will range from one day to three weeks. These trips will be arranged through invitational travel.

Further, the interpreter will be required to provide services to Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals located at USSS Headquarters in Northwest Washington, D.C. The interpreter must be willing to travel to other sites within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area as needed to include the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, Maryland. Local travel, within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area will be the responsibility of the interpreter. If needed, travel outside of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area will be made in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations.

11.0 WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in an office setting, meeting room, and/or auditorium. The demands of the services may require the interpreter to provide long hours of service to the Deaf/deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals, sometimes standing without a break.

Updated 10/21/2010