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1 Amendment 0003-Questions and Responses 04/25/2018

B.1 Overview

The Contractor shall provide to the U.S. Department of State (DOS), and other USG agencies as required, lin-guist support services. Within the Department of State, the Contractor will be supporting the bureaus of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) and South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) and world wide with language-related ser-vices. Required services include, but are not limited to, interpreting,monitoring, translating, online engage-ment and transcription. The Contractor shall provide all management, supervisory, and project personnel to perform these services, and ensure continuous successful performance.

The specific services to be provided are described in Section C of this contract. Performance of these services shall be in conformance with the contract clauses and special conditions contained herein. The contract will re-quire personnel who can perform each of the tasks listed (e.g. monitoring, transcribing, translating, and inter-preting). Contracted linguists hired under this contract may at some time be required to perform any of these duties based on the services required. However, it is understood that no single individual can perform all tasks with an equal level of expertise. Normally, individuals will be assigned to those tasks for which they can demonstrate the strongest aptitude and possess the greatest experience.

B.2 Type of Contract

19AQMM18R0019

Line Item Summary

Solicitation Number:

19AQMM18R0019

Contract Number: Title: Linguist IDIQ Solicitation Date of Solicitation:

05/02/2018

Line Item No. Description Quantity Unit Unit Price Total Cost

This is an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, as defined in FAR 16.504 (Indefinite-Quantity Contracts), for non-commercial items. Contract type for the individual task orders will fall under one or more of the following, depending on the type, complexity, and urgency of the task order require-ments: firm-fixed-price (FFP), cost-plus-fixed fee (CPFF), and/or time-and-materials. If a task order will be performance-based, its requirements will be conveyed and administered at the task order level.

B.3 General Pricing Information

Individual Task Orders will be issued as requirements occur. The Contractor shall perform all services in ac-cordance with the task order SOW or PWS. Unless an exemption is specifically identified within the task order, the terms and conditions set forth in the IDIQ contract will always apply. All Task Orders will be fixed price, time and materials/labor hour, or cost reimbursable. The period of performance of a Task Order may not extend past the IDIQ contract’s expiration date or exceed five (5) years in total.

B.3.1 Labor

Cost Location: On each relevant Task Order

Though the Government reserves the right to issue FFP and CPFF task orders, general labor will be provided for on a Time and Materials (T&M) basis.

As applicable, labor rates shall include the following:

• Danger Pay and Post Hazard Pay (see Section B.3.1.1)

• R&R, to include other unofficial travel (see Section B.3.1.2.1)

B.3.1.1 Danger Pay and Post Hazard Pay

Cost Location: Task Order, Part of labor rate

Post Hardship Differential Pay and Danger Pay, which are forms of incentive compensation, will be generally allowable as part of their FFP labor rate. If applicable, the Contractor shall include this cost in their presented labor rates. However, Government payment of such costs is contingent on the Contractor meeting all of the fol-lowing requirements:

a. Payment will be made only for areas identified as Post Hardship Differential Pay areas and/or Danger Pay areas in Section 920 of the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) and subject to the al-lowance rate(s) limit specified.

b. Paying Post Hardship Differential Pay and Danger Pay is part of the Contractor’s established incentive compensation plan or policy, or employer/employee agreement entered into in good faith before the ser-vices are rendered, pursuant to FAR 31.205-6(f)(1)(i) (Bonuses and Incentive Compensation).

c. When paying Post Hardship Differential Pay and Danger Pay is part of the Contractor’s established incent-ive compensation plan or policy, such plan or policy is followed consistently as to imply, in effect, an agreement to make such payment, pursuant to FAR 31.205-6(f)(1)(i) (Bonuses and Incentive Compensa-tion).

d. The Contractor's basis for paying Post Hardship Differential Pay and Danger Pay is supported, pursuant to FAR 31.205-6(f)(1)(ii) (Bonuses and Incentive Compensation).

e. Payment of such costs is otherwise consistent with FAR Part 31.

19AQMM18R0019

B.3.1.2 Employee Salary Benefits

Cost Location: Task Order, Part of labor rate

The Government shall have no responsibility or liability for payment of any wages or benefits to Contractor's employees. The Government, its agencies, agents, and employees shall not be part of any legal action or obliga-tion regarding these benefits, which may subsequently arise. Where local law requires bonuses, premium over-time rates, specific minimum wage levels, and premium pay for holidays, payments for social security, pen-sions, severance, sick or health benefits, childcare or any other benefit, the Contractor is responsible for these payments. The Contractor shall submit evidence of compliance with this requirement upon request by the Gov-ernment. The labor rates (under this contract they will generally be fixed daily/hourly rates) shall include all such costs.

B.3.1.2.1 Rest & Relaxation (R&R)

Cost Location: Task Order, Part of labor rate and CPFF.

R&R is designed to provide employees respite. The Contractor is responsible for including any R&R costs (to include all travel related costs) in the CPFF.

Standard work week is six (6) days, eight (8) hours per day, with a minimum 45-minutes lunch and one 30-minute break in the afternoon. However, the Government reserves the right to require additional work outside normal business hours and in excess of eight hours per day with the approval of the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or Contracting Officer (CO). American SME’s will be paid by the hourly rate established under the CLIN which is not subject to change based upon the number of hours worked on a given day. After an employee works six (6) months they are allowed three (3) weeks of Rest & Relaxation (R&R). The contractor shall bill only for actual days worked by an employee and not for any R&R or days off.

The Contractor will provide a monthly report to the COR that summarizes the activities of all of the labor categories working under this contract. This report will include a summary of major activities, accomplishments, reassignments, any problems/major issues encountered, any problems/issues expected, etc. The format will be specified and approved by the COR. Additionally, the Mission requires weekly reporting (or daily as identified) of all staff whether in company or away from Iraq – the COR will identify these reporting requirements.

B.3.2 Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

ODCs are discussed below.

B.3.2.1 Official Travel (Cost Reimbursable)

Cost Location: On each relevant Task Order

Only travel associated with (1) in and out processing, and (2) other official contract business (i.e. directly re-lated to task order requirements) that has been approved in writing by the COR, shall be included under the travel CLIN.

a. Travel under this contract is defined as Contractor air and ground transportation, lodging, meals and incid-ental expenses, travel time, and passport/visa costs.

b. Travel costs shall be allocated accordingly pursuant to Section H.27.2 requirements. Travel must be dir-ectly related to and be required for performance of the contract. In no event shall costs associated with employees commuting be payable as a direct cost under this contract.

c. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Contractor shall be paid its allowable travel costs in accordance with FAR 31.205-46 (Travel Costs).

d. Travel costs are authorized only for travel beyond a 50-miles’ radius of the Contractor employee’s local place of performance (official duty station) whenever work is required to be accomplished at a remote work site, unless otherwise approved by the CO/COR.

e. No travel costs (or associated labor time during travel) shall be allowable for work performed at a Con-tractor’s local office or any other work site within a 50-miles’ radius of the Contractor employee’s local place of performance (official duty station).

f. No travel costs (or associated labor time during travel) shall be allowable for telecommuting beyond (or within) a 50-miles’ radius of the Contractor’s local place of performance (official duty station).

g. Costs when using a privately owned vehicle (POV) for official travel are allowable provided that such costs are reasonable and do not exceed costs that would have resulted from use of other reasonable trans-portation methods (e.g., taxi, airplane, train). Reasonable associated costs, such as tolls and parking fees, are also generally allowable.

h. When traveling in a POV for official travel, the Contractor shall be paid mileage costs at a rate that does not exceed the POV mileage rate established by the Internal Revenue Service.

i. Costs for car rentals for official travel are allowable pursuant to the following:

1. such rentals are consistent with good business practice;

2. such costs are reasonable and do not exceed costs that would have resulted from use of other reason-able transportation methods (e.g., taxi, airplane, train); and

3. such costs do not exceed the actual cost of renting a compact automobile (maximum of one automobile for four Contractor personnel), unless extenuating circumstances (e.g., excess baggage) require other arrangements and Contracting Officer approval is obtained.

4. Reasonable associated costs, such as tolls and parking fees, are also generally allowable.

j. After task order award under a cost-reimbursement arrangement or the materials portion of a time-and-materials arrangement, travel must be authorized in advance by the Contracting Officer’s Representat-ive or Government Technical Monitor.

k. The following items concern passports and visas:

1. The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all U.S. personnel who will be required to travel outside the United States have a current and valid U.S. passport.

2. The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all Third Country National (TCN) personnel re-quired to travel shall have a current and valid passport from their country of residence.

3. The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining any visas required for travel to foreign countries un-der this contract.

4. The Government will not reimburse the Contractor for travel expenses when travel is cancelled or modified as a result of the Contractor’s failure to obtain a visa.

l. Costs for travel that have been modified or cancelled are not allowable unless such modification or can-cellation was caused by the Government or otherwise exceeded the control of the Contractor.

m. Pursuant to FAR 47.402, 47.403, and the Fly America Act, the Contractor shall use a U.S.-flag air carrier service unless specific conditions exist. If such conditions exist under a fixed-price arrangement (i.e., task order or line item in a task order), the Contractor shall submit with its task order proposal a memorandum explaining why it does not intend to use a U.S.-flag air carrier service. Inclusion of such costs in the awar-ded fixed-price is contingent upon Government acceptance of such explanation.

If such conditions exist under arrangements when payment is made based on actual costs incurred (e.g., cost-reimbursement arrangements, materials portion of time-and-materials arrangements, and progress payments based on costs under fixed-price arrangements), the Contractor shall submit with its voucher a memorandum explaining why it did not use a U.S.-flag air carrier service. Reimbursement is contingent upon Government acceptance of such explanation.

n. The COR may also authorize emergency or irregular travel and transportation in other situations, when in his/her opinion, the circumstances warrant such action. In such cases, the Contractor employees’ travel costs shall be generally allowable.

o. Except as noted above, any costs resulting from a failure of a Contractor's employee to complete his/her assignment because of a personal reason shall not be allowable.

B.3.2.1.1 Travel related to SLS Testing

The Government will not be responsible for travel costs associated with candidates that do not pass the SLS testing process (see C.6.1.2.2.1). However, upon successful completion of the SLS the Government will be re-sponsible for actual cost incurred for travel.

B.3.2.2 Testing & Training

Cost Location: Task Order level (as applicable)

The task order shall identify where costs associated with proficiency testing (see C.6.1.2.2 and C.6.1.2.2.1), and required training (e.g. Section H.30), shall be covered.

B.3.2.3 Housing

Housing requirements will be provided at the task order level. The Contractor may be required to provide se-cure off-compound housing for AN and TCN. Cost type will be defined at the task order level.

B.3.2.4 DBA (Cost Reimbursable)

Cost Location: Task Order

The requirements of the Defense Base Act apply to this contract and any subcontracts under this contract. The Contractor shall provide Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance coverage in accordance with FAR clause

52.228.03 Workers' Compensation Insurance (Defense Base Act).

B.4 Minimum and Maximum Quantities (11/2008)

Per FAR 52.216-22 "INDEFINITE QUANTITY," the minimum for this indefinite quantity contract shall be any quantity or combination of supplies and services equal to the amount set forth herein: .

The USG shall meet the contract minimum, which is inclusive of all direct costs, indirect costs, and profit/fee, through the issuance of task orders within the contract’s five-year period of performance (base plus 4 one-year option periods).

The maximum for this indefinite quantity contract (including options) shall be any quantity or combination of supplies and services (inclusive of all direct costs, indirect costs, and profit/fee).

B.5 Funding

Funds for the services provided will be obligated, at the task order level, as they become available, or excess funds de-obligated at the task order level, by modification to the task order contracts unilaterally by the Govern-ment. The Contractor will only be paid for effort that has been authorized by the Government and performed in accordance with the contract specifications, except for the minimum amount guaranteed if the Contractor meets the requirements as stated in Section B.4.

B.6 Subcontracting

The Contractor is allowed to subcontract part of the services that are to be provided. Contracts that have been set aside or reserved for small business concernsor 8(a) participants; part or parts of an IDIQ award contract that have been set aside for small business concerns or 8(a) participants; and orders set aside for small business or 8(a) participants under IDIQ contract as described in 8.405-5 and 16.505(b)(2)(i)(F).

(c) By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Offeror/Contractor agrees that in performance of the contract in the case of a contract for (1)Services (except construction). At least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern.

C.1 Description of Services

The Contractor shall provide professional language related services to support the Department of State's NEA- SCA bureaus, and other USG entities, as required within task orders. Services may be required in both CONUS and OCONUS performance locations (see Section F.5 place of performance listing).

The Contractor is responsible for all management, supervisory, and project personnel necessary to perform these services. The services required under this contract include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Interpreter (Conference, Simultaneous, and Consecutive)

• Translator

• Monitor

• Transcriber

• General Linguist

• Language Analyst

• Linguist Advisor

The places of performance can be stressful and present many levels of threat, but also with tremendous oppor-tunities for work that can be considered to be the most professionally meaningful that an individual may have performed to date. The Contractor shall be required to monitor personnel for performance that is not normally a matter of concern in other geographic areas. Overwork is prevalent and leads to personality and physical prob-lems if not managed. Personnel may be required to occupy living space with another person and maintain a reasonable relationship.

C.2 Levels of Responsibility

The Contractor shall be responsible for the technical ability of the employee.

Notwithstanding the following, the U. S. Government (USG) and DOS do not intend to restrict any qualified person from employment. However, the Contractor must recognize that Near East or South Central Asia posts are generally not conducive to personnel with less than average physical condition. A Contractor may be non-responsive to the needs of the USG if they place employees with recognizable or known physical limitations or other disorders in danger.

Significant exposure to physical injury may be prevalent. Physical disability, congenital disability, chronic dis-ease or disability cannot be accommodated to a level that ensures the personal well- being of a person with less than average physical condition with an unknown person in such confined living conditions based on the limited living space. Working conditions may be crowded, noisy and dusty.

If a Contractor employee begins performance against this order with less than reasonably good physical health, the Contractor may be required to remove that employee from support to the Embassy and to another area where their difficulty can be treated.

Nondisclosure by the applicant of preexisting conditions known to the applicant, but withheld from the employ-er may be cause for the individual to be released from performance. The Government may not be able to sup-port the Contractor to move an employee in such case nor will the Government be responsible for any costs as-sociated with transporting the individual out of the country or paying any travel costs for the individual repla-cing them.

As a model, but not as criteria, please consider the following. US Government personnel serving in areas must pass a physical prior to travel that indicates that their condition is Class 1 — Unlimited Clearance for World-wide Assignment (no identifiable medical conditions that would limit assignment abroad) per Medical Clear-ance Classification 16 FAM 224 (http://arpsdir.a.state.gov/fam/16FAM/16FAM0220.html) for medical, dental, and psychological condition. The physical considers eyesight, congenital disability, heart, lung, digestive tract, disability that would restrict walking at least two miles unaided, dust related asthma, sensitivity to intense sun-light and heat that can reach l30F degrees, or other disability that would make continued performance in the area questionable.

C.2.1 Regional Security Officer (RSO)

The Regional Security Officer (RSO) is responsible for security and protection of an Embassy. The RSO has the authority to deny on-compound housing and hours of accessibility to all personnel requiring access to the Em-bassy. If life support is requested for personnel performing under this order by the Contractor, the RSO will de-termine if the individual meets criteria established by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and the RSO to occupy living quarters in the compound. Resident Alien status requires additional security review prior to arrival of the contracted worker. Locally Employed Nationals are rarely granted 24-hour access to the Embassy compound and will not normally be provided with Embassy compound housing. Should the Contractor bring employees in-to the area of the RSO’s responsibility, country clearance notwithstanding, and the employee is other than an American Citizen, the Government is not required to provide housing and support for that employee, and ac-ceptance for performance against this contract is on a case-by-case basis.

C.3 Standard Work Week

The following general hours of operation are provided for general planning purposes, but may vary in NEA/ SCA countries and by Post ,from that which is required under the task order. Specific hours of operation will be provided within the relevant task order request.

For services provided within the NEA-SCA listed countries (see Section F.5), the standard work week is as fol-lows. With current operational tempo, a standard workweek is six days, ten to twelve hours per day, with a minimum 45-minute lunch and one 30-minute break in the afternoon. The Contractor's employees may work hours that accommodate the working hours of the principals for whom they are providing language related ser-vices. Specifically, they can be required to work hours that amount to ten to twelve hours per day, but start at different times (0800, 1000, possibly even at 1200 on rare occasions). Also, if the Contractor's employee and the Government supervisor/manager agree, a split day may be worked that would allow a break after some num-ber of hours are worked that would allow two to four hours of free time during the day, then resume duty later to perform a total of 10 to 12 hours.

Please Note: Over time by the Government will not be given to contractors.

For Online Engagement Specialist and Online Engagement Program Manager positions (see Section C.6), a standard workweek shall be five (5) days, eight (8) hours per day, with a one (1) hour lunch break. The Con-tractor's employees may work hours that accommodate the specific needs of the office for whom they are providing online engagement services. Specifically, they can be required to work more than eight hours a day on special occasions as needed, as well as working an eight-hour day but at different starting times. Also, if the contractor's employee and the government supervisor/manager agree, a split day may be worked that would al-low a break after some number of hours are worked that would allow two to four hours of free time during the day, then resume duty later to perform a total of 8 hours. For these two positions, the contractor's employees must be reachable 24 hours a day for any urgent tasks, though that can be split up with only one of the positions at any time being the "on duty" reachable employee.

For task orders which provide for a daily rate, in place of an hourly rate, the Day rate is not subject to change based upon the number of hours worked on a given day.

The contractor shall not bill for any time an employee is on R&R.

The Contractor shall also ensure that all staff are properly informed and comply with approved DCAA and/or Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) time keeping practices.

Holiday coverage requirements will be designated at the task order level.

C.4 Definitions

Transcribe: To render the spoken word of a language into the written form of the same language, then save the result on a Government-owned computer or electronic media and / or in printed format, successfully using the computer, keyboard, Microsoft Office suite of software programs, and in written notes in English and/or the re-quired language(s). For the purposes of this contract, the transcription will be predominately the spoken re-quired language(s) to written English, but may include, to a lesser degree, other language(s) as described herein.

Translate: To render the spoken or written word of one language into the written form of another language, then save the results on a Government-owned computer diskette or other storage media and/or in printed format, successfully using the computer, keyboard, Microsoft Office suite of software programs, and in written notes in English or the required language. For the purposes of this solicitation, the translation will be predominantly spoken or written required language.

Interpret: To render spoken words orally and simultaneously or consecutively from the required language into English, or to render spoken words from English into the required language.

Validate: To review a translation or transcription conducted by someone other than the individual performing the original translation, transcription, or the quality control review of the specified original work in order to at-test to the accuracy of the final work.

Supervise: To plan and organize work activities; to assign, direct and evaluate other personnel.

Summarize: To provide a typed, concise and accurate synopsis of oral or written communications intercept that contains the identity of the speakers or correspondents, and all locations and events mentioned that pertain to the subject of the communication.

Language Proficiency/Ability: Linguists must have a command of the language equivalent to that of a “university level” educated individual or “clear idiomatic command” of the language.

Nuance: To recognize colloquialisms or word usage that clarifies feeling or emphasis of the spoken word.

Conceptualize: To use background knowledge of the specific USG priorities of the program office in order to propose and formulate various types of content that would be appropriate for posting on public, online forums to communicate those priorities in target languages.

Create: To turn a conceptualization into a finalized piece of content in the target language redy for posting on-line by using all of the currently availabe multimedia tools, including still and video cameras, software and hardware, and other skills as needed.

Post: To upload various types of prepared and finalized online content, including translated statements, articles, blog posts and videos, to a variety of platforms including but not limited to State Department website properties and third party social media platforms.

Monitor: To track online discussions in a variety of social media, chat rooms, and website platforms, summar-ize the trends and topics as requested and report on those discussions as needed.

Advisor: To serve as principal linguist and cultural advisor and provides guidance to other translators.

C.5 Reserved

Reserved

C.6 Linguist - Personnel

Categories:

• Interpreter

• Conference Interpreter

• Simultaneous Interpreter

• Consecutive Interpreter

• Translator

• Monitor

• Transcriber

• General Linguist

• Advisor

• Language Analyst

• Online Engagement Specialist

• Online Engagement Program Manager

C.6.1 Linguist Qualifications

Applicable to all linguist categories.

Work under this contract involves interpretation or translation of materials of spoken or written materials from and/or to the required language(s). Unless otherwise specified within the task order request, Contractor person-nel must have a command of written and spoken English and non-English speaking dialects that are equivalent to S4/R4 as designated within Attachment 1,Language Proficiency Levels. (See Attachment 1).

For the Online Engagement positions, work under this contract involves interpretation or translation of materi-als of spoken or written materials from and/or to the required language(s), as well as the conceptualization, cre-ation, editing, and posting of online content based on those materials in the target language, and monitoring and reporting on feedback by public audiences on that content.

C.6.1.1 Qualifications - Education and Experience

At a minimum, the Linguists shall possess:

• An excellent command of the English language (S4/R4) with the ability to provide clear and concise oral and written communication.

• Ability to understand basic elements of speech in a standard dialect. Standard dialect refers to the listening skill that is the ability to understand the essentials of all speech in a standard dialect including technical dis-cussion within a special field.

• Skills necessary to listen and comprehend the required foreign languages with native or near-native ability;

and ability to follow accurately the basic elements of conversations and telephone calls.

• Skills necessary to read and comprehend the required foreign language(s) with native or near-native ability, and to read and understand various text-types.

• Ability to comprehend slang and colloquial expressions in the required foreign language(s) and translate them into their English equivalent.

• Effective understanding of face-to-face speech with sufficiently broad vocabulary that paraphrasing or ex-planations are unnecessary.

• Ability to work well under pressure to meet specific deadlines.

• Basic typing/word processing skills of at least 30 wpm. The Government may waive the basic typing skill proficiency level under extenuating circumstances. The COR will evaluate the circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

• Ability to understand requirements necessary to perform specific tasks being processed and produced.

Additionally, linguists shall hold one of two backgrounds.

i. Undergraduate Degree: Major Study - the appropriate foreign language(s) from an English-speaking col-lege or university, English from a college or university in the other country, or translating or interpreting where English and the foreign language(s) were prerequisites.

ii. Specialized Experience: Two or more years’ experience in translating, interpreting, or other work requiring the use of English and the other language(s); or a combination of work (that required English and the other required languages) and training at the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Service Institute, or compar-able training institute.

Following are examples of work in the required language that may have provided the required abilities and specialized experience: Translator; Interpreter; Librarian or Information Specialist required to make ab-stracts, screen, index, and scan material; Intelligence; Writer or Editor; International Organizational Work, such as the Peace Corps, World Bank, United Nations, Business or other Organizations; or Professor, Teacher, or Instructor work at the high school or college level that required the use of the foreign lan-guage(s).

In rare instances, the COR may waive the above cited education and experience background qualifications. The COR cannot waive qualifications without direction by supported office and notification to the Contracting Of-ficer. The waiver must be provided in writing by the COR, and held within employee files.

C.6.1.2 Qualifications - Language Ability

Contractors must have a command of the required language(s) in both written and spoken form. As stated above, linguists must be able to speak and read at the S4/R4 level, as defined in Attachment 1. Contractors must be able to understand and speak in the required language(s) and able to understand and communicate in a variety of required language(s) dialects.

Individuals who are selected must demonstrate a command of the required language(s), and English language equivalent to the standard testing schedule at the required levels for each designated language (languages identi-fied within task order request). Evidence of tested language(s) proficiency must be presented before candidates are considered for a position under this contract.

C.6.1.2.1 Qualifications - Language Analyst

In addition to those qualifications identified in section C.6.1.2, the Language Analyst must meet the following additional qualifications.

The language analyst will hold a Masters Degree from an accredited university in a related field. Four to five years’ experience in a field related to communications or as an analyst is highly preferable. Expert knowledge of online media and social networking platforms is required, and experience with multimedia production (video, audiovisual, graphics) is desirable. Experience living in the region would be beneficial. Experience working with foreign visitors and delegations is important, particularly facilitating foreign visitor programs.

The Online Engagement Program Manager will require two to three years experience in a field related to com-munications or online engagement is required. Expert knowledge of online media and social networking plat-forms is required. In-depth knowledge of the culture, politics, and history of the target language region and/or countries is required, as well as a working-level knowledge of the nature of the bilateral relationship between the target language countries and the U.S. The ability to obtain and keep a Secret Level Clearance is beneficial but not required, unless specified within the task orders. Contractor will only supervise the Contractor employ-ees.

C.6.1.2.2 Proficiency Testing

The Contractor shall be responsible for providing linguists who can perform at the indicated levels. Language proficiency testing in the source language(s) and English is required for all levels of non-incumbent linguists in the four basic communications skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Evidence of language profi-ciency testing with acceptable results is required for all linguists prior to assignment to a task order under this contract. The Contractor must assess the ability of the applicant to listen, read, write and speak in English and the required language(s). The Government reserves the right to examine the qualifications of interpreters to as-sess their suitability.

NOTE 1: With the exception of the SLS testing (see Section C.6.1.2.2.1), the Government does not specify a particular test, or testing organization, that must be used by the Contractor for qualification purposes. It is the Contractors responsibility to choose a reputable test or testing organization by which to qualify its personnel.

NOTE 2: In limited instances the COR may request testing of incumbent personnel. This will be conducted at no additional expense to the Government. (Please see attachment 1 for language proficiency).

C.6.1.2.2.1 School of Language Studies (SLS) Testing

Some positions will require testing at the Foreign Service Institute’s (FSI) School of Language Studies (SLS).

These positions will be designated at the task order level.

C.6.2 Linguist Categories

The Contractor shall provide personnel who have the necessary experience, education, training and skills to per-form the work and manage the requirements included in the contract. The task order will designate any nation-ality requirements (AN, TCN, or LN), clearance requirements, and specific language expectations (e.g. Arabic, Kurdish, etc.) related to the below labor categories.

Below can be found the category position description and assessment/proficiency certification requirements.

Note that some labor categories, identified within the task orders, will require individuals that fall within mul-tiple categories and will be required to meet the below specified standards for each of the designated categories.

C.6.2.1 Conference Interpreters

Position Description: Conference interpreters are required to work in formal settings and are expected to ex-press each part of a concept in a way that would normally be expressed by an educated, competent public speak-

er. In order to accomplish this, the conference interpreter must be able to provide a range of language(s) re-gisters with particular emphasis upon the formal. In the consecutive mode the conference interpreter must be capable of conveying from one to several paragraphs at a time after hearing them in full. The actual length of each utterance is left at the discretion of the speaker and the conference interpreter must be capable of handling

it. His/her note taking supplements memory without negatively interfering with the delivery. In the simultan-eous mode, the conference interpreter may work in a soundproof booth, isolated from the speaker and cannot in-terrupt the speaker to seek clarification or manipulate the speed of the session.

Assessment Standard:

• Content: Basic Substance

Renditions must accurately convey ALL or VIRTUALLY ALL basic substance. In this case, omissions, addi-tions, distortions, approximations or unintended inconsistencies are either absent, occur so infrequently, or are of such little contextual importance that the renditions can be considered complete and accurate, and fully true to the originals.

• Content: Nuance

Renditions must accurately convey a CLEAR MAJORITY of nuance. Where and when they occur, omissions, additions, distortions, approximations or unintended inconsistencies may draw away only a few elements of nu-ance. Renditions can be considered consistently accurate, and nearly complete and true versions of the originals.

• Expression: Style and Grammar

Language command must be comparable to that of an educated almost native speaker. The syntax of the rendi-tions must be the same as that of the required language(s) most of the time, and idiomatic expressions must be presented in their most usual form most of the time. Grammatical conventions of the required language(s) must be almost always respected. Where and when they occur, borrowing, interference, non-concise or ungrammatic-al language, and false cognates never detract from the clarity and precision with which substance and nuances are conveyed.

• Presentation: Delivery and Register

Presentation must be consistently confident and convincing. Pronunciation must be smooth and clear. If any oc-cur, there will be very few delays, long pauses, hesitations, self-corrections, strain in the voice, interjections such as “eh”, “uh”, “anh”, etc. There must be no difficult- to-understand accents. Register must be equivalent to that of the original most of the time. If any occur, there must not be more than a few colloquialisms.

C.6.2.2 Simultaneous Interpreters

Position Description: Simultaneous interpreters must faithfully express the speaker’s intent while working in the simultaneous mode (using equipment, voiceover or whisper techniques) but is not required to work in form-al settings. The interpreter’s work setting may afford the possibility of occasionally interrupting the speaker to seek clarification or even to change the pace of the discussion. The subjects and the language(s) that must be in-terpreted are usually of a pragmatic nature. Under this contract, simultaneous interpreters must also demonstrate the ability to interpret in the consecutive mode conveying a minimum of one sentence at a time, after hearing it in full, without using notes. With notes, the simultaneous interpreter generally conveys from several sentences to a full paragraph at a time.

Assessment Standard:

• Content: Basic Substance

Renditions must accurately convey a CLEAR MAJORITY OF THE BASIC SUBSTANCE. Where and when they occur, omissions, additions, distortions, approximations or unintended inconsistencies must not draw away more than very few of the basic elements of substance. Renditions can be considered consistently accurate, and nearly complete and true versions of the originals.

• Content: Nuance

Renditions must accurately convey many nuances. Renditions may carry less than A CLEAR MAJORITY of nuances but they must convey nuance to an extent that is clearly beyond the minimum necessary to unequivoc-ally communicate the original intention.

• Expression: Style and Grammar

Language command must be comparable to that of an educated, fluent speaker of the language(s). The syntax of the renditions must be generally the same as that of the required language, language, and idiomatic expressions must generally be presented in their most usual form. Grammatical conventions of the required language(s) must be generally respected. Where and when they occur, borrowing, interference, non-concise or ungrammat-ical language, and false cognates may only rarely detract from the clarity and precision with which substance is conveyed. These errors must never be a liability to the confidence the listener must have in the interpreter.

• Presentation: Delivery and Register

Presentation must be generally confident and convincing. Pronunciation must be generally smooth and clear.

Register must be generally equivalent to that of the original. When and where they occur, the following factors must not detract from the clarity of the presentation, the degree of confidence or the aural comfort the interpret-er must offer the listener: delays, long pauses, hesitations, self-corrections, strain in the voice, interjections such as “eh”, “uh”, “anh”, etc., accents and/or colloquialisms.

C.6.2.3 Consecutive Interpreters

Position Description: Consecutive interpreters work only in the consecutive mode and are capable of convey-ing a minimum of one sentence at a time accurately, after hearing it in full, without using notes. With notes the interpreter generally conveys several sentences to a full paragraph at a time. The consecutive interpreter works in informal settings, in conditions similar to those described for the simultaneous interpreter.

Assessment Standard:

• Content: Basic Substance

Renditions must be reasonably accurate and complete. They must convey all ESSENTIAL BASIC SUB- STANCE, i.e., the minimum substance necessary to communicate the fundamental propositions of the original.

Where and when they occur, omissions, additions, distortions, approximations or unintended inconsistencies may detract some from the basic elements of substance or nuance. However, the interpreter still clearly conveys sufficient basic substance, regarding the content of the original, to avoid misunderstandings or gaps in the trans-mission of fundamental information between the originator of the speech and the listener of the interpretation.

• Content: Nuance

Renditions must accurately convey SOME of the original nuances. Renditions must convey sufficient em-phases, subtleties and nuances to make the interpretation of the original passages convincing to the listener and to communicate the basic intention of the originator.

• Expression: Style and Grammar

Language command must be comparable to that of an educated, fluent speaker of the language. The syntax of the renditions must be generally the same as that of the required language, and idiomatic expressions must gen-erally be presented in their most usual form. Grammatical conventions of the required language must be gener-ally respected. Where and when they occur, borrowing, interference, non-concise or ungrammatical language, and false cognates may only rarely detract from the clarity and precision with which substance is conveyed.

These errors must never be a liability to the confidence the listener must have in the interpreter.

• Presentation: Delivery and Register

Presentation must be generally confident and convincing. Pronunciation must be generally smooth and clear.

Register must be generally equivalent to that of the original. When and where they occur, the following factors must not detract from the clarity of the presentation, the degree of confidence or the aural comfort the interpret-er must offer the listener: delays, long pauses, hesitations, self-corrections, strain in the voice, interjections such as “eh”, “uh”, “anh”, etc., accents and/or colloquialisms.

C.6.2.4 Translators

Position Description: Translators working under this contract must prepare a full and faithful translation, re-quiring limited research and formatted in the manner prescribed by the government. Language quality must be appropriate to the complexity of the source material and require little editing for clarity, consistency and readab-ility. Standard nouns of grammar, spelling and punctuation must be observed.

Assessment Standard:

• Accuracy

Translation must be free from major errors with respect to content (omissions or mistranslations), grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Consistency — Translations must be uniform with respect to the use of terminology to avoid confusion, ambi-guity or obscurity.

Congruity — Translation must demonstrate correct and idiomatic usage of the required language(s) including register.

Candidates are expected to use prepositions correctly and idiomatically, to reproduce the register of the source text, to use appropriate language(s) and to capture the tone of the source text and to avoid anachronistic or cul-turally inappropriate expressions. Candidates are expected to adhere to format instructions.

C.6.2.5 Monitors

Position Description: Monitors working under this contract must have a comprehension of spoken required language(s), which will permit them to listen to audio recordings and capture the content with sufficient accur-acy and completeness to permit them to summarize the contents in clear and comprehensible English. Audio re-cordings may not be of high quality and may require that the monitor coherently summarize contents despite a lack of context and/or in the presence of significant deficiencies in the grammar, vocabulary and presentation of the speaker when compared to conventional speech patterns.

Assessment Standard:

• Accuracy

Summaries are a faithful reflection of the content of the audio recording without any significant omission or de-letion that affects the overall understanding of message.

• Presentation

Summaries are written in idiomatic and grammatically correct English language(s) that is readily understood by an educated English speaker.

Subject Matter Expertise — Summaries reflect a general understanding of the political, security, legal, cultural and historical context of the message that may have significance for the client.

C.6.2.6 Transcribers

Position Description: Transcribers working under this contract must prepare full and faithful transcriptions in required language(s) of audiotapes of formal proceedings; television and/or radio broadcasts or intercepts of telephone or radio traffic. Transcriptions must follow conventional spelling and formatting although less formal materials should reflect the actual nature of the communication with respect to presentation, vocabulary, gram-mar and register whether or not it adheres to traditional grammatical and spelling conventions.

Assessment Standard:

• Accuracy

Transcript is a full and faithful rendition of the audio recording that reflects the register of the speaker and the context of the event that has been recorded without any significant additions or deletions of text.

• Presentation

Transcript is produced in a readable format that can be utilized by client without editing or correction.

• Technical

Applicant demonstrates familiarity with standard word processing programs for Required language(s) as well as familiarity with standard transcription technology. Applicant completes transcription within anticipated time parameters.

C.6.2.7 General Linguist

Position Description: General Linguists working under this contract must be capable of interpreting, translat-ing and transcribing in required language(s) to relate accurately the full and faithful meaning of written or oral documents or presentations in clear and comprehensible English.

Assessment Standard:

• Content: Basic Substance

Interpretations, translations and transcriptions must be reasonably accurate and complete. They must convey all ESSENTIAL BASIC SUBSTANCE, i.e., the minimum substance necessary to communicate the fundamental propositions of the original. Where and when they occur, omissions, additions, distortions, approximations or unintended inconsistencies may detract some from the basic elements of substance or nuance. However, the lin-guist still clearly conveys sufficient basic substance, regarding the content of the original, to avoid misunder-standings or gaps in the transmission of fundamental information between the originator of the speech and the listener of the interpretation.

• Content: Nuance

Renditions must accurately convey SOME of the original nuances to communicate the basic intention of the ori-ginator.

• Expression: Style and Grammar

Language command must be comparable to that of an educated, fluent speaker of the language. The syntax of the renditions must be generally the same as that of the required language, and idiomatic expressions must gen-erally be presented in their most usual form.

• Presentation: Delivery and Register

Presentation must be generally confident and convincing. Pronunciation must be generally smooth and clear.

Linguist/Cultural Advisor

Position Description:

The Senior Linguist / Cultural Management Advisor will provide professional and expert translation support to the US Embassy Political-Military management team. Duties include, but are not limited to the below.

• Must be able to transcribe by rendering the spoken word of a language(s) into the written form of the same language(s), save the result on a USG owned computer and / or in printed format.

• Must be able to transcribe written notes in English, but may include, to a lesser degree, other language(s)s as described herein.

• Must be able to translate the spoken or written word of one language(s) into the written form of another lan-guage(s), save the results on a USG owned computer and/or in printed format by using the computer, key-board, Microsoft Office suite of software programs.

• Must be able to interpret spoken words orally and simultaneously or consecutively from the target lan-guage(s) into English, or to rend spoken words from English into the target language(s).

• Must be able to review a translation or transcription conducted by someone other than the individual per-forming the original translation, transcription, or the quality control review of the specified original work in order to attest to the accuracy of the final work.

• Must be able to prepare a comprehensive summary by providing a typed, concise and accurate synopsis of oral or written communication containing the identity of the speakers or correspondents, and all…