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Questions & Answers Mission Mexico Interpretation Services RFQ No. 19MX53-20-Q-0004
Q1. We would like to know if partial bids will be permitted.
A1. Please clarify what you mean by partial bids so that its acceptance can be evaluated and determined.
Q2. Unknown section reference - Is this is a new effort or a recompete?
A2. This is a new effort, as the previous contract was not handled by the U.S. Embassy Mexico City.
Q3. 1.9 through 1.14 - What is the current full-time equivalent (FTE) level of effort?
A3. There is no full-time equivalent for this service.
Q4. 1.17.3 - The incumbent shall be available at all times during the performance period of these services to receive and implement orders or special instructions from the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer's Representative/Government Technical Monitor and ensure a smooth and effective operation. Who is the current incumbent?
A4. The incumbent in this paragraph refers to the Contractor’s Project Manager.
Q5. Unknown section reference - What was the previous winning bid?
A5. As this is a new effort, as the previous contract was not handled by the U.S. Embassy Mexico City, we do not have this information.
Q6. Unknown section reference - What nationality are the current interpreters or the interpreters to be hired?
A6. As this is a new effort, as the previous contract was not handled by the U.S. Embassy Mexico City, we do not have information about the current contract. For the upcoming contract, there is no specification about the nationality for the interpreters to be hired.
Q7. Unknown section reference - Is there a security clearance requirement?
| A7. | Please refer to subsection 1.21.2. |
| Q8. | 3.2.1.3 - Volume III (b) Experience and Past Performance: |
List all contracts and subcontracts your company has held over the past five years for the same or similar work. If the offeror has not performed comparable services in Mexico, then the offeror shall provide its international experience. Provide the following information for each contract and subcontract: - Is there a specific form you want to be used or is this drafted up in a word document?
| A8. | There is no draft document, the offeror can comply with this requirement in any format that best provides this information. |
| Q9. | We would like to know if we would be considered for this requirement without having the ability to provide in-person services. |
| A9. | Please clarify what you mean by in-person services so that its acceptance can be evaluated and determined. |
| Q10. | The service will be paid if the event is canceled? For events out of Mexico City 48h is too short, as travel expenses usually will already be made. |
| A10. | Please refer to subsections 1.7.1. and 1.7.2. regarding cancellations. |
| Q11. | How many times can an event be canceled during a month? |
| A11. | The times can widely vary as this RFQ will service many events for U.S. agencies and sub-agencies supported by the Embassy. However, the services are not usually canceled very often. |
| Q12. | Travel expenses are not included? The fee per interpreter will be the same wherever the event is, but for events that are not held in Mexico City travel expenses must be paid as it is not considered in the interpreter's price. |
| A12. | Please refer to section 1.6. Other Direct Costs. |
| Q13. | Can we have 2 different prices for non-technical interpreters and technical interpreters? As the price vary a lot, and we would like to offer you very competitive rates. |
| A13. | The fixed prices for interpreters that should be considered are only the ones stated in CLINs 001 and 002 of sections 1.9 through 1.13. |
| Q14. | Page 18, Section 1, Subsection 1.17.3. The incumbent shall be responsible for managing the Contractor’s workforce under this contract and shall be the Contractor's liaison with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. The incumbent shall be available at all times during the performance period of these services to receive and implement orders or special instructions from the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer's Representative/ Government Technical Monitor and ensure a smooth and effective operation. - Who is/are the incumbent(s) for this requirement? Who are the current incumbent companies? What are the current incumbent contract numbers? |
| A14. | Please refer to Answer 4 (A4) above. And as this is a new effort, as the previous contract was not handled by the U.S. Embassy Mexico City, we do not have the current information. |
| Q15. | Page 15, Section 1, Subsection 1.16.3.5. The Contractor shall not provide under this contract any type of video communication platform such as Webex, Google Meet, Zoom, etc. - What is the video communications platform for the Virtual or Remote Interpretation requirement? |
| A15. | Contractors shall not provide any type of video communication platform proper account, as they will connect to the video communication platform link provided by the meeting organizer, and from that link the interpretation services will be performed. |
| Q16. | Page 15, Section 1, Subsection 1.16.3.5. The Contractor shall not provide under this contract any type of video communication platform such as Webex, Google Meet, Zoom, etc. - Who is providing the video communications platform? |
| A16. | The meeting organizer (from the U.S. Government) will provide the video communications platform link. |
| Q17. | Page 19, Section 1, Subsection 1.18.2. If multiple awards are made, the placement of task orders will follow the procedures in FAR 16.505(b). - What are the minimum and maximum number of awards anticipated? |
| A17. | Minimums and Maximums are based on paragraph 1.4 Minimum and Maximum Amounts. |
| Q18. | Page 1 - Section 2 – Contract clauses – What is DOSAR clause? |
| A18. | A clause from the Department of State Acquisition Regulation |
| Q19. | Page 2 – Section 1 – first Box: “James Zaroga 9/11 victims - Are Mexican contractors subject to 2% tax? |
| A19. | Yes. However, since Mexico has a Trade agreement with the U.S. then a waiver can be requested through the W-14 form. |
| Q20. | Page 11 Section 1.15 Definitions - Auditory assistance for interpreter? What is it for? |
| A20. | Please refer to 1.15. Definitions |
| Q21. | Page 13 – first paragraph - Do hourly rates mean a 3 hour shift or 1 hour shift and then, depending on the requirement, multiplied times 2 or 3 hours? Or is an hourly rate always a 3 hour rate? What if the service is needed for 2 hours? I would think you ask for hourly rates for 1 hour and then multiply times the number of hours required, being this 2 or 3 at the most. Please clarify for interpreters. The hourly rate is clear in the case of technicians. |
| A21. | The hourly rate means a 1 hour shift, and the hourly rate applies for any consecutive 3-hour shift. Please also refer to sub section 1.16.2.2. for information regarding services beyond a 3-hour period. |
| Q22. | Page 15 – 6th bullet – What is UPS System? |
| A22. | It refers to Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system. |
| Q23. | Page 17 – 1.17 Management, (b) - What does VCO stand for in Travel Assistant? |
| A23. | Visitors & Conferences Office. |
| Q24. | Page 19 – 1.18 Task orders – 1.18.1 General, first paragraph, third line - What does IDIQ stand for? |
| A24. | Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity. |
| Q25. | Page 21, e), 3. – What is a minimum guarantee? |
| A25. | The minimum amount as stated under 1.4 Minimum and Maximum Amounts. |
| Q26. | Attachment 1 – What is new registration of account? What happens if the contractor has received payments from US Embassy many times? I would think the contractor’s account is already registered. Am I new registration of account? |
| A26. | All offerors are required to submit the form as new registration. |
| Q27. | Page 29, attachment 4, 1 background, second line - Do Mexican contractors need Cage and NCage numbers? What happens if the address on the account statement is the mail address? |
| A27. | Yes, all offerors are required to submit an NCage, DUNS and proof of Active SAM registration as part of their proposal. |
The question about mail address is not clear, please clarify.
| Q28. | Page 30, 2. DUNS Numbers, second line - Please clarify: DUNS numbers for each PHYSICAL LOCATION. What does physical location refer to? |
| A28. | A DUNS for each Legal Address is required. For additional information about DUNS, please visit the D&B website. |
| Q29. | Page 36, (e) - What does the term “flow down” refer to? |
| A29. | Incorporation of clauses into subcontract agreements. |
| Q30. | Page 48, (c) - Are Mexican contractors subject or required to include Form W-14? Are Mexican contractors subject or required to submit the Certificate of Foreign Contracting Party Receiving Federal Procurement Payments? |
| A30. | The W-14 is the Certificate of Foreign Contracting Party Receiving Federal Procurement Payments and Mexican contractors are required to submit it as part of their proposal and as stated under 52.229-12 TAX ON CERTAIN FOREIGN PROCUREMENTS – NOTICE AND REPRESENTATION (JUN 2020) |
| Q31. | Page 49, (d) - Are Mexican companies subject to the 2 percent EXEMPTION? This 2 percent withhold is not clear to me. |
| A31. | A 2% will be automatically withheld from each payment if an exemption is not applicable. Mexican companies are exempt as long as the conditions under FAR Clause 52.229-12 are complied with. |
| Q32. | Page 58, 3.1 FAR 52.212-1, 3.2 ADDENDUM, first line - What does “holding prices for 120 calendar days”? What does it refer to? It is not clear to me. |
| A32. | This means to honor prices for at least 120 calendar days as of proposal date and until award. Once the contract is awarded, prices shall be valid throughout contract validity. |
| Q33. | Page 59, (a) Price proposal, second paragraph - Should travel expenses be quoted separately or are these included in the interpreters or equipment quoted prices? You ask for all-inclusive prices. It is not clear to me how travel expenses are to be quoted. |
| A33. | Travel expenses shall be treated as Other Direct Costs, please refer to 1.6. Other Direct Costs. |
| Q34. | Page 60, (c) - Please explain what do Licenses and permits refer to? Does this refer to company’s tax registration or company’s incorporation deeds? |
| A34. | Any license and permits that allow the offeror to legally provide services. |
Q35. Page 61, (4) - Please give an example of “Plan of ensuring quality of services”. And please give an example of “Plan for resolving customer service issues”.
A35. Plans for ensuring quality of services and for resolving customer service issues shall comply with the terms and conditions of the RFQ and shall be customized as per each offeror’s capabilities and resources.
Q36. Page 62 – What is Pre-Quotation conference? What is Pre-proposal conference? Please indicate date of pre-quotation conference?
A36. A conference to be held before quotation submission. Please refer to 3.4 Pre-Quotation Conference.
| Q37. | Page 66, 4.2 Basis for award, in sixth bullet - How do we evidence or prove “Record of integrity and business ethics”? |
| A37. | Evaluation is based on the documents requested in Section 3. |
| Q38. | Page 68, 5.1.1 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS - Please explain what “completed annual representations and certification in SAM” is. |
| A38. | It refers to the Annual Representations and Certification section that must be completed for SAM registration. |
| Q39. | Page 72, (c) – What is, where is an outlying area? Will the contractor be required to render services in the United States? |
| A39. | Outlying area refers to U.S. Territories. Services will not be rendered in the U.S. |
| Q40. | Page 78, (h) - What’s acquisition threshold? Are interpretation contractors subject to Executive Order 12689-Responsibility Matters? The simplified acquisition threshold is $250,000 U.S. Dollars. |
| A40. | Yes, all contractors are subject to this Executive Order. |
| Q41. | Page 79, (i) - Are contractors subject to (A) Tax liability finally determined? |
| A41. | Except for tax under 52.229-12, any reference to taxes are taxes in the U.S. for companies incorporated in the U.S. |
| Q42. | Page 81, (3) (1) Taxpayer identification number - Are contractors subject to debt collection requirements? |
| A42. | This is applicable to all companies incorporated in the U.S. |
| Q43. | Page 82, (3) – Are Mexican contractors required to submit TIN? |
| A43. | This is applicable to all companies incorporated in the U.S. |
| Q44. | Page 90, (d) (1) – Is interpretation equipment considered telecommunications equipment? |
| A44. | Please refer to Clause 52.204-25 for the definition of covered telecommunications equipment or services. |
| Q45. | Section 1.9, page 5, fixed prices for interpretation services sheet, CLIN 001 - You have a yearly estimated quantity of 60 Days and 60 Hours - does that mean I can expect to provide interpreters for a total of 60 days of the year and 60 hours total of On-Site interpreting? One hour per day? On that same sheet, how is CLIN 004 to be interpreted? |
| A45. | The yearly estimated quantity is based on total estimated Government requirements per year. This means that if more than one award is made, the estimated amount of work awarded under task order(s) to any single contractor will be less than the amount shown. And CLIN 004 refers to headsets needed as part of the interpretation equipment. And the yearly estimated quantity of them means the same as mentioned above. |
| Q46. | Section 1.16.2.4.1, page 13 - Is this something that can go under Other Direct Costs on a Task Order or must I either already have it or purchase prior to executing a task order? Is there a minimum of each I should have? |
| A46. | Other Direct Costs are specified in Section 1.6 of the RFQ. Equipment is included in the fixed prices established in Section 1.5. As per section 1.16.2.4.1, the specific equipment requirements, including quantities, will be specified at the task order level. Given that most interpretation assignments are unique in nature, the Contractor, as expertise, shall suggest and/or recommend the appropriate equipment and quantities required to perform successfully. |
| Q47. | Are there any prohibitions on using Mexican nationals as interpreters provided that they meet the requirements? |
| A47. | There is no specification about the nationality for the interpreters to be hired. |
| Q48. | In section 1.9 on page 5. - I would suggest leaving an empty box for notes. |
| A48. | This cannot be done, any comments would have to be stated in a different document. |
| Q49. | In the case of overtime include separate boxes for on-site and online. |
| A49. | This will be done through the first amendment of this RFQ. |
| Q50. | In Section 1.9 on page 5 in the price chart – Can we use a star to specify details? Rate for interpretations that go by the hour may have a minimum, please include a box for minimum meaning minimum number of hours per day. |
| A50. | Question is not clear. |
| Q51. | In Section 1.9 page 5 - Body pack. How many? Please specify. |
| A51. | The yearly estimated quantity for body packs is specified in sections 1.9 through 1.13. |
| Q52. | In Section 1.15 Definitions on page 11 in Auditory assistance for interpreter – Does that include only one or several presenters? How many? Should we include a price per presenter? |
| A52. | Auditory assistance for interpreter is a tool used one time per event, therefore, it can include all the presenters in the event. |
| Q53. | Page 12, Section 1, sub section 1.16.2.1 Daily Rate – Concerning the daily rate, this RFQ states that it shall be charged for any consecutive 9-hour (includes 1-hour break) within a calendar day. Typically, language interpreting work is based on an 8 hour day with a 1-hour break (usually 9 – 5 pm). Do you anticipate full 9-hour days? And, what are the established working hours? |
| A53. | Daily working hours for this contract are 9 hours with a 1-hour break. |
| Q54. | In section 1.16.2.2. Hourly Rate on pages 12 and 13 – “One interpreter will be required…” For simultaneous interpreting we will need two interpreters after 1.5 hours. Could you elaborate in interpreters regular working shifts are three hour shifts? Please specify if this refers to simultaneous interpretations or consecutive interpretations? In the case of simultaneous interpreters, we typically alternate every 30 minutes. |
| A54. | Two interpreters are only required after 3 hours. Therefore for any service under 3 hours, only 3 hours will be paid as maximum. It refers to both simultaneous and consecutive interpretation. |
| Q55. | Please clarify/elaborate on the following statement in section 1.16.2.5.1 page 14 Daily Rate for Equipment and Technician. The daily rate above shall be charged for any consecutive 9-hour within a calendar day. The Contractor is not entitled to the Overtime Hourly rate for any service beyond 9-hour period. - The question is about this part as follows: “The Contractor is not entitled to the Overtime Hourly rate for any services beyond 9-hour period” This contradicts the price section where we quote overtime. Perhaps the idea was to paraphrase this sentence as follows: “The Contractor is not entitled to the Overtime Hourly Rate for any services that do not exceed the 9-hour period”. |
| A55. | The U.S. Government will issue an amendment to consider the overtime pay for the technician. |
| Q56 | During this COVID pandemic, do you anticipate meetings in person? If so, our interpreters are asking whether on-site events in Mexico City are eligible for “danger pay” and/or qualify for the “emergency service” surcharge – because the situation is quite life-threatening at the moment in terms of any on-site event. |
| A56. | No danger pay is considered. For the moment during the pandemic, no on-site events have been performed. |
| Q57. | Who is the incumbent? |
| A57. | Please refer to Answer 4 (A4) above. |
| Q58. | What is the video communications platform for the Virtual or Remote Interpretation requirement? |
| A58. | Please refer to Answer 15 (A15) above. |
| Q59. | Does the award require the provider to have a registered or licensed business presence in Mexico? |
| A59. | It is not necessary to be licensed in Mexico, but all Mexican and U.S. labor laws must be complied. |
| Q60. | Who is providing the video communications platform? |
| A60. | Please refer to Answer 16 (A16) above. |
| Q61. | What are the minimum and maximum number of awards anticipated? |
| A61. | Please refer to Answer 17 (A17) above. |
| Q62. | Are we able to bid on part of the contract, as in (over the phone) and (video interpretation) only? Without submitting pricing for the remainder of services? |
| A62. | Unfortunately partial bids will not be acceptable, as most of the interpretation services the USG will be requesting will be for on-site services. |
| Q63. | Can you please re-clarify CLIN 001? |
| A63. | Please refer to Answer 45 (A45) above. |
| Q64. | Section 1.3, page 2 - the period of performance will be on the Notice to Proceed but I did not see that in SAM as an attachment. When is the estimated date that interpreter services will be first required? |
| A64. | The Notice to Proceed will be given after the award for this contract. And the beginning of services date is difficult to be established as the award date depends on the quality of the received proposals. |
| Q65. | Is there an incumbent? If so, what was the contract number / awardee? |
| A65. | Please refer to Answer 5 (A5) and Answer 14 (A14) above. |
| Q66. | Page 5, Section 1.9 Base Year spreadsheet - Can you please verify CLIN 004-009? CLIN 004 implies that 25 headsets will be necessary for an estimated 60 days. Are those 60 days part of the virtual interpretation days on CLIN 002? Or does this mean that for an estimated 60 days, interpretation services using headphones will be needed? The same questions for CLIN 005-009. I assume that for an estimated 60 days there will be a requirement to utilize headsets, microphones (both lapel and handheld), and a body pack, likely for use during training. Is that correct? if that is the case then I would likely need to bill differently such as: 60 days for training range interpretation services / provide 25 multichannel headsets, 25 lapel microphones, 25 handheld microphones, etc. Please advise as soon as possible on this one, thank you. |
| A66. | For virtual interpretation we only require an interpreter without any equipment. The virtual interpretation service should be provided through the platform selected by the U.S. agency or sub-agency that requires the service. The interpreter only requires a laptop and cellphone to do their job. Regarding the comments for CLINs 004-009, they are correct. |
| Q67. | Page 15, Section 1.16.4.2, Preparation Day - will interpreters or the program manager be allowed a copy of the Program of Instruction or be able to conduct rehearsals with US Embassy personnel who will be speaking in order to understand nuances or regional slang in their speech? For example, someone from Arkansas has different regional terms than someone from New York. Further, will it be possible to arrange for lunches or other meets with Embassy personnel who will be speaking and training in order to develop rapport and accustom interpreter's ears to the speaker's manner of speech? |
| A67. | Every U.S. agency or sub-agency that requires interpretation services should provide the topics or subject of the meeting/event where the interpreter will be required. Usually, the interpreter arrives 30 minutes before the scheduled starting time of the event to talk and coordinate with the Embassy staff about the service. |
| Q68. | Page 16, Section 1.16.5, Specific Knowledge Areas vs Page 19, Section 1.17.3.3.2, Specialized Experience - the Specialized Experience requirements are very specific when compared to the Knowledge Area requirements. Must all interpreters on staff be capable of this or can we have one interpreter with that experience have their junior interpreter be capable but not have the experience? |
| A68. | All interpreters should have the experience. However, some of them are better in some specific topic or subject, than others. |
| Q69. | Page 22, Section 1.20.2, Surveillance - are you implying oversight here or will the COR utilize audio and video devices to conduct surveillance on interpreters? If so, will interpreters be notified of where surveillance equipment is emplaced? |
| A69. | We have never utilized audio or video devices to conduct surveillance on Interpreters. |
| Q70. | Page 59, Section 3.2.1.3.(b), Experience and Past Performance - this will be my first attempt at contracting for interpreter services but I have a lot of experience from when I was in the Army so I will not be able to answer many of those questions. Will that reflect negatively against my proposal? |
| A70. | Please refer to section 4.2 Basis for Award. |
| Q71. | Page 60, Section 3.2.1.3.(d).(3), Evidence - what documents are sufficient for this? Names of interpreters either currently hired or potential hires? For financial resources, will bank account statements work? |
| A71. | Any document that proofs that the offeror can provide the resources needed to perform the work. |
| Q72. | Page 61, Section 3.2.1.4.(a), Financial Statement - this will be my first attempt at contracting for interpreter services and will be a new business entity. As such, I do not currently have financial statements for this entity. Can I use bank accounts showing the funds for this project? If so, what is a minimum amount of cash reserves necessary for this contract? |
| A72. | Provide the information requested at 3.2.1.4. The U.S. Government will use this information to determine the offeror’s financial responsibility and ability to perform under the contract. Failure of an offeror to comply with a request for this information may cause the U.S. Government to determine the vendor to be non-responsible. |
| Q73. | Not in RFQ - can you provide a list of VTC attendees including name, address, and company name? |
| A73. | This information is not available. |
| Q74. | Section 1.7. Cancellation - How often in the last 12 months has there been a cancellation within Mexico City? How many of these were Virtual or Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (VRI) v Onsite. |
| A74. | The U.S. Government cancelled two services On-site. This is historical information only and in no way informs the number of cancellations which may occur under the contemplated contract. |
| Q75. | Section 1.7. Cancellation - How often in the last 12 months has there been a cancellation outside of Mexico City? How many of these were Virtual or Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (VRI) v Onsite. |
| A75. | The U.S. Government cancelled three services On-site and one service of VRI. This is historical information only and in no way informs the number of cancellations which may occur under the contemplated contract. |
| Q76. | Section 1.8. Emergency Requests - On average, how often are interpretation requests given with less than 24 hours’ notice? |
| A76. | Around two requests per year. This is historical information only and in no way informs the number of task orders which may be issued with less than 24 hours notice under the contemplated contract. |
| Q77. | Section 1.9. Base Year - Is Virtual or Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (VRI) always simultaneous, or sometimes consecutive? If both, what is the percentage split? |
| A77. | VRI can be both, 80% simultaneous and 20% consecutive. |
| Q78. | Section 1.13. Fourth Option Year - Can we assume from the RFQ that Volumes for both on-site and Virtual or Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (VRI) will increase over the 4 year period? |
| A78. | Both on-site and VRI volumes are possible to increase. However, please note that the yearly quantity is just an estimate. |
| Q79. | Section 1.16.1. Interpretation Services - Can we clarify what is meant by structured and unstructured settings? |
| A79. | Structured setting: when the service is required in some venue where they will have a table and chairs for the interpreter to install their equipment and do their job. Unstructured setting: when the service is required as a whisper mode while having a walkthrough in some venue, for example at the airport or the prosecutors; in this case the interpreter is walking all the time beside the small group who requires the service. |
| Q80. | Section 1.16.2.5.1. Daily Rate for Equipment and Technician - Can we ask why the interpreter is entitled to overtime pay on hours over 9, but the technician is not? |
| A80. | Please refer to A55. |
| Q81. | Section 1.6.5. Specific Knowledge Areas - Can the Government confirm what notice the client will provide for preparation in this section so that the interpreter can prepare for specialized subject matter? |
| A81. | The U.S. Government usually provides subject matter information to the Contractor just before the service starts. |
| Q82. | Section 1.17.3.3.1. General - Will the Government confirm that Level 5 refers to the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR)? |
| A82. | Level 5 means that the interpreters shall have a Level 5 Language Advanced Professional Proficiency. |
| Q83. | Section 1.6.2. Transportation and Lodging - As this is a large area to cover can you provide any historical information as to the venue locations where the majority of interpreting takes place in Estado De Mexico? |
| A83. | In Estado De Mexico the U.S. Government only have had three interpretation services in Toluca, two at Fiscalia Estatal and one at C5 (Mexico City’s Center for Command, Control, Computing, Communications and Citizen Contact). |
| Q84. | Section 1.2 - How many awards does the Government anticipate making? |
| A84. | Please refer to A17. |
| Q85. | Section 1.3 - Can the Government provide an anticipated or targeted start date? |
| A85. | Please refer to A64. |
| Q86. | Section 1.9 - As this is a multiple award contract are offerors allow to pick and choose which CLINs they wish to price for or must all CLINs be bid for? |
| A86. | The U.S. Government will require the Contractor to quote all the CLINs the U.S. Government needs. |
| Q87. | Section 1.9 - Does CLIN 001 include consecutive and simultaneous interpretation? If so, these unique services are often priced very differently and we would request separate CLINs. |
| A87. | CLIN 001 is only to quote the interpreter. If simultaneous interpretation service is required, then the Government will request as well the equipment necessary, to be quoted in separate CLINs. If the Government will need consecutive interpretation services, then the Government will only need an interpreter without equipment, in most of these kind of services. |
| Q88. | Section 1.20.1 - The performance objective table makes reference to “translation services” Will the Government clarify if translation is required under this contract? |
| A88. | No translation services will be required under this contract. The U.S. Government will issue an amendment to correct the performance objective table. |
| Q89. | The SOW states that no surcharge will be made to services offered in Mexico City and the State of Mexico, do you mean the Metropolitan Area or actually Toluca and other farther away surrounding areas? This is regarding transportation and lodging. |
| A89. | It is meant the Metropolitan Area, which includes all Mexico City and the State of Mexico. |
| Q90. | What kind of RSI platform will interpreters be working on? Is there a preferred or current RSI platform in use? |
| A90. | The U.S. agency or sub-agency who will request the service will decide which platform will be used for the specific service. Currently the U.S. Government have been using Google Meet and Webex, being Webex the most frequently used. Zoom has not been used as it is not authorized by the State Department. |
| Q91. | When interpreters work by the hour, do you mean that the minimum payment will be at least for 3 hours, even though the job may take less than that timeframe? |
| A91. | Please refer to A21. |
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Department of State US Embassy Mexico