36C10E18Q0179-001.docx

Statement Of Work American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation Services

1.0 BACKGROUND:

This contract is for the provision of American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation Services for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefit Administration, 251 N. Main Street, Winston-Salem Regional Office (WSRO), Winston-Salem, NC. Interpreter will perform under this agreement, as an independent contractor, and nothing contained herein must in any way be construed to imply that Interpreter is an agent, employee, partner, or joint venture of the WSRO.

Interpreter is responsible for reviewing and complying with all pertinent State and federal laws including, but not limited to, state and local taxes, the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title II of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and all other applicable state and federal employment laws. Interpreter is responsible for reviewing and complying with all pertinent county and city ordinances.

1.1 SCOPE

Interpreter Services will include interpretation for a WSRO hearing impaired employee, and another employee located at Ft. Bragg, in the work place in a classroom training environment or designated work space setting.

Activities may include, but are not limited to intercepts, voiceovers, and sign language and other settings where a member or employee may require the services of an interpreter for the hearing impaired. Interpreter must be able to interpret/transliterate fluently and understand the continuum of sign communication. Interpreter will furnish sign language and other communication services between people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who hear to interpret and translate in a work or training environment in an office setting or classroom training environment. Interpreters must provide, a minimum, interpreting services in American Sign Language (ASL).

The interpreter shall provide interpreting services from English into English and be prepared to provide interpreting services in any or all of the following modes: simultaneous interpretation, consecutive interpretation, and sight translation as needed. The main responsibility will be to translate the spoken work into sign language.

The contract interpreter must be able to perform with general office equipment (i.e. computers and computer monitors, video screens and equipment, etc.) and provide interpreting services via computer microphone or telephone conversations.

Services are required for the WSRO employee on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (8 eight hour days). Excluding all holidays. Interpreter services will also be required for interpreters to assist an employee at Ft. Bragg, once a week for 2 hours a day on Wednesdays: This will require two interpreters. Due to potential training issues, these hours should be flexible. During the latter period, the interpreter should be available on an on-call basis with a maximum of 2 days-notice. The contract interpreter shall be available for the entire period. Interpreter services may range from simple to complex and be sensitive. The interpreter shall be able to work in a high-pressure, fast paced environment and stay within the role of interpreter. In the performance of services under this contract, the contract interpreter shall adhere to the provisions of this contract.

Per standard industry practice, a two-hour minimum period will be employed. The contractor shall bill in fifteen minute increments.

2.0 QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

The contract interpreter must have and maintain minimum federal and state interpreter requirements and other requirements as stated in this statement of work.

2.1 SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER (KEY PERSONNEL)

The Contractor shall provide qualified personnel to perform the requirements specified in this Statement of Work. Description of Work: The ASL interpreter shall provide support and assistance in sign language interpretation services. The ASL interpreter shall possess all of the demonstrated knowledge requirements delineated below.

2.2 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER (EXPERIENCE)

The minimum requirements required are:

1. Possess strong listening, research, memory, and sign language skills.

2. Ability to sign in many different situations, including but not limited to meetings, small groups, large groups, and one-on-one.

3. Ability to perform in a challenging, creative, and formal working environment.

4. Ability to sign in a work training environment that involves a variety of technical terms and acronyms specific to this government agency.

5. Excellent customer service skills. Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships.

2.3 MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

The American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter shall possess: an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major study in a field related to either interpretation or American Sign Language (ASL) studies; or be able to provide sufficient assurances that the interpreter has the required knowledge and skills necessary to act as a competent interpreter. The interpreter must have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. In lieu of a degree, the interpreter may hold current generalist (or higher) licensure by either the National Association of the Deaf or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

2.4 REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide sign language interpretation services for WSRO in accordance with the requirements listed herein. Additional required knowledge and skills: In addition to the experience and educational requirements described above, the SLI shall clearly possess the following knowledge and skills:

1. Ability to voice to sign.

2. Ability to sign to voice.

3. Developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact with members from a variety of backgrounds.

4. Ability to thrive in a challenging, creative and informal working environment.

5. Ability to work within a changing schedule if the need arise.

6. Excellent customer service skills.

7. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.

3.0 LOCATION OF WORK

The physical address for the Agency is Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefit Administration, 251 N. Main Street, Winston-Salem Regional Office (WSRO), Winston-Salem, NC. Interpreter services may be performed in the Federal Building or the Wells Fargo Building (across the street). The physical address for the Ft. Bragg location is 2843 Normandy St., Ste. 100, Bldg. 4, Ft. Bragg, NC 28310.