36C10E21Q0028 0004.docx

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7.

ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF

PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE

OF YOUR

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.

is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO:

Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERE

D CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES

SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR

OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendmen t, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED

STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF

CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF

SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

VA

03-30-2021 00101 Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration Acquisition Division 1800 G. Street N.W.

Washington DC 20006 00101 Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration Acquisition Division 1800 G. Street N.W.

Washington DC 20006

36C10E21Q0028 02-11-2021

X X

See CONTINUATION Page X The purpose of this amendment is to post the revised Statement of Work and Questions and Answers.

New questions are due on or before 3/31/2021 by 3pm EasternTime Zone to Donnette Nyland @ donnette.nyland@va.gov

Quotes are due 4/9/2021 at 4pm Eastern Time

To ensure all prospective bidders receive equal access to all information about this Amendment, all questions will be answered via an Amendment to the RFQ and no further information will be released prior to i ts posting at https://beta.sam.gov/ under Contract Opportunities.

Donnette A. Nyland Contracting Officer Questions and Answers

1. There is a discrepancy between blocks 15 and 20 for the address, please clarify?

Services are for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefit Administration, 8810 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego VA Regional Office (VARO), San Diego, CA. Not the Seattle VARO.

1. Page 39 of 53 is blank, please clarify?

UPDATE CLAUSE 52.212-2 EVALUATION -COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT2014):

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

Technical Past Performance (Please provide a current name and phone number) Price

Technical and past performance, when combined, are more important than price.

Per FAR 12.602(a), when using the Simplified Acquisition Procedures in FAE Part 13, contracting officers are not required to describe the relative importance of evaluation factors.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of Provision)

1. We charge different rates for On-site interpreting and video remote interpreting, can we reflect this on the pricing sheet or are you looking for a provider to offer the same cost for each service?

There is no price difference please see Section E.1 52.212-1 Instruction to Offerors – Commercial Items (Jun 2020)

1. Can you confirm what the anticipated monthly volume will be?

No. The average per day varies but has been 6 hours per day.

1. Can you confirm what the anticipated monthly spend will be?

No. The average per day varies but has been 6 hours per day.

1. Who is the incumbent on this contract and could you confirm their rates for ASL On-site and VRI interpreter services?

The incumbent is public knowledge and the incumbent was Prescient Technologies.

1. Whether companies from Outside USA can apply for this? (like,from India or Canada) All Request for Quotes on https://beta.sam.gov/ are required to be registered in the system to be eligible for an award.

1. Whether we need to come over there for meetings?

1. Due to the current Global Pandemic, all current services are tele-counseling. As we foresee that “in person” services will be varied in the future.

1. Can we perform the tasks (related to RFP) outside USA? (like, from India or Canada) No

1. Can we submit the proposals via email?

Yes, please send attention to the following:

Bertha Leguizamon – bertha.leguizamon@va.gov Debra Rollins – debra.rollins@va.gov Donnette A. Nyland – Donnette.nyland@va.gov

1. Do you have a preference on how you would like to see your proposal?

Please see Section E.1 52.212-1 Instruction to Offerors – Commercial Items (Jun 2020) and Question 2 (see above) for evaluation.

Statement of Work

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Services

1.0 BACKGROUND

This contract is for the provision of American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Services for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefit Administration, 8810 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego VA Regional Office (VARO), San Diego, CA. 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 San Diego VARO.

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 San Diego County and city ordinances.

2.0 SCOPE

American Sign Language Interpreter Services will include but are not limited to interpretation for a San Diego VARO deaf/hard of hearing employee(s) in the workplace, classroom training environment, designated workspace setting, or virtual setting. Interpretation for San Diego VARO may also be requested in the event services are needed for a Veteran or their dependent in an office setting or virtual setting.

The contract interpreters must provide, at a minimum, interpreting services in ASL, Pidgin Signed English (PSE) is required. They must be able to interpret/transliterate fluently and understand the continuum of sign communication. The interpreter will provide 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, classroom training environment, designated work setting, or virtual setting.

The contract interpreter shall provide interpreting services from American English as spoken language to American Sign Language using the mode or means of communication style that is most appropriate for the deaf/hard of hearing employee(s) in the following mode: simultaneous interpretation. The main responsibility will be to translate the spoken word into sign language.

The contract 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.

The contract interpreter shall be able to perform with general office equipment (i.e. computers, computer monitors, video screens, microphones, headphones, and have broadband internet connection for remote and onsite interpreting) and provide interpreting services via computer microphone and/or telephone conversations.

2.1 REQUIRED HOURS OF SERVICE AND SCHEDULING

Services are normally required at San Diego VARO or virtually, but the work site location is subject to change. Services are needed each Monday - Friday 6-hours a day between the hours of 7:30 am – 4 pm. The projected schedule is Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 8 am – 2 pm, and Wednesday and Thursday 9 am – 3 pm, excluding all Federal holidays. (Total 1,500 hours). The projected schedule is subject to change. The San Diego VARO will notify the contractor of any needed schedule changes via email.

Due to potential training and/or town hall functions, it is required that interpreter(s) be available for approximately 160 hours of additional time: these hours would be on an as needed basis. For these non-routine hours, the contractor will be notified at least 48 hours in advance of the need for an interpreter. It is expected that the contractor shall provide the required services if notified within the specified window. In the event contract interpreter services are needed for a veteran and or dependent the use of the 160 hours of additional time can be utilized per this contract.

The San Diego VARO may cancel services no less than 48 business hours in advance Monday through Friday, with no penalty or charges assessed. Contractor will be notified by email of cancellation of services. If the contractor is not notified of a cancellation 48 hours prior to the scheduled assignment, the contractor shall invoice for the number of hours scheduled for the assignment. Contractor shall confirm receipt of cancellation emails with a returned email acknowledgment.

The contractor shall not be paid for any Federal holidays. The following Federal holidays are observed: New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Day; Presidents Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veterans Day; Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/#url=Overview

In the event an Executive Order is issued by the President of the United States which declares Agencies of the Federal Government to close for a regularly scheduled workday, the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will determine and advise the Contractor on whether services are required for that day.

3.0 QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

All contract interpreters must have and maintain minimum federal and state interpreter requirements and all other requirements as listed in this statement of work.

3.1 SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER (KEY PERSONNEL)

The Contractor shall provide qualified personnel to perform the requirements specified in this SOW.

Description of Work: The ASL interpreter shall provide support and assistance in sign language interpretation services. The ASL interpreter shall possess all the demonstrated knowledge requirements delineated throughout the SOW.

3.2 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER (EXPERIENCE)

The minimum requirements are:

1. Possess strong listening, research, memory, and ASL skills.

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

3. Ability to perform in a challenging, creative, formal working environment, and virtual 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 (to include but not limited to) Veterans, leadership, stakeholders, and peers.

3.3 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER (EDUCATION)

The American Sign Language interpreter shall possess: an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited college or university. The interpreter must have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. The interpreter shall hold current generalist (or higher) licensure by either the National Association of the Deaf or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

3.4 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide American Sign Language Interpretation services for San Diego VARO in accordance with the requirements listed herein. Additional required knowledge and skills: In addition to the experience and educational requirements described above, the ASL interpreter shall clearly possess the following knowledge and skills:

1. Ability to interpret Spoken language to signed language.

2. Ability to interpret Signed language to spoken language.

3. Interpersonal and communication skills; the ability to interact with members from a variety of backgrounds.

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

5. Ability to work within a dynamic and varied schedule.

6. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.

7. Ability to use Pidgin Signed English (PSE).

4.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The physical address where services are to be performed at the San Diego VARO is: Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefit Administration, San Diego VA Regional Office, 8810 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego, CA 92108. Virtual interpreting services are routinely utilized.

5.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is estimated to be one base year from April 10, 2021 to April 9, 2022 with the ability to exercise option years:

· Option year 1 (April 10, 2022 to April 9, 2023)

· Option year 2 (April 10, 2023 to April 9, 2024)

· Option year 3 (April 10, 2024 to April 9, 2025)

· Option year 4 (April 10, 2025 to April 9, 2026)

6.0 BILLING – GENERAL INVOICE REQUIREMENTS

Invoices must be submitted monthly in arrears. The Contractor shall invoice San Diego VA Regional Office monthly within the first five business days for the previous month’s services. All hours and days worked shall be confirmed by San Diego VARO prior to payment. Paper invoices will not be accepted. All invoices shall be submitted electronically via the Tungsten Network.

The invoice must at a minimum include:

· Invoice Number

· Reference the contract number

· Obligation Number (Obligation Number shall be used for billing)

· Date/Location of Service

· Service Start/Stop Time

· Interpreter’s Name

· Total Weekly Hours of Service

· Rate per Hour

· Total Charge for each interpreter

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

7.0 GENERAL VA SECURITY AND SYSTEM INFORMATION TRAINING

All Contractor and subcontractor personnel requiring access to VA information and VA information systems shall complete the following before being granted access to VA information and networks:

1. Sign and acknowledge understanding of and responsibilities for compliance with the National Rules of Behavior related to access to VA information and information systems, and Contractor Rules of Behavior (supplement),

2. Successfully complete VA Cybersecurity Awareness training and annual refresher training as required,

3. Successfully complete VA General Privacy training and annual refresher training as required, and

4. Successfully complete any additional cybersecurity or privacy training as required for VA personnel with equivalent information system access.

The Contractor shall provide to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) a copy of the training certificates and signed Rules of Behavior for each applicable interpreter within one week of the initiation of the contract and annually thereafter, as required. For new interpreters who start after the contract has begun shall provide to the COR a copy of the training certificates and signed Rules of Behavior within one week of starting.

These online courses will need to be taken through the VBA’s online Talent Management System (TMS) at: https://www.tms.va.gov/SecureAuth35/. To self-enroll, click the “Create New User” button on the red bar and complete the assigned training. The COR will provide the contractor with the appropriate information to complete self-enrollment. Technical issues with TMS should be directed to the TMS help desk at vatmshelp@va.gov or 1-888-496-0463.

Failure to complete this mandatory training within the timeframe required will be grounds for suspension or termination of all physical and/or electronic access privileges and removal from work on the contract until such time as the training is completed.

The Contractor shall also complete 20-0344 Annual Certification of Veteran Status and Veteran-Relatives form upon starting, and annually thereafter for the duration of the contract. If the contractor or immediate relative is a veteran, the file will be housed in the Locked Files for the duration of the contract.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

The contract employee level of background investigation and clearance required for this effort is NACI. The appropriate background investigation is required, and all required documentation must be submitted at the time of fingerprinting.

1. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

0. The VA must bear the expense of obtaining background investigations.

0. Immediately after contract or task order award, the Contractor shall submit a completed Attachment C form (VBA Contractor Background Investigation Request Worksheet) for all contract employees working the contract, who have access to VA facilities, VA systems, or privacy data, to the COR.

0. The Contractor and Contractor point of contact (POC) will receive an email notification from SIC identifying the website link that includes detailed instructions regarding completion of the background clearance application process and what level of background was requested. Reminder notifications will be sent if the complete package is not submitted by the due date.

0. The Contractor shall prescreen all personnel who require access to VA site(s) and/or access to VA LAN systems to ensure they maintain a U.S. citizenship or Alien Registration that authorizes them to work in the U.S. and are able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

0. Contractors who have current favorable background investigation conducted by OPM or Defense Security Service (DSS) may be accepted through reciprocation; however, it does not preclude the Contractor from submitting a completed Attachment C form immediately after contract or task order award for all contract employees working the contract to the COR.

0. Contract performance shall not commence before SIC confirmation that it received the investigative documents, that they are complete, and that the background investigation has begun. Once the Contractor’s background investigation has been initiated, contract performance may commence. The COR will notify and forward the Contractor a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility (form 4236) to the Contractor when the investigation has been favorably completed and adjudicated. The Contractor, if notified of an unfavorable adjudication by the Government, shall withdraw the employee from consideration from working under the contract. Failure to comply with the Contractor personnel security requirements may result in termination of the contract for default.

0. If the security clearance investigation is not completed prior to the start date of the contract, the contract employee may work on the contract with an initiated status while the security clearance is being processed; however, the Contractor shall be responsible for the actions of those contract and subcontract employees they provide to perform work for VA. In the event damage arises from work performed by Contractor personnel, under the auspices of the contract, the Contractor shall be responsible for resources necessary to remedy the incident.

0. Should the Contractor use a vendor other than OPM or DSS to conduct investigations, the investigative company must be certified by OPM/DSS to conduct Contractor investigations. The Vendor Cage Code number must be provided to the VA SIC, which will verify the information and conclude whether access to the Government’s site(s) and/or VA LAN systems can be.

0. The investigative history for Contractor personnel working under this contract must be maintained in the databases of either OPM or the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Organization (DISCO).

GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

0. After the COR has received Attachment C form(s) from the Contractor, SIC will send an e-mail notification to the Contractor and their POC identifying the website link that includes detailed instructions regarding completion of the background clearance application process and what level of background was requested. SIC will also send reminder notifications to the Contractor and their POC if the complete package is not submitted by the due date.

0. Upon receipt of required investigative documents, SIC will review the investigative documents for completion and initiate the background investigation by forwarding the investigative documents to OPM to conduct the background investigation. If the investigative documents are not complete, SIC will return the package to the Contractor with corrective instructions.

0. VA must pay for investigations processed through the VA SIC and conducted by OPM.

0. The COR must notify and forward the Contractor a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility (form 4236) when the investigation has been favorably completed and adjudicated. The COR must also notify the Contractor of an unfavorable adjudication by the Government.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISCLOSURE

It is agreed that:

1. The preliminary and final deliverables and all associated working papers, application source code, and other material deemed relevant by the VA which have been generated by the contractor in the performance of this contract are the exclusive property of the U.S. Government, and must be submitted to the COR at the conclusion of the contract.

2. The Contracting Officer (CO) will be the sole authorized official to release verbally or in writing, any data, the draft deliverables, the final deliverables, or any other written or printed materials pertaining to this contract. No information shall be released by the contractor. Any request for information relating to this contract presented to the contractor shall be submitted to the CO for response.

3. Press releases, marketing material or any other printed or electronic documentation related to this project, shall not be publicized without the written approval of the CO.

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