Questions_Answers 70FBR423Q00000125 Sign Language Interpretation_CART Services.pdf

Young, Ashlee

To: Young, Ashlee Subject: Question - 70FBR423Q00000125 Sign Language Interpretation Services/Cart

Please see the below vendor question for response regarding the subject line request for quote. I’ve provided responses to question 2 and 3.

1. Will this work include repetitive, ongoing, assignments, (such as Mon-Fri 8-12, etc.), or is it all as-needed? As needed

2. Can FEMA provide the hourly rates currently being paid for these services? NO

3. Historically, what has been FEMA’s biggest challenge in covering assignments? N/A regarding solicitation 70FBR423Q00000125

4. Can FEMA provide anticipated data on:

The total number of hours of services hours are provided on SOW

a. The number of all-day on-call assignments (interpreters scheduled 7 or more hours per day on the same days each week) None

b. The number of assignments 3 hours or less FEMA cannot anticipate the needs of the disaster as it changes all of the time. But these are for short 2-3 hour assignment at most.

c. The number of assignments 7 hours or more None

d. The number of hours of evening/weekend work FEMA cannot anticipate the number of hours, but townhall meetings tend to be in the evening.

e. The number of short-notice assignments (less than 5 business days’ notice) Most of the requests will be less than 5 days

f. The number of short-notice assignments (less than 1 business days’ notice) Maybe 1 or two as we require at least 48 hours notice if at all possible.

g. How many requests would be outside of the main location? There will not be any requests outside of Broward County as this RFQ is for local individuals/businesses.

5. SOW-FACILITY ACCESS-Will FEMA clarify if contractor personnel will be required to have a badge? NO

6. 5.3 Inclement Weather or Emergency- The Contractor will not bill the government for service hours when the government is closed due to inclement weather or emergency.

Because highly qualified and certified interpreters make commitments to clients and then decline other work, and it is extremely difficult to find replacement work at the last minute, the industry standard is any cancellation with less than 2 full business days’ notice is billed for the full, originally assigned time. Will FEMA change this section to state that cancellations provided to the vendor with at least 2 full business days’ notice will incur no fees? There will not be any meetings on federal holidays as the state normally has the same holidays off (FEMA works for the state, not the other way around). We pay for any meetings that are cancelled within the 2 business days. These is standard language for government contracts.

7. 4.0 Qualifications- Deaf interpreters, at minimum, must:

• Where certification is not currently available, possess 150 hours of professional interpreting experience with no less than 50 of those hours in platform or conference interpreting. Interpreter must be able to provide proof of experience upon request.

Because Nationally Certified, Deaf Interpreters who are willing to work in a disaster situation are a small number and the 50 hour platform requirement makes it even smaller, will FEMA remove this requirement? This requirement will not be removed;

however, we understand the issues with national certifications and request Contractors provide the certification or hours as applicable and will be evaluated based on submission.