Amendment 001 - Vendor Q and A.pdf

70SBUR23Q00000229 ‐ Amendment 001 ‐ Vendor Q & A

# Question Part # Section Page # USCIS Response Change to Solicitation?

Is there an incumbent? If there is an incumbent, at what rates are services being offered?

N/A N/A N/A This is a new requirement, there is no incumbent. N

2 Is this a new requirement? N/A N/A N/A Please refer to the above answer. N

3 Is there a current contract in place for interpreter services? N/A N/A N/A Please refer to the answer in 1F. N

Was there a previous RFP for these services? If so, can we see the previous RFP document? N/A N/A N/A

As this is a new requirement, there is no previous solicitation document. N

Do all interpreters need to undergo the background/fingerprint/eQIP process typical to USCIS contracts?

Attachment 3.1 ‐ Terms and Conditions

Section 2.4 Contractor Employee Access 10‐12

Yes, Interpreters will need to be cleared through the Office of Security and Integrity

(OSI) prior to beginning work on the contract. N

My team would like to know if this will be a multi‐award or a single award?

Can you please confirm if the solicitation will be awarded to multiple firms or is it a single award?

Attachment 3.1 ‐ Terms and Conditions

Addendum to 52.212‐1 Instructions to Offerors 21

Refer to Page 21, Section 1. Introduction. The Department of Homeland Security , U.S.

Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) is considering issuing a single award FFP purchase order. N

The RFQ on SAM.gov states the primary and secondary contact clearly, however, the SOW states James Adams is the POC. [Do] the Bids still go to you [Marianne Green] and Dean [Seggay]? Attachment 3.1 ‐ Terms and Conditions

Addendum to 52.212‐1 Instructions to Offerors, Section 2 & 3. 22

Yes, the quote submissions should be sent to CS Marianne Green with a copy to CO Dean Seggay. James Adams is the COR for this requirement and the POC post award. N

8 Is this award LPTA or Best Value?

Attachment 3.1 ‐ Terms and Conditions

Addendum to 52.212‐1 Instructions to Offerors, Section 3. Quote Submission, FAR 52.212‐2 ‐ Evaluation. 22‐23 Lowest Price Technically Acceptable. N

9 How much of the contract is Onsite vs. Remote?

Attachment 3.2 ‐ Statement of Work Section 3 ‐ Scope 1

Appointments under this order will be in person. Remote Services (VRI) are not part of this order. N

The SOW indicates awardee is responsible for providing an alternate interpreter if there is a "no show". If the primary interpreter fails to provide services, is there a time allotted or given for the alternate replacement to show? If so, what is the time frame? Likewise, if the place of interpretation is out of state, what is the time frame allotted for the replace to show?

Attachment 3.2 ‐ Statement of Work Section 3 ‐ Scope 1

The time allotted would be decided on a case by case basis. The program would take into account when notice was received of the interpreter's failure to report, the timing of the scheduled appointments, etc. As USCIS is requesting interpreters for locations in multiple states in the continental U.S., many of the locations requiring services would be deemed "out of state" in relation to the physical location of the vendor. N

11 Can a contractor apply for specific locations only?

Attachment 3.2 ‐ Statement of Work

Section 6 ‐ Place of Performance 3‐6

No. Per the SOW, Section 6, Place of Performance, the awarded contractor will be expected to provide services for all field office locations listed. N

Would USCIS, in the interest of added flexibility and cost savings for the government, allow a line‐item quotation of HIPAA compliant Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) as a supplement to or substitute for on‐site interpreting services?

Attachment 3.2 ‐ Statement of Work N/A N/A

At this time, the services requested are in‐ person ASL and CDI services only. N

Will USCIS change the solicitation to require that vendors must have experience, i.e. other USCIS SLI contracts?

Attachment 3.4 ‐ Technical Acceptability

Checklist N/A 1

No. While familiarity with the USCIS onboarding process is helpful, USCIS does not wish to exclude vendors working with other federal agencies. N

The Spreadsheet mentions $233,000.00 for travel. Is that the budget for your department, or this an error?

Attachment 3.5 ‐ Pricing Spreadsheet Travel CLINS 0003 and 1003 1

Yes, the amounts allocated for travel ($233,000.00) are correct. N

In the interest of saving money for the government ‐ can USCIS allow for separate quotations based on location?

Attachment 3.5 ‐ Pricing Spreadsheet CLINs 0001, 0002, 1001, 1002 1

The Field Operations Directorate has 88 locations in the continental United States; RFP # 70SBUR23Q00000229 is not requesting an hourly rate per location for either American Sign Language (ASL) or Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) Services. N

Industry standard practice for on‐site interpreting utilizes a minimum number of hours per assignment. Will USCIS revise the Price Form to incorporate such a minimum per assignment for on‐site interpreting? We propose a minimum of 2 hours per assignment.

Attachment 3.5 ‐ Pricing Spreadsheet CLINs 0001, 0002, 1001, 1002 1

USCIS is requesting an hourly rate on Attachment 3.5 ‐ Pricing Spreadsheet for both ASL and CDI Services. Per Section 5. Specific Tasks, item f) of the SOW, USCIS will schedule appointments in two hour increments; once the minimum two (2) hour appointment time has been exceeded, billing will be in thirty (30) minute increments. N