21Q0053 Amend 0001 Questions and Answers.pdf

95332421Q0053 Amendment 0001 DCO FO Interpretation Service

Questions and Answers

1. Could you please tell me if the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation posted as solicitation number 95332421Q0053 will be a follow-on requirement to any work performed currently or in the past, or will this be a new requirement?

Although MCC has had interpretation contracts in the past, this particular requirement is new.

2. Is there an incumbent vendor for these services?

No, there is no incumbent.

3. If so, what rates do they provide?

N/A

4. What has been the biggest challenge for fulfilling services under this contract, or if this is a new contract, are there any challenges that you anticipate?

This is a new contract. We anticipate the main challenge to be scheduling of on-site events.

We work with our country partners to schedule these events and may take time to confirm participation. The need to reschedule/cancel events is a realistic expectation.

5. What is the expected volume of this contract?

MCC estimates six (6) online events each year. Each event lasts for about 1.5 to 2 hours. We also estimate three (3) in-person events each year. Each event lasts for up to 8 hours a day.

Refer to Question No. 24 for additional detail about the expected volume of work.

6. Is there any historical data for Video Remote Interpretation Services and On-Demand

Interpreter Services?

No.

7. Is this RFP open to out of state vendors?

Note this is a FAR Part 13 RFQ, not FAR Part 15 RFP. Out-of-state vendors are permitted to quote; however, they must note the in-person events will require physical presence, including setting up necessary equipment.

Refer to RFQ SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK.

8. Is this a multiple source award contract?

Multiple awards are possible, but MCC anticipates one award.

9. Section C, II. Scope (p. 8) | The Government states, "While many of the services are anticipated to be French, there is the possibility for interpretation required in other languages, e.g., Indonesian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Nepali." Does the Government anticipate requirements for more than one (1) foreign language at any of the events?

There are no events planned at this time for multiple languages. It is not the norm to have an event with multiple languages. If in the rare case this is necessary, it would be French and one other language.

10. Section C, II. Scope (p. 8) | Please confirm the variant of Portuguese to be used i.e., Brazilian

Portuguese or European Portuguese.

MCC requires the European (Portugal) Portuguese.

11. Section C, IV. In-Person Simultaneous Interpretation (pp. 9-10) | Will the government receive and store equipment shipped directly to the MCC in advance of events? How much lead time will Offeror technicians have access to MCC facilities for set-up and testing equipment prior to events?

Yes, MCC will coordinate with the contractor to receive equipment and schedule testing up to one day prior to the event.

12. Section C, V. Rescheduling or Cancellation (p. 10) | Can the government clarify how much lead time they will normally provide for rescheduling or cancellations? Since this is a T&M contract, will PM and Technician time, material shipping or fees, or other costs incurred up to the time of reschedule or cancellation be billable?

MCC will make every effort to provide as much lead time as possible prior to any rescheduling/cancellation. For events that are held onsite we will notify the vendor 14 days prior to rescheduling/cancellation. Because our attendees travel from our partner countries, we make every effort to provide as much lead time as possible before rescheduling/cancelling an event.

13. Section C, VII. Country (p. 10) | Please confirm if the Government will have a need for other languages pertinent to countries listed (e.g., Maghrebi Arabic for Morocco and Tunisia, Southern Sotho for Lesotho, Creole for Capo Verde, etc.).

For these country partners the primary language is French. MCC currently portends the need for French, Indonesian, Spanish, (European) Portuguese, and Nepali interpreters.

Offeror must at a minimum submit an hourly rate for these language interpreters.

14. Section H, H.1, Paragraphs A- F Security Requirements for Contractor Personnel (pp. 17-20)

| Will the Governemnt require a public trust for all personnel performing at MCC locations?

No, we do not require a Government Security Clearance for the contractors.

15. Section H, H.1, Paragraph F. Contract Award (p. 20) | "The Government states, ""Within two

(2) business days after notice of award from the contracting officer, contractor shall propose a list of all contractor employees and subcontractor employees working under the contract (unless otherwise stated in the contract) including the information and documentation required herein."" ""The list shall include each employee's full name, work and home addresses, work and personal e-mail addresses, work and personal telephone numbers and personal cell telephone numbers. This list shall state and justify the level of access each contractor candidate will require; that is, access to MCC headquarters, access to sensitive information, MCCNet access, or no access privileges."" Can the Government clarify the level of access requirements for access to MCC headquarters, to sensitive information, for MCCNet, or no access?"

Contractors will be required to access MCC Headquarters in Washington, DC for in-person events. They will be limited to specific rooms/areas and will not permitted to walk through other areas without an MCC escort. Contractor may be exposed to sensitive information.

MCC will inform when we expect sensitive information will be shared. Contractors must not share any sensitive information outside the interpretation events. Contractors may have access to MCC Wi-Fi but will not have any access to MCC intranet.

16. L.3.2 Volume I Technical (pg. 54) | Volume I must not be more than five (5) pages. Should

Offerors include a Table of Contents, Acronym Listing, and List of Figures, and if so, are they inclusive of the five (5) page count allocated for the Technical Volume?

No, Table of Contents, Acronym Listing, and List of Figures do not count towards the 5-page limit. However, offerors must take care not to include any technical details in these parts to circumvent the page limit.

17. L.3.3 Volume II Past Performance (p. 54) | Should Offerors include a Table of Contents, Acronym Listing, and List of Figures in the Past Performance Volume?

No, that is not necessary for Volume II Past Performance. However, if the offeror deemed it necessary to clarify any acronyms, you may do so.

18. L.3.3 Volume III Pricing (p. 55) | Should Offerors include a Table of Contents, Acronym

Listing, and List of Figures in the Pricing Volume?

No, that is not necessary for Volume III Price. However, if the offeror deemed it necessary to clarify any acronyms, you may do so.

19. L.3.4 Volume III Pricing (p. 56) | The RFQ establishes estimates of the number of annual on-site and virtual events and indicates French and possibly other languages. In calculating the total estimated annual costs and to establish a common baseline evaluation across offerors, will the Government consider requiring pricing for all offerors based on English/French and French/English for three (3) on-site events and six (6) virtual events annually?

MCC has reconsidered the price quote and offerors must submit a separate rate for each of the following languages: 1. French, 2. Indonesian, 3. Spanish, 4. (European) Portuguese, and

5. Nepali. This holds true even if the offeror’s rates are the same for some or all five languages. Offerors shall build their estimated annual price based on the highest (most expensive) rate of the five languages.

MCC may need access to other languages; if the contractor can identify such interpreters for a reasonable price, MCC may hire those interpreters as need arises during the contract performance. But as those other languages are yet defined, Offerors are not requested to submit a rate for other languages at this time. However, if available, a complete catalogue of available languages and rates are encouraged.

Refer to SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS for revision on Volume III Price.

20. Whether companies from Outside USA can apply for this?

This requirement is not set aside for local contractors, so anyone may apply. However, this requirement includes in-person meetings where we expect the contractor interpreters to be present. The contractor is also required to set up and tear down necessary equipment for the in-person events.

Refer to RFQ SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK.

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

The necessary contractor personnel, such as the interpreters and installation technicians, are required to be present for the in-person events.

22. Can we perform the tasks (related to RFP) outside USA?

The necessary contractor personnel, such as the interpreters and installation technicians, are required to be present for the in-person events.

23. Can we submit the proposals via email?

In accordance with RFQ SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS, quotes are to be submitted via email.

24. RFQ mentions that there will potentially be 6 virtual events and 3 in-person each year.

Would you please clarify how many days approximately will each event be whether in-person or virtual?

Each of the six virtual events are about 1.5-2 hours so the engagement would be not to exceed a day per event. The three in-person events are about 3-5 days per event. So we’re estimating about 15 to 21 days of engagement per year [(< 1 day * 6 virtual events) + (3 or 5 days * 3 in-person events)].

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