Amendment 1 - Vendor questions UWMSN-00663-RFB.docx
DOCX document 90 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 2024-UWMSN-00663-RFB Canceled
- Issued by
- Dane County, Wisconsin
About this file
This is Amendment #1 to RFB 2024-UWMSN-00663 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, which changes the bid due date to June 10, 2024 at 2:00 PM and includes an updated price sheet. The solicitation seeks a single vendor to provide comprehensive language services throughout the State of Wisconsin, including written translation, on-site interpretation, remote interpretation, and voiceover services for foreign spoken languages (excluding American Sign Language). The contract requires vendors to bid on all services and demonstrate competence in simultaneous interpreting with familiarity using Zoom platforms and in-person audio equipment, with suggested qualifications including court certification or related certificates in conference interpreting.
The current incumbent is Midwest Connect with rates of $0.14/word for Spanish translation, $0.35/word for Hmong, and $0.45/word for other languages, while interpretation services range from $80-110/hour with two-hour minimums including travel time and mileage. The estimated annual volume is approximately 100,000 hours for combined interpretation and translation services, with Spanish representing 66% of the workload among the top requested languages (Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Pashto, and Russian). The annual budget is set at $90,000 for one fiscal year, and the state shows preference for certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) vendors, though out-of-state vendors may participate despite logistical challenges for in-person services. The university currently uses Trados translation management software and does not accept machine translation solutions.
View the file
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Amendment #1 - 2024-UWMSN-00663-RFB
Bid due date changed: 6/10/2024 at 2:00pm Updated price sheet attached.
1. How has Wisconsin been handling these requirements prior to this solicitation?
a. Simplified Bid
2. Is there an incumbent? And if so, who is it and what are their contracted rates?
a. Midwest Connect.
b. Translation: $0.14/word – Spanish, $0.35/word Hmong, $0.45/word Other. Interpretation (2 hr minimum): $80/hr – Spanish, $90/hr – Hmong, $80-110/hr – Other.
c. Voiceover: Spanish and Hmong - $80, Other - $80-120/hr.
d. Note: these rates include travel time and mileage as an hourly interpretation rate.
3. Does Wisconsin have any historical volume or spend regarding these services?
a. Yes. A ramped up volume over the past 4 years.
4. Can you provide the breakdown for spend per service (e.g. Written Translation, On site interpreting, remote interpreting, etc.)
a. No breakdown.
5. What is the estimated volume in minutes, hours, words and/or pages for this solicitation? Could you provide historical information of services utilization per language? 7- What percentage of the contract is for Spanish translation?
a. The amounts vary, but the estimate would be around 100,000 hours per year for interpretation/translation combined. See Chart below for break down of Language requests.
b. Spanish translation/interpretation is around 66% of task load.
6. What are Wisconsin’s top 10 requested languages?
a. Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Pashto, Russian
7. Is there a set budget that we should be aware of when bidding?
a. $90,000 for one fiscal year.
8. Can we provide pricing structured differently from the technical requirements? Charging one set rate for each service is not feasible as pricing is dependent on language rarity. For example, Spanish would be priced at a cheaper rate from Hmong given the amount of resources.
a. Yes, that is fine to breakout specific costs per language set.
9. Will you only award vendors who bid on all services or can we chose not to bid on some of the services? If all services required, are there services that weigh higher in the vendor selection evaluation (e.g. primary service is on-site interpreting, second written translation, etc...)?
a. Yes, only awarding vendors who can bid out all services listed within the specifications indicated.
b. No, there is not a weighing of service need. Vendors just need to be ready to provide any and all services needed.
10. Will this bid be awarded to multiple vendors or just one?
a. Just one vendor awarded.
11. Are you open to using Machine Translations with SME human post editing?
a. No. We are not open to Machine translation.
12. What is the typical content type of requested translations?
a. Technical and scholarly
13. How have interpretation sessions been scheduled previously?
a. Through our office setting up meeting times with Vendor and clients. This would continue to be the case.
14. Is Wisconsin open to utilizing Translation Management Software to help aide in the translation process and for scheduling onsite or virtual interpretations?
a. We already have a management software we are using (#14 Trados)
15. Are there certain groups or departments that typically have the most translation/interpretation requests?
a. No, spread out across the organization and throughout the State.
16. Would you be able to provide your language needs by location for OnSite interpreting?
a. All Throughout the State of Wisconsin.
17. Must vendors bid on all services?
a. Yes, all services.
b. No, weighing. Vendor just needs to be able to provide all he service
18. Are there any certification requirements?
a. At a minimum, interpreters must have demonstrated competence and experience in Simultaneous interpreting and familiarity with simultaneous interpreting via the zoom platform and in-person using audio equipment (wireless transmitters and receivers). Suggested ways to show Simultaneous Interpreting competence include Court Certification or related certificates, education, and continuing education credits in conference or simultaneous interpreting. (Bid requirement)
19. Are there any Small Business or Minority Business Enterprise preference clause? If yes, does the SBE or MBE have to hold a certification from the State?
a. Yes, there is a State preference to use SBE and MBE vendors. Yes, a certification is needed.
20. Are out of state vendors able to participate? Is there a local preference clause for business in Wisconsin State?
a. Yes, they can, but it would not be conducive for the in-person Interpretation piece of the services needing to be provided.
21. Does this RFB cover both foreign spoken language services and American Sign Language services? ASL is not covered in this RFB.
a. ASL service is not covered under this RFB.
22. Is this RFB intended for the University of Wisconsin at Madison campus exclusively, or does it encompass all campuses within the University of Wisconsin system?
a. The Purchase Order is for departments located and functioning on the UW Madison Division of Extension campus, but the work done is throughout the State of Wisconsin.
23. For section 3.1.6 regarding the account number with the manufacturer, should I enter the WAMS number?
a. This is not a WAMS number, this would be if you already have an account in ShopUW+ otherwise you would need to be assigned an account.
24. Can the University please verify what DOA form 3027 is?
a. designation of confidentiality and proprietary information image1.png
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .