DOL111RP21178 0002.DOC

5. PROJECT NO.

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

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 telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR AC- KNOWLEDGMENT 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. 10-83)

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 NUMBERED 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 telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

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

D. OTHER

BY

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

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

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.)

(No., 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) (If applicable)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X) (X)

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) OASAM Office of Procurement Services U. S. Department of Labor

RM S4307

200 Constitution Ave., NW Washington DC 20210 OASAM Office of Procurement Services U. S. Department of Labor

RM S4307

200 Constitution Ave., NW Washington DC 20210 To all Offerors/Bidders

DOL111RP21178

11-22-2010 X x x N/A x THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMENDMENT IS TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS SUBMITTED FOR CLARIFICATION.

PLEASE SEE CONTINUATION PAGES FOR RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS SUBMITTED FOR CLARIFICATION.

GLADYS M. BAILEY

CONTRACTING

CONTINUATION PAGE

1. What is the approximate length of each hearing? An hour, two hours, half day, etc.

ANSWER: Depending on the issue at hand the approximate length of each hearing is 30 to 60 minutes.

2. There are three types of hearings: face-to-face, video conference and telephonic.

· A) When doing face-to-face hearings, are these locations always going to be at a government facility?

ANSWER: Most hearings are located at a government facility, but not always.

· B) When doing video conferences, will these be at a government facility or is the contractor responsible for setting this up at their location?

[1.5 on page 20, it states that the reporter/stenographer will meet, greet and escort parties involved for building entrance to the hearing room.]

ANSWER: There are 14 locations currently in use for video conferencing. Court reporters are expected to report to the prescribed hearing location listed on the hearing notice in order to meet, greet, and escort claimants, attorneys and/or additional parties such as witnesses.

· C) For telephonic hearings, contractor will participate from their office as will all other parties involved?

ANSWER: Yes, no travel is involved in telephonic hearings.

3. Section 3.5 Pre-Addressed Envelopes. Can you please give me more detail on this.

ANSWER: The government does supply “franked envelopes” but no pre-paid envelopes. These envelopes are pre-addressed with the government return address and code (only). The government does not provide the mailing labels as this is the contractor’s responsibility but the transcripts will be mailed by the Department of Labor. In addition, the contractor will notify the COTR when there is a need for more “franked envelopes.” If the contractor is local (within 100 miles) the envelopes should be picked up when the transcripts are delivered. If the contractor is not local, the contractor will be responsible for all costs associated with shipping.

4. The photocopying that is referenced, is this exhibits? And will the photocopying need to be done onsite at a government location, or will we be allowed to take exhibits and other necessary documents with us?

ANSWER: Exhibits will not be handled by the contractor; however, the contractor is expected to provide 1 original and 2 photocopies of the transcripts to the Branch.

5. Do we need to specify who will be covering each location of the 95% breakdown and the 5% breakdown?

How many hearings per site/per day? This will help us in knowing the level of coverage to provide per city.

ANSWER: Yes. It is possible to have up to 170 hearings scheduled for one day between several hearing representatives. Some can be held via telephone, some in person and some via video equipment. So while 10 hearing representatives are holding telephone hearings around the country simultaneously, 5 other representatives can be holding in-person hearings in 5 different locations around the country while 5 other representatives are holding video hearings in 5 other locations.

6. Section 1.9.2 (page 14): Background investigations. Will all reporters and administrative staff need to go through a background check? What if we use a reporter in a remote city only one time?

ANSWER: Background investigation varies by hearing and the participation of an Agency on an as needed basis only.

7. Do you foresee there being an amendment/extension with this solicitation?

ANSWER: No, it is not in the best interest of the Government to amend/extend this solicitation at this time.

8. Please clarify: are offerors required to submit BOTH a Phase-in Plan AND a Phase-out Plan with the proposal or JUST a Phase-in Plan?

ANSWER: Yes, offerors are required to submit BOTH a Phase-in Plan and Phase-out Plan.

9. Can the selected contractor charge any appearance fees?

ANSWER: If by this you mean a cancellation fee, this charge may be applied only once per location site, per day, when all hearings scheduled for that site have been cancelled.

10.Are there any opportunities for additional copy sales of transcripts to parties involved?

ANSWER: No.

11. What is the estimated page count of an average hearing transcript under this solicitation?

ANSWER: The estimated page count of an average hearing transcript is 25-35 pages.

12.We found the meaning of Section 6.8 on page 23 to be unclear; Can you please clarify the meaning of this section?

ANSWER: The contractor agrees that all recordings, stenographic notes, or their equivalent, taken in connection with the services rendered under this contract, and typed plate made therefore, shall be filed and held by the reported subject (contractor) to authority and control of the Department of Labor for a period of one year.

The contractor shall file and hold all recordings, stenographic notes or their equivalent for a period of one year under the authority of the Department of Labor.

13.We are under the impression that awards, including amounts charged for the service requested, become public knowledge when they are awarded; Can you supply us with the reasoning behind listing the current rate being charged as “Not Releasable” in Section 14, question 2 of Addendum 1?

ANSWER: SUBJECTED TO FOIA, Freedom of Information Act.

14. Furthermore, if no sufficient reason is found to keep the current rate “Not Releasable”, could you please let us know what the current per page rates being charged by the current vendor are?

ANSWER: SUBJECTED TO FOIA, Freedom of Information Act.