DR250009_Q_A_Document_1.pdf

Invitation for Bid (IFB) – ASL Video Remote Interpreting Services

DR250009

Questions and Answers

Question 1: How much is the budget for this bid?

Response 1: The contract resulting from this IFB is currently budgeted at a maximum of approximately $20,000.00 annually, however, the services are on an as-needed basis.

Question 2: Is there an incumbent providing on-demand VRI currently? If so, can you share the name of the vendor and their current rate?

Response 2: The incumbent vendor for VRI services is Convo Communications LLC. Their current rates are not for unlimited services so they do not relate directly to this advertisement.

Their current rate is $599 for 240 minutes per month.

Question 3: How many users will be using the system?

Response 3: The CDE does not have this information.

Question 4: Can you provide a monthly usage report for the past year?

Response 4: The CDE does not have this information.

Question 5: Based on this historical data, what is the expected monthly usage for the upcoming contract period?

Response 5: The CDE does not have this information.

Question 5: Can we submit our bid on a $/per minute basis?

Response 5: Please complete the bid forms as written. Please see the IFB Document General Information, Article XI Bid Submission.

Question 6: The bid form is asking for a dollar amount for X hours per month. Do you know how many hours per month is needed?

Response 6: Please see the IFB Document, Exhibit A, Scope of Work, Article V. Item A.

Question 7: Will copies of interpreter certifications be publicly accessible, or will they remain confidential?

Response 7: Please see IFB Document, General Information, Article X. Bid Documents as Public Record.

Question 8: The solicitation requests "unlimited" VRI ASL services for a fixed monthly price.

Can your agency clarify what "unlimited" means in this context?

Response 8: Please see the IFB Document, Exhibit A, Scope of Work for the services required.

The CDE is requesting a fixed price per month regardless of the amount of usage.

Question 9: Would you consider revising the solicitation to reflect a per-minute pricing model, which would allow for more competitive and transparent pricing?

Response 9: No. Please complete the bid forms as written. Please see the IFB Document General Information, Article XI Bid Submission.

Question 10: Given the financial and operational risks associated with offering "unlimited" services, would you consider removing the "unlimited" language from the solicitation and replacing it with a more sustainable pricing model, such as a per-minute rate?

Response 10: No. Please complete the bid forms as written. Please see the IFB Document

Question 11: If replacing the actual pricing structure is not feasible, would you be open to including a usage cap in the contract, beyond which additional costs would apply? For example, could we agree on a baseline monthly usage (based on historical data) and implement a tiered pricing structure for usage above that baseline?

Response 11: No. Please complete the bid forms as written. Please see the IFB Document