Questions_and_Answers_-_12_Sep_2019.pdf

502 CONS/JBKAE FA301619QU0299

JBSA Lackland, TX IAAFA Course Translation Copy

Questions and Answers Page 1 of 2

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Cut-off date for contractor questions is 3:00 pm CST on 11 September 2019

Questions and Answers Continued:

Question 15: Will we be required to come over for meetings?

Government Response: We need constant interactions with contractor to make sure we get a good product. We prefer the contractor to work in phases in order to be able to provide feedback and to make necessary revisions on time. We do not want a final product that does not meet our requirements/approval.

Question 16: Can we perform the tasks related to this RFQ outside the USA?

Government Response: Yes, as long as you meet all terms and conditions.

Question 17: Can we submit proposals via email

Government Response: Quotes may be submitted via email. However, be aware of email limit sizes for the submission of samples (see Amendment 3).

Question 18: The number of words quoted (2,000,000 and 16 hours video) is extensive for the short time period to perform this work. Is there an existing translation and/or memory that can be used, or is this job all brand new work?

Government Response: This translation is needed for a new instruction version of SOS material. We have the translations for the current material, however, we are requesting ALL BRAND NEW work.

Question 19: Related to the previous question, if all new work, given the amount, is it the government’s expectation that this work will be done first using AI (machine translation) and then edited by translators?

Government Response: The final product needs to be in Spanish at a collegiate level. However that is attained is at the contractor’s discretion.

Question 20: Is there any leeway in the timetable for this work? The Statement of Need says “Timelines may vary and are subject to changes by the Government.” We find it hard to imagine delivering polished, academically acceptable translation of 2,000,000 words in only 8 weeks. Please explain why there is such a short turnaround required.

Government Response: See Question 2

Question 21: Regarding the sample translation requirements:

A. Regarding the sample translation of the J6350 Teaching Plan, does the government want acronyms left in English, or translated/expanded in Spanish and thereafter use the Spanish acronym?

Answer: Translate an acronym the first time it appears thereafter leave it in English B. Considering the video, is the requirement the submission of the translation of the transcript, only, or is it the English transcript alongside the Spanish translation in column format? In addition, may we assume the actual voiceover is not required as part of the test?

502 CONS/JBKAE FA301619QU0299

JBSA Lackland, TX IAAFA Course Translation Copy

Questions and Answers Page 2 of 2

Answer: See Question 1. Voiceover is required as part of the test.

C. We find the video, however, to be lengthy for a test translation (over 5 minutes). Considering that transcription is needed first, before translation, will the government consider requiring translation of only a portion of the video, which is less than one week’s time?

Answer: Shorter, 3 minutes, voiceover is acceptable as part of a test only D. If the entire script is to be translated, would the government consider allowing more time for proposal submission?

Answer: See Question 21-C. The Government will not be extending this solicitation.

Question 22: Please confirm that standard Latin American Spanish is the Spanish required.

Government Response: See Question 7

Question 23: Our company is not a Small Business. Are we still able to participate in this solicitation?

Government Response: This requirement has been set aside for Small Business only. Those that are not a Small Business are not eligible for award.

Question 24: If an offeror is a holder of a valid GSA contract with applicable SINs, will the sales under this RFP be reportable under the offeror’s GSA Schedule sales?

Government Response: This requirement is solicited as a Request for Quotation, not a Request for Proposals. The resultant award will be a standalone, open market Purchase Order. This RFQ is not posted to GSA nor will it be procured as a delivery order off of a GSA Schedule (regardless if the awardee has a GSA Schedule).

Question 25: The solicitation states: “The offeror must submit a sample of their capabilities. Attachment 2 and 3 will be required to be translated to Collegiate Spanish.” However, the enclosed attachments are Attachment 1 & 2. Please confirm that the enclosed Attachment_1_J-6350-TP- Joint_Warfare_Presentation.docx and J-6020-VD-Instruments_of_Power- Theory_in_Action__Liberalism.wmv files are the ones that need to be translated/voiced-over and submitted with the response as samples of capabilities.

Government Response: See Question 5.

Question 26: Besides the sample translation and voice over of Attachments 1 & 2 and a completed RFQ document (with a quote on all CLINs and all applicable clauses/provisions filled in), what other information/documentation should bidders submit for review, if any?

Government Response: No other documents are required past the RFQ documents and both samples.

Question 27: Do you have an existing glossary of terms and/or Translation Memory data file, or any other linguistic resource(s) utilized for previous translations/versions of the course that will be provided for reference to the awarded bidder?

Government Response: See Question 18