Q A2.pdf

1. Can you reveal if the incumbent is listed as an "interested vendor" under this new RFQ? Can you also reveal if you would rate the incumbent as: Outstanding, Excellent, Good, Marginal or Unsatisfactory?

This requirement is posted on FBO so all vendors may be provided an opportunity. The government will not reveal if the incumbent is listed as an interested vendor. The government will not reveal the past performance ratings.

2. Do you anticipate making one award for all services, or might the contract be shared among two or more bidders?

This BPA shall be established with one awardee.

3. Can you give an example of what a non-public meeting, conferences and workshops would entail? (i.e., how many people would attend, is it a round-table meeting in a conference room or is it a large meeting in a hotel room with speakers using a podium, etc.

any other information you can share would be valuable.

An example of non-public meetings, conferences and workshops could be any of the following: a round-table meeting in a conference room, a large meeting at the FTC or other location with speakers using a podium, etc. The number of people attending varies for example there could be 5 or 200. The FTC does not have data on the number of attendees. These are only examples of the services and number of attendees. More details about the specific services will be detailed in each individual Service Request.

4. On Page 8 of 63, Item 2.3.1.1.5 for "Translation and Interpreter Services" the first item listed is "Transcription with Translation (max 10 days) (per page)"-- can you clarify if this would be translation of audio files or of written documents from another language into English and then put into a transcript format, or both?

Transcription with Translation (max 10 Days) (per page) would be for documents in any format (including audio files or written documents) transcribed from another language to English or from English to another language into a transcript.

5. To clarify the answer to question number 21 in the Q&A document: What sorts of video editing would be needed under this contract? For example, is this the creation of short video clips to be used at trial? Are the video editing (hours) referred to the hours of time it takes to actually do the editing or the hours of edited time?

An example of video editing the FTC would require is for the videographer to provide two versions, the full non-edited version and an in-camera version. The editing hours being referred to are not the creation of short video clips to be used at trial. The video editing (hours) is the amount of time the videographer needs to edit what he/she has recorded, not the hours of the edited time.

6. To clarify the answer to question number 24 in the Q&A document: what sort of transcript editing would be needed under this contract? It is my understanding that the transcript is the transcript, and the verbatim testimony cannot be edited after the fact. The only editing that would be allowed would be if the court reporter made an error and it would be corrected based upon the court reporter's notes or audio or video files which prove that a transcription error occurred, OR if you were requesting excerpts to be created to be used at trial. If the editing is the latter, and numerous clips were asked to be created, the time it takes to create same should be billed at whatever the actual time it would take to create them would be, regardless of the cost of the original transcript. Am I misunderstanding?

Editing a transcript is rare but an example would be, when an FTC Attorney requested the following change: “Brian” should read “Bryan.” The verbatim testimony cannot be edited after the fact.

7. Further to question 38: As the contractor will be required to use the FTC's approved vendors for photocopying and scanning, it seems only fair that the contractor have the right to know the names of these businesses that they are going to be required to, in effect, subcontract to under this contract, prior to deciding to bid on this contract. Would you be able to provide those names at this time?

This section shall be revised to remove the part about agreements with existing vendors. “In the event the Contractor is required to photocopy or fax Sensitive Information, the Contractor shall use photocopying or fax facilities designated by the COR, or notify and seek the COR’s express approval for the use of alternative facilities that provide comparable levels of privacy and data security protection, including but not limited to secure deletion of FTC images and content from the storage components of photocopying, facsimile, and similar devices.” The vendor must seek approval from the COR to designate acceptable facilities, which in some cases may be the awardee’s facilities.

8. In the pricing matrix under the Section for Realtime Reporting, do the CLINs for “Interactive Realtime”, “Interactive Realtime each additional unit to ordering party”, “LiveNote Token”, “Rough Draft ASCII, Each Party”, “Live, Minimum Original Transcript Fee”, apply only to FTC or does the pricing a vendor bids apply to all parties to the proceeding?

a. If this applies to all parties how many of the estimated pages apply only to FTC (with the balance being pages purchased by parties)?

b.If this applies to all parties does that mean that the vendor is being evaluated on pricing not being paid by the Agency?

The CLINs for “Interactive Realtime”, “Interactive Realtime each additional unit to ordering party”, “LiveNote Token”, “Rough Draft ASCII, Each Party”, “Live, Minimum Original Transcript Fee”, apply only to FTC.

a. It only applies to the FTC and does not apply to all parties.

b. It only applies to the FTC and does not apply to all parties.

9. The evaluation matrix indicates an estimate of approximately 7300 pages of “Live Recording – Realtime”. Would you break this number down by type of proceeding (deposition, arbitration, trial, meeting, etc.) and delivery time (next day, 2 day, 3 day, etc.)?

The FTC has reviewed the data and provided the requested breakdown by type of proceeding and delivery time. Please see Q&A Attachment 1, Realtime Rough Draft Breakdown.

10. The evaluation matrix indicates an estimate of approximately 28,500 pages of “Rough Draft ASCII”. Would you break this number down by type of proceeding (deposition, arbitration, trial, meeting, etc.) and delivery time (next day, 2 day, 3 day, etc.)?

The FTC has reviewed the data and provided the requested breakdown by type of proceeding and delivery time. Please see Q&A Attachment 1, Realtime Rough Draft Breakdown.

11. In the pricing matrix would you add line items to allow a vendor to price the Realtime Reporting line items, not only by geographic location (In DC, etc.), but by type of proceeding (deposition, trial, etc.) and delivery time (next day, 2 day, etc.), as is the custom in the industry?

The pricing matrix is based upon the needs of the government and shall not be altered further.

12. Does the FTC supply their own laptops for realtime or does the vendor supply the laptop? If the vendor supplies the laptop, should their be a line item added for laptop rental?

The FTC Employees will supply their own laptops for Realtime.

13. What is the purpose of the backup laptop and what is the backup laptop used for?

The purpose of the backup laptop is to provide an additional laptop in the event the FTC Employee's laptop does not function. The backup laptop will only be provided when the FTC orders Realtime but his/her computer will not connect to the court reporters computer.

14. As a follow-up to Q&A Number 32, is the vendor at risk of performing services, as needed and as requested by the agency, when the agency’s established ceiling price has been met? What are the possible consequences to the vendor if the agency’s set ceiling price was not high enough?

Yes, the vendor is at risk if they perform services in excess of the established ceiling.

In the event the ceiling price is met, the government will determine an applicable action within regulation to meet the government’s needs.

15. Please define the term “call” as used in connection with the funding for services. Is it a defined period of time?

A BPA call is a call against an existing Master Blanket Purchase Agreement to request a service or product provided under the established agreement.

16. May vendors claim exceptions to any portions of the RFQ or SOW?

Vendors may not claim exceptions to any portions of the RFQ or (SOW) PWS.

17. Might the agency answers to Q&A Numbers 36 and 37 be revised as per the blanket security statement shown in Q&A Number 34: “The FTC is reconsidering the security aspects of this solicitation and will release the answer to the aforementioned question in a subsequent amendment”?

Q&A Numbers 36 & 37 have been further researched. At this time the RFQ personnel requirements shall be updated regarding the background investigations and clearances.

It is proper for the FTC to treat stenographers as “low risk” as determined by the Position Designation System, and thus, the agency can determine that they properly fall outside the “public trust” definition.

Therefore, a Non-Disclosure Agreement shall be signed by all stenographers and employees.

Copies of NDA’s shall be forwarded to the COR and kept on file for the duration of the contract.

18. FTC’s reconsideration of the security statement is a big concern for this potential bidder. When is that amendment expected? When is the revised RFQ expected? And can this all be accomplished to allow quality proposals by April 18?

The Revised RFQ shall be posted along with Amendment No. 2. Additionally, the solicitation close date shall be extended to May 2, 2016 @ 3:00 PM.

19. The rate sheet includes minimum fee line items for realtime reporting and original transcripts but not for a transcription project. Would the agency add a line item for minimum transcription fee?

The pricing matrix is based upon the needs of the government and shall not be altered further.

Q&A Attachment 1: Realtime Rough Draft Breakdown.

Description Location Rush

Under 4 Hours

Next Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10-14 Day 15 Day

Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) DC 0 747 67 220 0 1059 0 441 0 0 33 0 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 0 195 383 428 96 1034 190 19 9 0 1060 0 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) DC 5 59 32 126 105 297 89 129 153 12 376 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 0 0 4 8 0 41 0 0 0 0 19 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Description Location Rush

Under 4 Hours

Next Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10-14 Day 15 Day

Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) DC 0 3571 318 1050 0 5058 0 2108 0 0 160 0 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 0 930 1830 2045 459 4939 909 91 45 0 5062 0 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) DC 23 281 153 600 501 1421 426 617 731 59 1798 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 0 0 17 37 0 195 0 0 0 0 90 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Q&A Attachment 1, Realtime Rough Draft Breakdown.

2015 Rough Draft (43% of total Deposition and Trial pages)

Delivery Time - Pricing

2015 Realtime (9% of total Deposition and Trial pages)

Delivery Time - Pricing

Under 4 Hours

Next Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10-14 Day 15 Day

Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) DC 0 338 80 81 0 1906 0 94 0 0 19 0 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 12 186 236 129 399 999 325 0 0 0 291 70 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) DC 0 0 0 0 0 355 11 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 0 0 0 0 0 52 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Description Location Rush

Under 4 Hours

Next Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10-14 Day 15 Day

Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) DC 0 1688 400 406 0 9532 0 470 0 0 97 0 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 60 928 1179 647 1996 4994 1626 0 0 0 1455 351 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) DC 0 0 0 0 0 1775 57 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 0 0 0 0 0 258 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2014 Realtime (8% of total Deposition and Trial pages)

Delivery Time - Pricing

2014 Rough Draft (40% of total Deposition and Trial pages)

Under 4 Hours

Next Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10-14 Day 15 Day

Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) DC 0 78 38 0 0 232 0 427 0 0 38 0 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 10 54 125 55 107 841 621 0 0 0 449 85 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) DC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 0 0 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Description Location Rush

Under 4 Hours

Next Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10-14 Day 15 Day

Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) DC 0 471 228 0 0 1391 0 2563 0 0 228 0 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 62 321 750 331 643 5043 3725 0 0 0 2691 509 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) DC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 0 0 0 0 0 104 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2013 Realtime (6% of total Deposition and Trial pages)

Delivery Time - Pricing

2013 Rough Draft (36% of total Deposition and Trial pages)

Under 4 Hours

Next Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10-14 Day 15 Day

Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) DC 0 803 562 117 0 2578 0 544 31 46 401 0 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 0 534 1244 338 293 3537 1265 0 0 0 685 48 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) DC 0 0 0 0 0 51 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 0 0 0 0 0 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Description Location Rush

Under 4 Hours

Next Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10-14 Day 15 Day

Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) DC 0 1919 1342 280 0 6158 0 1299 74 111 958 0 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 0 1275 2971 806 699 8449 3021 0 0 0 1636 115 Deposition/Arbitration Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) DC 0 0 0 0 0 121 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) Out of DC 0 0 0 0 0 58 0 0 0 0 0 0 Trial/Meeting/Conference/Workshop Transcripts (pages) International 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2012 Realtime (18% of total Deposition and Trial pages)

Delivery Time - Pricing

2012 Rough Draft (43% of total Deposition and Trial pages)