HE125420Q8011_Amend1_060220.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

AMENDMENT-1: HE1254-20-Q-8011 American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Service

The referenced solicitation above is revised to incorporate the responses to the questions received.

Questions from Vendors Response

1 Is this an existing contract? What is the contract number?

What are their rates?

Yes, the current contract is HE1254-15-D-0004. A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request has to be submitted to obtain the requested information.

2 For planning purposes, when will the Base Year begin? The government anticipates July 1, 2020, as the start of the Base Year.

3 Was there a previous RFP for these services? If so, can we see that previous RFP document?

Yes. The previous Request For Proposal can be viewed via beta.sam.gov.

4 Section 2.1.1 of PWS states "The Contractor must possess national certification. The Minimum level of ASL certification accepted is Certified Generalist with five (5) years documented/submitted performance at a satisfactory level or above. All Certifications must be current and made available at the kick-off meeting with the government. The contractor will ensure all certification information is on file, updated and or renewed, and made available to the DoDEA Contracting Officer and or the EEO Office upon request. Certification documents will become part of the official contract file. Consideration will not be given to non-certified or non-qualified interpreters. The contractor shall submit a complete and thorough professional portfolio of their services after award." Is this referring to the Certifications of the Interpreters?

Yes, all interpreters should possess the minimum level of ASL certification.

5 From (d) Factor 1 of Instruction to Offerors – "Technical Capabilities: Offerors shall be evaluated on their understanding of the magnitude and complexity as it applies to the requirement detailed in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). The quotes are required to provide evidence of their capability to meet all the needs per the PWS. Offerors shall include a complete and thorough professional portfolio of their services." What type of evidence of capability to meet all the needs per the PWS is considered acceptable during the evaluation process?

Provide statements, and examples of the same or similar type contracts (interpreting service) performed or current contracts to include dates, agency, contract amount, service details.

6 It is industry standard for sign language interpreters to be secured a 2 hour minimum for each assignment. I do not see this language in the solicitation documents, would you consider adding it?

No. Please refer to the PWS under section 3.4.4 (page 6).

7 In light of the current situation involving the COVID-19 pandemic, would the DoDEA be willing to make use of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) as a substitute for on-site interpreting services until such time as health and safety protocols allow for on-site interpreting?

If the deaf or hearing-impaired employee is currently teleworking or an event is planned for remote broadcast, the interpreter may use VRI. However, it is not the preferred method; all attempts shall be made to perform on-site interpreting service.

8 During the COVID-19 Crisis, will the Bureau allow remote interpreting services as an option to support continuity of operations should your location expect employees to tele-work?

Yes, please refer to the response for question #7.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY

9 Please provide the health and safety requirements for government contractors operating on government contract site during the coronavirus crisis. For example, are contractors required to provide their own Personal Protective Equipment or will safety equipment be provided by the government or not required for use on site.

The government will not be responsible for providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or other safety equipment. Nevertheless, all contractors MUST adhere to current and future safety requirements set forth by the Department of Defense concerning the Mark Center.

10 Are the numbers in the pricing reflective of expected volume or arbitrary volumes for the purposes of bidding?

The hours provided in the CLIN table are the expected volume based on the previous and anticipated needs of the agency.

11 Will the DoDEA reimburse for two interpreters needed for simultaneous interpreting should there be a request lasting 2 hours or longer where the interpreter is required to interpret without natural breaks (i.e. 3-hour training)?

In an event two interpreters are required, the government will compensate for the number of hours rendered by the interpreters.

12 What is the minimum billing charge for services? 1 hour or 2 hours?

The government will pay for the hours of services provided by the number of interpreters required to accomplish the agency's needs. Per the PWS, if the government did not cancel the scheduled service within the allotted time, the government will pay the contractor for the supposed hour(s) of service, not to exceed two (2) hours.

13 Are there any training and in-processing requirements and are they authorized to be billed against the contract?

Time is needed for in-processing to gain building access.

Thus, it cannot be payable against the contract.

14 Are there standing regular requests or are all requests ad hoc?

The government will send interpreting requests for scheduled events in advance of the commencement date.

All interpreting requests are not ad hoc.

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.