REVISED_PWS.docx

Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies

Performance Work Statement for Simultaneous Interpretation Services Executive Seminar 03-17 11 September – 22 September 2017

1. Purpose: This PWS details the tasks required for language and translation support services to the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies to enhance stability in the Near East and in South Asia by providing an academic environment where strategic issues can be addressed, understanding deepened, partnerships fostered, defense-related decision-making improved, and cooperation strengthened among military and civilian leaders from the region and the United States.

Background: The Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA), an element of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, is responsible for developing civilian and military specialists from the region of the Near East and in South Asia by providing professional seminars designed to meet the needs of mid-to-upper level military and civilian officials in the national security policy and strategy planning divisions of regional governments, to include but not limited to the Ministry of Interior; General Headquarters; Ministry of Defense; Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Police Force.

Executive Seminar: To assist NESA in fulfilling its responsibilities, contractors will provide interpretation/translation services & equipment to support a 10 day professional seminar to be hosted in the metropolitan Washington, DC and Virginia areas.

2. Scope: The contract requires expert language interpretation, interpretation equipment, on-site support and translation service into and from the following languages: Arabic, Dari, and Russian. The contractor will also provide an experienced project manager based on paragraph 5.

3. Approach:

Contractor shall provide interpretation and on-site support in accordance with PWS at the National Defense University (NDU). The contractor shall provide support according to the below setup configurations.

An on-site technician will be required from 11 September– 22 September 2017 to operate, trouble-shoot, set-up, and repair any problems with the equipment.

Equipment:

Plenary will require two (2) full size interpreter booths and must be compatible to the Williams Sound IC-2 system. Three (3) Discussion Group rooms will require two (2) full size interpreter booths in each room for a total of six (6) and must be compatible to the Williams sound IC-2 system.

Portable interpretation equipment will be required for 50 participants and 9 interpreters 11 September– 22 September 2017.

Discussion Rooms:

Three (3) discussion group rooms will require two (2) full size interpretation booth for a total of six (6) setup on Monday, 11 September 2017 to be completed no later than 1600. Discussion group rooms will consist of 17 chairs around a square-shaped table. Minimum 8 microphones and 22 receivers per discussion group will be needed to complete this task order. Discussion group rooms LH 3107, 3115 and 3121 need to be set-up by 1600 on Monday, 11 September 2017.

A complete system will be setup in each discussion group room. Installation will include one microphone per two chairs, plus all receivers and transmitters that are necessary.

Plenary Room:

Two full-sized Booths required in Plenary Room LH 3210/3212 will require set-up on Monday, 11 September 2017 to be completed no later than 1600. Plenary will consist of 58 classroom style seating and 10 observer seats. Minimum of 25 tabletop microphones and 60 receivers will be necessary to complete this task order. These full size interpretation booths will be required to conduct French, English, Arabic and Russian language interpretation (one permanent interpretation booth in place currently for a total of three booths).

An independent, complete system will be setup in the plenary room. Installation will include one microphone per two chairs plus all receivers, transmitters, speakers, and microphones (to include 2 lapels and 2 roaming) are necessary. Any and all necessary sound system.

The contractor shall provide interpreters, translation, equipment and a project manager for the following assignments: faculty lectures; speaker and panelist presentations; computer training; seminar group sessions; simulation exercise and briefings; and possibly off-site visits and field trips with portable equipment. Interpretation services may be required for official dinners, evening events, and weekend tours. Participants will actively participate in plenary and working group discussion designed to analyze current and future requirements and develop practical proposals for near-term actions by governments to meet shared security challenges. A strict policy of non-attribution will be observed. This seminar will be conducted in English, Arabic, French, and Russian.

This is a firm fixed price service contract for interpretation services. Contractor shall provide all costs inclusive of labor, direct and indirect costs (including salaries; fringe benefits; overhead; and general and administrative expenses); equipment, non-personal services and profit necessary to perform interpretation services.

Roaming mics Wireless and lapel

6–(1 per booth, per room) Discussion groups

12 DAYS

12 DAYS

4. Task:

Task 1: Simultaneous Interpreters

The Contracting Officer or the representative (COR) will define changes or adjustments in the “Language Agenda” to be provided to the contracted project manager at least 5-working days in advance of the seminar. The contractor will assign a team of three interpreters. Exact number of interpreters will be noted on the “Language Agenda.”

Seminars and sessions require continuous effort. Sessions requiring interpreters usually begin at 0900 and last until 1630 depending on daily schedule. Two 30 minute breaks will be given for rest. The COR reserves the right to make changes or adjustments to the actual start time of the workday. Contractor is to ensure that interpreters are to dress in “business attire,” Business attire includes a collared shirt with tie along with dress pants/trousers. Jeans, athletic gear, and or tennis shoes are not permitted to be worn during hours of work.

4.1

Executive Seminar = 3 working days x 2 Arabic interpreters; 3 working days x 2 Dari interpreters; 3 working days x 2 Russian interpreters; = 6 Mandays. Three (3) interpreters needed for Registration on Monday, 11 September; Six (6) interpreters needed for Director’s Dinner on Thursday, 21 September (1730-2030). Remaining days of seminar are broken into half day plenary sessions and afternoon discussion group sessions. Please see service schedule for manpower details.

Please review the Schedule of Service (attached). Holidays most likely will not be during seminar session days, but Government reserves the right to use the interpreters on a holiday as an emergency seminar day such as make up for inclement weather. Interpreters must be available to go to any training location in the Metro area if NESA must relocate training.

Interpreters will switch out of the simultaneous booths every 20-30 minutes in plenary sessions in accordance with established industry standards. Interpreters shall be provided to conduct face to face interpretation when they are in discussion rooms.

Performance Objective No. 1: Contractor to provide simultaneous certified interpreters.

Performance Measurement No. 1: Simultaneous interpretation services.

Performance Standard No. 1: English/Arabic; English/Dari; English/Russian

The contractor may be required to provide interpretation services for up to two (2) official evening events for this seminar. The assignments may be either two (2) hours or four (4) hours.

Most site events require face to face or whisper microphone usage.

COR will notify the contractor at least three (3) days in advance for interpretation services for non-scheduled seminars and other important events. In each case, the number of interpreters will be determined by the specific requirements for each event, and the contractor will assign interpreters based on the specific requirements. In the event that additional services are required for events/excursions not covered in the current line item structure, the contractor will be asked to submit a new proposal for the additional services.

Minimum Acceptability Standards

· The contractor will ensure that all interpreters possess a Bachelor Degree and have copies of proficiency certification.

· Certification shall be as a court interpreter, through the Department of State Interpreters Examination or accreditation as an interpreter from a school of languages and linguistics.

· Advanced Certification is preferred. Simultaneous Interpreters must have a minimum of 3 years of professional/formal simultaneous interpreting experience in international conferences and seminars.

· Interpreters must have experience with defense-related terms/ DOD Terminology and must be able to interpret “all dialogue.” When attending these seminars, participants will be introduced and will need to know exactly who they are sharing dialogue with throughout the course of the seminar, their titles, backgrounds and government affiliations.

NOTE:

At the discretion of the Program Office, simultaneous interpretation testing may be required on all interpreters prior to any interpreter performing interpretation services before or after award either on the phone or at the NESA location. NESA staff interpreters can determine if an interpreter cannot perform their duties due to lack of proficiency, experience or incompetent.

Substitutions: In the event an interpreter must be replaced after award of the contract, the contractor must abide by the same requirements as those listed under the Technical Capability of the solicitation and Performance Work Statement. Credentials and resume must accompany the interpreter on the first work day when last minute substitutions are made and must be approved by the Program Office.

To maintain the integrity of NESA’s branding efforts, all interpreters must present themselves in a professional manner at all times, display the highest standards of personal deportment and judgment; demonstrate organizational abilities and excellent communication skills; possess the ability to interact with senior foreign representatives and preclude from providing any personal opinions. Additionally, interpreters are only allowed to ask questions of speakers within confines of clarification interpretation clarification purposes as professionally necessary.

The Contracting Officer reserves the right to require that the contractor remove and replace, within one working day, an interpreter who, in his judgment, is not qualified or who does not maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.

Should the performance of work include entry to The Pentagon, Capitol Hill or Department of State, interpreters who are not US citizens must be able to provide their passport along with a state ID or driver’s license for identification purposes at time of location visit.

4.2 Task 2 Manpower Reporting Requirement:

The contractor shall report ALL contractor labor hours (including subcontractor labor hours) required for performance of services provided under this contract for DSCA via secure data collection site. The Contractor is required to completely fill in all required data fields using the following web address: http://www.ecmra.mil/. Reporting inputs will be for the labor executed during the period of performance during each Government fiscal year (FY), which runs October 1 through September 30. While inputs may be reported anytime during FY, all data shall be reported no later than October 31 of each calendar year, beginning with 2013. Contractor may direct question to the help desk at http://www.ecmra.mil/

5. Task - Project Manager: The contractor shall assign a project manager on site who has had substantive experience in personnel management, logistics planning and administration in a seminar environment. A lead interpreter can be assigned the role as the on-site project manager and Fluency in the Arabic language is mandatory. The project manager shall display the highest standards of personal deportment and judgment; possess demonstrated organizational abilities and excellent communication skills. It is essential that the project manager have a working knowledge of the Washington, D.C. diplomatic and military organizations and the ability to interact with senior foreign representatives. The project manager acts as the single point of contact for all activities pertaining to interpreters, and interpretation equipment for the NESA COR.

The COR will provide the contractor with the materials and information necessary for the proper performance of work, to include schedules, agendas, and guidelines.

The project manager and COR may be required to meet at least 2 days prior to finalize the service schedule.

The project manager will immediately inform the COR of any issues, problems, or concerns that pertain to participants, guests, or scheduled activities.

6. Location of Performance: Work performed under this task order will be performed at US Government-owned facilities or US Government-leased facilities. NESA is located at the National Defense University, 300 5th Ave SW, Lincoln Hall, Washington, D.C 20319. Contracted interpreters must be immediately accessible, in person; in the greater Washington metropolitan area for the duration of the seminar. The contractor will perform services at the NESA offices and other sites as designated on the agenda schedule. For excursions that are out of town and/or on weekends, the interpreters will accompany participants on the bus. The contractor shall be able to perform services at any location within the Washington metropolitan area that the Government deems a need emergency training site.

7. Period of Performance: The period of performance is from 11 September– 22 September 2017.

8. Local Travel: Parking is provided for contractors privately owned vehicles on Fort McNair. Travel may be required in the performance of designated tasks and duties, to include supporting seminar sessions, conducting training sessions, and supporting off-site events.

9. Security: Interpreters must bring a Government photo ID or Driver’s License to process visitor badges.

10. US Government Furnished Facilities, Equipment, Materials, and Support Functions: NESA will provide office supplies and materials, to include access to telephones, copying machine, fax machine, and personal computers to support these contracted periods and NESA official business only. Other support will be provided to contract employees as required performing the contract tasks. NESA will provide access to those documents and files that are relevant to the project and that are required to perform the tasks specified in the contract. NESA personnel will provide such assistance and information as is appropriate and necessary for liaison functions and for the contractor employees’ performance of the task order.

11. Invoicing Procedures:

Invoices are to be submitted electronically via the Internet through Wide Area Work Flow- Receipt and Acceptance (WAWF-RA) system at https://wawf.eb.mil. Contractors must create two documents (Invoice and Receiving Report; i.e. Combo Documents) with a single data entry session.

All communication will occur between the contractor and the contracting officer. Any requirements from NESA must be addressed to the Contract Specialist, Service Schedule:

Estimated hours per day 8:00am-4:00pm – Times subject to change Evening events currently scheduled are subject to change.

Interpretation 12-14 September

Interpretation 12-14 September

Interpretation 12-14 September

Interpretation 11 September-Hotel Registration 1000-1200

Interpretation 11 September-Hotel Registration 1000-1200

Interpretation 11 September-Hotel Registration 1000-1200

Interpretation 13-14 September Afternoon Break-out Session – 1200-1600 4 x 2 Days

Interpretation 13-14 September Afternoon Break-out Session – 1200-1600 2 x 2 Days

Interpretation 13-14 September Afternoon Break-out Session – 1200-1600 4 x 2 Days

INTERPRETATION

15 September Capitol Hill Visit 0700-1200

INTERPRETATION

15 September Capitol Hill Visit 0700-1200

INTERPRETATION

15 September Capitol Hill Visit 0700-1200

Interpretation on 21 September Director’s Dinner from 5:30pm – 9:00pm

Interpretation on 21 September Director’s Dinner from 5:30pm – 9:00pm

Interpretation on 21 September Director’s Dinner from 5:30pm – 9:00pm

Interpretation 18-20 September

Interpretation 18-20 September

Interpretation 18-20 September

The following additional services are needed, we will notify if any changes are made.

18-20 Discussion Groups 4x 3 days 1200-1600 hrs.

Interpretation 18-20 Discussion Groups 2x 3 days 1200-1600 hrs.

Interpretation 18-20 Discussion Groups 4x 3 days 1200-1600 hrs.

Interpretation ½ Day September 21 and 22 0830-1230 hrs.

Interpretation ½ Day September 21 and 22 0830-1230 hrs.

Interpretation ½ Day September 21 and 22 0830-1230 hrs.

All supporting equipment/portable 4– Lecture hall(2 per booth) 6–(1 per booth, per room) Discussion groups

12 DAYS

0026- PLENARY/DISCUSSION ROOM PACKAGE: 8 FULL SIZE BOOTHS (2 PLENARY; 2 EACH DISCUSSION ROOM); WILLIAM SOUND TRANSMITTERS (10)-LECTURE HALL (2 PER BOOTH)

DISCUSSION ROOMS (1 PER BOOTH); 30 PUSH TO TALK MICS (PLENARY ROOM 25 / 8 PER DISCUSSION ROOM x3 =24) 49 TOTAL; Roaming and Lapel 4; Mics 60 Receivers and 9 Transmitter of Portable equipment; 126 Receivers (66 Plenary, 20 X3 Breakout rooms).