Sources Sought SLI.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES

ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

I. General Information

Document Type: Request for Information (RFI) Title: OUSD(Comptroller) Sign Language Interpreter Support Request for Information Post Date: June 5, 2024 Request for Information Response Date: June 20, 2024 NAICS Code: 541930 Translation and Interpretation Services Product Service Code: R608 Support-Administrative: Translation and Interpreting

II. Request for Information Notice

This is a Request for Information notice only. This notice is for market research purposes only and is not a request for proposal, nor does it restrict the Government as to the final acquisition strategy. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparation of a response to this notice.

The OUSD(Comptroller) (OUSD(C)) is seeking qualified sources to provide Sign Language Interpreter services in support of a deaf employee.

Responses from “all” sources is requested. Other than Small Businesses, Small Businesses, 8(a) small businesses, HubZone small businesses, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, Woman-Owned Small Businesses, and Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Businesses are encouraged to respond.

III. Contracting Office Address

Washington Headquarters Services, Acquisition Directorate, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22304

IV. Requirement

The OUSD(C) Financial Management Policy & Reporting Directorate (FMPR) requires Sign Language Interpreter (SLI) services in support of a deaf employee.

Services are required mainly onsite in the Pentagon, but some services may be provided virtually. Interpreters must have a Secret clearance to provide onsite support.

Onsite and virtual SLI support is required during normal working hours, which are Monday through Friday from 0800-1700 EST/EDT, excluding holidays. Support requirements vary, but typically onsite SLI support is required Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 0900 to 1400, and on an ad hoc basis Monday and Friday. Virtual SLI support is required on an ad hoc basis during normal working hours.

During the period October 15 through November 16 of each year, SLI surge support may be required. During this period, onsite and virtual SLI support may be required from 0800 to 2100 EST/EDT seven days a week, including holidays.

The Contractor shall provide qualified sign language interpreters with active Secret clearances who have experience, education, training, national certification, and skills to meet FMPR requirements.

Services are required in NAICS 541930, Translation and Interpreter Services.

V. RFI Response Content and Format

Interested firms should submit their responses to include Capability Statements as described below.

Do not include proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information in your response to this Request for Information Notice. The Government reserves the right to use any information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate, including using technical information provided by respondents in any resultant solicitation. Responses to this Notice will not be returned.

A. Capability Statements All interested firms having the experience, skills, and capabilities necessary to perform the stated requirement are requested to provide capability statements in “Times New Roman” 12-inch font on 8.5 x 11 paper that includes the following information. Please limit your capability statements to a maximum of six (6) pages. Any deviation from this may lead to the rejection of the response.

Part 1 – Your Company

1. Company name, address, and website

2. Point of contact name, telephone number, and email address

3. CAGE code and DUNS number

4. Indicate whether your company is a Large or Small Business under NAICS Code 541930

5. Indicate whether your company is a current SBA 8(a) Business Development Program participant

6. Additional Type of Small Business, if applicable (e.g., Woman-Owned, Service Disabled

Veteran Owned, HUBZone)

7. Please indicate whether your firm has a Federal Supply Schedule contract that could be used to obtain sign language interpreter services as described above; if so, provide the GSA schedule number.

8. Please provide a list of the government-wide acquisition contracts (GWAC) for which you are prime that you recommend for use with this SLI requirement. Give the contract number and title for each GWAC.

9. Do you plan to subcontract any portion of this requirement?

Part 2 – Your Capability

1. Describe your company’s ability to support this requirement, including your ability to provide Secret-cleared individuals to support this requirement.

2. Briefly describe your company’s experience with similar requirements. Please provide references, to include contract numbers and points of contact with email addresses.

3. Please summarize your company’s business model and support process; specifically, answer the following questions.

a. Are your interpreters employees of your company, or are they self-employed?

b. Does your company have access to a sufficient number of cleared employees to support this requirement?

c. Does your company use automation, such as an online scheduling portal, to capture service requests and schedule interpreters?

d. What’s your required lead time for support requirements, i.e., how far in advance must service requirements be scheduled?

e. What is your company’s percent fill rate for interpreter service requests?

f. Do your interpreters have access to Zoom and/or Teams?

4. Please summarize the qualifications of your interpreters; specifically, answer the following questions.

a. Do your interpreters have Pidgin Signed English (PSE) and/or American Sign Language

(ASL) as their core competency? Do they appropriately use each language while conversing and interpreting?

b. Do your interpreters possess National Interpreter Certification?

c. Do your interpreters have at least at least two years of PSE/ASL work experience in state or federal government work settings from the date of certification?

VI. RFI Response Submission Instructions:

Interested firms may send their responses, electronically via email only to Rashida D. Webb, Contracting Officer, Rashida.d.webb.civ@mail.mil no later than Thursday, June 20, 2024.

Submissions to any person other than the ones listed above will not be considered. Submissions after this date will not be considered.

No hard copy or facsimile submissions will be accepted. Cover letters and extraneous materials (brochures, etc.) will not be considered.