HT941026Q2020 - Questions - Answers - Responses.pdf
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- Attached to
- American Sign Language Services
- Solicitation number
- HT941026Q2020
- Issued by
-
Defense Health Agency
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document for Combined Synopsis/Solicitation HT941026Q2020, issued on 4/10/2026, clarifying requirements for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services.
The solicitation requires qualified ASL interpreters for on-site services limited to administrative meetings and command events for civilian staff. Services are estimated at approximately 1 hour per month plus 2-3 command events annually, scheduled only Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with no after-hours or weekend requirements. Interpreters will be scheduled per assignment rather than set shifts, and no security clearances, onboarding, credentialing, or badging requirements apply. Virtual interpreting is not permitted, and interpreters will not interact with electronic systems such as electronic medical records. The contractor must provide HIPAA/Privacy Act training to contract employees, as the Government's Human Resource Office does not provide such training.
Minimum qualifications require a "Qualified Interpreter" capable of signing spoken communication to hearing-impaired individuals and voicing signed communication, with ability to convey communication effectively, accurately, and impartially using necessary specialized vocabulary. Formal certification (RID/NIC) is not required if the interpreter possesses necessary skills, and no prior military or hospital interpreting experience is required or preferred. Offerors/quoters must document 3 years of relevant experience performing same or similar services within the past 5 years using Attachment 2 (Past Performance Questionnaire), with the option to submit multiple attachments if services were provided to more than one entity. No on-site coordination or supervisory roles are required beyond interpreter services, and Certified Deaf Interpreters or team interpreting is not needed.
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Text version
Combined Synopsis/Solicitation HT941026Q2020
QUESTIONS &ANSWERS/RESPONSES
4/10/2026
1. Can you confirm whether this requirement is strictly for American Sign Language (ASL), or if other signed languages may be required (e.g., Guam Sign Language, Australian Sign Language, Signed Exact English)? Only
ASL.
2. Will Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDIs) or team interpreting be required for any assignments? No.
3. Virtual vs Onsite Services. While the requirement specifies on-site services, are there any circumstances where virtual interpreting (VRI) would be permitted or requested (e.g., short-notice coverage, overflow, or after-hours)?
We have not had a need for virtual interpreting services.
4. Security & Access. Are any security clearances required (e.g., Secret or Top Secret), or will base access credentials be sufficient? Base access is sufficient.
5. What are the onboarding, credentialing, and badging requirements for contractor personnel? None for this contract.
Service Environment & Users
6. Can you clarify the primary settings where services will occur (e.g., outpatient visits, inpatient care, behavioral health, emergency department, administrative meetings)? Administrative Meetings. Command events.
7. Who are the primary end users (patients, family members, providers, military personnel, civilian staff)? Civilian Staff.
8. Will services include only patient-provider communication, or also group settings such as trainings, briefings, or command-level interactions? Group setting for a monthly safety talk meeting and command events.
Volume & Scheduling
9. What is the estimated volume of services (hours per week/month)? 1 hour per month. Command events average 2-3 per year.
10. Are services required after-hours, weekends, or on call? The services, scheduled or on call will only be required Monday – Friday between 7:30 am and 4:00 pm.
11. Are interpreters scheduled per assignment, or expected to be on-site for set shifts? Per assignment. During monthly safety meetings and any unannounced events that will require your services.
Qualifications
12. What are the minimum interpreter qualifications (e.g., RID/NIC, medical experience)? A "Qualified Interpreter" is one able to sign what is being spoken to the hearing-impaired individual and who can voice what is being signed by the hearing-impaired individual. Certification is not required if the interpreter has the necessary skills. A qualified interpreter must be able to convey communication effectively, accurately, and impartially and use any necessary specialized vocabulary.
13. Is prior military or hospital interpreting experience required or preferred? No prior military or hospital experience required.
Compliance & Systems
14. Will contractor personnel interact with any electronic systems (e.g., EMR)?
No.
15. Will the Government provide any required HIPAA/Privacy training, or must the contractor provide and track all training? The successful company shall provide this to the contract employee. Our Human Resource Office does not provide any HIPAA/Privacy Act Training.
Staffing & Support
16. Is any on-site coordination or supervisory role required in addition to interpreters? No.
17. One interested party asked for clarification on the Past Performance criteria regarding the number of complete references required utilizing Attachment 2 (Past Performance Questionnaire).
RESPONSE: The revised criteria, which is now included in the 4/10 revised Combined Synopsis/Solicitation is: “The Offeror/Quoter shall use Attachment 2 (Past Performance Questionnaire) to document 3 years of experience performing services that are the same or similar to those requested in the solicitation (RELEVANCE) within the past 5 years (RECENT). The 3-year requirement may require the offeror/quoter to submit more than one Attachment 2 if the offeror provided the services to more than one entity”.
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