ID06170029_Attach_5_Exh_4_Questions_and_Answers_08242017.pdf

Solicitation ID06170029 Attachment 5 / Exhibit 4

ID06170029 – Solicitation Vendor Questions and Government Answers Continuing Education ILR Level 1-4 Copyright Cleared Listening Comprehension (LC) & Reading Comprehension (RC) Materials

# Reference Vendor Question Government Answer 1 General Do you have an incumbent or is this solicitation for a new contract?

There is no current contract for these services.

2 PWS - Misc Is vendor required to create a video in each of the 40 or 60 languages?

Tasks 1-2-3 all require the posting of authentic broadcasts that will be made available online in the Digital Video archive.

TASK 1 - 14 hours of videos per week or per month as listed;

TASK 2 - PRODUCE

privately made on- the street videos with audio speaking content, TASK 3 - Select video clips for the required levels and transcribe and translate a 5 minute segment for each. All material should be accessible to users through a digital archive!

3 PWS C.4.2 How do you define in-country-on-the-street?

The Government’s intent is to acquire authentic and realistic foreign language dialogue which includes spontaneity and background noise. This content could be from interactions “on-the street” or other natural settings typically seen in new broadcasts.

4 PWS - Misc Will each video require voice-over in each language?

All videos should have their original speech/audio content.

5 General What percentage of bid is for small business?

This procurement is unrestricted and open to all business sizes. One award will be made for all services.

There is no set-aside for small business or a socio-economic category.

6 General If a small business vendor is interested in submitting information to be considered for the small business portion of bid, what is the process?

Businesses of any size may submit a proposal following the instructions in the solicitation. Alternatively, businesses may seek sub-contracting opportunities and/or teaming arrangements with other firms submitting proposals.

Recommend consulting with your local Small Business Administration (SBA) office or Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).

7 General Does DLIFLC have other upcoming solicitations that require video content and specific languages?

Not at this time

8 PWS

C.2.1.3 & C.4.1.1

RFP paragraph C.2.1.3 states “All materials will be ILR rated before delivery to user.”

Paragraph C.4.1.3 states that “the contractor shall choose broadcasts that are generally representative of the required levels on the average.” Also, the table in paragraph C.4.1.1 appears to specify the “amount of materials needed at the different ILR Levels.” Do the number of hours in the table in C.4.1.1 represent a weekly or monthly amount?

Refer to the revised PWS dated 08/24/2017. C.2.1.3 is revised to state that only certain materials need to be ILR rated. C.4.1.3 is revised to state that “Subject to Government feedback on trends to the contrary, providing the required content in each genre will meet the listed ILR levels.”

The Government’s intent is for the contractor to provide existing broadcast materials without the need for editing or leveling in order to reach a particular ILR in the hours listed.

The number of hours of TV programming for each language has also been revised in Appendix A. Of the 60 languages, 30 require weekly programing of 14 hours each, while the other 30 require monthly programming of 14 hours each.

9 PWS

C.4.5.4

C.4.5.4 states the requirement that content be delivered every three months to DLIFLC on CD/DVD. Will the PWS requirements be satisfied using a mass-storage device (i.e. hard drive) instead.

C.4.5.4 has been revised to allow for the use of mass-storage devices, 10 PWS C.4.8 C.4.8 states requirements for a “user authenticated database.”

Furthermore, the contractor will be working with the government to create an authentication platform for approximately 150 user groups. Will the contractor be required to collect and maintain identifying information about users or just issue anonymous accounts to be distributed by DLIFLC and usage tracked by the contractor?

C.4.8 has been revised to clarify that the User IDs will be anonymous to the contractor.

11 App A Appendix A is a list of 60 languages described as “critical” to the needs of the government in C.1. This appendix is first referenced in C.4.1.1 and directs that languages be obtained from the countries where the languages are natively spoken.

While this is clear for “Turkish from Turkey,” “Japanese from Japan,” etc., there could be some ambiguity for languages like French (only France?)

Portuguese (only Portugal?), Vietnamese (southern dialect?)

or even Spanish unless any North or South American Spanish will be acceptable. It might be appropriate to include a “Country” or “Acceptable

Refer to the revised App A.

Unless otherwise indicated, in the event of wide geographical variations in dialect for the same language, the contractor may provide a representative sampling.

The revised App A also deletes Iraqi as a seperate listing and maintains “Arabic (Iraqi)”.

Countries” column in Appendix A. Furthermore, Appendix A #9 lists “Arabic (Iraqi).” Appendix A #31 lists “Iraqi.” Are these referring to the same language?

End of Questions and Answers