DRAFT Performance Work Statement (PWS).docx

DRAFT

Performance Work Statement (PWS) American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Requirement Marine Corps Operational Test & Evaluation Activity

(MCOTEA)

1. Background:

MCOTEA’s mission is based upon Operational Test and Evaluation responsibilities and the Marine Corps mission to man, train and equip a force in readiness. Organizational tenets include the need to maintain a trained, motivated workforce, providing objectivity and Independence in test and evaluation, responsiveness to Marine Corps Needs, and proactive and constructive involvement in all mission related activities. Maintaining organizational capabilities and relevance in a constantly changing defense acquisition environment requires an activity level focus and efforts to effectively manage change.

MCOTEA has a government employee who is deaf and requires the use of an interpreter when attending process reviews, decision briefs, and similar substantial meetings. This contract provides sustained support consistent with Human Resource requirements to provide reasonable accommodations to disadvantaged employees.

2. Scope:

The scope of this effort is to provide American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter services for MCOTEA civilian Marine employee(s) who are hearing impaired.

3. General Requirements.

Objective: The overall objective shall result in providing American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation for MCOTEA civilian Marine employees who are hearing impaired.

Interpreters must be certified under the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) National Interpreter Certified (NIC), National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Level IV, V Certification and/or the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI).

Recurring support from the same interpreter is highly desired. Sustained relationships will support an increased familiarity with the subtleties in the supported and supporting individuals’ ASL techniques, leading to more effective communications and overall support.

3.1 Task 1: ASL Interpreter Services:

ASL interpreters shall provide on-site service in the vicinity of Quantico, VA, with additional work possible in or outside the northern Virginia area. The contractor is responsible for providing interpreters who maintain a Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) National Interpreter Certified (NIC), National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Level IV, V Certification and/or the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI). Interpreter will provide a minimum of eight hours of support at the required site.

ASL interpreters facilitate communication between people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who can hear. Interpreters must be capable of interpreting spoken language for the supported employee, and interpreting the supported employee’s communications, both signed and written to non-ASL literate audiences. Audiences may range from small groups of 2 to more formal settings of 100 or more.

The contractor shall assign resources that are qualified and competent to perform interpreter services as follows:

1. Interpreters must possess and maintain National Interpreter Certification (NIC) granted by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Level IV Certification and/or the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI).

1. Interpreters shall provide ASL interpretation of spoken language for the supported employee.

1. The interpreters must be fluent in English and in American Sign Language, which combines signing, finger spelling, and specific body language in order to perform the functions of the assignments given to them by the Marine Corps.

1. Normal Operations.

3. Unclassified. The Contractor shall provide a classified team of interpreters (two) to provide eight (8) hours of services every Tuesday (37 weeks). Dates will be determined by the COR and the Contractor.

0. The Contractor shall provide a team of unclassified interpreters (2) to provide eight hours of services Monday thru Friday (3 weeks) for training/conferences. Dates shall be coordinated through COR and contractor.

3. Classified. The Contractor shall provide a classified team of interpreters (two) to provide eight (8) hours of services every Thursday (37 weeks). Dates will be determined by the COR and Contractor.

1. The contractor will provide one classified interpreter to provide eight hours of services six days per weeks (6 weeks) when traveling for program testing. When providing services during travel, the hours may be required to be adjusted to accommodate work requirements. All work performed outside of normal operating hours will be approved by the COR prior to commencing the work. Adjustments to work schedules will not be considered overtime. (Example: Interpreters may work 6:00-10:00am and 3:00-7:00pm).

1. The contractor shall fill all requests for interpreter support which is requested consistent with the timeframes in this document. Request for support will be identified by the government in 8-hour blocks, not assignment specific.

1. The contractor shall be able to provide video remote interpreting service.

4. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (PRS):

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS): Surveillance of Contractor performance is the method used by the Government to determine whether the Contractor is effectively and efficiently complying with all terms and conditions of the contract. The functional expertise of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) plays a critical role in adequately evaluating contractor performance. The below listed methods of surveillance shall be used in the administration of the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) and the standards are delineated by the PWS in the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) set forth below:

100%

COR and hearing-Impaired Government employee. Maintenance review to be held on an annual basis upon completion of the base performance period and each option period Incentive: If the Contractor does not perform at an acceptable quality level in accordance with the performance standards, CPARS ratings may reflect poorly and could affect decisions to exercise options or to make future contract awards.

Remedy: The Contractor shall notify the Government and correct performance issues within 5 days of the realization of non-compliance with this performance standard at no additional cost to the Government.

· Signing

· finger spelling; and specific body language

99%

COR and hearing-Impaired Government employee upon completion of each performance event Incentive: If the Contractor does not perform at an acceptable quality level in accordance with the performance standards, CPARS ratings may reflect poorly and could affect decisions to exercise options or to make future contract awards.

Remedy: The Contractor shall correct performance issues within 2 days of the Government notification and must re-complete at no additional cost to the Government.

99%

COR and hearing-Impaired Government employee. To be determined based on event Incentive: If the Contractor does not perform at an acceptable quality level in accordance with the performance standards, CPARS ratings may reflect poorly and could affect decisions to exercise options or to make future contract awards.

Remedy: The Contractor shall notify the Government and correct performance issues within 5 days of the realization of Non-compliance with this performance standard at no additional cost to the Government.

5. Schedule/Hours of Operation:

Contractor personnel shall work in accordance with the guidance established by the Government. The Contractor shall provide support services Tuesday and Thursday between the operating hours of 0700 and 1730 PST.

The Contractor shall conduct business as necessary to meet the requirements of the PWS. The Contractor may be required to adjust the work schedules to accommodate work requirements. All work performed outside of the normal operating hours will be approved by the COR prior to commencing the work.

Overtime is not authorized in the performance of this requirement.

5.1 Cancellations:

The Government shall make all reasonable attempts to notify the contractor within two (2) business days or more of any cancellations. If the Government has a cancellation of interpreter services; however, is unable to notify the Contractor within two business days, the Contractor may invoice for the full Firm Fixed-price amount for that event/date.

6. Place of Performance:

ASL interpreters will provide service in the vicinity of Quantico, VA, with occasional work requirements across the greater northern Virginia area.

Destination

Marine Corps Base, Quantico VA

Twenty-nine Palms, CA

Camp Pendleton, CA

Yuma, AZ

Local determinations relating to adverse weather conditions, national emergencies, energy conservation, MCOTEA/Organizational determinations, etc., may require the office to close. However, in the event these should occur, the contractor shall be available for support in the event of an emergency.

7. Travel:

The Contractor shall perform the primary work of this PWS at the Government work site and/or other predetermined location(s). The contractor may be required to attend meetings, conferences, and work-related functions at designated Government facilities through-out the National Capital Region (NCR). The Government will not reimburse the Contractor for local travel expenses. The Joint Travel Regulations define local travel as travel within a fifty (50) mile radius of the Government location for which services are being provided. From time to time, however, interpreting services may be required outside the NCR. The Government will reimburse the Contractor for non-local travel required by the Government. The Contractor is required to request travel and obtain approval via the COR’s prior to commencement of an event. All non-local travel trips and costs reporting shall be submitted to the COR. The Government will not reimburse the Contractor for travel expenses without the COR’s approval. Any costs incurred in direct support of this contract for non-local travel will be billed to the Government separately from labor and in accordance with applicable regulations.

Travel will be paid on a cost-reimbursement basis for actual costs incurred (no fee). Travel reimbursement is limited to travel during performance of the contract. Travel reimbursement does not include relocation expenses for Contractor employees prior to their start of performance on this contract.

All travel shall be in accordance with FFAR 31.205-46 and applicable travel regulations (Joint, Federal or Standardized). Contractor payment claims shall include applicable documentation to support actual costs incurred (e.g. airfare and hotel/lodging receipts) as well as any receipts valued at or above $75.00. Failure to provide appropriate documentation may result in loss of reimbursement of travel expenses. In addition, travel shall be billed at a rate of 75% of the per diem for day of traveling to location and day of returning from travel to home or next Duty Station.

Below is an assumption of travel outside the local area based on anticipated program activities. The travel for program testing identified is representative and actual requirements MAY vary from that shown.

8. Security Requirements:

All tasks will be conducted in full compliance with DoD security regulations. The government will provide assistance to the personnel supporting this requirement in obtaining workplace access during the period of support. All access documentation will be returned to the government at the completion of the support services or upon termination or resignation of employment. Compliance with all USMC communications regulations pertaining to access to e-mail and Internet activities is mandatory. Failure to comply with security requirements is grounds for termination.

The Contractor(s) shall be required to wear a contractor identification badge at all times while on government property. Badges must be clearly visible at all times while on Government property. The Contractor and its representatives will not release any information concerning this effort to any third party without first obtaining written authorization from the government Contracting Officer.

8.1 Physical Security:

The Contractor is responsible for safeguarding all Government property and information provided in performance of this task order. Contractor employees will be subject to all MCOTEA security procedures and any other applicable installation access and security regulations.

The Contractor shall comply with the following:

No employee or representative of the contractor will be admitted on a Marine Corps site unless they furnish satisfactory proof of United States citizenship or, if an alien, that their residence and employment within the United States is legal.

All Contractor employees must possess a valid picture identification card issued by a State or Federal agency.

Professional Standards of Conduct:

Contractor employees shall conduct themselves in a proper, efficient, courteous and business-like manner.

Contractor employees entering Marine Corps sites shall comply with all security requirements in effect during the contract periods and shall be subject to such checks as may be deemed necessary.

The Contractor should contact each installation prior to beginning work on-site to ensure the Contractor understands and can comply with individual installation security requirements.

All Contractor staff must adhere to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Interpreter Code of Professional Conduct.

Contractor staff must adhere to all applicable confidentiality rules and regulations.

The ASL interpreters must also be attired appropriately for the environment they are working in.

8.2 Contract Security Classification Specification – (DD-254)

A Contract Security Classification Specification - DD-254 is required for this effort. The Contractor is responsible for implementing the provisions of the DoDM 5105.21, and it’s Navy Supplement, in support of this effort. Classified work may be required to be performed under this effort. The contractor shall have at time of award a SECRET facility security clearance (FCL). Contractor employees cannot perform services under this contract without a valid and current FCL.

Personnel assigned to Classified task under section 3.1(D)(b) MUST possess an adjudicated clearance of, at a minimum, Tier 3 (T3) / SECRET Level without conditions, exceptions, or waivers at the time of contract award and maintained throughout the contract duration. Personnel need to be available with 48 hours of notification, meetings conducted ONLY on Wednesdays. A DD254 will be furnished and incorporated into the contract award delineating security requirements.

8.3 Security Clearances:

All contractor personnel (interpreters) performing under the section 3.1(D)(b) classified MUST possess an adjudicated clearance of, at a minimum, Tier 3 (T3) / SECRET Level without conditions, exceptions, or waivers prior to contract award and maintained throughout the contract duration. Should the contractor replace personnel or provide fill-ins, such personnel shall provide proper clearance information to the COR and MCOTEA Security Office at least 72 hours prior to the start date in order to certify clearances.

9. Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS).

All personnel requesting access to MCINCR-MCB Quantico must have an approved ID and be registered into the DBIDS, prior to being allowed access to the base. Pre-register at https://dbids-global-enroll.dmdc.mil/enroll#!/ print out the registration confirmation or write down the alpha-numeric (QR) code and bring it to the Visitor Control Center. There is no cost to the individual or company to register or obtain a base access credential.

10. Contractor Qualifications and Personnel Requirements:

The Contractor is expected to provide personnel to perform the provisions of the contract that possess RID-NIC certification, NAD Level IV, V Certification, and/or (BEI). The Contractor/Vendor shall be able to provide sufficient documentation to substantiate their employees’ sign experience and knowledge upon request by the government.

11. Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDAs):

NDAs shall be reviewed and acknowledged prior to award by the vendor. Each contracted interpreter shall sign an individual Non-Disclosure Agreement at the start of the first occasion of support to MCOTEA. A signed copy shall be provided to the government at that time.

DISTRIBUTION: DoW COMMUNITY ONLY

DISTRIBUTION: DoW COMMUNITY ONLY

PWS -DRAFT