Performance Work Statement-04-15-2026.pdf

Learn more at fema.gov March 2026 1

Federal Emergency Management Agency

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS) FOR:

DR4893AK Language Interpretation between English and Central Alaskan Yup’ik

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)

Performance Work Statement (PWS) For Language Interpretation Services DR-4893-AK Language Interpretation Services between English and Central Alaskan Yup’ik

April 15, 2026

1.0 General

1.1 Background

FEMA is committed to effective communication with diverse communities, including Alaska Native populations. Many Alaska Native villages primarily use indigenous languages, such as Central Alaskan Yup’ik, requiring accurate and culturally relevant language services.

These services are essential to provide equal access to non-native English-speaking survivors of the October 2025 severe storms, flooding and remnants of Typhoon Halong that affected the west coast of Alaska by providing FEMA program disaster-related materials and services in their indigenous language while also considering cultural nuances. Spoken language and sight interpreting will need to be provided in-person, remotely and over-the-phone. Conditions may be in austere and extreme conditions. Interpreters may be dealing with personally identifiable information and will be subject to security requirements.

Under the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA), FEMA must work with state and local governments to address the needs of non-native English-users during emergencies and disasters. FEMA must ensure that information is available in formats and languages that non-native English-speaking individuals can understand. This contract will provide for in-person and over-the-phone spoken language and sight interpreting that also accounts for cultural nuances in order to ensure survivors have a complete and accurate understanding of information essential to their recovery process.

1.2 Scope

The contractor shall provide professional or qualified in-person spoken language/sight interpreting services between English and Central Alaskan Yup’ik, in Anchorage, Bethel and/or in other communities or villages impacted by ex-Typhoon Halong.

Interpreters may be required to interpret meetings, phone calls, video calls, one-on-one interactions, media events/interviews, and sight interpretation of documents. Interpreters may also be asked to interpret on video or provide voice over of video products. Over-the-phone interpreting will be performed by Contractor, and Contractor will be responsible for ensuring connection integrity and bandwidth and will provide all equipment necessary.

Travel, as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Contracting Officer in fulfillment of the terms of the contract, may be authorized.

Rates proposed by Contractor shall be fully burdened and incorporate all administrative costs.

1.3 Objective

The goal of this PWS is to obtain professional language services to ensure effective communication with non-native English-speakers and communities impacted by severe storms, flooding and remnants of Typhoon Halong in October 2025. These services will support disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and community engagement efforts.

The goal is to solicit and award this contract to an Alaska-based business whose interpreters are able to interpret between English and Central Alaskan Yup’ik in a professional capacity and have a familiarity with communities affected by DR-4893-AK in order to ensure accuracy in the interpreted message and facilitate cultural nuances.

Key objectives include:

• Overcoming language barriers to communicate clearly between English and Central Alaskan Yup’ik and various dialects.

• Ensuring equitable access to FEMA programs and public safety information.

• Encouraging and facilitating community participation in disaster-related discussions.

• Providing accurate spoken language and sight interpretating services between English and Yup’ik and various dialects.

• Building trust and collaboration with Alaska Native communities.

1.4 Reference Documents/Resources

The following documents and resources may be helpful to the Contractor in performing the work described in this document:

FEMA Vocabulary List (to be provided at a later date)

FEMA Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FEMA/

FEMA Instagram

FEMA Region 10 Website

DR-4893-AK Website

FEMA Region 10 X

FEMA Region 10 YouTube

FEMA Region 10 LinkedIn

2.0 Specific Requirements/Tasks

2.1 Onsite Language Interpretation Services

The Contractor shall:

Provide onsite interpretation services for Central Alaskan Yup’ik.

Ensure timely, accurate communication between FEMA personnel and non-English-speaking survivors.

Ensure interpreters arrive within specified timeframes and are prepared to operate in challenging field conditions, such as hazardous environments and limited infrastructure.

2.2 Remote interpretation

2.2.1 CALL CENTER

Interpret for callers into FEMA’s Alaska Call Center. The Contractor shall ensure availability of interpreters during pre-scheduled times.

2.2.2 OVER-THE-PHONE/VIRTUAL INTERPRETATION

Interpret for survivors unable to meet with FEMA representatives in-person either over-the-phone or through a video conferencing platform.

https://www.instagram.com/fema/ https://www.fema.gov/about/regions/region-10 https://fema.gov/disaster/4893 https://x.com/FEMARegion10 https://www.youtube.com/@femaregion10/videos https://www.linkedin.com/company/fema-region-10

2.3 Additional Requirements

a) The Contractor Shall provide qualified interpreters fluent in Central Alaskan Yup’ik with preference to individuals familiar with dialects spoken in affected communities.

b) The Contractor shall provide interpreters fluent in English.

c) The Contractor shall provide culturally competent interpreters.

d) Interpreters shall become familiar with FEMA programs and anticipated terminology by reviewing materials provided.

e) In-person interpreters shall have a state provided/tribal provided form of photo identification.

f) In-person interpreters shall have dependable forms of transportation to travel locally.

g) Interpreters shall be willing to travel via plane to local villages to interpret for inspections, interviews and meetings.

h) Interpreters and contractors shall keep confidential all personal information of survivors and/or internal FEMA proprietary information learned while interpreting.

i) The Contractor shall provide program management and coordination support.

j) The Contractor shall make a good faith attempt to hire interpreters from local villages by working with Tribal or community leadership.

k) The Contractor shall be available for coordination Sun-Sat 0600 – 1900 and shall respond within two (2) hours of initial request. Once the request is received, the Contractor shall confirm coverage within 12 hours unless the turnaround time is shorter.

l) When travel is required to remote villages, the Contractor shall, when possible, utilize interpreters living in these communities to minimize costs and to ensure accurate interpreting for that village’s specific dialect.

m) If travel is required, the Contractor shall get permission by the COR or CO prior to scheduling transportation.

n) Once an interpreter is identified, the Contractor shall provide the COR/CO with the name and contact information for the interpreter(s).

o) If there is a change, last minute or otherwise, the contractor program manager will contact the CO/COR to let them know and immediately work to ensure the job is covered.

p) The Contractor shall provide interpreting services in-person, over-the-phone, via ZOOM or on video.

q) Interpreters shall keep accurate records of their arrival in-person and/or number of calls taken/interpreted.

r) Interpreters may educate FEMA staff on cultural norms to minimize offensive cultural mistakes.

s) Over-the-phone interpreters shall answer the phone within 4 rings.

t) The interpreter is interpreting for both the FEMA employee as well as the survivor and shall convey all information to both parties.

3.0 Contractor Personnel

3.1 Qualified Personnel

The contractor shall provide personnel with the following qualifications:

Fluent in Central Alaskan Yup’ik with preference given to individuals familiar with dialects spoken in affected communities

Fluent in English

Familiar with culture and customs of affected communities

3.2 Project Manager

The Contractor shall provide a Project Manager who shall be responsible for all Contractor work performed under this PWS. The Project Manager shall be a single point of contact for the Contracting Officer and the COR. The name of the Project Manager, and the name(s) of any alternate(s) who shall act for the Contractor in the absence of the Project Manager, shall be provided to the Government as part of the Contractor's proposal. The Project Manager is further designated as Key by the Government. During any absence of the Project Manager, only one alternate shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all matters relating to work performed under this contract. The Project Manager and all designated alternates shall be able to read, write, speak and understand English. Additionally, the Contractor shall not replace the Project Manager without prior approval from the Contracting Officer.

3.2.1 The project manager shall be available to the Contracting officer representative (COR) via telephone between the hours of 0800 and 0430 AKT, Monday through Friday, and shall respond to a request for discussion or resolution of technical problems within 4 hours of notification.

3.3 Employee Identification

Interpreters must have a government-provided identification when interpreting in-person.

3.4 Employee Conduct

Contractor’s employees shall comply with all applicable government regulations, policies and procedures (e.g., fire, safety, sanitation, environmental protection, security, “off limits” areas, wearing of parts of DHS uniforms, and possession of weapons or drugs) when visiting or working at Government facilities or government occupied facilities. The Contractor shall ensure Contractor employees always present a professional appearance to include culturally appropriate dress and that their conduct shall not reflect discredit on the United States or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Contractor shall ensure Contractor employees understand and abide by Department of Homeland Security established rules, regulations and policies concerning safety and security.

3.5 Removing Employees for Misconduct or Security Reasons

The Government may, at its sole discretion, direct the Contractor to remove any Contractor employee from DHS facilities for misconduct or security reasons. Removal does not relieve the Contractor of the responsibility to continue providing the services required under the contract. The Contracting Officer will provide the Contractor with a written explanation to support any request to remove an employee.

4.0 Other Applicable Conditions

4.1 Organizational Conflict of Interest

The Contractor warrants that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, there are no relevant facts or circumstances which could give rise to an organizational conflict of interest, as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 9.5, or that the Contractor has disclosed all such relevant information in writing to the Contracting Officer. This can include representation or advocacy on behalf of FEMA applicants or sub-grantees, or employment by FEMA applicants or sub-grantees.

The Contractor agrees that if an actual or potential organizational conflict of interest is discovered after award, the Contractor shall make a full disclosure in writing to the COR and Contracting Officer no later than three working days after discovery of the conflict. This disclosure shall include a description of actions that the Contractor has taken or proposes to take, after consultation with the Contracting Officer, to avoid, mitigate or neutralize the actual or potential conflict.

4.2 Security

Contractor shall comply with all security and training requirements outlined in DHS Security and Training Requirements for Contractors found at www.dhs.gov/dhs-security-and-training-requirements-contractors.

4.1.1 CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES VISITING GOVERNMENT FACILITIES

When visiting DHS facilities, Contractor employees shall comply with the following requirements:

http://www.dhs.gov/dhs-security-and-training-requirements-contractors

Access Control: Only authorized personnel, including contractors with a valid need, may access DHS facilities. Authorization is typically granted after background checks and issuance of proper identification (such as a PIV card or site-specific badge).

Visitor Procedures: Contractors and visitors must follow sign-in procedures, display badges at all times, and may be escorted depending on the facility’s security level.

Information Protection: Contractors must protect sensitive information encountered on-site and comply with all DHS and FEMA security protocols. Interpreters shall not take any electronic or handwritten notes which contain PII and Sensitive but unclassified (SBU) information.

Compliance: Contractors are required to comply with all posted facility rules, emergency procedures, and any additional site-specific requirements.

4.3 Period of Performance

The period of performance for this contract shall be a base period of 90 calendar days from the date of award and one 90-day option period.

4.4 Place of Performance

The primary place of performance for telephonic or virtual interpreting will be at the Contractor’s facility to ensure confidentiality and/or a home with the appropriate land line that can support with ample bandwidth and privacy to ensure calls are not overheard. In-person interpreting shall be performed at FEMA occupied facilities in Anchorage, Bethel, as well as in the field at villages impacted by Typhoon Halong and designated under DR-4893-AK and other areas where survivors may be located.

4.5 Hours of Operation

Contractor employees shall generally perform telephone and interpreting work over-the-phone or in-person between the hours of 0700 to 1700 AKT, Monday through Friday. However, there may be occasions when Contractor employees shall be required to work other than normal business hours, including weekends and holidays, to fulfill requirements under this PWS. Also, for those performing site inspections and other interpreting required in various villages, may be required to be available Sunday – Saturdays 0700 – 2200.

4.6 Travel

Contractor travel may be required to support this requirement. All travel required by the Government outside the local commuting area(s) will be reimbursed to the Contractor in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations. The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining COR approval (electronic mail is acceptable) for all reimbursable travel in advance of each travel event. In addition, the contractor shall guarantee that they will first work to use interpreters local to the areas planned to be visited to minimize costs.

https://www.gsa.gov/policy-regulations/regulations/federal-travel-regulation?topnav=travel

4.7 Post Award Conference

The Contractor shall attend a Post Award Conference with the Contracting Officer and the COR no later than 5 business days after the date of award. The purpose of the Post Award Conference, which will be chaired by the Contracting Officer, COR and External Affairs Officer, is to discuss technical and contracting objectives of this contract and review the Contractor's draft project plan. The Post Award Conference will be held at a location to be determined or via teleconference.

4.8 Progress Reports

The Project Manager shall provide a weekly progress report to the Contracting Officer and COR via electronic mail. This report shall include a summary of all Contractor work performed, including a breakdown of labor hours by labor category, all direct costs by line item, an assessment of technical progress, schedule status, any travel conducted and any Contractor concerns or recommendations for the previous reporting period.

4.9 Progress Meetings

The Project Manager shall be available to meet with the COR upon request to present deliverables, discuss progress, exchange information and resolve emergent technical problems and issues. These meetings shall take place via teleconference.

4.10 General Report Requirements

The Contractor shall provide all written reports in electronic format with read/write capability using applications that are compatible with DHS workstations (Windows XP and Microsoft Office Applications).

4.11 Protection of Information

Contractor access to information protected under the Privacy Act is required under this PWS. Contractor employees shall safeguard this information against unauthorized disclosure or dissemination in accordance with the law and Government policy and regulation.

4.12 Intellectual Property

Interpretation services and products and all data first produced in the performance of this contract are subject to FAR 52.227-14 Rights in Data – General, unless otherwise specified.

4.13 Section 508 Compliance

Pursuant to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) as amended by P.L. 105-220 under Title IV (Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998) all Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) developed, procured, maintained and/or used under this contract shall be in compliance with the “Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards” set forth by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (also referred to as the “Access Board”) in 36 CFR Part 1194. The complete text of Section 508 Standards can be accessed at http://www.access-board.gov/ or at http://www.section508.gov.

5.0 Quality Assurance

5.1 Quality Control

The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract.

The quality control program shall be delivered to the COR within 15 days after contract award. Thereafter quality and risk related discussions will be a part of the Monthly Status Report. After acceptance of the quality control plan the contractor shall receive the contracting officer’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to his QC system.

5.2 Quality Assurance

The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

6.0 Contractor Furnished Property

The Contractor shall furnish all facilities, materials, equipment and services necessary to fulfill the requirements of this contract, except for the Government Furnished Resources specified in PWS 2.0 and PWS 6.0.

7.0 Government Acceptance Period

The COR will review deliverables prior to acceptance and will solicit feedback from survivors or other individuals who used interpretation services. The COR will provide the contractor with an e-mail that provides documented reasons for non-acceptance. If the deliverable is acceptable, the COR will send an e-mail to the Contractor notifying it that the deliverable has been accepted.

http://www.access-board.gov/%20or%20at%20http:/www.section508.gov

7.1 The COR will have the right to reject or require correction of any deficiencies found in the deliverables that are contrary to the information contained in the Contractor’s accepted proposal.

In the event of a rejected deliverable, the Contractor will be notified in writing by the COR of the specific reasons for rejection. The Contractor may have an opportunity to correct the rejected deliverable and return it per delivery instructions.

7.2 The COR will have 5 business days to review deliverables and make comments. The Contractor shall have 15 business days to make corrections and redeliver.

8.0 Government Terms & Definitions

Alaka Area Office (AAO) - FEMA Region 10 Office in Anchorage

Bethel Assistance Hub (BAH) – A centralized location in Bethel hosting disaster recovery resources and representatives from several agencies.

Contracting Officer (CO) – Government employee who, when given the authority, awards, administers or terminates a contract above the micro purchase threshold.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Ensures that contractors meet the commitment of their contracts. They facilitate proper development of requirements and assist Contracting Officers in developing and managing their contracts.

DHS - Department of Homeland Security

FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA Alaska Call Center – a phone line established by FEMA to assist Alaska-based survivors with the FEMA Individual Assistance program.

Fully burdened – refers to the total cost of employing a worker, including wages, benefits, taxes, and all additional expenses beyond base pay. Proposed rates includes all administrative costs.

Interpreter - A person who converts speech from one language to another.

Joint Field Office (JFO) – a temporary, multi-agency coordination center established to manage disaster recovery Anchorage location

Sight Interpreting - Reading text in one language and conveying the message out loud in another language.

State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) – the central state facility where emergency responses are coordinated

2.3 Additional Requirements

8.0 Government Terms & Definitions