Performance Work Statement.pdf

DHA PWS Template Under SAT

August 2022 Rev. 1

Department of Defense

Defense Health Agency

Performance Work Statement

American Sign Language Interpreting Services

29 JAN 2026

NMRTC BEAUFORT

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 This is a non-personal services contract to provide early intervention services to infants and toddlers with vision and hearing impairments that meet the Navy Medicine Readiness and

Training Command (NMRTC) Beaufort The Educational and Developmental Intervention

Services (EDIS) eligibility requirements.

1.1.1 Description of services/introduction: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, vehicles, materials, supervision, transportation, and services necessary to effectively, economically, and satisfactorily perform the services.

1.1.2 Background: The Educational and Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS) program at NMRTC Beaufort provides early intervention for infants and toddlers in accordance with Part

C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This federally mandated legislation outlines a comprehensive framework for delivering support to children with developmental delays or disabilities. The primary objective of the EDIS program is to address the physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, and adaptive needs of eligible children, ensuring they receive the necessary resources to thrive.

Infants and toddlers with vision and hearing impairments require highly specialized early intervention services tailored to their unique developmental needs. To meet this critical requirement, NMRTC Beaufort, SC seeks to establish a contract for the provision of these services.

The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind (SCSDB) is the state's primary resource for students with sensory disabilities, offering a range of programs tailored to meet their unique needs. When a child with a vision or hearing impairment is determined to be eligible for early intervention through the NMRTC Beaufort EDIS Program, the child and their family are referred to SCSDB. This referral ensures they have access to specialized services and comprehensive support.

1.1.3 Scope: Early intervention services for children with vision and/or hearing impairments include a range of specialized supports designed to address their unique developmental needs.

These services shall include but are not limited to include family training, orientation and mobility instruction, introductory American Sign Language (ASL) education, and American Sign

Language interpreting services.

1.1.4 Period of Performance (PoP):

Base Year: 30 September 2026 – 29 September 2027

Option Year 1: 30 September 2027 – 29 September 2028

Option Year 2: 30 September 2028 – 29 September 2029

Option Year 3: 30 September 2029 – 29 September 2030

Option Year 4: 30 September 2030 – 29 September 2031

Option Year 5 (-8): 30 September 2031 – 30 March 2032

1.2 Administrative specifications

1.2.1 Place of performance: The work shall be performed in the child’s natural environment.

Natural environments refer to setting where infants and toddlers spend their time and engage in everyday activities. These environments are not limited to physical locations but also include the routines, interactions, and activities that are part of the child’s daily life. The concept of natural environments is emphasized in Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), (https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/ )which mandates that early intervention services be provided in settings that are natural and familiar to the child and family whenever possible.

1.2.2 Recognized Federal holidays: Services shall not be required on Federal holidays or the day of observance of federally established holidays and local base holidays. In general, federal holidays falling on a Saturday are observed on the preceding Friday whereas holidays falling on a Sunday are observed on the following Monday. Additional federal holidays as authorized by the President of the United States and/or executive orders shall be considered part of standard Federal Government holidays.

• Government Escort. If no Government employee is unavailable to provide required escort services during routine maintenance or system outages, the COR shall assume escort responsibilities or provide alternate escort arrangements. The Contractor shall not remain on site without a required escort and shall follow all instructions issued by the KO or COR.

• In the event of a Government shutdown, the Contractor shall contact the COR to receive guidance. The Contracting Officer may issue a Stop-Work Order in accordance with FAR 52.242-15 if services under this contract are deemed non-essential.

1.2.3 Hours of operation: The contractor is responsible for conducting business Monday through Friday, between the hours of 0700 and 1900, except on Federal holidays or when the

Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or other Government-directed facility closings. The contractor must at all times maintain an adequate workforce to ensure the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS during these hours, provided the Government facility is not closed for the reasons stated above.

1.2.4 Emergency Services:. Not applicable.

1.3 Contractor Identification

1.3.1 Contractor personnel performing services in a contractor capacity shall possess and wear an identification badge that displays his or her name and the name of their company.

2.0 SPECIFIC TASKS

2.1 Early Intervention Services to include Family Training: The Contractor shall deliver family training services to hearing impaired infants, toddlers, and their families who have been deemed https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/

August 2022 Rev. 1 eligible for early intervention services by the NMRTC Beaufort Educational and Developmental

Intervention Services (EDIS) Program.

2.1.1 The assigned early intervention provider shall provide Family Training Services as required by the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to each child and family eligible to receive services. No deviation shall be made to the type of frequency of services specified in the

IFSP without concurrence of the family and approval by the NMRTC Beaufort EDIS Program

Service Coordinator.

2.1.2 The Contractor shall provide an environment that maintains a family's right to privacy and confidentiality as embodied under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of

1996, and the Privacy Act of 1974. Additionally, the contractor and assigned early intervention provider shall abide by the EDIS Programs Procedural Safeguards and Due Process Entitlements.

2.1.3 If the Contractor identifies new and available teaching and learning resources for the child and family, they shall make the recommendations to the EDIS Program Service Coordinator so the resources can be procured and made available through the child’s IFSP utilizing the child’s

Tricare benefit.

2.1.4 The Contractor shall be responsible for the management of all travel and logistical support of the early intervention provider in order to provide EIS in the patient's natural environment.

The Government is responsible for the cost of travel, which is incorporated into the contract via a dedicated travel Contract Line Item Number (CLIN). The Contractor shall submit for reimbursement of travel costs. All travel and reimbursements must be executed in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) and current U.S. Government travel reimbursement rates.

2.1.5 The Contractor reserves the right to refuse to provide services to any child or their family based upon any concern for safety and the wellbeing of the early intervention provider. The contractor should notify the EDIS Service Coordinator or EDIS Program Manager via phone call as soon as possible (ASAP) if they do not feel safe and are unable to carry out the home visit.

2.2 Early Intervention Services to include Orientation and Mobility Services. The Contractor shall deliver orientation and mobility services to visually impaired infants, toddlers, and their families who have been deemed eligible for early intervention services by the NMRTC Beaufort

Educational and Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS) Program.

2.2.1 The assigned early intervention provider shall provide Orientation and Mobility Services as required by the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to each child and family eligible to receive services. No deviation shall be made to the type of frequency of services specified in the

2.2.2 The Contractor shall provide an environment that maintains a family's right to privacy and

2.2.3 If the Contractor identifies new and available teaching and learning resources for the child the resources can be purchased and made available through the child’s IFSP.

2.2.4 The Contractor shall be responsible for the management of all travel and logistical support

2.2.5 The Contractor reserves the right to refuse to provide services to any child or their family based upon any concern for safety and the wellbeing of the early intervention provider.

2.3 Early Intervention Services to include Beginning American Sign Language. The Contractor shall deliver beginning American Sign language to hearing impaired infants, toddlers, and their families who have been deemed eligible for early intervention services by the NMRTC Beaufort

Educational and Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS) Program.

2.3.1 The assigned early intervention provider shall provide Beginning American Sign Language as required by the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to each child and family eligible to receive services. No deviation shall be made to the type of frequency of services specified in the

2.3.2 The Contractor shall provide an environment that maintains a family's right to privacy and

2.3.3 If the Contractor identifies new and available teaching and learning resources for the child

2.3.4 The Contractor shall be responsible for the management of all travel and logistical support

2.3.5 The Contractor reserves the right to refuse to provide services to any child or their family

2.4 Early Intervention Services to include American Sign Language Interpreting services. The

Contractor shall deliver American Sign Language interpreting services to hearing impaired infants, toddlers, and their families who have been deemed eligible for early intervention services by the NMRTC Beaufort Educational and Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS)

Program.

2.4.1 The assigned early intervention provider shall provide American Sign Language

Interpreting Services as required by the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to each child

August 2022 Rev. 1 and family eligible to receive services. No deviation shall be made to the type of frequency of services specified in the IFSP without concurrence of the family and approval by the NMRTC

Beaufort EDIS Program Service Coordinator.

2.4.2 The Contractor shall provide an environment that maintains a family's right to privacy and

2.4.3 If the Contractor identifies new and available teaching and learning resources for the child

2.4.4 The Contractor shall be responsible for the management of all travel and logistical support

2.4.5 The Contractor reserves the right to refuse to provide services to any child or their family

3.0 Qualifications/Considerations

3.1 Special Qualifications/Considerations: To work in early intervention with the South

Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind (SCSDB), specific qualifications are required depending on the role. Early intervention professionals provide services to infants and toddlers

(birth to age 3) with sensory impairments and developmental delays, as well as support to their families. Below is an overview of the general qualifications and requirements for early intervention roles at SCSDB.

Educational requirements include possessing a Bachelor’s Degree or advanced degree from an accredited college or university. A degree in relevant field such as Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Deaf Education, Blind/Visual Impairment Education, Speech-Language

Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Social Work, Psychology or related fields.

Advanced degrees may be required for certain specialized roles such as therapist or specialists.

Depending on the role, professionals may need to hold a valid South Carolina license in their field (e.g., teaching certification, therapy licensure). For teachers, certification in Deaf

Education or Visual Impairment is often required. For therapists, licensure in fields such as speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, or physical therapy is necessary. Early

Intervention Credentialing: Some positions may require certification or credentialing specific to early intervention services, such as training in Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act (IDEA). American Sign Language (ASL) Proficiency: For roles involving children with hearing impairments, proficiency in ASL is often required or preferred. Some positions may require passing an ASL proficiency assessment.

August 2022 Rev. 1

All personnel assigned to this contract shall meet the following minimum mandatory qualifications. The Contractor shall provide documentation to the Contracting Officer's

Representative (COR) to verify all qualifications prior to the employee commencing work.

3.1.1 Educational Requirements

All personnel shall possess a Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in one of the following fields:

• Early Childhood Education

• Special Education

• Deaf Education

• Blind/Visual Impairment Education

• Speech-Language Pathology

• Occupational Therapy

• Physical Therapy

• Social Work

• Psychology

3.1.2 Professional Licensure and Certification

• Teachers: All personnel performing teaching duties shall hold a valid South Carolina teaching certificate with an endorsement in Deaf Education or Visual Impairment.

• Therapists: All personnel performing therapeutic duties shall hold a valid South Carolina license in their respective field (e.g., Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy).

• Early Interventionists: All personnel shall possess a valid South Carolina Early

Intervention Specialist (EIS) or Early Intervention Supervisor (EISV) credential.

3.1.3 American Sign Language (ASL) Proficiency

For all personnel providing services to children with hearing impairments, the following is required:

• A passing score on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) at a level of 2+ or higher. The contractor shall provide the ASLPI score report to the COR.

4.0 Points of Contact

4.1 Points of Contact:

TBD