PWS-CTSES 01-23 Interpretation 1-26-23 Final.pdf

Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies

Performance Work Statement for

Counter Senior Executive Seminar Simultaneous Interpretation Services

January 26, 2023

1. PURPOSE: This Performance Work Statement (PWS) details the tasks required for language and translation support services for the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for

Strategic Studies. The purpose of NESA is to enhance stability in the Near East and in South

Asia by providing an academic environment where strategic issues can be addressed, understanding deepened, partnerships fostered, defense-related decision-making improved, and cooperation strengthened among military and civilian leaders from local regions and throughout the United States.

2. BACKGROUND: NESA is an element of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency

(DCSA), is responsible for developing civilian and military specialists from the region of the

Near East and in South Asia by providing professional seminars designed to meet the needs of mid-to-upper level military and civilian officials in the national security policy and strategy planning divisions of regional governments, to include but not limited to the Ministry of Interior;

General Headquarters; Ministry of Defense; Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Police

Force.

3. SCOPE: The Contractor shall provide a 5 day Counter-Terrorism Senior Executive Seminar

(CTSES) Simultaneous Interpretation Support. The NESA Center at National Defense

University (NDU) requires expert language interpretation into and from English/Arabic and

English/Russian.

6. Period of Performance: February 24-March 3, 2023

4. TASKS:

Task 1: Simultaneous Interpreters

The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will define changes or adjustments in the

“Language Agenda” to be provided to the contracted Interpreter Coordinator within 24 hours of seminar. The Contractor will assign a team of two (2) interpreters. The exact number of interpreters will be noted on the “Language Agenda.”

Seminars and sessions require continuous effort. Sessions requiring interpreters usually begin at

0800 and last until 1600 (times subject to change) depending on daily schedule with two 15-minute breaks will be given for rest. The COR reserves the right to make changes or adjustments to the actual start time of the workday Within 24 hours of the seminar. The Contractor is to ensure that interpreters are dressed in “business attire,” business attire includes: collared shirt with tie along with dress pants/trousers. Jeans, athletic gear, and or tennis shoes are not permitted to be worn during hours of work.

4.1 Counter Terrorism Senior Executive Seminar = 5 working days x 2 Arabic; 5 working days x 2 Russian.

Interpreters will switch out of the simultaneous booths every 20-30 minutes in plenary sessions in accordance with established industry standards. Interpreters shall be provided to conduct face to face interpretation.

The COR will notify the Contractor within one working day for interpretation services for non-scheduled seminars and other important events. In each case, the number of interpreters will be determined by the specific requirements for each event, and the Contractor will assign interpreters based on the specific requirements. In the event that additional services are required for events/excursions not covered in the current line-item structure, the Contractor will be asked to submit a new proposal for the additional services.

Minimum Acceptability Standards

The Contractor will ensure that all interpreters possess a bachelor’s degree, Political Science preferred. The Contractor shall submit copies of resumes of all interpreters selected to service this contract at the time of proposal submission.

Types of certifications includes (a court interpreter, through the Department of

State conference or seminar interpreter test, examination or accreditation as an interpreter from a school of languages and linguistics or American Translators

Association (ATA). The Contractor shall submit copies of all certifications at the time of proposal submission.

Advanced Certification is preferred.

Simultaneous Interpreters must have a minimum of 3 years of professional/formal simultaneous interpreting experience in conferences and seminars or court system

(or similar setting).

Interpreters must have experience with defense-related terms/ DOD Terminology and must be able to interpret “all dialogue.” When attending these seminars, participants will be introduced and will need to know exactly who they are sharing dialogue with throughout the course of the seminar, their titles, backgrounds and government affiliations.

NOTE:

At the discretion of the COR, simultaneous interpretation testing may be required on all interpreters prior to contract performance for any interpreter performing interpretation services.

NESA staff interpreters will conduct the testing to determine if an interpreter cannot perform their duties due to lack of proficiency, experience and or incompetence. The testing can be conducted after award prior to seminar start date either on the phone or at the venue location.

Substitutions: In the event an interpreter must be replaced after award of the contract, the

Contractor must abide by the same requirements as those listed in the PWS. Credentials and resume must accompany the interpreter on the first workday when last minute substitutions are made and must be approved by COR.

To maintain the integrity of NESA’s branding efforts, all interpreters must always present themselves in a professional manner, display the highest standards of professionalism and judgment; demonstrate organizational abilities and excellent communication skills; possess the ability to interact with senior foreign representatives and preclude from providing any personal opinions. Additionally, interpreters are only allowed to ask questions of speakers within the confines of clarification interpretation as professionally necessary.

The Contracting Officer (CO) reserves the right to require that the Contractor remove and replace, within one working day, an interpreter who, in his/her judgment, is not qualified or who does not maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.

The COR will provide the Contractor with the materials and information necessary for the proper performance of work, to include schedules, agendas, and guidelines.

The Interpreter Coordinator will immediately inform the COR of any issues, problems, or concerns that pertain to participants, guests, or scheduled activities. The Interpreter Coordinator must be able to connect equipment to internal room speaker system to facilitate interpretation. In addition, the Interpreter Coordinator must be able to provide Zoom integration within person room speaker to facilitate program needs if a participant or speaker is not available in person due to sickness or otherwise. The Interpreter Coordinator must ensure all equipment is tested and ready for program execution daily. Equipment testing must be completed 30 minutes prior to the program start time each day per program agenda.

5. Location of Performance: Work will be performed at National Defense University (NDU) -

The NESA Center, 300 5th Ave. S.W., Bldg. 64, Washington, D.C. 20319

7. Security: Interpreters must bring a Government photo ID or Driver’s License to process visitor badges.

8. US Government Furnished Facilities, Equipment, Materials, and Support Functions:

NESA will provide access to documents and files that are relevant to the project and that are required to perform the tasks specified in the contract. NESA personnel will provide such assistance and information as is appropriate and necessary for liaison functions and for the contractor employees’ performance.

All communication will occur between the Contractor and the COR. Any contractual related requirements from NESA must be addressed to the Contract Specialist and CO.

INTERPRETERS SCHEDULE

CT SES Interpretation

Schedule

Set up -Rehearsal 24 February

2023 1 Interpretation Coordinator 09:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Technical Team

Rehearsal 24 February 2023 1 Arabic 12:00 p.m.-14:00 p.m.

1 Russian

1 Interpretation Coordinator/Technical

Seminar 27 February 2023 2 Arabic 08:00 a.m.-16:00 p.m.

2 Russian

1 Interpretation Coordinator/Technical

Seminar 28February 2023 2 Arabic 8:00 a.m.-16:00 p.m.

2 Russian

1 Interpretation Coordinator /Technical

Seminar 1 March 2023 2 Arabic 08:00 a.m.-16:00 p.m.

2 Russian

1 Interpretation Coordinator /Technical

Seminar 2 March 2023 2 Arabic 08:00 a.m.-16:00 p.m.

2 Russian

1 Interpretation Coordinator/Technical

Seminar 3 March 2023 2 Arabic 08:00 a.m.-16:00 p.m.

2 Russian

1 Interpretation Coordinator /Technical

CLIN: SERVICE QUANTITY UNIT

0001 1-ARABIC Rehearsal -24 February 1 Days

0002 1-RUSSIAN Rehearsal-24 February 1 Days

0003 2 – ARABIC Interpreter

27 Feb.- 3 Mar. 2023

5 DAYS

5 Days

0004 2 – RUSSIAN Interpreter

8-9 Nov. 2022

27 Feb.- 3 Mar. 2023

5 DAYS

5 Days

0005 Equipment-

35 Tabletop mics, 2 speaker table mics, 3 lapel mics

24 Feb. 2023

27 Feb.- 3 Mar. 2023

6 DAYS

6 Days

0006 Interpretation Coordinator

Set-up/Rehearsal

24 Feb. 2023

27 Feb.- 3 Mar. 2023

6 DAYS

6 Days

0007 40 Interpretation Devices

24 Feb. 2023

27 Feb.- 3 Mar. 2023

6 DAYS

6 Days

0008 Technician

Set-up/Rehearsal

24 Feb. 2023

27 Feb.- 3 Mar. 2023

6 DAYS

6 Days