PWS-ES Interpretation 15 Dec 2022.pdf

Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies

Performance Work Statement for

Executive Seminar Simultaneous (02-23) Interpretation Services December 15, 2022

1. Purpose: This Performance Work Statement (PWS) details the tasks required for language interpretation and translation support services for the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies. The mission 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. This is accomplished by fostering partnerships, 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 (DSCA) and 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 interpretation support for a 12-day virtual seminar. The National Defense University (NDU) requires expert language interpretation into and from the following languages: English/Arabic and English/Russian.

4. Period of Performance (POP): January 23, 2023, through February 10, 2023.

5. 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 project manager within 24 hours of the seminar. The Contractor shall assign a team of two interpreters. Exact number of interpreters will be noted on the “Language Agenda.”

Seminars and sessions require continuous effort. Sessions requiring interpreters usually begin at 6:00am and last until 11:00am depending on daily schedule. 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, notice will be provided within one working day. The Contractor is to ensure that interpreters are to dress in “business attire.”

4.1 Executive Seminar

Services Estimated Hours Estimated FTEs Unit Arabic

Interpreter

6 2 12 days

Russian 6 2 12 days

Interpreter

Program Manager 6 1 12 days

Interpreters will switch out every 20-30 minutes in plenary sessions in accordance with established industry standards. Interpreters shall be provided to conduct virtual face to face interpretation when they are in discussion rooms.

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.

Minimum Acceptability Standards

The Contractor shall ensure that all interpreters possess a bachelor’s degree, Political Science preferred.

Advanced Certification through the Department of State Interpreters Examination or accreditation as an interpreter from a school of languages and linguistics.

The Contractor must include all interpreters’ certifications and/or accreditation certificates at the time of proposal submission.

Interpreters must have a 3 years of professional/formal simultaneous interpreting experience in conferences and seminars or court system (or similar setting); and

Interpreters must have experience with defense-related terms/DOD Terminology and must be able to interpret “all dialogue.”

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 via phone. NESA staff interpreters will conduct testing to determine if an interpreter cannot perform their duties due to lack of proficiency and or experience.

Substitutions: If for any unforeseen reason an interpreter must be replaced after award of the contract, the Contractor must abide by the same requirements as those listed in PWS. Credentials and resumes must accompany the interpreter on the first workday when last minute substitutions are made and must be approved by the CO.

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 confines of clarification interpretation clarification purposes 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 Project Manager must be able to coordinate, manage, and run hybrid and Zoom conferences.

Interpretation, equipment integration, and management of chat during Zoom are all critical skills that are essential for NESA’s virtual and hybrid programs. The Contractor will immediately inform the COR of any issues, problems, or concerns that pertain to participants, guests, or scheduled activities.

5. Location of Performance: Work performed under this contract will be performed virtually via Zoom. The Contractor must ensure that all language interpreters are located in a quiet environment (e.g., no interruptions or sounds nearby) during each seminar session.

7. Security: (N/A)

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.

9. Invoicing Procedures:

Invoices are to be submitted electronically via the Internet through Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF)- Receipt and Acceptance (WAWF-RA) system at https://wawf.eb.mil. The Contractor must create two documents (Invoice and Receiving Report, i.e., 2 –in- 1 Documents) with a single data entry session.

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

INTERPRETERS SCHEDULE

Virtual Service Schedule :

Estimated hours per day 6:00am-11:00am – Times subject to change

Setup - Rehearsal 23 Jan

2 Arabic 2 Russian 1 Interpretation Coordinator

09:00am-10: 00am

Registration 24 Jan 2023 2 Arabic 2 Russian 1 Interpretation Coordinator

06:00am - 09:00am

Registration 25 Jan 2023 2 Arabic 2 Russian 1 Interpretation Coordinator

06:00am - 09:00am

Rehearsal 25 Jan 2023 2 Arabic 10:00am – 11:00am

2 Russian 1 Interpretation Coordinator

Seminar 30 Jan 2023 2 Arabic 2 Russian 1 Interpretation Coordinator

06:00am – 12:00pm

Seminar 31 Jan 2023 2 Arabic 2 Russian 1 Interpretation Coordinator

06:00am – 11:00am

Seminar 1 Feb 2023 2 Arabic 2 Russian 1 Interpretation Coordinator

06:00am – 11:00am

Seminar 2 Feb 2023 2 Arabic 2 Russian 1 Interpretation Coordinator

06:00am – 11:00am

Seminar 3 Feb 2023 2 Arabic 2 Russian 1 Interpretation Coordinator

06:00am – 11:00am

Seminar 6 Feb 2023 2 Arabic 2 Russian 1 Interpretation Coordinator

07:30am – 12:00pm

Seminar 7 Feb 2023 2 Arabic 2 Russian 1 Interpretation Coordinator

06:00am – 11:00am

Seminar 8 Feb 2023 2 Arabic 2 Russian 1 Interpretation Coordinator

06:00am – 11:00am

Seminar 9 Feb 2023 2 Arabic 2 Russian 1 Interpretation Coordinator

06:00am – 11:00am

Seminar 10 Feb 2023 2 Arabic 2 Russian 1 Interpretation Coordinator

06:00am – 11:00am

CLIN: SERVICE Estimated

Hours

Estimated FTEs UNIT

0001 Arabic Interpretation-

Registration 23 Jan.

2023- Setup Rehearsal

1 1 1 Hour

0002 Russian Interpretation-

Registration 23 Jan.

2023 – Setup Rehearsal

1 1 1 Hour

0003 Program Manager

Registration 23 Jan.

2023 – Setup Rehearsal

1 1 1 Hour

0001 Arabic Interpretation-

Registration 24 Jan.

3 2 3 Hours

0002 Russian Interpretation-

Registration 24 Jan.

3 2 3 Hours

0001 Arabic-Interpretation-

Registration/Rehearsal

25 January 2023

4 2 4 Hours

0002 Russian- Interpretation-

Registration/Rehearsal

25 January 2023

4 2 4 Hours

0001 Arabic- Interpretation

30 Jan.-10 Feb. 2023

6 2 6 Hours

0002 Russian Interpretation

30 Jan.-10 Feb. 2023

6 2 6 Hours

0003 Program Manager 6 1 6 Hours