SAQMMA12R0316_1.docx

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1 - The Schedule………………………………………………………………………………………..2

· SF 1449 cover sheet

· Continuation To SF-1449, Solicitation Number SAQMMA12R0316, Prices, Block 23 & Block 20 Section 2 - Contract Clauses………………………………………………………………………………….37

· Contract Clauses

· Addendum to Contract Clauses - FAR and DOSAR Clauses not Prescribed in Part 12 Section 3 - Solicitation Provisions…………………………………………………………………………….50

· Solicitation Provisions

· Addendum to Solicitation Provisions - FAR and DOSAR Provisions not Prescribed in Part 12 Section 4 - Evaluation Factors…………………………………………………………………………………66

· Evaluation Factors

· Addendum to Evaluation Factors - FAR and DOSAR Provisions not Prescribed in Part 12 Section 5 - Representations and Certifications………………………………………………………………71

· Representations and Certifications

· Addendum to Offeror Representations and Certifications - FAR and DOSAR Provisions not Prescribed in Part 12

· Attachments A, B, C…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………78

Section 1 -THE SCHEDULE CONTINUATION TO SF-1449 COVER PAGE, RFP NUMBER SAQMMA12R0316: PRICES, BLOCK 23 & BLOCK 20 A. Price and Payment A.1. Price The Government will pay for services under this contract at fixed labor rates and as described in A.2 below. This applies to interpreting / translating and transcribing into English, or to interpreting/translating/transcribing from English. These rates shall cover all costs associated with interpretation, translation, and transcribing, validating, and summarizing requirements, including preparation of the translation/transcriptions, materials, overhead and profit. The Government will not pay any additional expenses outside of those described listed in the Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs).

A.2.Contract Type This is a commercial Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract, with Fixed Price and Time and Material, contract line item numbers (CLINs). Line items 1, 2 and 7 (Life Support) are Firm Fixed Price. Line items 3, 4, 5, and 6 are Time and Material Labor Hour CLINs. Line item 8 is a Cost Reimbursable line item for all other Direct Costs to be billed for travel, training, Defense Base Act Insurance (DBA) and miscellaneous items as the need may arise.

a) The contract will be funded pursuant to the following CLIN (contract line item number) structure:

BASE YEAR PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

32,448

HRS

20,592

HRS

Month

(Travel, Training, DBA Insurance, miscellaneous items) Pursuant to FAR 52.232.-7, profit and fee is not allowable to Prime Contractor

G&A%____

OH%_____

LT

$2,000,000.00

Grand Total Base Year

b) CLIN is broken down as follows:

For example, CLIN 1001 will be used when the Program Manager is performing services in option year one (1). See Pricing table to complete for the Pricing Schedule submission below.

A.3. Period of Performance This contract is comprised of a one-year base period and four, one-year option periods. The base year includes a transition period that will coincide and run concurrently with the remaining days of the current contract(s).

OPTION YEAR ONE (1) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

32,448

HRS

20,592

HRS

(Travel, Training, DBA Insurance, miscellaneous items) Pursuant to FAR 52.232.-7, profit and fee is not allowable to Prime Contractor

Grand Total Option Year 1

OPTION YEAR TWO (2) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

32,448

HRS

20,592

HRS

(Travel, Training, DBA Insurance, miscellaneous items) Pursuant to FAR 52.232.-7, profit and fee is not allowable to Prime Contractor

Grand Total Option Year 2

OPTION YEAR THREE (3) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

32,448

HRS

20,592

HRS

(Travel, Training, DBA Insurance, miscellaneous items) Pursuant to FAR 52.232.-7, profit and fee is not allowable to Prime Contractor

Grand Total Option Year 3

OPTION YEAR FOUR (4) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

32,448

HRS

20,592

HRS

(Travel, Training, DBA Insurance, miscellaneous items) Pursuant to FAR 52.232.-7, profit and fee is not allowable to Prime Contractor

Grand Total Option Year 4

A.4. Payment The Contractor shall not submit an invoice for payment until all requirements identified in this contract have been completed and delivery to the COR is complete. The COR shall certify all hours worked and services rendered which the contractor shall include in its invoice.

(1) Incentive Compensation. Contractor personnel are not authorized post differential or hazardous duty ("danger") pay under the terms of this contract as the Contractor’s employees are not considered Federal Government Employees. Incentive compensation is allowable provided it meets conditions (i), (ii) and (iii) below. Any Contractor offering incentive compensation to their employees providing service under this contract shall be identified and included in the Contractor's competitively proposed loaded hourly rates if it is: (i) part of the Contractor’s established incentive compensation plan or policy, or employer/employee agreement entered into in good faith before the services are rendered, pursuant to FAR 31.205-6(f)(1)(i) (Bonuses and Incentive Compensation); (ii) Payment of such costs is otherwise consistent with FAR Part 31; and (iii) Payment will be made only for eligible employees. Eligible employees are employees whose country of citizenship is not the contract or task order place of performance. All costs associated with incentive compensation is to be put in the labor categories (X001, X002, X003, X004, X005, X006) fully loaded hourly rates.

(2) TRAVEL COSTS. (1)Travel under this contract is defined as Contractor air and ground transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses, and passport/visa costs. (2) Travel costs shall be allocated to CLIN eight (X008) titled “Travel/Training/Other Direct Costs”. (3) Except as otherwise provided herein, the Contractor shall be paid its allowable travel costs in accordance with FAR 31.205-46 (Travel Costs). (4) Travel costs are authorized only for travel beyond a 50-miles’ radius of the Contractor employee’s local place of performance (official duty station) whenever work is required to be accomplished at a remote work site. (5) No travel costs (or associated labor time during travel) shall be allowable for work performed at a Contractor’s local office or any other work site within a 50-miles’ radius of the Contractor employee’s local place of performance (official duty station).

c) No travel costs (or associated labor time during travel) shall be allowable for telecommuting beyond (or within) a 50-miles’ radius of the Contractor’s local place of performance (official duty station).

d) Costs when using a privately owned vehicle (POV) for official travel are allowable provided that such costs do not exceed costs that would have resulted from use of other reasonable transportation methods (e.g., taxi, airplane, train). Reasonable associated costs, such as tolls and parking fees, are also generally allowable.

e) When traveling in a POV for official travel, the Contractor shall be paid mileage costs at a rate that does not exceed the POV mileage rate established by the Internal Revenue Service.

f) Costs for car rentals for official travel are allowable pursuant to the following:

g) such rentals are consistent with good business practice;

h) such costs do not exceed costs that would have resulted from use of other reasonable transportation methods (e.g., taxi, airplane, train); and

i) such costs do not exceed the actual cost of renting a compact automobile (maximum of one automobile for four Contractor personnel), unless extenuating circumstances (e.g., excess baggage) require other arrangements and Contracting Officer approval is obtained.

j) Reasonable associated costs, such as tolls and parking fees, are also generally allowable.

k) The Government will not pay for a Contractor employee's travel time that is outside the employee’s regular working hours during the employee's normal workweek. A normal workweek is defined in Section D.1.1.

l) The Government will not pay for a Contractor employee’s travel time when there is a back-up position filling that position’s duties and we are already paying for that productive time in Baghdad, Iraq via a temporary substitution of persons. The Government will not pay for any time found to duplication of services.

m) The Government will pay the Contractor, under the applicable labor category , for each Contractor employee’s travel time to or from authorized work locations as long as the following are met:

n) Payment of travel time described herein is in accordance with the Contractor’s established travel policy.

o) For travel to/from the United States' outlying areas and outside the United States, travel time begins no earlier than three (3) hours prior to the scheduled departure time and concludes upon arrival to the initial destination point (e.g., airport) at the place of performance.

p) United States' outlying areas are American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands of the United States.

q) “United States” means the 50 States plus the District of Columbia.

r) For travel inside the United States, travel time begins no earlier than two (2) hours prior to the scheduled departure time and concludes upon arrival to the initial destination point (e.g., airport) at the place of performance.

s) The Government will not pay for a Contractor employee's time spent in layovers that are for the convenience of the Contractor employee or Contractor.

t) The Government will not pay more than eight (8) hours per day per Contractor employee for travel time when the employee is traveling inside the United States.

u) The Government will not pay more than 12 hours per day per Contractor employee for travel time when the employee is traveling to/from the United States’ outlying areas and outside the United States.

v) The Government will not pay for a Contractor employee more than the number of hours in the employee's normal workweek. “Number of hours” includes productive time hours, travel time hours, and paid time off hours (e.g., sick, vacation, holiday).

w) “Productive time hours” consist of hours that, other than travel time hours, directly benefit the contract.

x) Exceptions must be authorized in advance and in writing by the Contracting Officer.

y) After task order award under a cost-reimbursement arrangement or the materials portion of a time-and-materials arrangement, travel must be authorized in advance by the Contracting Officer’s Representative or Government Technical Monitor.

z) The following items concern passports and visas:

aa) The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all personnel who will be required to travel outside the United States have a current and valid U.S. passport.

ab) The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining any visas required for travel to Iraq under this contract.

ac) The Contractor’s costs for obtaining and maintaining passports and/or visas will be generally allowable, but the Contractor shall pro-rate equitably such costs if they will benefit cost objectives (e.g., contracts) other than this cost objective.

ad) The Government will not reimburse the Contractor for travel expenses when travel is cancelled or modified as a result of the Contractor’s failure to obtain a visa.

ae) The Government will not reimburse the Contractor for the use of private visa procurement services provided by a third party.

af) Costs for travel that has been modified or cancelled are not allowable unless such modification or cancellation was caused by the Government or otherwise exceeded the control of the Contractor.

ag) If work under this contract will be performed at the Government site at the Department of State main building, 21st and Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20520, or other State Annexes in the metropolitan Washington, DC area, daily commuting time and expenses between the Department of State site and some other location, such as a home office, shall not be allowable under this contract. However, commuting time and expenses between the Department of State site and some other location, such as a home office, shall be allowable when performing occasional official business (e.g., to attend a meeting at the Department of State site).

ah) Pursuant to FAR 47.402, 47.403, and the Fly America Act, the Contractor shall use a U.S.-flag air carrier service unless specific conditions exist. If such conditions exist under a fixed-price arrangement (i.e., task order or line item in a task order), the Contractor shall submit with its task order proposal a memorandum explaining why it does not intend to use a U.S.-flag air carrier service. Inclusion of such costs in the awarded fixed-price is contingent upon Government acceptance of such explanation.

ai) If such conditions exist under arrangements when payment is made based on actual costs incurred (e.g., cost-reimbursement arrangements, materials portion of time-and-materials arrangements, and progress payments based on costs under fixed-price arrangements), the Contractor shall submit with its voucher a memorandum explaining why it did not use a U.S.-flag air carrier service. Reimbursement is contingent upon Government acceptance of such explanation.

(3) OVERTIME

1. Overtime is defined as time worked in excess of the number of hours in a normal workweek. There is no additional overtime rates, any and all excess hours will be paid at the regular labor rates accepted after competition/negotiation.

1. “Number of hours” includes productive time hours, travel time hours, and paid time off hours (e.g., sick, vacation, holiday).

1. “Productive time hours” consist of hours that, other than travel time hours, directly benefit the contract.

1. “Travel time hours” consist of hours spent by the employee traveling to or from authorized work locations.

1. A normal workweek is defined in D.1.1.

1. Payment for overtime hours must be authorized in writing by the RSO, approved by the Program Manager to ensure funds are available on contract, and approved by the COR or Contracting Officer prior to any employee performing any overtime.

1. Payment for overtime must not conflict with any Contractor uncompensated overtime policy or practice.

1. For labor-hour arrangements and the time portion of time-and-materials arrangements, any Government payment for Contracting Officer-authorized-employee overtime will be made at the fixed fully-loaded hourly labor rates negotiated in the task order for normal workweek performance.

1. A Contracting Officer-authorized employee is a Contractor employee who has been granted permission by the Contracting Officer to work overtime.

1. The Government generally discourages overtime, so the Contractor agrees to use its best efforts to avoid (and when applicable, control) overtime.

k) The Contractor shall be responsible for the coordination and advanced planning of all authorized DOS travel. The DOS will not provide an Official Passport to Contractor employees. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that personnel assigned to work overseas have all the necessary credentials (i.e., active passport, work visa, etc) to perform work at the required location. If certain extraneous circumstances arise in locations that work has been mandated to be performed and the Contractor is unable to obtain a work visa because of restrictions set by the host country, the Contracting Officer may make the determination to provide an Official or Diplomatic Passport. If it becomes necessary for Contractor personnel to obtain a second tourist passport, the individual will maintain possession of such passport after the contract has expired. Approval for authorized travel shall be granted by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) subject to the following: (1) The Contractor applied for the visa within the processing lead time prescribed by the host country embassy or consulate. Failure to submit the visa application within the timeframe specified may result in the Contractor's inability to obtain a visa prior to departure. Any travel expenses incurred will not be reimbursed in the event the travel is cancelled or modified due to the Contractor's failure to obtain a visa. The USG shall not reimburse the Contractor for the use of private visa procurement services provided by a third party.

(4) DEFENSE BASE ACT (DBA) INSURANCE

a) Defense Base Act (DBA) Insurance costs shall be allocated to line item X008(Other Direct Costs).

b) The Contractor must have a DBA self-insurance program approved by the Department of Labor, the Government will pay the Contractor at the DBA Insurance rates negotiated between the Contractor and the DBA Insurance carrier.

c) Payment will be made only for performance occurring outside the United States of America.

d) Payment will be made only to covered Contractor and subcontractor employees. They are:

· United States citizens or residents;

· hired in the United States or its possessions, regardless of citizenship; or

· local nationals and third country nationals where contract or task order performance takes place in a country where there are no local worker’s compensation laws.

e) For arrangements when payment is made based on actual costs incurred (e.g., cost-reimbursement arrangements, materials portion of time-and-materials arrangements, and progress payments based on costs under fixed-price arrangements), Government payment of DBA Insurance costs will reflect each covered employee’s actual incurred taxable compensation multiplied by the DBA Insurance rate negotiated in the Contractor’s DBA Insurance policy or established in the Contractor’s DOL-approved self-insurance program.

f) The employee’s taxable compensation for the period is:

· the amount that benefits the contract or task order(s); or

· an equitable amount that is necessary to the overall operation of the business, although a direct relationship to any particular cost objective (e.g., task order) cannot be shown.

g) “Taxable compensation” is compensation considered by the Internal Revenue Service as gross income for income tax purposes (e.g., Unloaded Labor, Bonus, and incentive compensation).

h) Approved providers can be found at the Department of Labor website http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dlhwc/lscarrier.htm

5. DATA OTHER THAN CERTIFIED COST OR PRICING DATA

The Government did not require and rely upon certified cost or pricing data, as described in FAR Subpart 15.4, for award of the contract because adequate price competition had been obtained. Instead, where applicable, the Government required and relied upon data other than certified cost or pricing data.

B. Definitions "COR" means Contracting Officer's Representative; see FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items, in Section 2.

"Government" means the United States Government unless otherwise stated.

C. Performance Work Requirements C.1.1. Overview The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is charged with providing a safe and secure environment for U.S. Government (USG) personnel working under Chief of Mission authority. In support of this mission, DS provides policy and program support, advice, and guidance to senior DS management and Regional Security Offices worldwide. DS support includes strategic operational planning, coordination and evaluation of security programs, budgetary planning, and interaction with other departmental bureaus and U.S. Government agencies. The mission of Regional Security Offices (RSOs) is to provide a secure environment for the conduct of U.S. diplomacy and the protection of Americans and American interests in their respective regions. RSOs manage a wide array of security programs and provide a multitude of security-related services designed to maximize protection of Chief of Mission (COM) personnel, facilities, and sensitive information. This mission, as well as the overall U.S. diplomatic mission, requires frequent coordination and interaction with host country officials and local national personnel. To facilitate communications and security operations, the U.S. Department of State (DOS), Bureau of Diplomatic Security requires the services of a contractor to perform language-related services, including interpreting, translating and transcription. All personnel shall work under the operational management of the Regional Security Officer and/or his designee.

C.1.2. The Contractor shall perform non-personal linguist services conforming to high professional standards. The Contractor shall:

Provide language-related support to assigned Regional Security Offices in Baghdad, Iraq and surrounding areas. All personnel shall work under the operational management of the Regional Security Officer and/or his designee. Target languages and Security Requirements for each of the anticipated positions are identified in Exhibit 1 below. Services include interpreting, translating transcription, validation, and summarizing, as defined below:

Interpret: To render spoken words orally and simultaneously or consecutively from the target language(s) into English, or to render spoken words from English into the target language(s).

Translate: To render the spoken or written word of one language(s) into the written form of another language(s), then save the results on a Government-owned computer diskette or other storage media and/or in printed format, successfully using the computer, keyboard, Microsoft Office suite of software programs, and in written notes in English or the target language(s).

Transcribe: To render the spoken word of a language(s) into the written form of the same language(s), then save the result on a Government-owned computer or electronic media and / or in printed format, successfully using the computer, keyboard, Microsoft Office suite of software programs, and in written notes in English and/or the target language(s).

Validate: To review a translation or transcription conducted by someone other than the individual performing the original translation, transcription, or the quality control review of the specified original work in order to attest to the accuracy of the final work.

Summarize: To provide a typed, concise and accurate synopsis of oral or written communications intercept that contains the identity of the speakers or correspondents, and all locations and events mentioned that pertain to the subject of the communication.

In addition, personnel may have related collateral duties specific to their assignment. Such duties may include liaison with host country officials, administrative office support, escorting un-cleared personnel, and assisting with the issuance of Embassy access badges.

The Contractor shall support this purpose by:

· Recruiting, screening, and selecting highly-qualified personnel.

· Planning and managing required travel.

· Ensuring personnel possess and maintain required security clearances.

· Properly submitting required deliverables and invoices.

· Ensuring compliance with requirements of this contract.

C.1.3. Translate from and into English, producing full, idiomatic translations of conversations, and documents that may include highly technical papers, legal documents, and international treaties or national laws, regulations, or government correspondence.

C.1.4. Perform analysis as deep as is needed under the circumstances in order to understand correctly the substance of the words and information to be translated, including attention to detail and nuances. The Contractor shall carefully analyze the simplicity or complexity of the language to be used in order to reach adequately the intended target audience. The Contractor shall perform sufficient research as to be able to apply the correct approach to interpreting conversations and translating documents that will fit various, complex sets of circumstances. The Contractor shall apply analytical skill to extract essential information from research material or situations in order to apply it readily to the solution of problems of semantics or substance. The Contractor shall resolve linguistic problems as they arise and coordinate the work with others as necessary and as directed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

C.1.5. Display fluent written command of English and languages as identified in Exhibit One (1) below, covering a wide range of terminology and specialized vocabulary in many fields, which may include important diplomatic, legal, economic, financial, technical, scientific, or other texts, which may originate from the highest levels of the U.S. government or foreign governments. These documents may include laws, constitutions, treaties, agreements, diplomatic notes, intelligence reports, speeches, etc., for the information of the Embassy/Consulate or for publication and dissemination. Translations shall be of such quality as to accuracy, terminology, and style that they require minimal review by the Embassy/Consulate. The Government may be require the Contractor to compare the English and foreign language versions of texts of treaties, agreements, and other documents for conformity of meaning prior to signature and publication.

C.1.6. Apply a high degree of judgment to understand the thrust of specific, often conceptually complex statements, such as typically drafted by leading experts in a field, and to transpose them into another language without loss of important nuances. The Contractor shall develop research patterns in order to define the specific parameters that must be mastered to overcome communications problems, often caused by differences in general philosophy, academic education, or scientific methodology among various countries and cultures.

D. Specific Requirements The section below delineates the minimum personnel requirements for the Contractor’s personnel. The positions are considered professional in nature and are therefore exempt from the Service Contract Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The labor categories provided below provide some specific requirements for performing the work as stated in Section C. The tasks and specific skill sets required to perform the services as stated in Section C are interchangeable.

Exhibit One (1) Staffing Requirements Staffing requirements are subject to increase or decrease based on the needs of the Department of State. There is no numeric limitation on the number of linguists that may be required under this contract.

D.1. Duty Requirement D.1.1. Duty Hours With current operational tempo, a standard workweek is six days a week, ten hours per day for linguists and six days a week, eight hours per day for security liaisons and the program manager, with a minimum 45-minute, unpaid lunch break during each work day. Local national security liaisons assigned to Erbil are currently expected to work six days a week, ten hours per day. The Government reserves the right to limit the work week to five days per week, eight hours per day as the requirements evolve and operational tempo changes. If necessary to meet operational requirements, personnel may be required to work a maximum of 12 hours per day, six days per week. Personnel are subject to recall to duty twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, to fulfill emergency requirements. Unless directed by the RSO and authorized by the COR, personnel shall not work more than seventy-two (72) hours per week, and all personnel shall have at least one scheduled day off per week.

The area of performance may be stressful and present many levels of threat, but also with tremendous opportunities for work that can be considered to be the most professionally meaningful that an individual may have performed to date. The Contractor will be required to monitor personnel for performance that is not normally a matter of concern in other geographic areas. Overwork is prevalent in some regions and leads to personality and physical problems if not managed.

D.1.2. Program Manager D.1.2.1. Major Duties and Responsibilities The program manager shall perform administrative, managerial, and supervisory duties for services and personnel provided through this contract. The program manager shall be accountable for daily work assignments and end products and shall be the Contractor’s single point of contact to the COR. Major duties of the program manager include:

· Ensure that the Quality Control Plan, submitted to and approved by the Government, is implemented and fully operational, as written.

· Ensure continuous, timely delivery of services and compliance with contract requirements.

· Ensure that each linguist has completed assigned work prior to the end of the linguist’s shift. The program manager shall be responsible for a smooth transition to the next shift, if applicable.

· Maintain records of work production and other administrative records as required. These records shall be kept at the DOS location.

· Prepare and present to the COR a monthly schedule detailing adequate personnel coverage for each forthcoming month. This monthly schedule is due to the COR by the 12th day of the preceding month.

· Maintain time and attendance records for all contract employees.

D.1.2.2. Qualifications The Contractor shall provide a program manager who has the necessary experience, education, training and skills to perform the work and manage the requirements included in the contract. Qualifications for the program manager include:

· A minimum of four years program management experience with a program of similar size to this contract.

· United States citizen or Local National, as specified in Exhibit 1.

· Effective interpersonal skills and mastery of the English language, both written and verbal.

· Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups from various levels and backgrounds.

· Demonstrated ability to successfully plan, organize, and execute complex projects in harsh, non-permissive environments.

· Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office products.

· Knowledge of Arab culture, traditions, and customs is highly desirable.

· Experience working in a high-threat environment and experience with U.S. Department of State security operations are strongly preferred.

· Must be in good physical condition with no health deficiencies, either temporary or long-lasting, that would impair performance of duties (See Section H.4.3).

D.3. Deputy Program Manager D.3.3.1 Major Duties and Responsibilities The deputy program manager shall perform duties as a linguist and, unless specifically authorized by the CO or COR, shall be a working member of the Contractor’s work force, assisting the program manager with administrative, managerial, and supervisory duties as part of their normal duties. Major duties of the deputy program manager include:

· Perform the duties described for the linguist in Section D.4.

· As a collateral duty, assist with the duties described for the program manager in Section D.1.2.

· Serve as acting program manager in the program manager’s absence (not to exceed 30 consecutive days).

D.3.3.2 Qualifications The deputy program manager shall meet the linguist qualifications specified in Section D.4. In addition, the deputy program manager shall have at least two years of program management or equivalent supervisory experience with a program of similar size to this contract.

D.4. Linguist D.4.1. Major Duties and Responsibilities Under the direction of a DS Special Agent, the linguist provides language-related services. Major duties and responsibilities include:

· Interpret and translate verbal communications; provide translation services during interviews and meetings; and transcribe and analyze spoken communications.

· Interpret and translate written communications; review and analyze foreign language documents for key information; and prepare documents in English and the target language(s).

· Ensure communications and translations are conveyed and understood in the proper context.

· Observe and analyze culture-specific non-verbal indicators and cues as they relate to written or spoken communications.

· Provide administrative support related to specific areas of assignment.

D.4.2. Areas of Assignment Contractor personnel may be assigned to specialized units within the Regional Security Office. Collateral duties for these assignments may include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Assist with investigations by responding to incident scenes, medical facilities, morgues, and other locations with RSO investigative personnel, initiating inquiries with relevant police or security officials on behalf of the RSO, and relaying requests from host country police and security officials to the RSO.

· Support personnel vetting by assisting in employee screening procedures to include interviews and polygraph examinations, assisting in issuing and/or revoking Embassy badges, and transporting interview subjects to/from pick-up and drop-off points.

· Serve as a liaison between the host country and the RSO, which may require assignment to a tactical operations center or similar location to actively monitor regional operations and immediately provide feedback to the RSO. In this capacity, personnel will collaborate with host country officials to mitigate the impact of misunderstandings or minor violations by USG personnel/contractors and maintain up-to-date knowledge of all host country policies.

· Serve as a liaison to local police, national security officials, non-governmental security officials and private sector/residential security representatives to keep the RSO informed of any activities or events and facilitate meetings between RSO and local officials on various security-related matters.

D.4.3. Qualifications The Contractor shall provide personnel who have the necessary experience, education, training and skills to perform the work and manage the requirements included in the contract. Requirements include:

· A minimum of three years experience as a linguist (written and spoken communications) is required. Experience in an overseas environment is highly desired.

· United States citizen or Local National, as specified in Exhibit 1.

· Excellent command of both the English and the target language(s), as specified in Section Exhibit 1. Demonstrated language proficiency for English and the target language(s) of at least S4 (speaking) and R4 (reading), as classified by the U.S. Department of State’s School of Language Studies, or at the Superior level, as classified by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

· Knowledge of host country culture, traditions, and customs is highly desirable.

· Experience working in a high-threat environment and experience with U.S. Department of State security operations are strongly preferred.

· Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups from various levels and backgrounds.

· Must be in good physical condition with no health deficiencies, either temporary or long-lasting, that would impair performance of duties (See Section H.4.3).

· All linguists must be capable of performing the following duties, as may be assigned at any time:

a. Monitoring (listening to), translating and synopsizing content of real-time oral communications recordings.

b. Transcribing from storage media, but not limited to audiocassettes, videocassettes or digital media and typing in both the required target language(s) and English.

D.5.1. Major Duties and Responsibilities Under the direction of a DS Special Agent, the security liaison provides language-related and liaison services. Major duties and responsibilities include:

· Act as security liaison and interpreter for RSO at meetings with senior police/security personnel and translate correspondence and documents for liaison meetings.

· Liaise with local police, national security officials, non-governmental security officials and private sector/residential security representatives to keep the RSO informed of any activities or events.

· Use contacts to facilitate meetings between RSO and local officials. Act as the principal point of contact with local law enforcement organizations for VIP visits (to include POTUS, Cabinet secretaries, former POTUS, Congressional delegations and governors).

· Serves as the main contact for various USG security services charged with protective duties (facilitates meetings between American agents and senior host country security/police/military).

· Conduct investigative cross cultural interviews on behalf of the RSO for the purposes of employment suitability, criminal and administrative investigations. Make recommendations regarding investigative disposition to RSO.

D.5..2. Qualifications The Contractor shall provide personnel who have the necessary experience, education, training and skills to perform the work and manage the requirements included in the contract. Requirements include:

· A minimum of five years experience as a linguist (written and spoken communications) is required. Experience as a security liaison in an overseas environment is highly desired.

· United States citizen or Local National, as specified in Section EXHIBIT 1.

· Excellent command of both the English and the target language(s), as specified in Section EXHIBIT 1. Demonstrated language proficiency for English and the target language(s) of at least S4 (speaking) and R4 (reading), as classified by the U.S. Department of State’s School of Language Studies, or at the Superior level, as classified by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

· Knowledge of host country culture, traditions, and customs is highly desirable.

· Experience working in a high-threat environment and experience with U.S. Department of State security operations are strongly preferred.

· Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups from various levels and backgrounds.

· Must be in good physical condition with no health deficiencies, either temporary or long-lasting, that would impair performance of duties (See Section H.4.3).

· All security liaisons must be capable of performing the following duties, as may be assigned at any time:

a. Monitoring (listening to), translating and synopsizing content of real-time oral communications recordings.

b. Transcribing from storage media, but not limited to audiocassettes, videocassettes or digital media and typing in both the required target language(s) and English.

Work under this contract involves interpretation and translation of spoken or written materials from and/or to English and the target language(s). Individuals who are selected must demonstrate a command of the English and the target language(s) equivalent to the Department of State’s standard testing schedule at the S-4/R-4 levels of language(s) or the Superior level, as classified by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) . Contractors must be able to understand and communicate in common target language dialects.

D.5.4 Language Proficiency Testing Evidence of tested language(s) proficiency must be presented before candidates are considered for a position under this contract. The Contractor shall submit in their proposal a plan for language testing. Any Linguists and Liaisons that are tested and approved at the levels stipulated below within five (5) years of performing will be acceptable.

D.5.5 Language Proficiency Waiver Requirements The Government reserves the right to waive the above language(s) proficiency certification requirement if it is determined to be in the best interest of the Government. In each case, the Contractor shall submit a waiver request with a justification for the proposed waiver. The waiver request will be reviewed and, with COR concurrence, forwarded to the CO for approval. The CO may delegate this approval authority to the COR. If the waiver is granted, the individual is authorized to perform under the contract in accordance with the labor category qualification requirements specified in Section D. A waiver will be valid for a period of up to 12 months, during which time the linguist must obtain required written proof of proficiency.

Able to use the language fluently and accurately on all levels normally pertinent to professional needs.

· The individual’s language usage and ability to function are fully successful.

· Organizes discourse well, using appropriate rhetorical speech devices, native cultural references, and understanding.

· Language ability only rarely hinders performance of any task; yet the individual would seldom be perceived as a native.

· Speaks effortlessly and smoothly and is able to use the language with a high degree of effectiveness, reliability, and precision for all representational purposes within the range of personal and professional experience and scope of responsibilities.

· Can serve as an informal interpreter in a range of unpredictable circumstances.

· The individual can perform extensive, sophisticated language tasks, encompassing most matters of interest to well-educated native speakers, including tasks that do not bear directly on a professional specialty.

Examples:

1. Can discuss in detail concepts that are fundamentally different from those of the target culture and make those concepts clear and accessible to the native speaker.

2. Similarly, the individual can understand the details and ramifications of concepts that are culturally or conceptually different from his/her own.

3. Can set the tone of interpersonal official, semi-official, and non-professional verbal exchanges with a representative range of native speakers (in a range of varied audiences, purposes, tasks, and settings).

4. Can play an effective role among native speakers in such contexts as conferences, lectures, and debates on matters of disagreement.

5. The individual can advocate a position at length, both formally and in chance encounters, using sophisticated verbal strategies.

6. Understands and reliably produces shifts of both subject matter and tone.

7. Can understand native speakers of the standard and other major dialects in essentially any face-to-face interaction.

D.5.8. Reading 4 (R4) - Advanced Professional Proficiency Able to read fluently and accurately all styles and forms of the language pertinent to professional needs.

· Has extensive enough experience with the written language to relate inferences in the text to real-world knowledge and understand almost all socio-linguistic and cultural references.

· Is able to "read beyond the lines" (i.e. to understand the full ramifications of texts in their wider cultural, political, or social environment).

· Is able to read and understand the intent of writers' use of nuance and subtlety.

· Can discern relationships among sophisticated written materials in the context of broad experience.

· Can follow unpredictable turn of thought readily in, for example, editorial, conjectural, and literary texts in any subject matter area directed to the general reader.

· Can read essentially all materials in a special field, including official and professional documents and correspondence.

· Recognizes all professionally relevant vocabulary known to the educated non-professional native, although may have some difficulty with slang.

· Can read reasonably legible handwriting without difficulty.

· Is almost as accurate as a well-educated native reader.

D.5.9. Interpretation Skills

Linguists are required to work in both formal and informal settings and are expected to express each part of a concept in a way that would normally be expressed by an educated, competent public speaker. In order to accomplish this, the interpreter must be able to provide a range of language(s) registers with particular emphasis upon the formal. In the consecutive mode, the interpreter must be capable of conveying from one to several paragraphs at a time after hearing them in full. The actual length of each utterance is left at the discretion of the speaker, and the interpreter must be capable of handling it. His/her note taking supplements memory without negatively interfering with the delivery. In the simultaneous mode, the interpreter may work in a soundproof booth, isolated from the speaker and cannot interrupt the speaker to seek clarification or manipulate the speed of the session.

· Content: Basic Substance - Renditions must be reasonably accurate and complete. They must convey all ESSENTIAL BASIC SUBSTANCE, i.e., the minimum substance necessary to communicate the fundamental propositions of the original. Where and when they occur, omissions, additions, distortions, approximations or unintended inconsistencies may detract some from the basic elements of substance or nuance. However, the interpreter still clearly conveys sufficient basic substance, regarding the content of the original, to avoid misunderstandings or gaps in the transmission of fundamental information between the originator of the speech and the listener of the interpretation.

· Content: Nuance - Renditions must accurately convey SOME of the original nuances. Renditions must convey sufficient emphases, subtleties and nuances to make the interpretation of the original passages convincing to the listener and to communicate the basic intention of the originator.

· Expression: Style and Grammar - Language(s) command must be comparable to that of an educated, fluent speaker of the language(s). The syntax of the renditions must be generally the same as that of the target language(s), and idiomatic expressions must generally be presented in their most usual form. Grammatical conventions of the target language(s) must be generally respected. Where and when they occur, borrowing, interference, non-concise or ungrammatical language(s), and false cognates may only rarely detract from the clarity and precision with which substance is conveyed. These errors must never be a liability to the confidence the listener must have in the interpreter.

· Presentation: Delivery and Register - Presentation must be generally confident and convincing. Pronunciation must be generally smooth and clear. Register must be generally equivalent to that of the original. When and where they occur, the following factors must not detract from the clarity of the presentation, the degree of confidence or the aural comfort the interpreter must offer the listener: delays, long pauses, hesitations, self-corrections, strain in the voice, interjections such as “eh”, “uh”, “ah”, etc., accents and/or colloquialisms.

D.6. Language Proficiency Standards (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language - ACTFL)

Note: The information contained in this section was…