Interpreter_Questions_Answers.pdf

Response to Questions ver. 1

1. Is this an existing or new contract?

Answer 1: New contract

2. Have the Commerce Department used similar services in the past. If so, I would like to see the contract of the incumbent (FOIA).

Answer: See Answer to question 1

3. What has been the biggest challenge in working with your current and/or previous vendors?

Answer 3: The DOC/ITA will not conduct discussions with prospective offerors.

4. In addition to the written report referenced in Section 3.5 of the solicitation, will there be additional documents related to the program (such as travel itineraries, agendas, etc.) that will require translation into/from Russian? If so, what is the anticipated volume, and will these be expected to be covered by the per-day cost for the Interpreter/Facilitator, or will they be billed as a separate line item?

Answer 4: Other than the written report which will be in English or the translation (Russian to English) of the delegates exit surveys (3000 – 7000 words) there will be no additional documents requiring translation.

5. Could you provide a sample of the type of written report expected to be produced (Section 3.5), so that prospective offerors can better assess the level of effort required for the purpose of cost analysis?

Answer 5: Attachment A provides an outline of what should be included in the report. Depending on the length of the program there are approximately 25 – 50 visits per program. The DOC/ITA cannot provide actual reports.

6. If our interpreter(s) are local to the DC area, would they still need to stay at the hotel?

Answer 6: Even if the interpreters/facilitators are local to the DC are, at least one must stay at the hotel in order to be onsite if any issues arise with the delegation.

During the delegation’s travel both interpreters must stay at the hotel.

7. In what hotel will the delegation be staying?

Answer 7: In Washington, DC the delegation will be staying at the Homewood Suites, 1475 Massachusetts Ave., NW. Hotels are yet to be determined for the travel portions of the programs.

8. Will the COR be at the hotel throughout the duration?

Answer 8: No, Neither the COR nor any DOC/ITA staff will be staying at the hotel in DC. DOC staff members do travel with the delegation for portions of the program. But the interpreters/facilitators will be traveling alone and attending meetings without DOC staff for portions of the program.

9. Will the Gov't supply all necessary interpreting equipment (headsets, transmitters, etc.)

Answer 9: Yes

10. Will the interpreter(s) need a car?

Answer 10: No, DOC/ITA provides local transportation to and from the hotel and meetings and for airport transfers. DOC will not reimburse for car rentals. If an interpreter is not from DC, DOC will make the flight arrangements and will reimburse the interpreter/facilitator for taxis to and from his/her home and airport and the airport and hotel.

11. Will the gov't pay for meals on weekends?

Answer 11: No, Interpreters/Facilitators will receive the government per diem for the each city. They are provided a cash advance at the beginning of the program and the remaining amount is given to the interpreters at the end of the program after a government travel voucher is completed.

12. What is the responsibility of the interpreter(s) on the weekends?

Answer 12: There will be airport or bus transfers to the next city. There may be tourist or shopping excursions. For the excursions, the interpreters/facilitators will be required to accompany the delegation but no simultaneous interpretation is required. If nothing is planned then the interpreters/facilitators are on call if any issues arise with the delegtion.

13. Will internet / phone be covered by the government?

Answer 13: Internet/phone and other administrative costs should be included in the daily rate.

14. If the gov't does not cover car, meals, phone, internet, etc. may we include those expenses as line items on the price proposal?

Answer 14: No, administrative costs such as phone/internet should be included in the daily rate. The interpreters/facilitators will receive per diem, no meals will be provided nor will meals be reimbursed. DOC/ITA will be provided local transportation to and from the hotel and meetings and for airport transfers so no car is required nor will a car rental be reimbursed.

15. In point 6 of this RFP it is stated that Government would provide interpretation equipment. Such equipment is typically used for simultaneous interpretation. The entire content of this RFP indicates that there would be a need of consecutive (not simultaneous) interpretation. Would there ever will be a need to provide simultaneous interpretation?

Answer 15: Yes, all interpretation is simultaneous.

16. In reference to 3.2.1 and 10.0 in the synopsis/solicitation; How many cities will be supported simultaneously for each program?

Answer 16: Programs are not conducted in cities simultaneously. For each session, listed under 4.0 Deliverables, delegations will be in Washington, DC and then will travel to 3-4 other U.S. cities during the program. The interpreters/facilitators will travel with the delegation

17. What cities will each program be held?

Answer 17: Each program listed under 4.0 Deliverables will start in Washington, DC then the delegation will travel to 3 – 4 different U.S. cities that have yet to be determined.

18. In the schedule (page 2 of the RFQ) Item 1 specifies 322 Days. Is this the number of days required for One (1) Full Time Employee (FTE)?

Answer 18: This position is not FTE. There is a requirement for two interpreters/facilitators for each of the programs listed under 4.0 Deliverables. The total number of days for all the sessions combined is 161 but the requirement calls for two interpreters/facilitators to work on each session.

19. The online solicitation states “The Government anticipates individuals shall be needed for two (2) twenty-nine (29) day periods, and four (4) twenty-two (22) day period and one (1) fifteen day period to fulfill this requirement. This will amount to 161 days total.

However, the RFQ shows 322 days (schedule of services continuation page). Which is correct?

Answer 19: The total number of days for all sessions listed under 4.0 Deliverables combined is 161 but the requirement calls for two interpreters/facilitators to work on each session therefore the total number of days is 322.

20. In the RFQ it states "Interpreter/Facilitator travel, while working for SABIT, will be arranged and paid for by Department of Commerce. Additionally, a per diem will be provided for travel days not in the metropolitan area of the interpreter/facilitator's residence as per paragraph 10 entitled Travel in the Statement of Work." Further in Section 8 "The Government will provide transport, lodging, and per diem for meals and incidental expenses at the GSA-determined rate for each Interpreter/Facilitator. The Federal Travel Regulations, Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), and Standardized

Regulations as stated in FAR 31.205-46 will be used as a guide in determining reasonableness costs." Is this paid up-front by the Department of Commerce or reimbursed after the session has occurred?

Answer 20: The interpreter/Facilitator is provided a portion of the total per diem in the form of a cash advance at the beginning of each program. The remaining amount is then reimbursed at the end of the program.

21. The RFQ talks about need for an interpreter for 161 days, but form 1449 shows need for

322 days…so can I assume that you are looking for 2 interpreters?

Answer 21: Yes

22. From SF1449 it shows that there will be 14 reports that need translation….how long (many words) will the final reports be (approximately)? Do the final reports include the exit questionnaires, or is that something different? Translation is typically quoted per word…would that be appropriate for this RFQ…to give a per word rate?

Answer 22: For each session, there is a requirement for a report which will be written in English and there is a need for the translation (Russian to English) of the delegates’ exit questionnaires. It is not a requirement for the translation of 14 reports. The exit questionnaires range from 3000-7000 words. The quote should be a flat fee.

23. Does the (do the) interpreter(s) need to be American citizens?

Answer 23: Yes, because of security requirements interpreters will be required to be US Citizens or U.S. permanent resident.

24. Would you like the Technical Proposal, Personal Capability, Price Proposal, and Past

Performance to be submitted in separate files, or as one document?

Answer 24: There is no format requirement. All Documents can be submitted separately or as one document.

25. How you would like the quote to look and what exactly it should include.

Answer 25: Please see answer 24

26. The "Package 1" attachment to the RFP is an information only document, correct?

Answer 26: Yes, package 1 contains the Past performance Questionnaire and incorporated Attachment A.