Second_Reponse_to_Questions-answers.pdf

Response to Questions Ver.2

1. Will the assignment take place entirely in DC? If not…

a. No. Each session will start in DC and then the delegation will travel with the interpreters/facilitators to approximately 3 – 4 other U.S. cities.

2. When will travel to other cities take place, and to where will that travel be?

a. Travel to other U.S. cities will take place within the dates of each session listed in 4.0 Deliverables. Cities are yet to be determined.

3. When are the interpreters free to leave? Weekends? Is there free time for the interpreters between assignments?

a. The interpreters/facilitators must be with the delegations during the entire session (dates of each session are listed in 4.0 Deliverables). This is not a full time position. The interpreters/facilitators are only required to work during the session dates they are awarded. Multiple purchase orders may be awarded.

4. Do the interpreters need to stay in DC or at the hotel (or wherever the program happens to be) in between assignments?

a. Interpreters/facilitators are required to provide services only for particular sessions they are awarded. They do not provide services for the entire duration of the award period (March – October). They are only required to stay at the hotels during the dates of the sessions they are awarded.

5. Will the government cover meals for the interpreters the whole time? i.e. weekends? How will this work? i.e. per diem? Expensed and reimbursed by contractor?

a. No, meals are not covered nor are they expensed or reimbursed. The interpreters/facilitators will be provided per diem at the government rates for each city where the session takes place.

6. How many hours per day will the interpreters work?

a. Approximately, 8 hours.

7. How many hours per week will the interpreters work

a. Approximately, 48 hours (including weekends)

8. Is there overtime / holiday pay?

a. No. It is a daily rate

9. Two programs listed overlap( 6/8 - 6/29): Tourism and Hotel Management…how will this be handled?

a. Two interpreters/facilitators are required for each of the sessions listed in 4.0 Deliverables. Therefore, for the two sessions in question, four interpreters will be needed.

10. What percent of interpreter/facilitator's time would be dedicated to logistics tasks?

a. Approximately 20%

11. How many trips to the airport will be required (ballpark), and will the interpreter have to drive there in his/her own vehicle, or just escort a designated driver and the delegation?

a. Up to five airport transfers, depending on the length of the session. DOC 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.

12. In general, how much driving will be involved, if any, for the interpreters?

a. No driving is required.

13. Will the CO always be available to the interpreters for help / questions / emergencies?

14.

a. Either the COR or a DOC program officer will be available at all times.

15. According to the information on SABIT program on their website, there will be several professional groups coming from various industries in the former Soviet Union now independent countries for this SABIT program, and each group is to spend a certain number of weeks at this training course in Washington, DC/visiting enterprises in other US cities? Will there be various / several different groups, or will there only be one group for the duration?

a. In 4.0 Deliverables all the sessions are listed. There will be 7 sessions/programs and a delegation will participate in each session/program.

7 sessions/programs and 7 delegations.

16. The total period of the assignment is 7 months however the job is 161 days – which is pretty much the number of workdays in 7 months. Yet the interpreters are supposed to be available "24/7". What is expected of the interpreters over the weekends?

a. The interpreter/facilitators’ provide services for those sessions they are awarded. They will provide services for the dates listed for each session.

Multiple purchase orders may be awarded. The interpreters/facilitators’ must be available 24/7 for the dates of each session they are awarded.

Over the weekends, 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 delegation.

17. What is the per diem amount?

a. The Per Diem amount is set by GSA and determined by the city/location of the work

18. Can you please provide an deadline extension of 2 days to this RFP?

a. DOC/ITA will not provide an extension.

19. What will the basis of award be? Lowest prices? LPTC (Lowest Price Technically

Capable)? Will past performance be factored in? Technical Capability? Interpreter qualifications?

a. Please see “evaluation criteria” under the solicitation.