SABIT_Program_Combined_Synopsis_Solicitation_requirements.pdf

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, in conjunction with FAR 13., as applicable, and as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; bids are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting a procurement for the International Trade Administration, SABIT Program. The RFQ number is SB1350-14-RQ-0090. This solicitation documents and incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through FAC 2005-72. It is the responsibility of the contractor to be familiar with the applicable clauses and provisions. The clauses may be accessed in full text at this address: www.acquisition.gov/far.

The request for proposal is a 100% small business set-aside under NAICS Code 541930.

The due date for receipt of offeror’s proposal is 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday, Wednesday 5th, 2014. Vendor proposal shall be sent by email to the attention of Jemal Williams at jemal.williams@trade.gov

Vendors not registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at the time the requirement is to be awarded will not be considered. Vendors may register with SAM by accessing www.sam.gov.

1352.215-72 INQUIRIES (APR 2010)

Offeror’s must submit all questions concerning this solicitation in writing to jemal.williams@trade.gov. Questions should be received no later than Friday, January 31st at 11:00 am EST. Any responses to questions will be made in writing, without identification of the questioner, and will be included in an amendment to the solicitation. Even if provided in other form, only the question responses included in the amendment to the solicitation will govern performance of the contract.

(End of Provision)

NIST intends to award a purchase order to a vendor that can provide the Simultaneous Interpreter/Facilitator services outlined in the attached Statement of Work.

mailto:jemal.williams@trade http://www.sam.gov/

STATEMENT OF WORK

Simultaneous Interpreter/Facilitator for DOC/SABIT Program

1.0 BACKGROUND

Since 1990, SABIT (Special American Business Internship Training Program) at the Department of Commerce (DOC) has provided business training to professionals from Eurasia. Providing a unique opportunity to facilitate cross-border cooperation with Eurasia, SABIT helps American organizations form relationships with potential customers, distributors, or partners, who can assist in facilitating profitable international transactions. As relationships of mutual trust are the most significant aspect of interactions between partners in joint ventures, contractual arrangements, or business relations in Eurasia, the linkages formed through SABIT serve as a basis for new business development and lead to tangible results.

The Interpreter/Facilitator shall be interpreting and facilitating training sessions and meetings with U.S. organizations as part of the specialized industry programs sponsored and financed by SABIT, in addition to serving as a resource and emergency contact for participants from Eurasia outside of meetings and training programs.

1.1 OBJECTIVES

The SABIT program has a requirement for numerous Expert/Consultants who shall provide simultaneous Russian to English and English to Russian interpretation and facilitation services (hereunto defined as “Interpreter/Facilitator”). The Interpreter/Facilitator shall provide simultaneous interpretation and facilitation services for the 2014 SABIT programs. Specific objectives have been defined with respect to the work outlined in this Statement of Work:

1.1.1 Help SABIT meet its program objectives and performance measures by providing timely and high quality overall simultaneous interpretation and facilitation of the programs.

1.1.2 Present SABIT in a positive manner to U.S. host organizations and Eurasian program participants by ensuring all scheduled events and meetings function smoothly, with a minimum of problems and interruptions.

1.1.3 Identify strengths and weaknesses of the program, providing feedback to SABIT Program Officers, through final reports, meetings, and informal discussions that will enable SABIT to better meet the needs of both the U.S. Host Organizations and the Eurasian participants.

2.0 SCOPE

The SCOPE of this procurement is to define the necessary requirements to ensure a high level of professional simultaneous interpretation and facilitation for the SABIT programs.

3.0 TASKS

The Government requires simultaneous Russian to English and English to Russian interpretation and facilitation services for the 2014 SABIT programs. On each of the seven (7) programs, the Interpreter/Facilitator will work in conjunction with another Interpreter/Facilitator as a team to provide the outlined services.

3.1 The Interpreter/Facilitator shall become familiar with the details of the SABIT Program including:

3.1.1 Expectations for conduct and behavior by visiting delegations during meetings,

3.1.2 The overall goals for the particular program,

3.1.3 The program and travel schedules that will be provided to the Interpreter/Facilitator in advance of the program.

3.2 The Interpreter/Facilitator shall arrive with the delegation, ready to provide simultaneous interpretation services for all meetings and events.

3.3 Facilitation services include facilitation of all program logistics, including:

3.3.1 Meeting the group at the airport upon arrival and departure;

3.3.2 Escorting the group from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport;

3.3.3 Checking the delegations in and out of all hotels in all scheduled cities;

3.3.4 Escorting the group to and from all official meetings, receptions, site visits, and events;

3.3.5 Available 24 hours a day for emergencies;

3.3.6 Available to handle problems that arise in the course of each program.

3.4 The Interpreter/Facilitator, unless otherwise notified by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), shall be required to stay at the same hotel with each delegation for the duration of the program.

3.5 The Interpreter/Facilitator shall report to the Program Officer/COR every day that official meetings or events occur, either via e-mail or telephone.

3.5.1 In addition, he/she will contact the Program Officer/COR in the case of any emergencies or problems as soon as the situation allows. These emergencies and problems could include medical and/or travel emergencies, violations of program regulations and standards, and scheduling problems.

3.6 The Interpreter/Facilitator shall be responsible for providing the SABIT Program Officers and COR with a detailed written report on the substance and results of the program including participant feedback, or a translation of the participants exit questionnaires, no later than three (3) week after the program end date. Submitting either a report or a translation is up to the COR’s discretion.

3.7 Interpreter/Facilitator must make his/her contact information available to all delegation members.

4.0 DELIVERABLES

Deliverables Due Date Road Construction

Interpretation and Facilitation March 1 – 22, 2014 Final report or translation of exit questionnaires April 12, 2014 Hospital Administration

Interpretation and Facilitation March 29 – April 19, 2014 Final report or translation of exit questionnaires May 10, 2014 Association Development

Interpretation and Facilitation April 26 – May 21, 2014 Final report or translation of exit questionnaires June 11, 2014 Packaging and Marketing

Interpretation and Facilitation May 31 – June 21, 2014 Final report or translation of exit questionnaires July 12, 2014 IPR: Technology Commercialization Interpretation and Facilitation June 14 – July 3, 2014 Final report or translation of exit questionnaires July 24, 2014 Municipal Water Infrastructure Interpretation and Facilitation August 9 – 30, 2014 Final report or translation of exit questionnaires September 20, 2014 Destination Tourism for Russia Interpretation and Facilitation August 30 – September 20, 2014 Final report or translation of exit questionnaires October 11, 2014

5.0 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION/QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

The Government will evaluate the Interpreter/Facilitator using a variety of measures.

These will include:

5.1 SABIT Program Officer/COR first-hand evaluation of Interpreter/Facilitator carrying out duties as outlined in the Statement of Work.

5.2 Program Officer/COR will evaluate technical quality of interpretation, and their facilitation of program meetings and logistics.

5.3 Adherence to the program schedule given to the Interpreter/Facilitator.

5.4 Adherence to the schedule of deliverables for the particular program.

5.5 Adherence to the expectations of the SABIT Program as outlined by the Program Officer/COR and in SABIT Program materials.

5.6 Quality of the written final reports or translations, provided to the SABIT Program Officers/COR.

5.7 Quality of feedback given to SABIT Program Officers from different participating sources, including U.S. host organizations, other Department of Commerce staff, and program participants

6.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED RESOURCES

Portable simultaneous interpretation equipment (portable transmitters and receivers)

7.0 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: N/A

8.0 TRAVEL

The Government will provide transport, lodging, and per diem for meals and incidental expenses at the GSA-determined rate for each Interpreter/Facilitator. All travel shall be in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations FAR 31.205-46 Travel Costs.

9.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

March 1 – October 11, 2014

10.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Washington, DC and three to four other U.S. cities per program (programs are listed in paragraph 4 entitled Deliverables)

Basis of Award:

This contract will be awarded on a best value basis. The Government reserves the right to make multiple awards based on the requirements within the attached Statement of Work.

Each proposal shall be prepared and submitted in three parts in accordance with provision FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items as listed below.

Part 1: Technical Proposal shall be in MSWord format Part 2: Past Performance in compliance with FAR 52.212-1 (b)(10)in MSWord format Part 3: Price Proposal shall be in MSWord format

The Offerors price proposal must be submitted separately from the technical proposal and past performance references.

Evaluation Criteria:

Each Offeror’s proposal will be evaluated in accordance with provision FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation of Commercial Items using the following criteria listed in order of importance.

Technical capability is considered more important than Past Performance, Technical capability and Past Performance combined are considered more important than Price.

Technical Capability Past Performance Price

I. Technical Proposal:

Offerors will be evaluated based on their experience, education, and training shown on their proposals as it relates to the criteria listed below and their ability to implement the contract requirements. Offerors must state for which program(s) the proposal is being submitted.

Offerors shall include a statement that they understand and have the ability to perform the contract requirements. Offerors shall include a resume and cover letter addressing the criteria listed below.

The service provider shall have:

a. Strong simultaneous Russian-English and English-Russian interpretation skills, including the ability to learn and interpret industry-specific terminology.

b. Experience in facilitating travel and logistics for government foreign assistance programs that work with large delegations (more than 15 people) from the countries of the former Soviet Union. Two specific examples must be provided.

c. Experience in facilitating/solving cultural and practical issues for government foreign assistance programs that work with delegations from the former Soviet Union. Two specific examples must be provided.

d. The flexibility and mental agility to solve unexpected problems and difficulties that arise in the course of the seven programs. Two specific examples must be provided.

e. Strong public speaking and communication skills.

f. Knowledge of the culture, history, economics, and politics of the Eurasian region.

g. Ability to adhere to deadlines and schedules for deliverables.

h. Strong writing skills, including the ability to produce a well-written final report that evaluates the quality of the meetings, logistics, and other areas in a timely manner in accordance with the table of deliverables.

II. Past Performance:

Offerors shall submit at least three (3) Past Performance References for contracts of similar work performed.

References shall include the following information:

a. Date of work performed, brief description of assignment

b. Dollar value of the contract

c. Point of contact

References must be able to confirm:

d. Experience with simultaneous interpretation in English-Russian and Russian- English.

e. The Interpreter/Facilitator’s ability to conduct all program-related business in a professional manner;

f. The Interpreter/Facilitator’s ability to ensure all program meetings and events run smoothly and on-time;

g. The Interpreter/Facilitator’s ability to adhere to all deadlines, including those pertaining to deliverables as outlined in the Statement of Work, those as outlined in the program schedule, and any other deadlines outlined by a Program Officer in the course of a given program.

h. The mental agility and flexibility to deal with unexpected events that may occur in the course of a program.

III. Price proposal

The Government anticipates two individuals shall be needed for each of the seven (7) programs listed in the paragraph 4 deliverables section. The seven (7) programs consist of five (5) twenty-two (22) day programs, one (1) twenty-day (20) program and one (1) twenty-six (26) day program.

The price proposal must include a firm fixed price daily rate for interpretation/facilitation services. This daily rate should allow for any administrative/overhead expenses incurred to successfully fulfill the duties outlined in the Statement of Work. Administrative/overhead expenses include phone, PDA, Internet access charges, and computer use.

Interpreter/Facilitator travel, while working for SABIT, will be arranged and paid for by Department of Commerce. Additionally, a per diem will be provided as per paragraph 8 entitled Travel in the Statement of Work.

The Interpreter/Facilitator will receive a Firm Fixed Priced flat-fee rate for satisfactory completion of the final report or translation of exit questionnaires for each program.

Offerors price proposal must include the following:

a. Basis of price (Daily rate for interpretation/facilitation services and administrative/overhead expenses).

b. Basis of price for final report or translation of exit questionnaires for each program.

***The following clauses apply to this acquisition:

1352.209-74 Organizational Conflict of Interest 1352.209-73 Compliance with the Laws 1352.201-70 Contracting Officer’s Authority 1352.246-70 Place of Acceptance 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items;

52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Items including subparagraphs:

52.222-3, Convict Labor;

52.222-19 Child Labor – Cooperation With Authorities And Remedies;

52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities;

52-222-26, Equal Opportunity;

52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities;

52.225-13 Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases;

52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Offeror Registration.

Department of Commerce Agency-Level Protest Procedures Level above the Contracting Officer is also incorporated. It can be downloaded at www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/agency.htm. ***

3.0 TASKS