Solicitation 19GE5020R0070.pdf

SOLICITATION

DOCUMENT

Project Description:

Language Assistant Services for U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, Israel

Solicitation No. 19GE50-20-R-0070

American Consulate General Regional Procurement Support Office Giessener Strasse 30 60435 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

19GE5020R0070

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24 & 30

1. REQUISITION NUMBER

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

19GE5020R0070

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE 4. ORDER NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE

DATE

09/03/2020

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (No collect calls)

c. EMAIL

8. OFFER DUE DATE / LOCAL

TIME

09/23/2020 17:00:00

CODE FRANK

AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL FRANKFURT

GIESSENER STRASSE 30

ATTN: RPSO

60435, FRANKFURT, GERMANY

9. ISSUED BY X UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: % FOR

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (WOSB)

ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS: 541930

SIZE STANDARD:

10. THE ACQUISITION IS

SEE

SCHEDULE

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINATION

UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS

RATED ORDER UNDER DPAS

(15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

RFQ IFB X RFP

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

MULTICODE15. DELIVER TO

SEE

SEE TEXT

line items Multi, XX 00000

CODE FRANK16. ADMINISTERED BY

AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL FRANKFURT

GIESSENER STRASSE 30

ATTN: RPSO

60435, FRANKFURT, GERMANY

FACILITY

CODE

CODE

Contact Duns Telephone No.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

OFFEROR

FRANKCODE18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

AMERICAN EMBASSY JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM

P.O. BOX 290

ATTN: FMO

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL 91170

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN

OFFER SEE ADDENDUM

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS

CHECKED

19. ITEM NO. 20. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

21. QUANTITY 22. UNIT 23. UNIT PRICE 24. AMOUNT

See Line Items Section

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN ____ COPIES TO

ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH

OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE

TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. _____________________________ OFFER

DATED _________________ . YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5)

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH HEREIN,

IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF THE CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) Eric N. Moore

31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 02/2012)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

CGFS : : CGFS

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: _________________________________

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE 32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

PARTIAL FINAL

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER 35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

COMPLETE PARTIAL FINAL

36. PAYMENT 37. CHECK NUMBER

38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER 39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER 40. PAID BY

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT 42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER 41c. DATE

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 02/2012) BACK

Base Year

CLIN Description Unit of

Measure

Unit Price Estimated

Quantity

Total

Estimated

Price

0001 Arabic/English (A/E)

Translation Service per year

Hours 16,896

0002 Arabic/English (A/E)

Interpretation Service

(consecutive for meetings)

Hours 23,040

0003 Arabic/English/Arabic

Simultaneous translation

(in booths)

Hours 2,160

0003 Hebrew/English (H/E)

Translation Service

Hours 144

0004 Hebrew/English (H/E)

Interpretation Service

Hours 384

0005 Travel Reimbursement

Travel and travel expenses for interpretation services that are required to be performed outside of the

Local Area in accordance with what defined in the

PWS.

This is a cost reimbursable

CLIN. The contractor shall not exceed the CLIN's stated price, except at its own risk.

Lot 1 $ 25,000

0006 DBA Insurance If applicable

Lot

0007 Valued Added Tax (VAT) Lot

Total Base Year

First Option Year

Measure

Unit Price Estimated

Quantity

Total

Estimated

Price

1001 Arabic/English (A/E)

Translation Service per year

Hours 16,896

1002 Arabic/English (A/E)

Interpretation Service

(consecutive for meetings)

Hours 23,040

1003 Arabic/English/Arabic

Simultaneous translation

(in booths)

Hours 2,160

1003 Hebrew/English (H/E)

Translation Service

Hours 144

1004 Hebrew/English (H/E)

Interpretation Service

Hours 384

1005 Travel Reimbursement

Travel and travel expenses for interpretation services that are required to be performed outside of the

Local Area in accordance with what defined in the

PWS.

This is a cost reimbursable

CLIN. The contractor shall not exceed the CLIN's stated price, except at its own risk.

Lot 1 $ 25,000

1006 DBA Insurance If applicable

Lot

1007 Valued Added Tax (VAT) Lot

Total First Option Year

Second Option Year

Measure

Unit Price Estimated

Quantity

Total

Estimated

Price

2001 Arabic/English (A/E)

Translation Service per year

Hours 16,896

2002 Arabic/English (A/E)

Interpretation Service

(consecutive for meetings)

Hours 23,040

2003 Arabic/English/Arabic

Simultaneous translation

(in booths)

Hours 2,160

2003 Hebrew/English (H/E)

Translation Service

Hours 144

2004 Hebrew/English (H/E)

Interpretation Service

Hours 384

2005 Travel Reimbursement

Travel and travel expenses for interpretation services that are required to be performed outside of the

Local Area in accordance with what defined in the

PWS.

This is a cost reimbursable

CLIN. The contractor shall not exceed the CLIN's stated price, except at its own risk.

Lot 1 $ 25,000

2006 DBA Insurance If applicable

Lot

2007 Valued Added Tax (VAT) Lot

Total Second OptionYear

Third Option Year

Measure

Unit Price Estimated

Quantity

Total

Estimated

Price

3001 Arabic/English (A/E)

Translation Service per year

Hours 16,896

3002 Arabic/English (A/E)

Interpretation Service

(consecutive for meetings)

Hours 23,040

3003 Arabic/English/Arabic

Simultaneous translation

(in booths)

Hours 2,160

3003 Hebrew/English (H/E)

Translation Service

Hours 144

3004 Hebrew/English (H/E)

Interpretation Service

Hours 384

3005 Travel Reimbursement

Travel and travel expenses for interpretation services that are required to be performed outside of the

Local Area in accordance with what defined in the

PWS.

This is a cost reimbursable

CLIN. The contractor shall not exceed the CLIN's stated price, except at its own risk.

Lot 1 $ 25,000

3006 DBA Insurance If applicable

Lot

3007 Valued Added Tax (VAT) Lot

Total Third Option Year

Fourth Option Year

Measure

Unit Price Estimated

Quantity

Total

Estimated

Price

4001 Arabic/English (A/E)

Translation Service per year

Hours 16,896

4002 Arabic/English (A/E)

Interpretation Service

(consecutive for meetings)

Hours 23,040

4003 Arabic/English/Arabic

Simultaneous translation

(in booths)

Hours 2,160

4003 Hebrew/English (H/E)

Translation Service

Hours 144

4004 Hebrew/English (H/E)

Interpretation Service

Hours 384

4005 Travel Reimbursement

Travel and travel expenses for interpretation services that are required to be performed outside of the

Local Area in accordance with what defined in the

PWS.

This is a cost reimbursable

CLIN. The contractor shall not exceed the CLIN's stated price, except at its own risk.

Lot 1 $ 25,000

4006 DBA Insurance If applicable

Lot

4007 Valued Added Tax (VAT) Lot

Total Fourth Option Year

52.252-2 - Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/ these address(es):

https://acquisition.gov [Insert one or more Internet addresses]

(End of clause) 52.252-1 - Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

https://acquisition.gov [Insert one or more Internet addresses]

(End of provision) Clause Title Fill-ins

52.203-3 Gratuities (Apr 1984)

52.203-12 Limitation On Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions (Jun 2020)

52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement To Inform

Employees of Whistleblower Rights (Jun 2020)

52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or

Statements (Jan 2017)

52.204-4 Printed or Copied Double-Sided on Postconsumer Fiber Content Paper (May

2011)

52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun

2020)

52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (Oct 2018)

52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Jul 2016)

52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications (Dec 2014)

52.204-23 Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Jul 2018)

Clause Title Fill-ins

52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video

Surveillance Services or Equipment (Aug 2019)

52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015)

52.225-14 Inconsistency Between English Version and Translation of Contract (Feb

2000)

52.228-3 Workers' Compensation Insurance (Defense Base Act) (July 2014)

52.228-4 Workers' Compensation and War-Hazard Insurance Overseas (Apr 1984)

52.229-6 Taxes-Foreign Fixed-Price Contracts (Feb 2013)

52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations (Jun 2013)

52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004)

52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Jul 2016)

52.204-22 Alternative Line Item Proposal (Jan 2017)

52.207-6 Solicitation of Offers From Small Business Concerns and Small Business

Teaming Arrangements or Joint Ventures (Multiple-Award Contracts) (Oct

2016)

B- - Services and Prices

B.1. SCOPE OF SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide translating and interpreting services as required by the US Government (USG) to support the needs of the US Embassy in Jerusalem. The purpose of this contract is to provide Language Services, capable of providing consecutive and simultaneous interpretation and document translation services, to the United States Security Coordinator (USSC) and its multi-national coalition partners in support of USSC’s mission to strengthen the skills, competencies, and abilities of the Palestinian Authority (PA) security sector and promote security coordination between Israel and the PA.

B.2. TYPE OF CONTRACT

This is a fixed-price indefinite quantity/indefinite delivery (IDIQ) contract with a base year and 4 (four) one-year options.

B.3. PRICING

(a) The Contractor shall provide the services for the base period of the contract, and any exercised option years, at the rates shown in the Schedule of Supplies and any option years exercised by the Government.

(b) The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not guaranteed by this contract.

(c) The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services as specified in the Schedule. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations. Except as specified in the Delivery-Order Limitations clause or in the paragraph below, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued/ordered.

(d) Prices shall remain firm and fixed for the entire duration of the contract. Price adjustments are authorized only in clause below.

B.3.1. PRICING SUMMARY.

BASE YEAR TOTAL .

FIRST OPTION YEAR TOTAL .

SECOND OPTION YEAR TOTAL .

THIRD OPTION YEAR TOTAL .

FOURTH OPTION YEAR TOTAL .

GRAND TOTAL (BASE + ALL OPTION YEARS) .

CURRENCY OF OFFER:_____________________________________________

B.3.2. CONTRACT MINIMUM AND CEILING

During the entire period of the contract, the Government shall, as a minimum, order services in an amount of at least $10,000. The Government makes no guarantee as to the number of orders or actual amount of services that will be requested above the guaranteed minimum. The maximum dollar value of all task orders is $3,000,000.

B.4.1 Including Value Added Tax in Proposals Offerors shall identify Value Added Tax (VAT) as a separate line item in CONTRACT PRICE, and additionally in the required breakdown of the price proposal. Value Added Tax shall be reflected as a separate cost item on all invoices submitted under the resulting contract. The US Government reserves the right to require documentary proof of payment of Value Added Tax claimed by the contractor against individual payment requests. Any refund of VAT to the Contractor shall be paid to the Government to the extent the Government reimbursed the contractor for the VAT payment.

B.4.3.1 Recoverable Value Added Tax.

The following conditions are required to be met in order for the US Government to recover Value Added Tax paid to contractors in the performance of this contract from the host country Ministry of Finance. For the US Government to recover Value Added Tax, it will be necessary for the contractor, as included in Block 14 of the SF- 1442, to be a company operating within and physically located in the country of performance.

This company shall also have the following registrations:

Value Added Tax Registration Number;

Dunn and Bradstreet Registration Number; and System for Award Management (SAM) Registration

B.4.3.2 Non-Recoverable Value Added Tax It is not possible for the US Government to recover Value Added Tax from the host country Ministry of Finance against contracts awarded to companies with an address outside of the country of performance i.e. contractors who do not fulfill the requirements stated in B.4.3.1 above.

C. - PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

C.1. The Contractor shall provide interpreters and translators as may be from time to time required for the following purposes:

1.0. General Information

1.1. Purpose. The purpose of this contract is to provide Language Services, for consecutive and simultaneous interpretation and document translation services, to the United States Security Coordinator (USSC) and its multi-national coalition partners in support of USSC’s mission to strengthen the skills, competencies, and abilities of the Palestinian Authority (PA) security sector and promote security coordination between Israel and the PA.

1.2. General Description of Services/Introduction: As part of the contract requirements package, the Contractor shall provide LAs, including both interpreters and translators, to support USSC personnel in areas of consecutive and simultaneous interpretation in high level meetings with senior PA officials, translation and handling of important and/or official government documents, routine

(e) The prices listed below shall include all labor, materials, overhead, and profit.

review and translation of information carried in the news media, and limited administrative support services necessary to carry-out the purposes of this contract. Services may include simultaneous and consecutive interpretation and document translation from Arabic to

English and from English to Arabic. A minimal amount of translation may be required from Hebrew to English and English to Hebrew and is supported by a separate CLIN. LAs shall be thoroughly familiar and experienced with military and governmental terminology in Arabic and English. Specialized translation and consecutive and simultaneous interpretation in the fields of legal, medical, engineering, human resources, law enforcement, logistics, and IT/IA may be required. An expert or very high degree of subject matter expertise or knowledge of terminology in the above fields in Arabic and English is required. Services may be required to be performed in Jerusalem and within all areas of the West Bank. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, tools, materials, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform interpretation and translation services as defined in this PWS. The Contractor shall provide all management, supervisory, and project personnel to perform these services. The Contractor shall support this effort with the appropriate staffing to provide support for its employees. The management structure used by the Contractor shall ensure the efficient and effective accomplishment of all tasks. Office space is the responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract. Requirements of this contract are further detailed below.

1.3. Type of Contract: Fixed Firm Price

1.4. Anticipated Period of Performance: The anticipated period of performance shall include a base period of one (1) year and four one-year option periods. Performance should begin on or around September 25, 2020, or upon the actual date of contract award.

1.5. Contract Currency: The currency shall be fixed and cannot be changed by modification of this contract. The contract will be issued in the currency in which the price proposal has been quoted.

1.6. Value Added Tax (VAT): If applicable, the Contractor shall be responsible for paying to the appropriate authority the applicable rate of Value Added Tax (VAT). Offerors shall identify the VAT as a separate line item. The VAT shall also be a separate cost item on all invoices. The Contractor will be reimbursed for VAT only up to the amount listed in the contract and upon presentation of proof that VAT has been paid to the host government against a valid VAT registration number. Any refund of VAT to the Contractor shall be paid by the Contractor to the USG to the extent the USG reimbursed the Contractor for VAT payment.

2.0. Staffing and Work Schedule

2.1 Work Schedule:

Regular Business Hours are between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (assuming an 8 hour day with a 30 minute lunch break), or in the case of a local or national emergency. Contractor shall be able to provide Language Assistants for 4 different meetings happening simultaneously in different locations.

The Contractor shall provide Language Assistances to work a weekly schedule of Sunday through Thursday in the West Bank and Monday through Friday in Israel. Language Assistant (LAs) assigned to a normal work location in the West Bank shall work Sunday through Thursday. LAs assigned to a normal work location in Jerusalem shall work Monday through Friday. Occasional work on non-scheduled workdays (i.e. Friday and Saturday in the West Bank or Saturday and Sunday in Israel) may be required on an as needed basis. The COR will notify the Contractor regarding support requests for non-scheduled workdays no later than five (5) working days in advance of the date of service. The Contractor shall be capable of providing an LA within five (5) days of receipt of written notice from the COR. Deviations to the weekly work schedule are not permitted without pre-approval of the COR.

3.0. Place of Performance

Place of Performance: Contractor's LAs will provide daily or near daily support to USSC at locations in Ramallah and Jericho, to include the PA Central Training Institute (CTI), as well as support to meetings, engagements, and other events scheduled on a regular basis throughout the West Bank and Jerusalem. The Contractor’s local office and PA CTI are considered normal work locations for the purposes of paragraph 4.1. These requirements are estimates and subject to change by USSC and the COR. Office space is the responsibility of the Contractor.

4.0. Transportation/Travel

4.1. Travel Within the Local Area: Contractor is responsible for all contractor personnel travel and transportation within the local area required under this contract. LA travel within the West Bank and Jerusalem, outside of the normal work locations listed in paragraph 4.1., for the provision of translation/interpretation services at USSC meetings, events, or engagements will be reimbursed on the GSA Travel Regulations (mileage reimbursement for personally owned vehicles or actual expenses for taxi service). The local area is defined as the West Bank and Israel.

4.2. Travel Outside the Local Area: This contract does not provide for travel outside the local area. (e.g. Jordan, Europe, or the

U.S.).

4.3. USG Vehicles: Contactor personnel are not authorized to be transported in USG vehicles. USSC will not provide transportation to any contractor personnel.

5.0. Work Requirements

The Contractor shall provide a work force possessing the skill, knowledge, experience, proficiency, training, and certifications to satisfactorily perform the services required by this contract. The Contractor shall be required to show due diligence within their pre-employment screening of personnel proposed for this contract. USSC or the COR may require onsite skills tests of contractor personnel to assess their skill levels and suitability to the contract. Job descriptions for interpreters, translators, and the PM are provided below.

5.1. Professionalism: The Contractor shall ensure all contractor personnel present themselves in a professional manner at all times.

To maintain the integrity of USSC, all contractor personnel must display the highest standards of personal deportment, judgment, and professionalism; demonstrate organizational abilities and excellent communication skills; and possess the ability to interact with senior foreign representatives. Additionally, LAs engaged in providing interpretation for USSC personnel are only allowed to ask questions of speakers that are professionally necessary and within the confines of clarification necessary to provide accurate interpretation. LAs shall abstain from providing personal opinions while engaged in interpretation for USSC personnel.

5.2. Training and Experience: The Contractor shall ensure all contractor personnel have the required Interpreter and/or Translator training and experience, as stated below, to perform under this contract.

5.3. Licenses and Permits: The Contractor will be responsible for being familiar with all applicable Israeli and PA laws and for acquiring and maintaining the required licenses and permits required to perform under this contract. The Contractor shall ensure all contractor personnel have the required identification(s) and permit(s) to operate within the West Bank and Israel. Any exceptions to this paragraph shall be approved in advance by the COR.

5.4. Medical Certificates: The Contractor shall ensure all required medical certificates are obtained and updated as required. Medical certificates must be renewed for each 12 month period of this contract. All contractor personnel proposed for employment and/ or already employed within this contract, shall be free of contagious diseases. All known illness or medical and or physiological conditions shall be documented and noted on the medical certificate. All insurances as documented in the contract shall be kept up to date and renewed as and when required by this contract.

5.5. Identification of Contractor Employees: The Contractor shall provide all contractor personnel with some form of readily visible identification (e.g. identification card with a holder and lanyard or a distinctive company nametag etc.) that easily identifies the individual as a contractor. Contractor personnel shall identify themselves as contractor personnel and shall avoid representing themselves as USG, US Department of State (DOS), or USSC employees. This identification includes meeting attendance, answering USG telephones, email communications, and working in other situations where contractor status is not obvious.

5.6 Data Rights: The Contractor shall not infringe the data rights of the USG. The USG has unlimited rights to all documents/ materials produced under this contract. All documents and materials produced under this contract shall be USG owned and are the property of the USG with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the USG. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the Contractor without written permission from the Contracting Officer (CO). All materials supplied to the USG shall be the sole property of the USG and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other USG rights.

5.7. Documents/Materials: The Contractor shall protect all documents/materials produced under this contract against loss, damage, destruction, or theft, unless directed under local policy to destroy. This includes both hard and soft copies of data.

5.8. Disposition of Documents/Materials: The Contractor shall tender to the COR all documents/materials produced under this contract on a monthly basis and upon contract completion or termination, per the attached deliverables schedule. This includes both hard and soft copies of data.

5.9. Non-Disclosure Requirements: Performance under this contract may require the Contractor to access data and information proprietary to a USG agency, another USG Contractor, or of such nature that its dissemination or use other than as specified in this PWS would be adverse to the interests of the USG or others. Neither the Contractor, nor contractor personnel, shall divulge, nor release data or information developed or obtained under performance of this work statement, except to authorized USSC personnel or upon written approval of the CO. The Contractor shall not use, disclose, or reproduce proprietary data, which bears a restrictive legend, other than as specified in this PWS. All documentation showing individual names or other personal information shall apply and shall be controlled and protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, Public Law 93-579, 5 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 552a.

5.10. Advertisement and Social Media: The Contractor shall not post information to public website or social media locations, personal or professional, that in any way discloses names, locations, hotel data, participants, discussions, pictures, etc. before, during or after the contract period of performance without the express consent of the USSC. The Contractor shall not cite any information (e.g., contract information, pictures, locations, etc.) obtained through this contract on any marketing tools to include its company website.

5.11 Adherence to Rules and Regulations: The Contractor shall adhere to all DOS and host country rules and regulations insofar as Quality, Health and Safety, Environmental and technical work standards are concerned.

5.12. Physical Security: The Contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information, and property provided for contractor use. At the close of each work period, government provided equipment (if provided) and documents/materials shall be secured in a reasonable manner to prevent loss, theft, damage, or destruction.

5.13. Communications: The Contractor shall ensure all LAs and the PM have a fully functional mobile phone at no cost to the USG.

The Contractor shall ensure LAs carry their cell phones with them when providing services to USSC as time and location changes or cancellations may occur with little or no notice.

5.14. Right of Review and Approval: Prior to providing any requested staff, the Contractor must deliver resumes (CVs) to the COR for the USSC’s review and approval. The USSC via the COR reserves the right to interview potential candidates for all positions.

The USSC via the COR reserves the right to reject potential candidates, for any reason, and for any position.

5.15. Continuity and Consistency of Support: Due to the specialized nature of many USSC projects, training venues, meetings, and conferences, continuity and consistency in language support to is required to the maximum extent possible. The Contractor shall ensure that LAs assigned to support specific projects, training venues, regular meetings, and conferences continue to be assigned to such projects, training venues, meetings, or conferences, until completion of the mission or engagement.

5.16. Right to Remove and Replace: The USSC via the COR reserves the right to require that the Contractor remove and replace, within one (1) working day, an LA who, in the USSC’s judgment, is not qualified or who does not maintain the highest standards of professional conduct. Additionally, the USSC reserves the right to request via the COR any contractor employee to be removed from the contract at any time and for any reason.

5.17. Replacement of Personnel: The Contractor shall obtain permission from the COR before replacing, removing, or relocating personnel under this contract.

5.18 Simultaneous Interpretation Equipment. The Contractor shall provide all equipment necessary to perform simultaneous interpretation services.

5.19. Technical Support. When simultaneous interpretation equipment is utilized, the Contractor shall provide all labor/technical support technicians for setup at least 2-hours prior to the meetings, support during the meetings, and immediate correction of any equipment malfunction to ensure uninterrupted service during meetings, and tear down after the meetings. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing any equipment, which would customarily be required for quality simultaneous interpretation. The Contractor shall provide delivery and setup of interpretation booths and additional equipment as necessary. The Contractor shall pre-test all equipment prior to the meetings and correct any malfunction as needed no later than 1 hour prior to beginning of event. The Contractor shall have backup equipment on hand for immediate replacement in case of malfunction. The Contractor shall ensure that all equipment and services are in proper working order throughout the period of the meetings. All scheduled maintenance shall be performed prior to the start of any simultaneous interpretation event. Any unscheduled maintenance or breakdowns shall be corrected immediately or the equipment shall be substituted. Contractor personnel shall be available during the meetings, and immediately prior to and after the meetings, if required. The Contractor shall be responsible to ensure interpreters are on time for the meetings. The Contractor shall be responsible for all contractor personnel lodging, transportation, and meals, as applicable.

5.20. Hebrew LA Support. A separate CLIN will be provided for the occasional need for Hebrew to English and English to Hebrew translation or interpretation. LAs providing support under this CLIN shall have a minimum Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Language Proficient Rating of a S3/R3 in English and Hebrew.

6.0 Employee Requirements:

Valid Identification and Permit: All contractor personnel shall at all times relevant to this contract be in possession of valid identification and permit documents, as required by Israel and PA, to perform under this contract.

All LAs and contractor personnel shall be proficient in the administrative tasks of this contract, to include all tracking, reporting, filing, and procedural tasks as mandated per the COR. All safety and security rules and regulations shall be adhered to at all times.

6.1 Language Assistant:

LA Minimum Requirements (all positions): The Contractor will ensure that all LAs possess a Bachelor’s Degree and applicable proficiency certification. Certification shall be as a court interpreter or translator, through the DOS Interpreters Examination, or accreditation as an interpreter or translator from a college or university after completion of a degree in languages or linguistics.

Advanced Certification is preferred. LAs must have experience with specialized vocabulary, including military and defense-related terms, law enforcement and public safety terms, legal terms used in court proceedings, and must be able to interpret or translate all dialogue/text. Simultaneous Interpreters must have a minimum of three (3) years of professional/formal experience providing simultaneous interpretation at conferences, seminars, and meetings. Any proposed candidates should fulfill these minimum requirements; however, the USSC may provide waivers for exceptional candidates that do not fully meet the qualifications. All LAs shall have a minimum Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Language Proficient Rating of a S3/R3 in English and Arabic or English and Hebrew. Details of the FSI ratings are attached. LAs must be able to use basic office computer programs to include Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

6.2 Interpreters:

Simultaneous/Consecutive Interpretation Services: Services shall be performed by professional and experienced interpreters who possess demonstrated proficiency in the ability to speak English and Arabic with sufficient structural accuracy, vocabulary, and speed to participate effectively in formal and informal conversations on practical, social and professional topics (at a minimum).

General Responsibilities: The Interpreter is responsible for providing simultaneous or consecutive interpretation services in support of USSC missions and personnel in and around Jerusalem and all areas within the West Bank. Interpreters may be required to assist in and/or generate meeting minutes as required for meetings in which they provided oral translation services. The Contractor will be given three (3) days to generate such meeting minutes and transmit them to USSC.

Serve as interpreters for oral conversations involving senior USG and PA officials.

Provide basic written translation as needed. Candidate must have a minimum of three (3) years of experience providing similar language interpretation services.

Evaluation of Skills: Some LAs may be asked to provide simultaneous translation services using wireless technology with the capability to deliver audio to 100 persons at the same time. At the discretion of USSC, simultaneous interpretation testing may be required on all interpreters prior to any interpreter performing simultaneous interpretation services, before or after award, either on the phone or at a USSC location. USSC staff interpreters, in their sole discretion, will determine if an interpreter cannot perform their duties due to lack of proficiency, inexperience, or incompetency.

6.3 Translators:

Document Translation Services: LAs providing document translation shall be technically qualified and experienced to translate documents from English to Arabic and from Arabic to English; or, English to Hebrew and from Hebrew to English, and to proof-read, edit, and provide the final product layout and output, in the required media format (i.e., hardcopy or electronic). Translators must have experience with specialized vocabulary, including military and defense-related terms, law enforcement and public safety terms, legal terms used in court proceedings, and must be able to translate all dialogue/text.

General Responsibilities: The translator is responsible for providing document translation services in support of USSC missions and personnel in and around Jerusalem and all areas within the West Bank. LAs shall be capable of completing written translation services at a rate of 20 document pages per workday. There is no limit to the number of document pages that may be required to be translated.

Provide translation services for complex and highly technical written material. Provide translation services for written conversations involving senior USSC and/or USG officials and PA counterparts. Provide basic oral translation as needed. Candidate must have a minimum of two (2) years of experience providing similar language translation services. Experience with translation of technical or other specialized written material (legal, organizational development, law enforcement, security, etc.) is required for a minimum of three positions. USSC staff interpreters, in their sole discretion, will determine if an interpreter cannot perform their duties due to lack of proficiency, inexperience or incompetency.

6.4. Program Manager (PM):

PM Minimum Requirements: The Contractor shall assign a PM who has minimum of five (5) years of experience in personnel management, logistics planning, team performance contracts, and office administration in a translation and interpretation services business. The PM must possess a Bachelor’s Degree and applicable translation or interpretation proficiency certification.

Certification shall be as a court interpreter or translator, through the DOS Interpreters Examination, or accreditation as an interpreter or translator from a college or university after completion of a degree in languages or linguistics. Advanced Certification is preferred.

The PM shall have a minimum FSI Language Proficient Rating of a S3/R3 in English and Arabic. The PM must have experience with specialized vocabulary, including military and defense-related terms, law enforcement and public safety terms, legal terms used in court proceedings, human resources, logistics, IT/IA, and must be able to interpret or translate all dialogue/text. The PM shall display the highest standards of personal deportment and judgment, and possess demonstrated organizational and personnel management abilities and excellent communication skills. It is essential the PM have a working knowledge of the West Bank and Jerusalem.

6.4.2. General Responsibilities:

The PM will be available Sunday through Thursday during regular business hours, unless on leave. Contractor shall assign an acting PM during periods when the PM is on leave and notify the COR of same.

The PM acts as the single point of contact for all activities pertaining to LAs. PM will comply with paragraph 7.1.17. when assigning LAs to support USSC requirements. USSC will submit all translation and interpretation service requests to the PM for assignment to the responsible LAs. The PM will be responsible for staffing requirements as stated in the contract or as transmitted from the COR.

The PM will manage resource allocation and assignments; manage the day-to-day operational aspects of the provision of LA services;

prepare quality assurance procedures and for reviews of same; ensure project documents/materials are complete, current, and stored appropriately; track and report team hours and expenses on a monthly basis; hold regular status meetings with project team; direct and coordinate activities of project personnel to ensure LA services are provided on schedule and within budget.

Each week, the PM will provide a list of LA assignments for the following week, to include the location and LAs cell phone number, to the COR. The assignment sheet will be transmitted no later than 15:00 (3:00 p.m.) Thursday of the preceding week, per the deliverables chart. The PM will be responsible for advising the COR of any staff absences and for immediately coordinating substitute and additional LAs in the case of unexpected absences or additional support requests.

The PM shall perform a quality control review, or provide for the review, of all deliverables (work product) prepared by LAs before transmitting final products to USSC. Translated documents shall be returned to the USSC requestor immediately upon completion.

The PM will send to the COR, per the deliverables schedule, all completed work product for each month no later than the 10th day of the following month.

The PM and COR may be required to meet at least two (2) days prior to any substantial events (conferences, training courses/classes, high-level meetings, etc.) to finalize arrangements. The COR will provide the Contractor with the event materials and information necessary for the proper performance of work. The PM will immediately inform the COR of any issues, problems, or concerns that pertain to the provision of LA services.

7.0. Security and Employee Vetting Requirements

All personnel who perform work/labor under this contact (including, but not limited to, prime contractor, sub-contractors, or anyone implementing any work under this contract) shall be vetted in accordance with USSC requirements and any applicable policies and procedures prior to contract performance. This includes vetting required by PA services, ministries, directorates, or commissions, required to permit the LAs entry to PA controlled buildings and locations. If a favorable determination is not rendered, the candidate shall not perform under this contract.

This is an unclassified contract. Access to classified material is not authorized.

All US Citizen and Third Country National (TCN) contractor personnel performing on this contract require a Moderate Risk Public Trust (MRPT) certification issued by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS/SI/PSS).

All Local National (LN) contractor personnel performing on this contract require vetting by the host country Regional Security Officer (RSO) in accordance with local policies and procedures.

Additional vetting requirements may become applicable based on updates to US law, regulation, or policy.

8.0. Deliverables and Quality Assurance

The Contractor shall deliver the following to the COR:

- Invoicing – Due 10th day of the following month covering a period of one month.

- Work Product – Due 10th day of the following month covering a period of one month and at contract completion/ termination.

- Quality Control Reports/Reviews – Due 10th day of the following quarter covering the previous quarter.

8.1 Quality Assurance and Surveillance Plan (QASP):

The contractor is responsible for implementing and maintaining its own Quality Assurance and Surveillance Plan (QASP) to ensure that the requirements of the contract are provided as specified. The contractor shall submit to the COR a copy of the Quality Control Plan within 30 days after contract award.

The frequency of QASP inspections shall be on a not less than a quarterly basis. The COR shall be notified (via e-mail) no less than seven (7) calendar days in advance of any planned QASP inspection/reviews at the contract performance location to ensure availability of the COR.

The QASP inspection/review report is due to the COR via e-mail on the 10th day of the month, documenting the performance and completion of such inspection/review, describing the scope of the work related to the reviewed operations and any identified deficiencies. If any deficiencies were identified during this inspection/review, the Contractor shall also submit with their report a written Corrective Action Plan identifying specific, measurable corrective action with an associated implementation timeline for approval by the COR. The Contractor shall ensure timely implementation of all corrective action(s) and track the completion of such corrective actions in the next QASP report.

The QASP provides a method for the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to monitor Contractor performance, advise the Contractor of unsatisfactory performance, and notify the Contracting Officer of continued unsatisfactory performance. The Contractor, not the Government, is responsible for management and quality control to meet the terms of the contract. The role of the Government is to monitor quality to ensure that contract standards are achieved.

Failure to comply with the performance thresholds indicated below will be grounds for terminating this contract. The Contracting Officer may, at his or her option, require the Contractor to take corrective action prior to determining that the contract will be terminated.

Performance Objective PWS Paragraph Performance Threshold

Translation C.1 Performance of Work

- Error-free and contain no typos in the written target language

- Translations should be delivered per contract specifications by the deadline on the date specified in task orders.

Language Assistant C.1 Performance of Work Qualified and cleared interpreters shall report for duty on the date and times, at the locations, and in the quantities specified in the task order.

Interpretation C.1. Performance of Work Qualified and cleared interpreters shall report for duty on the date and times, at the locations, and in the quantities specified in the task order.

The COR will receive and document all complaints from Government personnel regarding the services provided. If appropriate, the COR will send the complaints to the Contractor for corrective action. The performance standard is that the Government receives no more than one (1) customer complaint per month. The COR shall notify the Contracting Officer of the complaints so that the Contracting Officer may take appropriate action to enforce the inspection clause (FAR 52.246-4, Inspection of Services – Fixed Price (AUG 1996)), if any of the services exceed the standard.

If any Government personnel observe unacceptable services, either incomplete work or required services not being performed they should immediately contact the COR.

The COR will complete appropriate documentation to record the complaint. If the COR determines the complaint is invalid, the COR will advise the complainant. The COR will retain the annotated copy of the written complaint for his/her files.

If the COR determines the complaint is valid, the COR will inform the Contractor and give the Contractor additional time to correct the defect, if additional time is available. The COR shall determine how much time is reasonable.

The COR shall, as a minimum, orally notify the Contractor of any valid complaints. If the Contractor disagrees with the complaint after investigation of the site and challenges the validity of the complaint, the Contractor will notify the COR. The COR will review the matter to determine the validity of the complaint.

The COR will consider complaints as resolved unless notified otherwise by the complainant.

Repeat customer complaints are not permitted for any services. If a repeat customer complaint is received for the same deficiency during the service period, the COR will contact the Contracting Officer for appropriate action under the Inspection clause.

- Performance measures - the Contractor is expected to complete specific and general acceptance criteria with a mutually agreed upon schedule in compliance with the objectives of the PWS.

- Desired outcome - a service output that meets the standard of performance associated with the PWS.

- Minimum Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) - the minimum AQL is the lowest percentage of defective service that will be accepted by the government.

- Surveillance method - the means of documenting certain kinds of contract service problems which are used to evaluate the

Contractor’s performance.

- Performance disincentive - the financial consequence for failure to meet the minimum AQL due to previously foreseen and controllable problems that the Contractor has not corrected.

Performance Surveillance: The USG may evaluate the Contractor's performance under this contract using various methods of surveillance. Techniques may include, but are not limited to, onsite observations, random sampling, inspections, audits, customer service feedback or customer surveys, work evaluation statements, timesheets, work product assessment, correspondence reviews, and customer input.

The COR will document surveillance through use of a surveillance checklist The schedule for surveillance shall be marked ''FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY" and shall not be shown to the Contractor.

Complaints: The Contractor shall document all customer complaints and report the complaint to the COR within one workday after receipt of complaint. The Contractor shall use electronic mail or other written memoranda as notification. Each customer complaint reported to the COR shall have a scheduled resolution/completion date subject to COR approval.

10.0. Additional Requirements

The Contractor recognizes that the services under this contract are vital to the mission and must be continued without interruption and that, upon contract expiration or termination, a successor contractor, may continue them at the unilateral discretion of the USG.

The Contractor agrees to (1) furnish phase-in training and (2) exercise its best efforts and cooperation to effect an orderly and efficient transition to a successor as necessary.

The Contractor shall upon receipt of written notification of contract termination by the COR:

- Furnish phase-in, phase-out services for up to twenty-one (21) days after this contract expires.

- Provide sufficient experienced personnel during the phase-in, phase-out period to ensure that the services called for by this contract are maintained at the required level of proficiency.

- Negotiate a plan in good faith with a successor to determine the nature and extent of phase-in, phase-out services required.

The plan shall specify a training program and a date for transferring responsibilities for each employee described in the plan and shall be subject to COR approval.

- Allow as many personnel as practicable to remain on the job to help the successor maintain the continuity and consistency of the services…