SOW Draft.docx

SAQMMA17D0142

SI Equipment and Services

STATEMENT OF WORK

Section C- Description/Specifications/ Statement of Work Simultaneous Interpretation Equipment and Services

C.1 INTRODUCTION

The Department of State (DoS) has a requirement for professional simultaneous interpretation equipment and services as the current the contract expires on March 31, 2022. The equipment will be used at the highest levels of government and shall be interchangeable and compatible with existing DoS Field Equipment and existing permanent installations.

C.2 BACKGROUND

Within the DoS, the Bureau of Administration (A), Office of Operations (OPR) manages a broad scope of diverse critical services to customers worldwide. These services are provided by seven offices which fall under the Office of Operations. The Office of General Services Management (GSM), Media Services Division (MS), Audiovisual Services Branch (AVB) provides a wide array of professional and support services to the DoS, including audiovisual services, simultaneous interpretation support and video production services.

The current Simultaneous Equipment and Services is expiring, and the DoS has a requirement for follow-on services no later than April 1, 2023.

C.3 SCOPE

The Contractor shall have equipment of the type specified in Attachment A, List of Equipment, Supplies and Services, available on a rental basis for the various meetings and conferences supported by the Audiovisual Services Branch. The rental equipment must be available domestically or internationally in any combination with or without technical and/or operating personnel.

Equipment shall be interchangeable and compatible with existing DoS "Field Equipment" and existing permanent installations. Equipment shall be available in 110v/60hz. 220v/50hz., dual voltage models.

The Contractor shall provide remote simultaneous interpreting (RSI) and hybrid technical services. The Contractor shall demonstrate the capability to develop customized solutions for remote and hybrid services that focus on audio and video signal flow management that limits connection point vulnerabilities.

The Contractor shall provide technical Services that include qualified technicians to install and/or operate vendor or DoS owned equipment. Contractor shall make technicians available in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area at short notice, usually within 24 hours.

The Contractor shall provide maintenance services that shall include maintaining in-shop repair and maintenance services with qualified, factory-trained technicians in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to respond to service calls within a 24-hour period.

The Contractor shall have a world-wide network capable of providing interpretation and video assist equipment and technical support for interpretation associated with presidential travel, Secretary of State travel, or similar. These requests are usually short notice and responses must be received within 12 hours or less.

With the approval from the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall provide equipment and services to other foreign affairs agencies as well as other Federal/State Government agencies.

C.4 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

C.4.1 Equipment The equipment will be used at the highest levels of government and cosmetic appearance is therefore of paramount importance. Accordingly, all equipment and interpreter booths must conform to the aesthetics of the conference rooms. All equipment supplied must conform in model and type to the specifications set forth hereinafter. Equipment must be interchangeable and compatible with existing "Field Equipment" and existing permanent installations. The equipment shall be available in 110v/60hz. 220v/50hz., dual voltage models as listed in the schedule and deliverable in accordance with the terms as defined in Section F of the contract, Delivery or Performance.

The Contractor must have equipment of the type specified available on a rental basis for the various meetings and conferences supported by the Audiovisual Services Branch. The rental equipment must be available domestically or internationally in any combination with or without technical and/or operating personnel.

C.4.1.1 Equipment Description for Mobile Applications All equipment must have multiple voltage capabilities and proper plug connectors for power. The proper plugs for the countries require pins of different sizes and shapes. These models are the NW-1C for Europe, Middle East, and parts of Africa, Asia, and Caribbean. The NW-2C is used in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and China. The NW-3C is for North America, South America, the Caribbean and Japan. The NW-4C is for Great Britain and the NW-135C is for Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore and parts of Great Britain and Ireland. If multiple voltages are not available, then the equipment must be battery operational. All equipment shall be properly cased for transportation, to protect and secure all products. The equipment shall all be in good working order and must have backup available in case of failure. The equipment must have all necessary cables. All equipment and component shall be fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment. All equipment will be used at the highest levels of government and cosmetic appearance is therefore of paramount importance.

C.4.1.2 Mobile Interpreter Booth Interpretation booths shall meet or exceed the ISO (International Standards Organization) standard 4043 for size and soundproofing. The Contractor shall also supply ventilation and lighting for each booth. The booth shall be in pristine condition and properly packed for shipping. The booths shall be Brahler model M83H or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.3 Interpretation Consoles Interpretation consoles shall all be in good working order with backup available. The buttons shall all be labeled and designed for ease of use for the interpreters. They shall need to be able to determine the language channel they are interpreting into and the other channels where interpretation is present. There shall also be a relay switch for monitoring the other language channels and a microphone switch for on, off and mute. The consoles shall also have a display that indicates the language channels in a clear legible manner. The console shall also have an indicator for a peak sound to inform interpreters of high or dangerous decibel levels. All consoles shall also be equipped with at least one output for a headphone and at least one input for a microphone. Consoles shall be DDol MKII DIGIMIC Digital Interpreter Console, Lingua ID-MM Interpreter Desk Console or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.3.1 Interpretation Headsets Interpretation headsets shall have the ability to plug into consoles and be clean and comfortable. Headsets shall be of highest audio quality, so interpreters are provided with the best possible sound. Headsets shall be able to rotate one of the ear cuffs. If boom microphone is attached to the headset, it shall be able to be worn on left or right side of headset. It must also be of a highest audio quality to produce the best possible sound for audio recording and interpretation. The interpretation headsets shall be Koss Porta Pro Headphones, Televic Conference HS15 Interpreter Headset or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.3.2 Infrared Transmitter/Control Unit The units must have the ability to plug into the interpretation consoles either directly or by linking (daisy chaining). Extension cabling shall be supplied for each language channel. Transmitter shall also comply with requirements listed in section C.6.1. The control unit must have indictors for audio levels of each language being used with peak display or meters. Each language must have an individual isolated output for audio recording and press feeds. An output must also be available for the infrared emitters or signal out for delegate receivers. The transmitter shall be ICEN Brahler Infracom Infrared Transmitter, Televic Lingua T Infra-red transmitter or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.4 Wireless Receiver The receivers shall be a portable unit with rechargeable batteries and up to thirty-two (32) channel capabilities. Receivers shall use either a light accepting diode or radio frequencies to be wireless. The batteries must be able to work continuously for forty (40) hours. Must have the ability for an output to a 3.5mm or mini headphone plug for a mono listening device. Must have a volume control for that output. Must have a channel selector to dial in languages. Must comply with requirements in section C.6.1. Light or radio frequency receivers must also have the ability to work either inside or outdoors, including direct sunlight or bright lighting with the exception of rain. Cases shall be available in counts of fifty (50). Each receiver must have an accompanying headphone. The receivers shall be Brahler Model IRX32, Lingua R6 IR Receiver or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.5 Delegate Headphone Delegate headphones shall be lightweight and durable. They must have the ability to plug into wireless receivers and be clean and comfortable. Headphones shall be of standard or better audio quality, so delegates have a clear and perceptible sound. Headphones can be of either mono or dual earphone design. Both type inputs shall terminate into 600 ohms to a 3.5mm mono mini plug. Models shall be available with a sound cutoff when not in proper position. The delegate headphones shall be Brahler Model DH500, Televic TEL52 Lightweight stereo headphone or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.6 Infrared Emitter/Radiator The infrared emitter/radiator shall be a high-power compact unit with a nominal output of 20 watts of emitting power. The unit shall employ the latest generation of high-power LED’s and be capable of transmitting 31 channels plus the original floor language. The unit shall be lightweight and come equipped with a tripod mounting bracket and pipe clamps. Wall, ceiling, and stand mounting brackets must be available as accessory items. Two looping BNC connectors shall permit looping of multiple emitter/radiators. The line voltage shall be 110/220-volt switch selectable. The emitter/radiator shall be a Brahler Model IRAD, Televic Lingua RAD_H or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.7 Microphone Central Control Unit The microphone control unit shall be designed to support the Delegate and Chairman's microphones and the associated microphone management switchboard. The unit shall have output connections for simultaneous interpretation transmitters, public address and tape recorders. The power supply shall be Brahler Model DCENT, Televic Plixus MME Plixus Multimedia Engine or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.7.1 Microphone Control Software The microphone switchboard shall be a microprocessor-based management system designed to remotely control the on/off status up to 2000 microphones. The unit shall have switch selectable modes for auto, manual, and priority operations, and a self-test routine that activates upon powering up. The microphone switchboard shall be Windows software based and be Brahler OS Single Conference Suite, Televic Confero CoCon Discussion Software or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.7.2 Delegate Microphone The delegate microphone shall be designed for conferences and meetings that require multiple microphones that connect to one another in a daisy chair fashion using a single cable. Each unit shall be equipped with an on-board loudspeaker that shall provide sound re-enforcement for the delegates. The congress unit shall be resistant to RF/GSM interference from cell phones. The microphone shall be equipped with a bright red ring that illuminates when the microphone is activated. The delegate microphone shall be Brahler OS 05.1630 P1490 ECMic32 lean lead+ CSV Delegate Unit, Televic Confidea T-D21 Wired Dual Interpretation Delegate Unit or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.7.3 Chairman’s Microphone The chairman’s microphone shall be similar to the delegate microphone in all respects; however, this unit shall have a priority push button. The chairman’s microphone shall be Brahler OS 05.1630 P1492 ECMic32 lean lead+ CSV Chairman Unit, Televic Confidea T-CI Wired Tabletop Chairman Unit or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.8 Press Mult Box The Contractor shall provide passive press mult boxes to distribute one line level input to 24 mic level outputs for the press to receive, record and / or transmit the audio from the floor or a specified language channel. The Press Box shall be Wirlwind PressBox 24 or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.9 Distribution Amplifier The Contractor shall provide device used to transmit audio signals to broadcast facilities and White House Communications. The distribution amplifiers shall be an ATI DA412 XLR Encore Series or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.10 Wireless Microphones The Contractor shall provide wireless microphones and receivers that are frequency agile and can be handheld or used on the lapel as specified by the COR. The wireless microphone shall be two Digital Wireless Microphone System QLX-D with Beta 87A Condenser Microphone (Band L50) or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.11 Audio Recording The Contractor shall provide audio recording services to record on standard media of proceedings from the floor, or from a specified language channel. The audio recorder shall be the 788T-SSD, portable, eight input, twelve-track recorder with timecode or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.1.12 Video Assist The Contractor shall provide assemblage, which shall include a video switcher, four video cameras, a video distribution amplifier and video monitors. The video switcher shall be the Sony AWS750, the video cameras shall be the Panasonic AW-UE150 20x Optical Zoom Robotic Cameras and the video monitors shall be Sony LMD-A240 Production Monitor or approved equal and fully compatible with existing Department of State equipment.

C.4.2 Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) Services The Contractor shall provide remote simultaneous interpreting (RSI) and hybrid technical services. The Contractor shall develop customized solutions for remote and hybrid services that focus on audio and video signal flow management that limits connection point vulnerabilities and overall risk.

C.4.2.1 Customized Solutions The customized solutions shall also allow for use of and integration with the DoS Video Teleconferencing (VTC) platforms and simultaneous interpretation audio and video hardware configurations, while providing the best available working conditions for interpreters. The Contractor shall be offer new technology solutions as they become available and best meet the requirements and approval of the DOS.

RSI services shall include simultaneous interpreting delivery platform (SIDP) services that are ISO 24019 compliant and ISO 27001 certified.

The Contractor shall offer smart equipment integrations for existing DoS equipment: Brahler VANS- and OS systems, and Televic Lingua, and Televic Confidea, or equivalent hardware agnostic smart integrations.

C.4.2.2 Software Integrations The Contractor shall also provide software integrations for commercially available VTC platforms, and a stand-alone platform. Platforms shall be configurable for specific needs of the DoS.

C.4.2.3 Hybrid and Hub Configurations Hybrid and hub configurations shall be compliant with ISO 20109 Interpreting Equipment and ISO 4043 Mobile Booths and industry best practices to the extent practical. The Contractor shall inform the DoS of best practices, recommendations, and requirements for to ensure optimal technical performance of a given solution.

C.4.2.4 RSI/Hybrid Technicians The Contractor shall provide RSI/Hybrid technicians with audio networking certification of Dante Level 3 or equivalent, training and experience on a variety of VTC platforms, RSI platforms, i.e., Interprefy and Interactio, as well as DOS owned/ generally available SI hardware.

C.4.3 Technical Services The Contractor shall provide qualified technicians to install and/or operate vendor or State Department owned equipment. Contractor must make technicians available in the Washington DC metropolitan area at short notice, usually within 24 hours. Technicians shall be factory-trained and have installation and/or operations experience with existing Department of State equipment and all of the simultaneous interpretation and conference equipment covered in this contract, as well as experience with operation of standard conference audio-video equipment.

For conferences held at Department of State, the White House, or upon specific request, Contractor shall provide technical staff with Secret-level clearance from the DoS. Contractor must also have received a final DoS facility clearance for Contractor’s place of business.

C.4.4 Maintenance Services The Contractor shall maintain in-shop repair and maintenance services with qualified, factory-trained technicians in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to respond to service calls within a 24-hour period.

C.4.5 Replacement Parts Availability The Contractor shall guarantee that replacement parts for equipment in this contract shall be available for the system life of the equipment. The Contractor shall notify the Government 180 days before the end of the system's life as to the continuing availability of parts subsequent to this period. If parts will no longer be available from the Contractor, then the Government may require the Contractor to furnish any available data to assist the Government to obtain such parts from another source.

C.4.6. Key Personnel The Contractor shall provide knowledgeable staff to meet/exceed the requirements of the contract. Proposed staff must have the experience in the technical environment and range of tools comprising this requirement. Resumes shall show the number of years associated with using, selling, repairing or working with the equipment identified in this solicitation.

All resumes shall contain a signed statement that the individual grants permission for his/her resume’ to be submitted for consideration under this solicitation.

C.5 DELIVERABLES

with proposal

* Injuries must be reported within 24 hours to the COR.

Additional deliverables may be required at the delivery order level.

C.6 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

C.6.1 Period of Performance The IDIQ shall be for a base year and four, one (1) year options.

C.6.2 Place of Performance The Contractor shall perform in locations, as indicated on individual orders. The primary places of performance are Harry S. Truman Building (HST), 2201 C Street, NW, Washington DC 20520 and other Annexes of the Department of State.

C.6.3 Training The Contractor is responsible for providing fully trained personnel in performance of this contract. The Government shall not be charged or responsible for any costs incurred by the Contractor as a result of providing training to its personnel to meet or maintain the technical qualifications specified in this task order. This includes any training required by the Contractor to meet the technical skills for upgrade/new operating and application environments. This includes, but is not limited to, courses, books, and enrollment fees or staff hours.

C.6.4 Security A facility security clearance at the SECRET level is required for contract performance in accordance with the DD Form 254, Department of Defense Contract Security Classification Specification. A SECRET facility security clearance is required and to be issued by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) prior to contract performance.

a. Since it will be necessary for some contractor personnel to have access to classified material and/or to enter into areas requiring a security clearance, each contractor employee requiring such access must have an individual security clearance commensurate with the required level of access prior to contract performance. Individual clearances shall be maintained for the duration of employment under this contract, or until access requirements change.

b. The Contractor shall obtain a Department of State building pass for all employees performing under this award who require frequent and continuing access to Department of State facilities in accordance with DOSAR 652.204-70 Department of State Personal Identification Card Issuance Procedures.

c. Performance of this contract shall be in accordance with the attached DD Form 254, Department of Defense Contract Security Classification Specification and FAR 52.204-2 "SECURITY REQUIREMENTS."

d. Classified material received or generated in the performance of this award shall be safeguarded and disposed of in accordance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) (32 CFR Section 117).

e. Contractors must return all access control documentation and building badges to the DoS COR at the completion of contract services.

C.6.5 Pricing Delivery Orders are firm fixed price. Advance price proposal and approval by the Contracting Officer are required prior to the actual performance of each delivery order. The incurred costs by the Contractor without the prior approval of the Contracting Officer will not be reimbursed.

C.6.5.1 Shipping (for non-CONUS destination only) The Contractor is required to provide a price estimate in a "not to exceed" amount, for the approval by the Government prior to the performance of each delivery order. Reimbursement will be based on actual shipping cost incurred.

C.6.5.2 Labor Hour Rates (for installation services) The labor rates are fully burdened fixed hourly rates that include wages, indirect costs (including overhead, fringe benefits and general and administrative expenses), and profit.

C.6.5.3 Travel and Per Diem (Installation in Washington D.C. Metropolitan area) If work under this contract will be performed at the Government site at the Department of State Harry S Truman Building, 2201 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20520; or other State Annexes in the Metropolitan Washington area, daily commuting time/expenses and transportation expenses between the Department of State sites and some other location, such as a home office, will not be allowable costs under this contract.

C.6.5.4 Travel and Per Diem (Installation outside the Washington. D.C. Metropolitan area) Except as otherwise provided in the contract, the Contractor will be reimbursed for its reasonable actual travel costs in accordance with FAR 31.205-46. Travel must be directly related to and required for performance of this contract and authorized in advance and in writing by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). In no event will costs associated with employee commuting be reimbursable as a direct cost under this contract.

Travel costs will not be burdened with any indirect costs unless specifically allowable in accordance with the Contractor's usual accounting practices consistent with FAR Subpart 31.2. In no event will travel costs be burdened with fee/profit.

The Contractor will be responsible for ensuring that all personnel who will be required to travel outside the United States have current and valid passports. The Contractor will be responsible for obtaining any visas required for travel to foreign countries under this contract. The Contractor shall make no direct labor charges for obtaining/maintaining passports and or a visa. The Contractor shall be responsible for making all arrangements associated with travel such as airline reservations, lodging, etc., at no expense to the Government.

When installation service is required, the Contractor shall provide an estimate for all travel directly and specifically called for in the performance of delivery order(s) under this contract. The estimate shall be expressed in a not-to-exceed amount, which is to be determined and shall be in accordance with the budget established at the time the delivery order is issued by the Contracting Officer. The estimate for travel and Per Diem for contractor personnel must be approved in advance by the Contracting Officer. Travel shall be made in accordance with the U.S. Federal Government Travel Regulations.

C.6.6 Invoices Invoice shall be uploaded to the Invoice Processing Platform at http://www.ipp.gov. For proper payment, the invoice must detail products and/or services delivered on a line-item basis in direct accordance with the corresponding delivery order. Invoices shall include documents substantiating actual hours and ODC charges, such as timesheets, receipts, etc. Travel costs shall be invoiced separately and documentation supporting the costs must be provided.