Attachement 7 - Questions and Answers.pdf

Attachment 7 – Questions & Answers

Question 1: Is there a reason why the government is requesting pricing for the services in 30, 60, and 120 minute increments?

Answer: DLA Distribution has decided based on market research and discussions with our customers that the most cost effective and streamline approach for receiving quotes and performing on the contract will be to request pricing for a one (1) hour and half (1/2) hour increments.

Question 2: Is this a new requirement or is there an incumbent? If the latter, can I have the contractors and award amount?

Answer: DLA has provided a list of current and historical contracts for American Sign Language

Interpretation Services along with the Solicitation, see Attachment 5 – Historical Data Recent DLA ASL

Contracts. An updated version of this list provides award amounts for all of the contracts listed on that attachment.

Question 3: What locations will services be required?

Answer: Some of the locations where services will be required are identified in Attachment 1 – Statement of Work (SOW). In addition to the sites referenced in SOW by name, additional locations may require

ASL interpretations services. See Paragraph 1.2.2 Place of Performance (includes but is NOT limited

to) in the SOW.

Question 4: Can DLA provide a listing of all of its locations (including potential future locations) for purposes of pricing?

Answer: See answer for question 3.

Question 5: What has been the biggest challenge for fulfilling services under this contract, or if this is a new contract, are there any challenges that you anticipate?

Answer: We do not anticipate any challenges.

Question 6: What is the expected volume of this contract?

Answer: DLA is soliciting this is requirement as an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity type contract.

The exact volume of the contract is unknown.

Question 7: Is this RFP open to out of state vendors?

Answer: This is an Request For Quote (RFQ), not a Request For Proposal (RFP). Yes.

Question 8: Is this a multiple source award contract? Will DLA consider making multiple awards?

Answer: The Government intends to award one (1) contract as a result of this RFQ.

Question 9: In light of the current situation involving the COVID‐19 pandemic, would the DLA be willing to make use of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) as a substitute for on‐site interpreting services until such time as health and safety protocols allow for on‐site interpreting?

Answer: DLA is unable to guarantee that sites will have the ability to utilize VDI. There is also a number of security concerns that must be addressed for each specific site and since new sites can be added at later dates it is not practical to make guarantees that VDI will be allowed. This is an issue that can be addressed at a later date for site specific task orders.

Question 10: Because interpreting rates differ by location, would the DLA Consider allowing vendors to provide separate pricing by location? This will allow the best value to the DLA, instead of relying on a blended rate.

Answer: No. Vendors are expected to provide pricing based on national average.

Question 11: In the Combined Synopsis Solicitation on page 12, it states to submit the Schedule of supplies/services in an Excel format. However, on page 14 it states to complete Attachment 3 - Schedule of supplies/services. Can you please clarify which format you would like the schedule of supplies/services?

Answer: Please complete Attachment 3.

Question 12: Will there be a minimum order threshold?

Answer: There will be no minimum amount of hours required per order.

Question 13: Section 6.1 of the Statement of Work (SOW) makes references to a Quality Assurance

Surveillance Plan (QASP) and summarizes several aspects of this document. Will DLA make a copy of the QASP available as part of the solicitation package?

Answer: The QASP has been added to the solicitation package.

Question 14: Section 6.1 does not make any explicit reference to financial incentives (for substantially exceeding Acceptable Quality Levels) or disincentives (for failing to meet Acceptable Quality Levels).

Can we assume that no such financial incentives or disincentives will be in the contract?

Answer: There will be no financial incentives or disincentives provided. The vendor is required to provide services to the standards stated in this solicitation. The Government reserves the right to cancel the contract if the vendor is unable to meet the minimum standard of service as stated in this solicitation.

Question 15: Would DLA consider utilizing interpreters who are paid to be on-site during the busiest days of the week, to be available for last minute requirements? Such an arrangement might make sense during some periods at DLA locations where there are multiple Deaf/Hard of Hearing consumers and frequent last-minute needs.

Answer: If a site has a requirement for this type of regular or reoccurring need, the site will be able to request those services through the contract resulting from this solicitation.

Question 16: What is an average length for an interpreting assignment? Will most requests be for multi‐ days or single day (or hourly) only?

Answer: Please refer to Attachment 5 for historical data. Most requests for service will be hourly.

Question 17: Can we schedule a team of 2 interpreters for assignments that are longer than 2 hours?

Answer: Based on the number of possible concurrent sign language interpretation events that may occur the Government recommends that the Contractor have at least two (2) qualified and certified interpreters available to perform for each task order issued under this SOW.

Question 18: Is free parking available at DLA locations?

Answer: Yes. The Contractor and its employees shall abide by host installation parking regulations. All vehicles shall be parked in designated parking areas only. Contact the site POC prior to arrival to discuss parking requirements.

Question 19: Can we work with RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) associate members?

Answer: Please see Section 1.5.A. of the Statement of Work (SOW.) Interpreters are required to be currently certified by the National Association of the Deaf, or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, or be included in the applicable state's Directory of Qualified Interpreters of each individual task order.

Question 20: Most RID certified interpreters require an industry standard two‐hours per assignment. Can the RFP (this is an Request For Quote, not a Request For Proposal) be adjusted to allow two‐hour minimums per assignment?

Answer: No

Question 21: Most certified interpreters have a 48‐hour cancelation policy. Can the RFP (this is an

Request For Quote, not a Request For Proposal) be adjusted from a 24‐hour cancelation policy to a

48‐hour cancelation policy?

Answer: No