Q and A Matrix FINAL.xlsx
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- Attached to
- AD HOC Sign Language Interpreting Services
- Solicitation number
- SP4705-26-Q-7321
- Issued by
-
Defense Logistics Agency
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) matrix document that addresses vendor inquiries regarding solicitation SP4705-26-Q-7321 for Ad Hoc Sign Language Interpreting Services issued by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
The solicitation seeks a single award on a Firm-Fixed-Price basis for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services to support DLA headquarters personnel at the McNamara Headquarters Complex in Fort Belvoir, Virginia and locations within a 45-mile radius of the National Capital Region. The contract includes two CLINs: CLIN 0001 for 5,000 hours of non-specialty ASL interpreting services and CLIN 0002 for 1,000 hours of specialty ASL interpreting services (limited to interpreters holding a minimum Secret security clearance). Interpreters must hold current Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification at any level (NIC, NIC Advanced, or NIC Master) or National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Level III, IV, or V credentials. The contract requires a 99% fill rate for requests received with five or more business days' notice, with contractors retaining the right to refuse assignments with fewer than 48 hours' notice. Contractors must submit resumes (limited to three pages each) for all proposed interpreters demonstrating required certifications, submitted separately from the technical response. The Q&A clarifies that the original 1,353-hour quantity was erroneous and has been replaced with the corrected NTE quantities per CLIN. Award will be made to the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) offeror based on PWS compliance and past performance from CPARS and SPRS records. The period of performance is one year from date of award, with standard operating hours of 0730-1630 for assignments, though requests may be submitted at any time. No short-notice or expedited rates are permitted, cancellations require 24 hours' notice to be non-billable, and interpreters are subject to Department of Defense operational security guidelines and potential non-disclosure agreements.
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Sheet1
| Question | Government Response |
| We would like to know if this is a brand new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services. If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number? | The contract was last awarded in 2021 to Language on Demand (Contract # SP4705-21-D-0004) and FIS DAS Interpreting (SP4705-21-D-0003) |
| The solicitation describes a single Firm-Fixed-Price award for 1,353 hours. However, PWS Section 3.0.3 references the Government's right to contact "the other contracted vendors on the IDIQ contract," and PWS Section 6.2.2 establishes Not-to-Exceed quantities of 5,000 non-specialty hours and 1,000 specialty hours "per contractor per year," which exceed the solicitation quantity. Please confirm whether the Government intends a single award or multiple awards, and clarify the relationship between the 1,353-hour quantity and the per-contractor NTE quantities. | Section 3.0.3 has been updated and section B will reflect CLIN 0001 non specialty for 5,000 hours and specialty for CLIN 0002 1,000 hours. 1,353 hours was left by mistake. |
| Section B and specialty CLIN. Section B contains only CLIN 0001, while PWS Section 2.0.1 references CLINs 0001 and 0002 and PWS Section 6.2.1 requires separate rates for interpreters holding a security clearance under a specialty CLIN. Will an amended Section B be issued to include the specialty CLIN, and please confirm which quantities will be used as the evaluated price for purposes of the LPTA comparison. | Section 3.0.3 has been updated and section B will reflect CLIN 0001 non specialty for 5,000 hours and specialty for CLIN 0002 1,000 hours. |
| Relationship to existing requirements. Please confirm whether this requirement is a new standalone requirement or replaces, in whole or in part, existing DLA HQC sign language interpreting contract vehicles, and whether any existing vehicles will remain active during the period of performance of this award. | The contract was last awarded in 2021 to Language on Demand (Contract # SP4705-21-D-0004) and FIS DAS Interpreting (SP4705-21-D-0003) |
| Service Contract Labor Standards. No wage determination is attached to the solicitation and the SCLS clauses do not appear in the clause list. Please confirm whether the Service Contract Labor Standards (41 U.S.C. chapter 67) apply to this acquisition and whether an applicable wage determination will be incorporated by amendment. | This does not apply because Sign Language Interpreting qualifies under learned professional criteria. |
| Resume requirements and page limits. The solicitation requires resumes "for all interpreters" with proof of certification per PWS Section 3.1.1. Please confirm (a) whether resumes are required for a proposed pool of interpreters sufficient to meet the PWS staffing standards rather than the offeror's complete roster, and (b) whether resumes count toward the 10-page technical response limit or are treated as separate attachments outside that limit. | Resumes are submitted after contract award before the interpreter’s first assignment with the agency. |
| The solicitation identifies a quantity of 1,353 hours for the one-year period of performance, while PWS §6.2.2 identifies Not-to-Exceed quantities of 5,000 hours for Non-Specialty CLINs and 1,000 hours for Specialty CLINs per contractor per year. Please clarify the anticipated annual quantity and the quantities offerors should use for pricing and evaluation purposes. | Please reference updates made in the solicitation and PWS. |
| PWS §3.0.3 references "other contracted vendors on the IDIQ contract." Does DLA anticipate making multiple awards under this solicitation, or will a single contractor receive the award? If multiple awards are anticipated, please clarify how individual interpreting requests and/or hours will be allocated among awardees. | The Government intends to make a single award under this solicitation. Only one contractor will receive the award. |
The reference to 'other contracted vendors on the IDIQ contract' in PWS §3.0.3 was included in error and is not applicable to this procurement. The PWS will be revised via Amendment to remove this language and reflect a single-award structure.
The pricing sheet provides only CLIN 0001 – Sign Language Interpreting Services and appears to provide a single hourly rate. However, PWS §6.2.1 distinguishes between Non-Specialty and Specialty services, requires a separate hourly rate for interpreters requiring a security clearance, and states that Specialty CLIN(s) will be used for rates associated with security-clearance work.
Please clarify how offerors should price these different service categories when the provided pricing sheet contains only one CLIN and one hourly rate. Specifically:
Will DLA issue a revised pricing sheet containing separate CLINs or rate fields for Non-Specialty, Specialty, and security-cleared interpreting services?
If not, where should offerors provide the separate Specialty and security-cleared hourly rates required by PWS §6.2.1?
Please confirm whether CLIN 0001 is intended to represent only standard/Non-Specialty interpreting services or whether all categories of interpreting services are expected to be provided at the single CLIN 0001 hourly rate.
| Please confirm whether the CLIN 0001 rate must also apply to short-notice/last-minute assignments. If any separate short-notice rate is permitted, please identify the applicable definition of short notice and where that rate should be included in the Price Quote. | Section B will be updated to include CLIN 0001 & CLIN 0002. Section 6.2.1 security clearence will go to the specialty CLIN line. CLIN 0001is for non specialty for 5,000 hours and CLIN 0002 is for specialty at 1,000 hours. 1,353 hours was left by mistake. No short notices, last minute rates are permitted. | |
| Please define the interpreting services DLA considers "Specialty" for purposes of PWS §6.2.1. In addition to security-cleared assignments, does Specialty include assignments requiring specialized subject-matter expertise or qualifications, such as highly technical, legal, trilingual, or other specialized interpreting services? | Specialty services are only defined as services needed with a cleared interpreter. | |
| The solicitation requires resumes for "all interpreters." For an ad-hoc contract requiring ongoing scheduling throughout the period of performance, may offerors submit resumes for a representative/core pool of interpreters proposed at the time of quotation and add additional qualified interpreters after award, provided each subsequently added interpreter satisfies all PWS §3.1 requirements? | Resumes should be sent to DLA POCs before the first assignment for each interpreter. | |
| For purposes of demonstrating compliance with PWS §3.1.1, is identification of the interpreter's qualifying certification on the resume sufficient, or must offerors also submit separate certification documentation or verification for each proposed interpreter? | On page two of the solicitation, resumes must be provided for all interpreters and must show proof of certification per section 3.1.1 of the PWS. Each resume is limited to three pages inclusive of any cover sheet. | |
| PWS §3.1.1 identifies specific RID and NAD credentials. Will DLA accept other current nationally or state-recognized credentials demonstrating comparable competency, such as BEI certification, where appropriate to the requested assignment? | According to section 3.1.1, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)- NIC Certification at any level (NIC, NIC Advanced or NIC Master level), CI, CT. |
National Association of the Deaf (NAD)- Level III (Generalist), Level IV (Advanced), or Level V (Master) are the only acceptable ones.
| What quantity should contractors use for pricing? The solicitation states 1,353 hours, while PWS §6.2.2 identifies NTE quantities of 5,000 non-specialty hours and 1,000 specialty hours per contractor per year. | Section 3.0.3 has been updated and section B will reflect CLIN 0001 non specialty for 5,000 hours and specialty for CLIN 0002 1,000 hours. 1,353 hours was left by mistake |
| What is the controlling Period of Performance? PWS §2.0.1 specifies September 1, 2026–August 31, 2027, while the solicitation states one year from Date of Award. | The period of performance will be adjusted based on time of award, equating to one year of services. |
| What are the expected normal hours/days during which interpreting assignments will typically occur? The PWS allows requests at any time but does not provide standard operating hours. | Standard operating hours for assignments is 0730-1630. |
| Of the 1,353 solicitation hours, how many are estimated to require one interpreter versus two interpreters. | Due to the nature of requests, an estimate can not be provided. Please refer to section B. |
| Is the 1,353-hour solicitation quantity measured as individual interpreter labor-hours or assignment/service hours? This materially affects pricing when two interpreters are required for an assignment. | Individual interpreter hours. Please refer to section B. |
| What percentage or estimated number of assignments historically occur off-post within the 45-mile radius? | 1-2 Assignments per year. |
| What percentage or estimated number of assignments are expected to require virtual delivery? | Due to the nature of requests, an estimate can not be provided. |
| What is the anticipated distribution between non-specialty and specialty/cleared services within the 1,353-hour quantity? | Due to the nature of requests, an estimate can not be provided. Please refer to section B |
| The PWS introduction states there are “approximately twenty-five plus (5+) employees and tenant customers” who may request services. Is the intended estimate 25+ individuals or 5+ individuals? | There are currently 5 employees actively requesting services, however that can change at any time due to personnel changes. |
| The PWS states that DLA may occasionally require interpreters with a minimum Secret security clearance. Does the Government have an estimated number of hours anticipated to require security-cleared interpreters during the one-year period? If so, please provide the estimated annual hours for clearance-required services. | Due to the nature of requests, an estimate can not be provided. |
| Section 6.3.2 states that requests cancelled with more than 24 continuous hours’ notice are considered non-billable. Would the Government consider revising the cancellation policy to allow confirmed assignments cancelled with fewer than two (2) business days’ notice to be billable? A two-business-day cancellation period would better align with interpreter industry practices and help support consistent availability of qualified interpreters. | Due to the inherent nature of government work and assignments, this can not be changed. |
| The solicitation limits the technical response to 10 pages, including cover sheets and appendices, and requires resumes for all interpreters, with each resume limited to three pages. Please clarify whether interpreter resumes and certification documentation must be included within the 10-page technical response limitation, or whether they may be submitted as separate attachments outside of the page limitation. | The resume and certified documentation are seprate, the resume responses are 3 pages each. Technical responses are 10 pages max. All technical responses and resumes must be submitted to the KO. |
| The solicitation requires vendors to submit resumes for all interpreters and requires proof of certification in accordance with PWS Section 3.1.1. Please clarify whether the Government has established a minimum number of interpreters or resumes that vendors must submit with their proposal, or whether vendors may determine the appropriate interpreter pool size based on their proposed approach to satisfying the contract requirements. | The government has not established the number of interpreters. |
| May offerors submit copies of each proposed interpreter's active Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification and/or National Association of the Deaf (NAD) screening documentation in lieu of individual resumes to demonstrate compliance with PWS Section 3.1.1? | According to page two of the solictation, vendors have to provide both certifications and resumes. |
| Are interpreter certification documents excluded from the 10-page Technical Response limitation? | Yes |
| How should offerors price ASL interpreting services requiring a Secret-cleared interpreter? Will DLA establish a separate CLIN for these services? If so, what will be the CLIN number, estimated quantity, unit of issue, and required pricing format? | Section 3.0.3 has been updated and section B will reflect CLIN 0001 non specialty for 5,000 hours and specialty for CLIN 0002 1,000 hours. According to Section 3.1.1, CLIN 0002 is for secret-cleared interpreters1,353 hours was left by mistake |
| How many requests and interpreter-hours for Secret-cleared ASL interpreting services has DLA historically required, either on a monthly average or during the most recent 12-month period? What was the highest monthly usage during that period? | Less than 20 hours for the year historically. |
| Which quantities should offerors use for this procurement: the 1,353 hours identified in Section B or the NTE quantities of 5,000 Non-Specialty hours and 1,000 Specialty hours identified in PWS Section 6.2.2? Are security-cleared ASL interpreter-hours included within the Specialty-hour quantity? | Section 3.0.3 has been updated and section B will reflect CLIN 0001 non specialty for 5,000 hours and specialty for CLIN 0002 1,000 hours. According to Section 3.1.1, CLIN 0002 is for secret-cleared interpreters1,353 hours was left by mistake |
| Will SP4705-26-Q-7321 result in a single award or multiple awards? Do the PWS references to "other contracted vendors," an "IDIQ contract," and quantities "per contractor" apply to this procurement? | The Government intends to make a single award under this solicitation. Only one contractor will receive the award. |
The reference to 'other contracted vendors on the IDIQ contract' in PWS §3.0.3 was included in error and is not applicable to this procurement. The PWS will be revised via Amendment to remove this language and reflect a single-award structure.
| Where can offerors obtain Attachment 1 referenced in PWS Section 3.3.7 for Common Access Card requirements? If Attachment 1 is not applicable to this procurement, can DLA identify the CAC requirements that offerors should address in their Technical Response? | CAC cards will not be issued under this contract due to short duration. Please reference section 3.3 of the PWS for more information. | |
| Approximately what percentage of historical assignments have been performed at the McNamara Headquarters Complex versus other locations within the authorized 45-mile radius? | All assignments, outside of 1-2 per year, occur at McNamara Headquarters Complex. | |
| What languages and interpreting modes are included within the scope of this requirement? Is the requirement limited to ASL/English and the ASL modes identified in PWS Section 3.1.3? | PSE is also used. There are multiple modes used and not limited to ASL/English. | |
| What past performance information, if any, should offerors include in their Technical Response? Will DLA evaluate submitted past performance information in addition to CPARS and SPRS, or will the past performance evaluation rely exclusively on CPARS and SPRS? | According to page two of the solicitation, the Contracting Officer will only pull contractor data from CPARS and SPRS. | |
| How does the two-hour minimum apply when more than one interpreter is assigned to a request? For example, if DLA requests two interpreters for a one-hour assignment, would four interpreter-hours be billable? | The two hour minimum applies to the assignment, not per interpreter. | |
| How will DLA reimburse authorized travel time, mileage, and other travel expenses for assignments outside the 45-mile NCR radius? Should offerors include those costs in their quoted CLIN rate, or will they be reimbursed separately? | Assignments will not be requested or approved outside of the NCR radius. | |
| Would DLA consider extending the quotation submission deadline to provide offerors with at least ten (10) business days following the release of the Government’s responses to industry questions? The Government’s responses may materially affect offerors’ technical approaches, staffing plans, and pricing assumptions, and providing sufficient time following the release of the Q&A would allow offerors to appropriately incorporate DLA’s clarifications into complete, accurate, and competitive quotations. | It will be extended through an amendment on SAM.GOV. Please continue to monitor SAM.GOV amendment updates. | |
| The RFQ states that award will be made to the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) offeror, with technical acceptability evaluated against the PWS and past performance considered as part of technical acceptability. The PWS, however, requires the successful Contractor to provide highly qualified, certified ASL interpreters; maintain a 99% fill rate for requests received with five or more business days' notice; respond to last-minute requirements; provide interpreters capable of meeting differing communication needs and specialized modes; and, on occasion, provide interpreters possessing a minimum Secret clearance. Given the specialized nature of these services and the importance of interpreter quality, workforce depth, responsiveness, continuity, contract management, and demonstrated successful performance to DLA's ability to provide effective communication access, would DLA consider revising the Basis for Award from LPTA to a best-value tradeoff methodology that permits consideration of meaningful differences in technical capability, experience, and past performance in addition to price? Such an approach would allow DLA to distinguish among contractors that may all satisfy the minimum technical requirements but offer materially different levels of demonstrated capability, reliability, workforce resources, and performance, and to determine whether those differences provide value to the Government that warrants consideration alongside price. | No, LPTA will stand for this solicitation. Vendors must provide proof that interpreters are certified. | |
| Can DLA provide historical usage for the past 1–3 years, including total interpreting hours, number of assignments, average assignment duration, and percentage of short-notice requests? | This information can not be provided due to changes in personnel and tracking. | |
| PWS §3.0.2: services “shall be provided as required at the designated onsite location” and, if a “contingent working environment has been issued, a virtual method of delivery may be approved.” PWS §4.3.3: during a contingency working environment, services “may be delivered in a virtual manner instead of onsite, per the DLA Contracting Officer’s approval.” What percentage of services will be onsite versus virtual, and can virtual service be substituted when onsite coverage is unavailable? | Virtual service can NOT be substituted when onsite coverage is unavailable. The expectation is all assignments requested will occur on site and will only be changed at the government’s request. | |
| PWS §3.0.3: 99% applies to requests “with five (5) or more business days’ notice”; however, “the contractor has the right to refuse an assignment when less than 48 hours’ notice has been given.” It further states, “No additional or special rates shall be used for requests placed with less than 5 business days’ notice.” | ||
| Please confirm that the 99% fill-rate performance standard applies only to requests submitted with five (5) or more business days' notice and that an inability to fill a request submitted with fewer than five business days' notice will not negatively affect the contractor's performance evaluation or be treated as a failure to provide service. | A lower fill rate under 5 business days’ notice will not negatively impact the contractor’s performance rating. | |
| PWS §3.0.3 expressly gives the contractor the right to refuse assignments received with less than 48 hours' notice. Section 7.0, however, provides for documenting failures to provide service and potentially issuing warning or Show Cause letters. | ||
| Please confirm that a contractor's documented refusal of an assignment received with less than 48 hours' notice, as expressly permitted by PWS §3.0.3, will not constitute a failure to provide service under PWS §7.0 and will not adversely affect CPARS or other performance evaluations. | Refusal of assignments under 48 hours will not constitute failure of performance, however due to the inherent nature of government work, efforts to fill these assignments will be recognized appropriately. | |
| PWS §3.0.3 requires the Contractor to respond to interpreting requests that may be made at any time due to the nature of last-minute interpreting needs, while providing that no additional or special rates may be charged for requests placed with fewer than five (5) business days' notice. Although the Contractor may refuse an assignment when fewer than 48 hours' notice is provided, requests received between two and five business days before an assignment must therefore be fulfilled, when accepted, at the same rate as regularly scheduled services. Section B, moreover, provides only a single Sign Language Interpreting Services CLIN and does not provide an expedited or short-notice CLIN.Short-notice requests can require materially different recruiting, scheduling, and interpreter compensation practices and therefore carry materially different costs. For example, applicable GSA MAS pricing may distinguish between regularly scheduled and short-notice interpreting services, which the Government has already determined to be fair and reasonable. Would DLA permit offerors to provide a separate expedited/short-notice hourly rate for interpreting requests submitted with fewer than five (5) business days' notice and add an associated CLIN to Section B? | No, a short notice, expedited rate is not permitted. | |
| PWS §6.3.2 provides that cancellations made with 24 hours or less notice are billable, while cancellations made with more than 24 hours' notice are non-billable. Similar 24-hour provisions appear in §§4.1.1 and 4.5.2. | ||
| Would DLA consider revising the cancellation policy to honor the interpreting industry's standard cancellation period of two (2) business days, such that assignments cancelled with fewer than two business days' notice are billable at the originally confirmed amount? Interpreters reserve the confirmed time for the Government and, when assignments are cancelled on short notice, the contractor generally remains financially obligated to compensate the interpreter and has limited ability to reassign that resource. | Due to the inherent nature of government work and assignments, this can not be changed. | |
| Section B currently provides only one CLIN (CLIN 0001 – Sign Language Interpreting Services) for all 1,353 hours. However, PWS §2.0.1 references both “CLIN 0001 & 0002,” and PWS §6.2.1 states that the contractor will bill using rates applicable to “Non-Specialty” or “Specialty” services, will include a separate hourly rate for interpreters requiring a security clearance, and that Specialty CLIN(s) will be used for rates associated with a security clearance. The PWS also mentions virtual vs. onsite services, which are also priced differently. | ||
| Would DLA please revise Section B to include separate CLINs/labor categories and rates for the distinct types of interpreting services contemplated by the PWS, including Non-Specialty ASL Interpreting, Specialty ASL Interpreting, Security-Cleared ASL Interpreting and Virtual vs Onsite services in each of the above categories? These services involve materially different interpreter qualifications, availability, and market rates. Our GSA Multiple Award Schedule similarly recognizes distinct interpreting labor categories and rates that the Government has already determined to be fair and reasonable. Separate CLINs would therefore allow offerors to propose pricing that more accurately reflects the Government's actual requirements rather than blending materially different services into a single hourly rate. | Section 3.0.3 has been updated and section B will reflect CLIN 0001 non specialty for 5,000 hours and specialty for CLIN 0002 1,000 hours. 1,353 hours was left by mistake. | |
| PWS §6.2.1 distinguishes between “Non-Specialty” and “Specialty” services but does not appear to define what constitutes Specialty interpreting, other than stating that Specialty CLIN(s) will be used for rates associated with security clearances. | ||
| Please define the services DLA considers “Specialty” interpreting. The pricing structure should distinguish among three separate rate categories: Non-Specialty interpreting for standard assignments, Specialty interpreting for assignments requiring specialized subject-matter expertise or performance skills, and Security-Cleared interpreting for assignments requiring an interpreter with the requisite active security clearance. Does DLA confirm that specialized interpreting services—including legal interpreting, medical interpreting, scientific/technical interpreting, platform/stage interpreting, and interpreting involving highly technical or otherwise specialized subject matter—may be billed at a separate Specialty rate, distinct from both the standard Non-Specialty rate and a higher rate applicable to interpreters requiring a security clearance? | Section 3.0.3 has been updated and section B will reflect CLIN 0001 non specialty for 5,000 hours and specialty for CLIN 0002 1,000 hours. | |
| PWS §1.4 states, “On average, there are approximately twenty-five plus (5+) employees and tenet customers” who may request interpreting services, either for themselves or for a Deaf or Hard of Hearing colleague. The reference to “twenty-five plus (5+)” appears internally inconsistent. Would DLA please clarify the approximate number of Deaf and Hard of Hearing employees and tenant customers currently anticipated to require interpreting services under this contract, and confirm whether the intended estimate is five-plus (5+) or twenty-five-plus (25+) individuals? | There are currently 5 employees actively requesting services, however that can change at any time due to personnel changes. | |
| PWS §3.0.5 states that DLA may occasionally require an interpreter possessing a minimum Secret clearance. PWS §6.2.1 separately requires an hourly rate for interpreters requiring a clearance. | ||
| Please confirm that offerors should propose a separate hourly rate for security-cleared interpreters. If so, will DLA revise Section B to provide a separate CLIN and estimated quantity for Security-Cleared ASL Interpreting Services? | Section B will be updated to include CLIN 0001 & CLIN 0002. Section 6.2.1 security clearence will go to the specialty CLIN line. CLIN 0001is for non specialty for 5,000 hours and CLIN 0002 is for specialty at 1,000 hours. 1,353 hours was left by mistake. No short notices, last minute rates are permitted. | |
| The RFQ requires offerors to submit resumes for all interpreters proposed, including proof of the certifications required by PWS §3.1.1. PWS §3.0.5 states that DLA may, on occasion, require interpreters who possess a minimum Secret clearance, and §6.2.1 provides for a separate rate for interpreters requiring a security clearance. | ||
| Must offerors include resumes at the time of proposal submission for interpreters who already possess an active Secret clearance, or will DLA permit the successful Contractor to identify qualified interpreters after award and allow sufficient time for those interpreters to be processed for the required Secret clearance before they are assigned to classified requirements? If post-award clearance processing is permitted, would DLA please clarify the anticipated timeframe for obtaining the required clearances and whether DLA will sponsor the clearance process for otherwise qualified interpreters? | Post award clearance processing is not permitted due to the short duration of the period of performance. | |
| Section B provides an aggregate estimated quantity of 1,353 hours without allocating those hours among Non-Specialty, Specialty, and security-cleared services. | ||
| Can DLA provide its estimated annual quantity, or historical utilization, for Non-Specialty, Specialty, and Security-Cleared interpreting services? This information would allow offerors to develop more accurate pricing and would facilitate meaningful price comparison among offers. | Due to the nature of requests, an estimate can not be provided. | |
| The RFQ and Section B establish a quantity of 1,353 hours for the one-year period of performance. However, PWS §6.2.2 states that the NTE quantity is 5,000 hours per contractor per year for non-specialty CLINs and 1,000 hours per contractor per year for specialty CLINs. | ||
| Please clarify the relationship between the 1,353-hour quantity identified in the RFQ/Section B and the PWS NTE quantities of 5,000 non-specialty hours and 1,000 specialty hours per contractor per year. Is 1,353 hours DLA's current estimated quantity, with the higher amounts representing contract ceilings, or should offerors price a different quantity? | Section 3.0.3 has been updated and section B will reflect CLIN 0001 non specialty for 5,000 hours and specialty for CLIN 0002 1,000 hours. 1,353 hours was left by mistake. | |
| PWS §6.1.1 recognizes the DC metropolitan ASL interpreting service industry standard of a two-hour minimum, while §6.1.2 requires assignments exceeding the two-hour minimum to be billed in 15-minute increments. Would DLA consider revising PWS §6.1.2 to permit billing in 30-minute increments after the two-hour minimum, consistent with standard billing practices in the ASL interpreting industry and the increments under which interpreters are commonly compensated by interpreting service providers? | 15 minute increment is the government standard and will remain in place. | |
| PWS §3.0.3 states that DLA has the right to contact “the other contracted vendors on the IDIQ contract” when an incumbent contractor cannot fill a request. The RFQ, however, describes a one-year FFP service contract for 1,353 hours. | ||
| Does DLA anticipate making multiple awards under this solicitation, or will one contractor receive the award for the 1,353-hour requirement? If multiple awards are contemplated, please explain how work will be allocated among awardees and how the stated 1,353-hour quantity applies to each contractor. | The Government intends to make a single award under this solicitation. Only one contractor will receive the award. |
The reference to 'other contracted vendors on the IDIQ contract' in PWS §3.0.3 was included in error and is not applicable to this procurement. The PWS will be revised via Amendment to remove this language and reflect a single-award structure. Please reference the updated Section B.
| RFQ, FAR 52.212-1 / Technical Submission Requirements: “resumes must be provided for all interpreters and must show proof of certification per section 3.1.1 of the PWS. Each resume is limited to three pages inclusive of any cover sheet.” | ||
| Given the ad-hoc nature of the requirement and the potentially large pool of qualified interpreters available to support the contract, would DLA permit offerors to submit a small representative sample of resumes (e.g., 3–5 interpreters) demonstrating the qualifications of their proposed workforce, rather than requiring resumes for every interpreter who may potentially perform services during the contract period? | On page two of the solicitation, resumes must be provided for all interpreters and must show proof of certification per section 3.1.1 of the PWS. Each resume is limited to three pages inclusive of any cover sheet. | |
| PWS §3.0.3 references DLA's ability to contact “other contracted vendors” to obtain interpreting services when needed. How many contractors currently provide ASL interpreting services to DLA under the incumbent contract or contracting vehicle, and would DLA please identify the incumbent contractor(s)? What is the total value of (each of) the incumbent contract(s)? | The contract was last awarded in 2021 to Language on Demand (Contract # SP4705-21-D-0004) and FIS DAS Interpreting (SP4705-21-D-0003). | |
| The RFQ states, “In addition to the clauses in your GSA contract, the following provisions and clauses are incorporated into this RFQ.” However, the opportunity is identified as a FAR Part 12 combined synopsis/solicitation and a 100% small-business set-aside. | ||
| Please confirm whether this procurement is being conducted under the GSA MAS. If not, please confirm that the reference to “clauses in your GSA contract” is not applicable to this procurement. | No, this procurement is solicited under SAM.GOV. GSA does not apply to this solicitation. Mention of GSA has been removed from the RFQ. | |
| PWS §3.4.2 provides that, when no consumers are present for a general audience event, the COR/Scheduling Coordinator may reassign the interpreter to another request within a 45-mile radius of the McNamara Headquarters Complex without an additional charge or cancellation fee. However, interpreters are selected and scheduled for specific assignments based on factors including the consumer’s communication needs, subject matter, interpreter qualifications and suitability, location, and availability, and an interpreter scheduled for one assignment may not necessarily be an appropriate or available resource for another assignment. Would DLA consider removing the reassignment requirement in PWS §3.4.2 and instead require that, when interpreting services are needed at a different location or for a different assignment, DLA submit a separate service request through the Contractor’s normal scheduling process? This would allow the Contractor to identify and confirm an appropriately qualified and available interpreter for the new requirement, consistent with standard interpreting-industry scheduling practices, rather than requiring an interpreter confirmed for one assignment to be redeployed to a materially different assignment or location. | No, this just means that they would be reassigned as needed within the McNamara complex. | |
| PWS §3.5 requires interpreters to permit their interpreting services to be live streamed and/or recorded when requested by DLA. Recording or broadcasting an interpreter’s work is materially different from providing interpreting services solely for the immediate audience and can require additional compensation to the interpreter. Because interpreters commonly charge an additional rate when their work will be recorded, broadcast, or otherwise preserved for subsequent use, these assignments can also be more difficult to staff at standard interpreting rates. Would DLA add a separate CLIN for interpreting services that will be live streamed and/or recorded, allowing offerors to propose an appropriate recorded/broadcast interpreting rate? A separate CLIN would allow contractors to account for the additional provider compensation and staffing requirements associated with recorded interpreting services rather than incorporating those costs into the standard interpreting rate for assignments that are not recorded or broadcast. | No, most events are not live streamed and do not require any additional requirements. |
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