The file's text, extracted by GovTribe without its formatting.
Translation Services RFP Questions & Answers
| Whether companies from Outside USA can apply for this? (like, from India or Canada) |
| Bidder must be a legal business entity authorized to do business in the State of California. However, per page 7 of the RFP, a 5% preference will be given to CA SB/DVBEs registered through DGS. |
| Whether we need to come over there for meetings? |
| We have not required the need to meet in person for translation requests. |
| Can we perform the tasks (related to RFP) outside USA? (like, from India or Canada) |
| Yes, however, bidder must be a legal business entity authorized to do business in the State of California. Per page 7 of the RFP, a 5% preference will be given to CA SB/DVBEs registered through DGS. |
| Can we submit the proposals via email? |
| Yes, you may email your RFP to GO-Biz.BSU@gobiz.ca.gov |
| Could you please share past usage statistics broken down by service and language? |
| 4 requests from English to Japanese |
2 requests from English to Spanish 1 request from English to Chinese
| What is the name of the incumbent(s) and their contract number(s)? |
| Global Interpreting Network, Inc., GO-Biz Contract #: 22GOB033 |
| Did the incumbent cover every single assignment successfully? |
| Decline to answer |
| What challenges have you faced with a similar scope of work from vendors you worked with? |
| Decline to answer |
| In order for the incumbent not to have an advantage over the other bidders, could you please provide the incumbent rates for each of the services requested in this solicitation? |
| The previous contract was allocated for $20,000, but it combined Translation and Interpretation services into a single contract. In the spirit of fair competition, GO-Biz encourages bidders to offer their best rates. |
| If there is no incumbent, please describe how you are obtaining these services up to now and what you are paying for the service. |
| Not applicable. |
| Is there a rate sheet template we can use? |
| We don’t have one, but information required for rates include: |
Language, cost per word, any minimum charges or minimum requirements
| If bidders can send prices using their own rate structure, how will rates be compared and scored? |
| Bidders will be scored based on the Evaluation Criteria listed on pages 4-5 of the RFP. The rates will be scored based on cost, with the lowest cost getting the highest score and the highest cost getting the lowest score and so on. However, if the lowest cost submitted is from a non-CA SB/DVBE, then the SB/DVBE bidders will get a 5% advantage per page 7 of the RFP. |
| Can we ask for a debriefing in case we are not awarded? |
| No. |
| In what formats are the documents to be translated? Are there InDesign files? |
| Mainly word and/or PDF documents. We have not had any in InDesign. |
| What is the average number of words in a document needing translation? |
| Typically, 1-2 pages in word, so around 1-1000 words or so. |
| What certifications are required for those languages that are not certified by the ATA? |
| If ATA certification is not available for a particular language, the translator must have passed in-house testing and vetting procedures consistent with ISO 700:2015 Certification. The vendor must also provide a resume for all such translators. If, upon review of the translated material(s), GO-Biz determines that they do not meet the quality standards specified in the scope of work, this constitutes possible cause for termination of the contract. |
Government Certification or other third-party certification for the non-ATA languages may not always be possible or preferred. Many of these certifications are specific to either medical work or legal work and seldom are a true indicator of the quality of a written translator and their ability to translate public-facing business material as required by GO Biz. A translator can be certified to do medical translation by a third-party agency but may not be the ideal translator for GO Biz material.
In lieu of finding translators with these certifications, can vendors indicate that the translators working in non-ATA languages will have passed in-house testing and vetting procedures consistent with ISO 1700:2015 Certification?
Yes.
| Should vendors create our own Cost Sheet including all terms and submit this as part of our proposal? |
| Yes, you can. |
| Can vendors include a minimum charge per language as part of our Cost Sheet? |
| Yes, you can. |
| The SOW makes reference to vendors being able to handle large volumes of work (50 projects at once), but the total budget for the contract is $10,000 for three years. This budget would indicate a very low volume of work. What is the approximate spend on this contract for the last completed 12 months of the previous contract? |
| We have had 7 translation requests in the past 12 months. |
| Who is the incumbent to this contract? |
| Global Interpreting Network, Inc. |
| What rates is GO Biz currently paying for Translation Services? |
| The previous contract was allocated for $20,000, but it combined Translation and Interpretation services into a single contract. In the spirit of fair competition, GO-Biz encourages bidders to offer their best rates. |