Translator_Questions.pdf

Translator Questions:

Question: Will you be able to provide the Quantity column to this Price Schedule?

Answer: We have no way to quantify this. The requirement is often based on breaking news and have no control over notification. From a standard scheduling requirement, the Service may have a 10:00 am news conference, which would mean notification would be at 830, am.

Item 1 - Simultaneous translation of major event (hearing, speech, press conference) - Please confirm if this is actually Simultaneous Interpretation.

Answer: YES

Item 2 - Written translation of 25-30 minute English program such as VOA Connect - Do you need an On-the-Spot Live Written Translation of the English program?

Answer: IT IS NOT ON THE SPOT; YOU WILL BE GIVEN A SCRIPT AND ABOUT FIVE DAYS TO TRANSLATE

Item 4 - Translation of multiple live interviews during a live television news program - Please confirm if this is a Consecutive Interpretation.

Answer: THIS IS SIMULTANEOUS

Item 5 - Simultaneous translation in post-production of pre-recorded interview - Please confirm if this is Simultaneous Interpretation.

Answer: THIS IS SIMULTANEOUS.

Question: Would this RFP require the same translators for every assignment or could we provide a roster of select translators that are highly vetted and qualified?

Answer: We do not require the same translators.

Question: Also, would the translators need to have a set schedule every week or would we be notified in advance of the need for an interpreter from your organization?

Answer: There is no set schedule. We respond to news events.

Question: Under the FOIA, is there an incumbent currently providing these services? If yes, please identify them and how long Voice of America has been working with them?

Answer: Translations we previously subcontracted out. This is considered a new requirement.

Question: Under the FOIA, how much are you currently paying for the services per hour or per day?

Answer: Translations we previously subcontracted out. This is considered new requirement.

Question: Why are you considering changing vendors?

Answer: Translations we previously subcontracted out. This is considered new requirement.

Question: How often would you need services? Is it on a daily basis or less often?

Answer: The request for translations is dependent upon news events. It could be once a week or nothing for two weeks then three times one week. We cannot quantify this.

Question: How far in advance would you have the schedule available for the interpreter?

Answer: Sometimes we decide to do a 10 am news conference and we let them know at 830 am. For breaking news, it’s hard to gauge. Whomever would be available to accept the assignment due to the notice given

Question: Will the interpreter be provided with materials to prepare? How far in advance will they be available?

Answer: Written translations they are given 5 days to return.

Question: On page 3, section A.4, in the listed deliverables; you request rates for simultaneous translation, of live events, live interviews, and pre-recorded interviews. Do you mean simultaneous interpretation? Translation normally refers to the conversion of written text from one language to another, interpretation would be spoken.

Answer: The first requirement is simultaneous translation of a live event. Press conference, hearing etc.

A second requirement may be a written translation based on length of interview not words. For example. We can consider a written translation of a 10 min interview one assignment. It’s often from an audio file. Not written.

Question: In the same section, you request written translation. Would the translation be done from a transcript, or would the translator only have the audio from the show? If we only have the audio, we will have to charge to first transcribe the audio, then translate it. Per industry standard, translations are charged per-word. Do you have an estimate for how many words we would be translating?

Answer: Translators are given audio files and translate.

Question: Also, it almost seems like you are expecting the interpretation and translation to be done by the same person? On-site interpreters will be scheduled in advance, and will approved by the CO or COR, but for translations, we would ask USAGM to send us either the video or a transcript, and we will assign it to one of our translators. We can provide resumes or CVs for the translators we will be using if USAGM requires.

Answer: Each assignment can be given to different translators. For simultaneous translation we respond to news events. Sometimes we know in advance like a Robert Mueller hearing. Sometimes we know day of like Robert Mueller’s impromptu press conference.

Question: simultaneous interpretation for major events- do you need one interpreter or two?

Answer: We use three for hearings. Sometimes one or two for press conferences. State of the union for example is two translators. We follow the 15 min at a time rule. One translator translates for 15 min then switches off.

Question: What kind of volume can we expect for these assignments?

Answer: It is hard to quantify as most requirements as some are planned events (ie – summits; trials;

testimonies) and others are breaking news with very short advance notice.

Question: Has a budget been set for this contract?

Answer: No a budget has not been set.