RFI_Virtual_Interpreters.docx

Request for Information (RFI) For Virtual Interpreters

Purpose: The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to obtain information for the purposes of market research which may inform future requirement and contract efforts for the Virtual Interpreters for EOIR Immigration Courts.

Summary: The Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is requesting papers providing possible Virtual TeleConference (VTC) interpreter services.

EOIR requires the use of interpreters that are capable of connecting via VTC to the courtroom and provide simultaneous interpreter services to the courts. The courts require interpretation services to ensure the respondents understand the proceedings. Currently the court uses telephonic interpreters that cannot operate in simultaneous mode.

Request: In accordance with FAR 10, Market Research, interested parties are requested to provide a capabilities statement that align with our requirement and answer as many questions as possible on our worksheet. Our goal is to determine what sources (commercial and/or non-commercial) exist in the marketplace.

The cover page of the responses shall include the company name, GSA Contract Number (if applicable), DUNS number, address, point of contract including phone number and email address. There is no specific format for the capabilities but they shall be limited to no greater than 10 pages and highlight the capabilities addressed below. Ideally the responses should include capabilities that align with the requirements listed below that are currently included in our draft Statement of Work excerpt after our existing environment.

Existing Environment

Our existing courtroom environment with which the solution needs to securely integrate includes:

· VTC systems that connect EOIR virtually with these features:

· Dial out over SIP or IP to other SIP/IP based external VTC systems outside the network utilizing VCS firewall traversal devices

· Conference multiple locations with the use of Telepresence MCU conferencing bridge

· Allow VTC endpoint users to add third VTC system while already in a point to point call

· Allow content sharing viewing by all VTC endpoints joined the conference call

· Video Teleconferencing (VTC) Network

· The current EOIR VTC network is IP-based and uses H.323 and SIP protocols for VTC communication sessions across within EOIR network.

· EOIR sites have circuit upgrades to accommodate VTC connection at 384Kbps, and as a result, it has been possible to mix video and data traffic while optimizing a minimum level of performance and bandwidth for video traffic.

· For an external ISDN access, EOIR has installed total of twelve (12) ISDN Gateway modules, each module has 8 ISDN PRI circuits enabled that provides connectivity up to 368 concurrent ISDN connections at 384Kbps between external ISDN participants and internal VTC endpoints via Cisco ISDN GW 8321 module.

· For an external IP/SIP access, EOIR has Cisco VCS firewall traversal devices installed to allow the internal VTC endpoint to connect to the external participants or a conference bridge on one of the Telepresence MCU Excerpt of draft SOW:

· Interpreters shall be vetted and qualified (tested) using a broadly recognized standard

· Mirror other accepted testing methodologies, such as the State Consortium Exam.

· Passing score of 70% which is equivalent to a score of at least a 3+ on the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Scale.

· Use widely accepted testing and scoring methods comparable to nationally used methods of testing court interpreters, to include terminology use, consecutive and simultaneous modes, and sight translation.“

· Interpreters should be available between 8 am and 5 pm for the courts’ local time

· The operations of the solution shall be an SLA driven support model

· Interpreters must have the following qualifications:

· The Contractor shall provide qualified, professional, experienced interpreters who possess a high level of interpretation skills and proficiency i n both the English language and the non-English speaker's language in order to interpret the speaker's meaning completely and accurately. Level of each interpreter's interpretation skills and proficiency in both the English language and the non-English speaker's language shall be determined by a formal assessment of the interpreter candidate to be conducted by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Government. Specifically, interpreters employed by the Contractor must be:

· United States citizens or lawfully admitted into the United States for pern1anent residence. The Contractor may request from the Government a waiver of this requirement on a case-by-case basis for languages for which a qualified interpreter who is either a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident cannot be located. Prior to the Contractor providing an interpreter who is neither a United States citizen nor a lawful permanent resident, the Contractor must submit to the Government for review and approval the request for waiver and documentation demonstrating that this interpreter has work authorization or other permission of the Government to work in the United States;

· Either certified or have one year of experience interpreting in a judicial environment. Federal, State or the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT) Judiciary Interpreters and Translators Certification Examination (JITCE) certification will be accepted. The Contractor may request a waiver of this requirement on a case by case basis.

· Knowledgeable of both English and the foreign language vocabularies typically used in formal, consultative, and casual modes of communication in justice system contexts, including colloquial slang,

· Idiosyncratic slang, and regionalism;

· Knowledgeable of specialized vocabulary (terminology) in both English and the foreign language related to legal and criminal justice system terminology and immigration procedures, particularly with regard to terminology typically used in Immigration Court hearings;

· Knowledgeable of the Code of Professional Responsibility for interpreters and protocol of court interpreting, as indicated by having each interpreter sign a copy of the Code of Professional Responsibility (Attachment 2);

· Able to speak English and the foreign language fluently, including high to low levels of language register, regional colloquial isms and slang expressions, and do so with clear and intelligible pronunciation.

· Able to interpret in a manner that is factually and conceptually accurate without changes, omissions, or additions;

· Able to preserve the tone and emotional level of the speaker, as well as manage the delivery, speed and length of the statement (projection , pace and pausing) of the speaker;

· Able to maintain appropriate speed and projection while rendering interpretation, and request and incorporate clarification of speaker's statements only when justified.

Responses: The response shall be due no later than 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Monday, August 21, 2017. The responses shall be e-mailed to Mr. James Wages, james.wages@usdoj.gov and Ms. Patricia Hoffman, patricia.hoffman@usdoj.gov.

Disclaimer: This notice does not constitute an invitation for bids or requests for proposals and is not a commitment by the U.S. Government to procure subject products or services nor will the Government reimburse any parties for costs associated with this request. The Government will use the information received to forge its acquisition strategy. Additionally, all submissions become government property and will not be returned. No basis for claim against the Government shall arise as a result form a response to this RFI.