Questions and Answers for W9124M20R0023 Sign Language Interpreter.pdf

Questions & Answers

1. Page 17, 3: Evaluation Criteria, b. Past Performance Factors states that there is a past performance survey attached to the solicitation. However, it is not attached in the solicitation. Can you please clarify if the past performance survey is required? It was not attached in error. Yes, it’s still required. You can submit your past performance survey with your proposal.

2. I am emailing to ask is it possible to have the projected dates of the sessions for the ASL Interpreter Services? Having the dates, will help my company to prepare availability for personnel regarding this Solicitation. Unfortunately it is impossible to predict hearing impaired patients needs for ASL in advance as this contract is medically driven. Due to the nature of medical service needs; advance notification from us may be minimal.

3. Who are the current incumbents? What are their rates? The current vendor is Interpreters Unlimited, INC.

4. Page 3 of the solicitation PDF lists the service/supplies unit for Item No 0001 as 'each". It is industry standard to bill for services per hour as opposed to per assignment. Is it possible to modify the items sheet to change the units from "each" to hour"? No, the unit for Item No 0001 will not be changed from “each" minute to each “hour" of service.

5. Page 1, section 1.3 of the Scope of Work states that cancellations made within 48 hour will be billed the standard 2 hour session rate. However, on page 4 of the solicitation PDF, Item No 0003 has a line for a cancellation fee. Can you please clarify what the cancellation policy is? Cancellations made within less than 48 hours may be billed for 2 hours of service.

6. It is industry standard for agencies to be charged the full confirmed number of hours if an assignment is cancelled by the agency with less than 48 hours notice, as opposed to 1 flat rate. I do not see this language in the solicitation, would you consider adding it? No, a flat rate will be accessed if a cancellation is made within less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled service.

7. What is the setting/nature ASL Interpreting? The document says it is for "WINN ARMY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL" is it to assist medical appointments between a practitioner and a patient? The setting/nature is at WINN Army Community Hospital, to assist with ASL translation for medical care between patients and medical staff.

8. In Section 11.1 of the PWS Document, there are two types of Training (HIPAA and AT/OPSEC). It says ASL Interpreters must complete these two training workshops prior to the first session. And then it says, these trainings are at the contractor's expense! I think this is not fair, and I don't think many Interpreters would agree to this... especially when we do not know how many days/hours each training will be.

Since, this contract is 100% Set-a-Side for Small Businesses and small businesses cannot afford to cover the training for staff without billing the client. To be fair, can we invoice the training cost ? It can be reworded so that the company is expected to ensure their staff are HIPAA and Anti-Terrorism trained;

and must show proof if audited. As a last resort, Mr. Cross can sponsor the interpreter on JKO; at no cost.

9. In document W9124M20R0023 (Page 3 to 10), It is my understanding that ALL Interpreting sessions will happened at the WINN ARMY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (1061 HARMON AVE, BLG P302, FORT STEWART GA 31314). However, we have access to a number ASL Interpreters various in George. When calculating the Net Amount for a session, we have to include in: assignment time, travel time, mileage, parking (if any). Are you looking for a Flat Average Rate for all assignments OR Assignment by Assignment depending on the location of the ASL Interpreter? We do not have access to a number of ASL interpreters in Georgia; which is why we are seeking a flat rate quote for all ASL assignments.

10. Who would be the Point of Contact for future assignments or cancellations (you or the someone at the Hospital)? I, Kerri Caronongan, will be the POC for future assignments and/or cancellations. We are internally working on an internet request for services to be rendered in the future.

11. Is parking free for interpreters at the hospital? If not then how much is it for four hours? Parking is free for interpreters at the hospital.

12. What does CMR or FFP mean or what is this question asking? Contracting Manpower Reporting system used to report contract labor; FFP is Firm Fixed Price

13. Does these mean the rate for Over Time, working After Regular Hours (not 8 AM to 5PM), Holidays or Weekends? No, there is no overtime rate

14. Is it possible to add Video Remote Interpreting Services to this request? Video Remote Interpreting is not accessible at this time, due to firewall issues, but IPAD accessibility is expected to be available in the near future.

15. In the PWS at 5.1, it states a session will be scheduled for 2 hours. Is the meaning of session synonymous with assignment? And each scheduled session/assignment will be 2 hours in length? Am I understanding correctly that it is anticipated there will be 2 sessions (4 hours total) scheduled per month? No a session is not synonymous with assignment. Each scheduled session/assignment will not automatically be 2 hours in length. There is not preset number of sessions scheduled per month.

• 15 a) Does this mean we can bill for 2 hours of service (industry standard) per assignment even if the assignment only lasts, for example, 1 hour? If an interpreter is scheduled for 2 hours and the assignment only lasts for 1 hour and the interpreter only gets paid for that 1 hour instead of the 2 hours they were scheduled, that interpreter will likely not agree to any other assignments at this location. You can bill for the number of minutes/hours that services are rendered.