Sign Language Interpretation Services

Added: February 20, 2008 Modified: March 12, 2008Track Changes The purpose of amendment 2 is to clarify the question about clearance in amendment 1 and to answer an additional question.

The following question is clarified from amendment 1, note that contractor personnel are to have a Top Secret clearance (the Top is now emphasized by astericks where missing before).

Question: Will there be a DD254 and what are the requirements?

Question: Is a facility clearance required?

Question: Do you expect the interpreter to have security clearance prior to the commencement of the contract? If not, would you accept proposal with a qualified interpreter that could begin the security clearance process upon beginning of contract?



Answers: A DD Form 254 (facility clearance for the firm) will be required for contract award. All personnel working under this requirement must be U.S. citizens and possess a minimum level Top Secret Defense Security Service (DSS), Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) or equivalent clearance.



The individual presented for performance of services must pass a background check as determined by the U.S. Secret Service. All contractor personnel assigned to this contact shall meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. The firm providing the personnel must hold a minimum level Secret facility clearance upon award.

2. All personnel working under this requirement must be U.S. citizens, and shall be required to possess a minimum level *Top* Secret Defense Security Service (DSS), Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) or equivalent clearance. Documentation will be required to confirm such clearances, including date of clearance issuance, the Cage Code, a DSS/DISCO point of contact, and the address of the cognizant security office.

3. All personnel will be working on the Government site and shall complete a Contractor Personnel Access Application form (SSF 3237), and must undergo a security background check by the USSS. The contractor shall provide personnel who can successfully pass the background investigation.

4. Prior to award, the successful awardee shall be required to provide the name and contact information for the Contract Security Representative (CSR) of their firm. The CSR shall be the contact between the contractor and the USSS. The CSR shall handle all forms necessary to obtain security clearances and access approvals.



Since Contractor personnel shall be required to have a *Top* Secret level clearance, the offeror must submit the following documents and others as required for each respective person immediately prior to award:



a. Disclosure and Authorization Pertaining to Consumer Reports Pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

b. SSF 3237 - Contractor Personnel Access Application (see Attachment 1)

c. SSF 4024 - Conditional Access to Sensitive But Unclassified Information Nondisclosure Agreement (see Attachment 2)

d. Provide evidence of the required security clearance for proposed personnel before beginning work.



Question: We have an interpreter in particular that fulfills all the requirements asked for on the RFP with the exception of her RID certification. She is currently waiting to present the practical side of the exam. Will this prevent her from being eligible for even being considered? According to the RFP, "Contractors must submit their resumes and a copy of RID certification with their proposal. Failure to submit these items will deem the contractor non-responsive and have the proposal rejected."



Answer: If the interpreter is one of a pool of interpreters intending to be used by the vendor, their eligibility would be contingent upon completion of the RID certification. If the interpreter failed to obtain the certification, they would not be allowed to remain part of the interpreting team.

Added: February 20, 2008 Modified: March 11, 2008Track Changes The purpose of this amendment 1 is to answer questions.



Question: Will there be a DD254 and what are the requirements?

Question: Is a facility clearance required?

Question: Do you expect the interpreter to have security clearance prior to the commencement of the contract? If not, would you accept proposal with a qualified interpreter that could begin the security clearance process upon beginning of contract?



Answers: A DD Form 254 (facility clearance for the firm) will be required for contract award. All personnel working under this requirement must be U.S. citizens and possess a minimum level Top Secret Defense Security Service (DSS), Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) or equivalent clearance.



The individual presented for performance of services must pass a background check as determined by the U.S. Secret Service. All contractor personnel assigned to this contact shall meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. The firm providing the personnel must hold a minimum level Secret facility clearance upon award.

2. All personnel working under this requirement must be U.S. citizens, and shall be required to possess a minimum level Secret Defense Security Service (DSS), Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) or equivalent clearance. Documentation will be required to confirm such clearances, including date of clearance issuance, the Cage Code, a DSS/DISCO point of contact, and the address of the cognizant security office.

3. All personnel will be working on the Government site and shall complete a Contractor Personnel Access Application form (SSF 3237), and must undergo a security background check by the USSS. The contractor shall provide personnel who can successfully pass the background investigation.

4. Prior to award, the successful awardee shall be required to provide the name and contact information for the Contract Security Representative (CSR) of their firm. The CSR shall be the contact between the contractor and the USSS. The CSR shall handle all forms necessary to obtain security clearances and access approvals.



Since Contractor personnel shall be required to have a Secret level clearance, the offeror must submit the following documents and others as required for each respective person immediately prior to award:



a. Disclosure and Authorization Pertaining to Consumer Reports Pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

b. SSF 3237 - Contractor Personnel Access Application (see Attachment 1)

c. SSF 4024 - Conditional Access to Sensitive But Unclassified Information Nondisclosure Agreement (see Attachment 2)

d. Provide evidence of the required security clearance for proposed personnel before beginning work.



Question: Is sub-contracting allowed?

Answer: Subcontracting is permitted, but the resume and qualifications of each interpreter must be submitted with the proposal.



Question: Would the sub-contractor be required to have a facility clearance?

Answer: Yes, the clearance requirements apply both to the prime and subcontractor.



Question: Will you accept a proposal with a few interpreters that we feel may suit this type of requirement?

Answer: USSS encourages multiple interpreters; USSS must review resumes and qualifications of all relevant interpreters. The offeror may propose a bank or pool of cleared interpreters to ensure full time coverage of interpretation services.

Added: February 20, 2008 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 137208 is issued as a Request for Proposal (RFP) through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-21. The NAICS code is 541930 - Translation and Interpretation Services, and the small business size standard is $6.5 million. This requirement is a total small business set aside.

This Solicitation is compromised of:

I. OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENT

II. FORMAT AND SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL (PARTS A and B)

III. EVALUATION FACTORS

IV. CONTRACT CLAUSES

V. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR OFFERORS

VI. STATEMENT OF WORK

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I. OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENT

The U.S. Secret Service in Washington, D.C. has a deaf Counterfeit Specialist in need of a dedicated sign language interpreter to be on the premises on a full-time basis to meet the employee's communication needs per a Statement of Work. The period of performance is from date of award through September 30, 2008 with one option period for FY2009.

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II. FORMAT AND SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL

PART A. Pricing Proposal

1. Offeror Information: Offeror shall provide Contractor's business name, DUNS, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), Point of contact's name, Point of contact's email address, and point of contact's telephone number. Please note that immediately after the deadline, USSS will communicate with the POC to schedule the presentation.

2. Pricing - the offeror shall provide a total price for each line item:

(a) FY2008: hourly rate which will be fixed throughout FY2008.

(b) FY2009: hourly rate which will be fixed throughout the option period from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009.

3. For Past Performance, provide two references from two different agencies/entities for work performed within the past two years. Each reference must include the point of contact name, telephone number and email address.

4. Offeror must be listed in the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA), https://orca.bpn.gov, and if not, then offeror must include a completed copy of FAR 52.212-3 which is included in this Solicitation.



PART B. Technical Proposal

The technical proposal shall be separate from the Price Proposal.



SUBPART B1. Company Technical Proposal

Company technical proposals shall include, but are not limited to:

1. Identification of the interpreter(s) it intends to use in fulfilling the resulting contract. If the offeror intends to use different interpreters, it must identify each interpreter it intends to use.

2. A description of the services it will provide that demonstrates it clearly understands the Statement of Work and all required details of the Solicitation.

3. The page limit is 45.



SUBPART 2. Individual Interpreter's Technical Proposal

The technical proposal shall include information for each interpreter:

1. A resume containing sufficient information to enable USSS to determine whether the individual possesses the minimum of three years' experience as well as education pertaining to the interpreting profession needed to meet its requirement;

2. Certification that the interpreter is Qualified/Certified member in good standing with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID); and

3. Evidence of the interpreter's Top Secret Clearance.

4. For each interpreter (maximum of two) which the offeror intends to use in fulfilling the resulting contract and who will be demonstrating their services, the offeror must submit the Contractor Access Form, SFF 3237.

5. There is no page limit for this individual interpreter information



Submission of both Pricing and Technical Proposal

Submitting your proposal via email is preferred. Your entire email must not be greater than 3 MB; if your proposal is above that limit, please send multiple emails. Faxed proposals will be accepted. If you submit via postal mail you will miss the deadline. Please put 137208 Sign Language Interpretation Services in the subject line.

I will reply via email confirming that I have received your proposal. If I do not reply, then I do not have your proposal. Late proposals will not be accepted. I strongly suggest that you do not leave for the day after sending your proposal; wait until I have confirmed that I have your proposal.



Proposals are due by 5:00 pm EST on Monday, March 24, 2008. The Government will not be responsible for any costs accrued or incurred by the vendor in response to this solicitation.

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III. EVALUATION

IIIA. EVALUATION FACTORS







(1) Technical Proposal;

(2) Presentation;

Offerors will be requested to provide a presentation that will be at USSS headquarters in Washington, DC, tentatively scheduled for April 1 - 3, and each offeror will be allotted a total of ten minutes. If an offeror submits two interpreters, each interpreter will have five minutes. The deaf USSS employee will make a technical presentation which each offeror will interpret. A panel consisting of U.S. Secret Service Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing employees, other U.S. Secret employees, and an external qualified sign language interpreter will be used to evaluate the presentations. The presentations may be videotaped.

(3) Past Performance.



IIIB. EVALUATION

Award will be made to the offeror whose demonstrated Technical Capability offers the "Best Value" to the Government, Price, Past Performance and other factors considered. Technical Capability is significantly more important than the combined importance of Price and Past Performance. As individual factors, Technical Capability is the most important and Past Performance is more important than Price. The Technical Capability will be evaluated as Excellent, Very Good, Satisfactory (Acceptable), Poor (Unacceptable).

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IV. CONTRACT CLAUSES

The following Provisions are applicable:

FAR 52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration

FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items

FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation--Commercial Items. Award will be based on: 1) the capability of the services offered to meet the above stated salient characteristics and 2) price.

FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications--Commercial Items

FAR 52-212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items

FAR 52-212.5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders--Commercial Items

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services

52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract.

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by reference.

3052.204-71 Contractor employee access.

3052.209-70 Prohibition on Contracts with Corporate Expatriates

3052.204-90 Unauthorized Use of the U.S. Secret Service Name

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V. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR OFFERORS

A word document of all contract clauses will be provided upon email request; please provide your company name, point of contact and specify: contract clauses. Since this is a competitive requirement, please do not telephone with questions but email them; if you do not receive a confirmation response then your question was not received. Registering as an interested vendor means that you will receive via email all FBO notices concerning this Solicitation.

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VI. STATEMENT OF WORK



INTERPRETING SERVICES FOR DEAF COUNTERFEIT SPECIALIST



BACKGROUND



The U.S. Secret Service in Washington, D.C. has a deaf Counterfeit Specialist in need of a dedicated sign language interpreter to be on the premises on a full-time basis to meet the employee's communication needs.



OBJECTIVE



To procure the services of a contractor for interpreting services, to enable the U.S. Secret Service to provide effective communication between the deaf Counterfeit Specialist and individuals within the Secret Service as well as individuals from external sources.



QUALIFICATIONS



Interpreters contracted to work for the U.S. Secret Service must be Qualified/Certified members in good standing with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). These individuals must demonstrate high competence in and knowledge of ASL and transliteration. The contractor shall be able to understand, translate, and interpret technical terminology, laws, regulations, concepts, principles, practices, and procedures applicable to the Secret Service. Interpreting in legal or classified environments is highly desirable. Interpreters must possess knowledge of the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture. In addition, they must have obtained an education pertaining to the interpreting profession, and have a minimum of three years experience.



The primary interpreter, and anyone backfilling in their absence during courtroom assignments, must be able to understand and interpret/translate legal terminology, and be qualified to perform in a courtroom setting.



Contractors must submit their resumes and a copy of RID certification with their proposal. Failure to submit these items will deem the contractor non-responsive and have the proposal rejected.



CLEARANCE



The interpreters must have a Top Secret security clearance.



SCOPE OF WORK



The contractor will provide dedicated, on-call sign language interpreting services on Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the deaf Counterfeit Specialist. The services provided will be professional in nature and will be in accordance with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Conduct. Under no circumstances will the interpreter represent the U.S. Secret Service or act as an official spokesperson on behalf of the agency.



In the event that the primary contractor is unable to perform as scheduled, the contractor shall arrange (in advance if possible) for a replacement interpreter, meeting the minimum requirements of the contract and possessing any clearances required for the assignment. This will include sick and vacation days. In such situations, payment of the replacement interpreter will be the responsibility of the contractor. The substituting interpreter must be RID certified and qualified. The Secret Service will not pay the contractor for Federal holidays that fall within their regular scheduled days, for days the Government closes for inclement weather, or for days that the deaf Counterfeit Specialist is on leave and the contractor has been provided a 48-hour notice. Some training/functions may require additional interpreters; however, notice will be given when there is a need.



Intermittent interpreting services may also be required from the contractor. Intermittent services are defined as services required in addition to the dedicated on-call position. The contractor shall provide interpreters who have appropriate clearances and qualifications, on an as-needed basis to satisfy this requirement. Examples of intermittent services include:

Interpreting assignments that are expected to exceed the standard period that an interpreter works continuously without a team, and based upon professional discretion, the contractor shall consult with the Supervisory Counterfeit Specialist to determine if an additional interpreter is necessary.

Other situations that require additional contracted personnel are those assignments that are two days or longer in duration (i.e. certain travel, instruction, training, conferences, and courtroom testimony).



The U.S. Government Standards of Conduct also applies.



The U.S. Secret Service will provide the necessary equipment and supplies needed for performance of duties.



MAJOR DUTIES



Interpret effectively into English and ASL to facilitate effective communication between the deaf Counterfeit Specialist and other individuals.

Interpret in all settings where services are required. Possible settings may include training classes, presentations, courtrooms, one-on-one meetings with supervisors, managers and employees, staff meetings and interviews.

Provide consultation to managers/supervisors concerning the profession of sign language interpreting.

Maintain involvement in the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and other professionally related organizations and/or training programs.

Work closely with the U.S. Secret Service Contracting Officer Technical Representative concerning scheduling and/or matters relating to the provisions for services at U.S. Secret Service.

Maintain professional conduct, dress, and manner.



REQUESTS AND CANCELLATIONS



When possible, the schedule for daily interpreting services as well as preparation materials will be provided to the contractor in advance of the activity. Cancellation for daily on-call services as well as intermittent services will be provided to the contractor a minimum of 48 business hours in advance of the scheduled assignment.



SECURITY REQUIREMENTS



All documents (both hard and soft copy) that are produced during the duration of the contract by the contractor for the government shall be considered government property and shall be provided back to the government upon termination of the contract, or upon request.



GUIDELINES



Guidelines consist of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Conduct, the operational policies of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, the regulations set forth in Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. The contractor shall keep all documentation and information pertaining to the services they provide within the laws covering the Privacy Act, and shall consider all activity to be confidential in nature when servicing the Agency or individuals.



TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS



The contractor will be required to provide interpreting services to the deaf Counterfeit Specialist located at U.S. Secret Service Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The contractor must be willing to travel to other sites within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area as needed to include southern Maryland. Local travel, within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area will be the responsibility of the contractor.



The contractor shall be available for domestic and foreign travel with the deaf Counterfeit Specialist to provide interpreting services for meetings, presentations, training, conferences, and expert witness trial testimony. Travel will be arranged through invitational travel.



WORK ENVIRONMENT



Work is performed in an office setting, laboratory, meeting room, classroom, courtroom, and/or auditorium. The demands of the services may require the contractor to provide long hours of service to the deaf Counterfeit Specialist, sometime standing without a break.