SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Sign Language Interpreters
- Notice Date
- 12/26/2002
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Defense Contracting Command-Washington(DCC-W), ATTN: Policy and Compliance, 5200 Army Pentagon, Room 1D245, Washington, DC 20310-5200
- ZIP Code
- 20310-5200
- Solicitation Number
- DASW01-03-T-MLH1
- Archive Date
- 3/17/2003
- Point of Contact
- Michelle Hodges, (703) 695-2564
- E-Mail Address
-
Email your questions to Defense Contracting Command-Washington(DCC-W)
(Michelle.Hodges@hqda.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- NA The Defense Contracting Command-Washington, on behalf of Headquarters, U.S. Army Materiel Command (HQAMC), is issuing this combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented wi th additional information included in this notice. This announcement is a request for quotes/proposals and constitutes the only solicitation; a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is DASW01-03-T-MLH1. The North American Indu strial Classification System (NAICS) code is 541930, Sign Language Services, with a small business size standard of $6,000,000.00. Incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 01-10 as of 22 November 2002. This requirement is a Total Small Business Set Aside. General requirements Headquarters, U.S. Army Materiel Command (HQAMC), located in Alexandria, VA requires a sign language interpreting agency to provide professional and certified sign language interpreters. The agency is to accommodate Deaf and Hard of Hearing employees to a chieve effective communication with all employees, supervisors, management, officials, applicants, guest speakers and other individuals who do not know or use sign language. The requirements for this contract are set forth with these following conditions: Interpreting skills required: Professional sign language interpreters must have developed interpreting skills through extensive training and practice over a long period of time at least 5 years or more. Interpreters must continue to actively improve their skills, knowledge, and profess ionalism through membership in the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and/or the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). The sign language interpreter agency contractor and its affiliates shall ensure its interpreters are evaluated and continuing their education requirements on a timely basis. Ability to provide diverse interpreting Sign language interpreting is a highly specialized field; simply knowing both sign language and English does not qualify a person as an interpreter. The professional sign language interpreter is able to adjust to a broad range of deaf consumer preferences and/or needs for interpretation. Some deaf individuals use American Sign Language, others prefer a form of signing that more closely follows the grammar and structure of spoken English. The professional interpreter is expected to work comfortably along th is wide spectrum. Sometimes it is necessary to have two or more interpreters working simultaneously in order to satisfy the preferences and needs of a varied audience. Interpreters should be aware of and sensitive to ethnic/cultural and linguistic concern s. The sign language interpreter agency contractor and its affiliates must be able to offer specialized interpreters who should have knowledge with government language terminology; cultural issues between Deaf and Hearing; and cultural mediation between D eaf and Hearing employees. It also must provide all of the following sign language related services as the need arises: ? Conference level Sign-to-voice interpreting/transliterating ? Conference level Voice-to sign interpreting/transliterating ? Tactile and/or Close Vision for Deaf-Blind or Deaf-Visual Impaired users ? Interpreting/transliterating Telephone interpreting/transliterating 'Sight' (printed text) interpreting ? Interpreting for deaf with minimal language skills (including 'Sight' and Relay interpreting) ? Legal interpreting/transliterating ? EEO/Mental Health cases interpreting/transliterating ? Awareness education and training on the use of interpreting and telecommunication services for the deaf. ? On an as needed basis, interpreters for travel off-site with HQAMC employees for government related activities ? On an as needed basis, interpreters that can interpret foreign languages into sign language or vice versa ? Quality assurance by ensuring that interpreters are qualified and meet all education, experience, or certification requirements ? Interpreters that have specialized experience (familiarity with ADA, EEO, and legal terminology) Interpreting credentials Interpreting is a complex process that requires a high degree of linguistic, cognitive and technical skills. In the field of interpreting, as in other professions, appropriate credentials are an important indicator of an interpreter?s qualifications. The contractor and its affiliates must follow the standards as set forth by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) (http://www.rid.org/) and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) (http://www.nad.org/) and have interpreters who have been awarded c ertification who successfully pass national tests. The tests assess not only language knowledge and communication skills, but also knowledge and judgment on issues of ethics, culture and professionalism. An interpreter may hold one or more certifications. Additionally, the contractor and its affiliates must be able to provide as needed: ? Oral transliterators (also called oral interpreters) for Deaf and HH individuals who use speech and speech reading as their primary mode of communication, and other persons. ? Deaf-Blind interpreters for Deaf and HH who have differing degrees of vision and hearing loss. ? Other sign language interpreting certifications: o CI - Certificate of Interpretation o CT - Certificate of Transliteration o CSC - Comprehensive Skills Certificate o SC: L - Specialist Certificate: Legal o IC - Interpretation Certificate o TC - Transliteration Certificate o CDI - Certified Deaf Interpreter Certification Levels HQAMC requires three top assessment levels with Level III (Generalist), Level IV (Advanced), and Level V (Master). Levels I and II are not accepted. Details for Level III, IV and V are as follows: ? Level III (Generalist) The individual who attains this level possesses above average voice-to-sign skills, and good sign-to-voice skills, and demonstrates the interpreting skill necessary for some situations. ? Level IV (Advanced): The individual who attains this level possesses excellent voice-to-sign skills and above average sign-to-voice skills, and demonstrates the interpreting skill necessary for most situations. ? Level V (Master): The individual who attains this level possesses superior voice-to-sign skills and excellent sign-to-voice skills, and demonstrates the interpreting skill necessary for just about all situations. ? Additionally, certification renewal is required by date renewals as set forth by NAD. The contractor must verify an individual interpreter?s current certification status in accordance with RID and/or NAD requirements. The contractor shall be required to maintain a national standard of quality for interpreters and are committed to continue d professionalism in the practice of sign language interpretation. Place of Performance The interpreters will work in a variety of settings and situations inside and outside of the building at HQAMC in Alexandria, VA, on authorized government time required to perform the essential duties by the Deaf or HH employees. In some cases, the interp reter may be required to travel with the Deaf and HH employee(s) to other work sites in the Washington DC metropolitan area, the Continental United States, or overseas, as required or authorized by government time during normal or after-hours. Period of Performance The period of performance is for 12 months, from date of award. Duties The interpreters who can provide required interpreting services for a variety of functions. Examples of functions include: staff meetings, performance appraisals, give presentations or briefings, training sessions, official luncheons or receptions, employ ee relations, counseling, and other work-related functions requiring accessible communication by all parties. The interpreter must be a versatile , flexible, skilled professional. The contractor and its affiliates must commit to continued professionalism in the practice of sign language interpretation. Code of Ethics The Code of Ethics is the foundation of the interpreting profession and will be in accordance as set forth by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. and the National Association of the Deaf to protect and guide interpreters and transliterators and hearing and deaf consumers. They have set forth the following principles of ethical behavior. Underlying these principles is the desire to insure for all the right to communicate. The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. ? Interpreters/transliterators shall keep all assignment-related information strictly confidential. ? Interpreters/transliterators shall render the message faithfully, always conveying the content and spirit of the speaker using language most readily understood by the person(s) whom they serve. ? Interpreters/transliterators shall not counsel, advise or interject personal opinions. ? Interpreters/transliterators shall accept assignments using discretion with regard to skill, setting, and the consumers involved. ? Interpreters/transliterators shall request compensation for services in a professional and judicious manner. ? Interpreters/transliterators shall function in a manner appropriate to the situation. ? Interpreters/transliterators shall strive to further knowledge and skills through participation in workshops, professional meetings, interaction with professional colleagues, and reading of current literature in the field. ? Interpreters/transliterators, by virtue of membership or certification by the RID, Inc., shall strive to maintain high professional standards in compliance with the Code of Ethics. National Association of the Deaf 1. All information in any interpreting assignment is to be kept in strictest confidence. 2. Interpreting services shall always be competent, impartial and professional. 3. Messages shall be rendered faithfully, always conveying the content and spirit of the communicator, and professional judgment should be exercised in assessing whether communication is being understood. 4. In accepting assignments, discretion based on skill, setting, and the consumers involved must be used. 5. Counseling or interjecting personal opinion is never permitted. 6. Information on the role and appropriate use of interpreting services shall be provided to the consumers when necessary. 7. Information on available resources as appropriate should be provided. 8. Compensation for services should be pursued in a professional manner. 9. Respect of and for the deaf person's rights must always be evident. 10. Only the highest professional standards, as promulgated by the NAD, shall be pursued. It is estimated that an interpreter will be needed all day on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and on an 'on-call' basis on Mondays and Fridays. The total estimated number of hours necessary for this order is 1672. The resulting order may be modified as necessary to properly accommodate the amount of usage. CLIN 0001 ? Provide sign language interpreters for 8 hours a day on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. CLIN 0002 ? Provide sign language interpreters on an as needed basis on Mondays and Fridays . CLIN 0003 ? Other Direct Costs (Expenses) NTE $2,085.00. Other Direct Costs include mileage and parking reimbursements. A Best Value Approach will be used for the evaluation. The Government intends to make award without discussions, but reserves the right to do so if necessary. The Government will award a contract resulting form this solicitation to the responsible offero r whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be the most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Technical and past performance, when combined, is significantly more important than cost or price. Proposals will be evalua ted us ing adjectival ratings based on the following factors: FACTOR 1: Interpreting Services?Evaluation of the ability to provide diverse interpreting services as stated in the SOW. FACTOR 2: Interpreting Skills/Certifications?Evaluation of the technical ski lls, qualifications and experience of key personnel who are capable of performing and successfully accomplishing the requirements as stated in the SOW. Please provide a list of certified interpreters. FACTOR 3: Past Performance?Extent to which the offe ror has demonstrated quality of service on prior and/or recent projects similar to the SOW, to include the record of past performance on previous Government contracts. Please provide five contacts for past performance information, including the contact na me and phone number and the contract number (if applicable). Adjectival ratings to be used will include Excellent, Very Good, Good, Marginal, and Unacceptable. Before award can be made contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), in accordance with DFAR 252.204-7004, Required Central Contractor Registration (can be found at www.acq.osd.mil/dp/dars/dfars.html). Information on how t o register can be found at www.ccr.gov. The following terms, conditions, provisions, and clauses are available at www.arnet.gov/far and are applicable to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors?Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-3 ALT I Offeror 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; FAR 52.232-33?Payment by Elec tronic Funds Transfer?Central Contractor Registration. Interested parties may submit technical proposals quotes and/or questions electronically in to Michelle Hodges, Defense Contracting Command ? Washington by email at Michelle.Hodges@hqda.army.mil referencing DASW01-03-T-MLH1. If submitting the proposal by email is not possible, please fax to (703) 695-9756. The deadline for submitting questions is 3:00 pm on 9 January 2003. Questions will be answered by an amendment to this solicitation. All responsible/responsive contractors will be considered for award . Proposals shall be received no later than 16 January 2003 at 3:00pm. This solicitation will result in a single, Labor Hour type award with firm labor rates. An executed SF 1449 shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Your proposal shall include the company name, address, telephone number, DUNS number, Tax Identification Number, technical description, hourly rate(s), total price, business size in a completed copy of Representations and Certifications?Commercial Items (FAR 52.212-3 ALT 1), and an acknowledgement of all amendments. The offeror agrees to hold firm the prices submitted in the proposal for 60 days from the date and time specified for receipt of proposals. The offer shall submit a statement of agreement wi th the terms and conditions included in this solicitation.
- Place of Performance
- Address: Defense Contracting Command-Washington(DCC-W) ATTN: Michelle L. Hodges, 5200 Army Pentagon, Room 1D243 Washington DC
- Zip Code: 20310-5200
- Country: US
- Zip Code: 20310-5200
- Record
- SN00230693-W 20021228/021226213248 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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