SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- On-site interpreter services needed for hearing impaired employees on an as-needed basis This is a SDVOSB Set-Aside Total
- Notice Date
- 4/1/2020 4:24:16 AM
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541930
— Translation and Interpretation Services
- Contracting Office
- VBA FIELD CONTRACTING (36C10E) WASHINGTON DC 20006 USA
- ZIP Code
- 20006
- Solicitation Number
- 36C10E20Q0125
- Response Due
- 4/20/2020 12:00:00 AM
- Archive Date
- 06/19/2020
- Point of Contact
- Terri L. Jeane terri.jeane@va.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
terri.jeane@va.gov
(terri.jeane@va.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- SDVOSBC Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside (FAR 19.14)
- Awardee
- null
- Description
- Statement Of Work American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation Services 1.0 BACKGROUND: This contract is for the provision of American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation Services for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefit Administration, 1600 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson Regional Office (Jackson RO), Jackson, MS 39216. Interpreter will perform under this agreement, as an independent contractor, and nothing contained herein must in any way be construed to imply that Interpreter is an agent, employee, partner, or joint venture of the Jackson RO. Interpreter is responsible for reviewing and complying with all pertinent State and Federal laws including, but not limited to, state and local taxes, the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title II of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and all other applicable state and federal employment laws. Interpreter is responsible for reviewing and complying with all pertinent county and city ordinances. 2.0 SCOPE Interpreter Services will include interpretation for the Jackson RO s, impaired employees in the workplace in a classroom training environment or designated workspace setting. Activities may include, but are not limited to intercepts, voiceovers, and sign language and other settings where a member or employee may require the services of an interpreter for the hearing impaired. Interpreter must be able to interpret/transliterate fluently and understand the continuum of sign communication. Interpreter will furnish sign language and other communication services between people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who hear to interpret and translate in a work or training environment in an office setting or classroom training environment. Interpreters must provide, a minimum, interpreting services in American Sign Language (ASL). The interpreter shall provide interpreting services from English into English and be prepared to provide interpreting services in any or all of the following modes: simultaneous interpretation, consecutive interpretation, and sight translation as needed. The main responsibility will be to translate the spoken work into sign language. Interpreter services may range from simple to complex and be sensitive. The interpreter shall be able to work in a high-pressure, fast paced environment and stay within the role of interpreter. In the performance of services under this contract, the contract interpreter shall adhere to the provisions of this contract. The contract interpreter must be able to perform with general office equipment (i.e. computers and computer monitors, video screens and equipment, etc.) and provide interpreting services via computer microphone or telephone conversations. 2.1 REQUIRED HOURS OF SERVICE AND SCHEDULING Interpreter services are required at the Jackson RO on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (8 hour days), excluding all Federal holidays. The Government may cancel services no less than 24 hours in advance Monday through Friday, with no penalty or charges assessed. Contractor will be notified by email of cancellation of service with a 24 hour notice. If the Contractor is not notified of a cancellation 24 hours prior to the scheduled assignment, the Contractor may invoice for the number of hours scheduled for the assignment. Contractor employee interpreter shall not be paid for any Federal Holiday. Federal holidays generally observed by Government hearing impaired government employee include: Observed Federal Holidays: New Year s Day; Martin Luther King Day; Presidents Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veterans Day; Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day In the event an Executive Order issued by the President of the United States declares Agencies of the Federal Government closed for a regularly scheduled workday, the Contracting Officer s Representative (COR) will determine and advise the Contractor on whether services are required for that day. 3.0 QUALIFIED PERSONNEL The contract interpreter must have and maintain minimum federal and state interpreter requirements and other requirements as stated in this statement of work. SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER (KEY PERSONNEL) The Contractor shall provide qualified personnel to perform the requirements specified in this Statement of Work. Description of Work: The ASL interpreter shall provide support and assistance in sign language interpretation services. The ASL interpreter shall possess all of the demonstrated knowledge requirements delineated below. 3.2 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER (EXPERIENCE) The minimum requirements required are: Possess strong listening, research, memory, and sign language skills. Ability to sign in many different situations, including but not limited to meetings, small groups, large groups, and one-on-one. Ability to perform in a challenging, creative, and formal working environment. Ability to sign in a work training environment that involves a variety of technical terms and acronyms specific to this government agency. Excellent customer service skills. Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships. 3.3 MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS The American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter shall possess: an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major study in a field related to either interpretation or American Sign Language (ASL) studies; or be able to provide sufficient assurances that the interpreter has the required knowledge and skills necessary to act as a competent interpreter. The interpreter must have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. In lieu of a degree, the interpreter may hold current generalist (or higher) licensure by either the National Association of the Deaf or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. 3.4 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS The Contractor shall provide sign language interpretation services for the Jackson RO in accordance with the requirements listed herein. Additional required knowledge and skills: In addition to the experience and educational requirements described above, the SLI shall clearly possess the following knowledge and skills: Ability to voice to sign. Ability to sign to voice. Developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact with members from a variety of backgrounds. Ability to thrive in a challenging, creative and informal working environment. Ability to work within a changing schedule if the need arise. Excellent customer service skills. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. 4.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE The physical address where services are to be performed at the Jackson RO is: Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefit Administration, 1600 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson Regional Office (Jackson RO), Jackson, MS 39216. 5.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance is estimated to be from June 16, 2020 to June 15, 2021, with four potential option years. BILLING GENERAL INVOICE REQUIREMENTS Invoices must be submitted monthly in arrears. All invoices shall be emailed to VAVBAJAC/RO/SSD at SSD.VBAJAC@va.gov: The invoice must at a minimum include: Invoice Number Reference the contract number Obligation Number (Obligation Number shall be used for billing) Date/Location of Service Service Start/Stop Time Interpreter s Name Total Weekly Hours of Service Rate per Hour Total Charge for each interpreter Per standard industry practice, a one-hour minimum period will be employed. The contractor shall bill in fifteen minute increments. GENERAL VA SECURITY AND SYSTEM INFORMATION TRAINING All Contractor and subcontractor personnel requiring access to VA information and VA information systems shall complete the following before being granted access to VA information and networks: 1. Sign and acknowledge understanding of and responsibilities for compliance with the National Rules of Behavior related to access to VA information and information systems, and Contractor Rules of Behavior (supplement), 2. Successfully complete VA Cybersecurity Awareness training and annual refresher training as required, 3. Successfully complete VA General Privacy training and annual refresher training as required, and 4. Successfully complete any additional cybersecurity or privacy training as required for VA personnel with equivalent information system access. The Contractor shall provide to the COR a copy of the training certificates and signed Rules of Behavior for each applicable employee within one week of the initiation of the contract and annually thereafter, as required. These online courses will need to be taken through the VBA s online Talent Management System (TMS) at: https://www.tms.va.gov/learning/user/login.jsp. To self-enroll, click the Create New User button on the red bar and complete the assigned training. The COR will provide the contractor with the appropriate information to complete self-enrollment. Technical issues with TMS should be directed to the TMS help desk at vatmshelp@va.gov or 1-888-496-0463. Failure to complete this mandatory training within the timeframe required will be grounds for suspension or termination of all physical and/or electronic access privileges and removal from work on the contract until such time as the training is completed. The Contractor will also complete 20-0344 Annual Certification of Veteran Status and Veteran-Relatives form upon starting, and annually thereafter for the duration of the contract.� If the contractor or immediate relative is a veteran, the file will be housed in the Locked Files for the duration of the contract. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION The contract employee level of background investigation and clearance required for this effort is NACI. Work may not commence until the appropriate background investigation has commenced. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES The VA shall bear the expense of obtaining background investigations. Immediately after contract or task order award, the Contractor must submit a completed Attachment C form (VBA Contractor Background Investigation Request Worksheet) for all contract employees working the contract, who have access to VA facilities, VA systems, or privacy data, to the COR. The Contractor and Contractor point of contact (POC) will receive an email notification from SIC identifying the website link that includes detailed instructions regarding completion of the background clearance application process and what level of background was requested. Reminder notifications will be sent if the complete package is not submitted by the due date. The Contractor shall prescreen all personnel who require access to VA site(s) and/or access to VA LAN systems to ensure they maintain a U.S. citizenship or Alien Registration that authorizes them to work in the U.S. and are able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. Contractors who have current favorable background investigation conducted by OPM or Defense Security Service (DSS) may be accepted through reciprocation. However, it does not preclude the Contractor from submitting a completed Attachment C form immediately after contract or task order award for all contract employees working the contract to the COR. Contract performance shall not commence before SIC confirmation that it received the investigative documents, that they are complete, and that the background investigation has begun. Once the Contractor s background investigation has been initiated, contract performance may commence. The COR will notify and forward the Contractor a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility (form 4236) to the Contractor when the investigation has been favorably completed and adjudicated. The Contractor, if notified of an unfavorable adjudication by the Government, shall withdraw the employee from consideration from working under the contract. Failure to comply with the Contractor personnel security requirements may result in termination of the contract for default. If the security clearance investigation is not completed prior to the start date of the contract, the contract employee may work on the contract with an initiated status while the security clearance is being processed. However, the Contractor will be responsible for the actions of those contract and subcontract employees they provide to perform work for VA. In the event damage arises from work performed by Contractor personnel, under the auspices of the contract, the Contractor will be responsible for resources necessary to remedy the incident. Should the Contractor use a vendor other than OPM or DSS to conduct investigations, the investigative company must be certified by OPM/DSS to conduct Contractor investigations. The Vendor Cage Code number must be provided to the VA SIC, which will verify the information and conclude whether access to the Government s site(s) and/or VA LAN systems can be. The investigative history for Contractor personnel working under this contract must be maintained in the databases of either OPM or the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Organization (DISCO). GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES After the COR has received Attachment C form(s) from the Contractor, SIC will send an e-mail notification to the Contractor and their POC identifying the website link that includes detailed instructions regarding completion of the background clearance application process and what level of background was requested. SIC will also send reminder notifications to the Contractor and their POC if the complete package is not submitted by the due date. Upon receipt of required investigative documents, SIC will review the investigative documents for completion and initiate the background investigation by forwarding the investigative documents to OPM to conduct the background investigation. If the investigative documents are not complete, SIC will return the package to the Contractor with corrective instructions. VA will pay for investigations processed through the VA SIC and conducted by OPM. The COR will notify and forward the Contractor a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility (form 4236) when the investigation has been favorably completed and adjudicated. The COR will also notify the Contractor of an unfavorable adjudication by the Government. CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISCLOSURE It is agreed that: 1. The preliminary and final deliverables and all associated working papers, application source code, and other material deemed relevant by the VA which have been generated by the contractor in the performance of this contract are the exclusive property of the U.S. Government, and shall be submitted to the COR at the conclusion of the contract. 2. The CO will be the sole authorized official to release verbally or in writing, any data, the draft deliverables, the final deliverables, or any other written or printed materials pertaining to this contract. No information shall be released by the contractor. Any request for information relating to this contract presented to the contractor shall be submitted to the CO for response. 3. Press releases, marketing material or any other printed or electronic documentation related to this project, shall not be publicized without the written approval of the CO.
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- Record
- SN05607043-F 20200403/200401230143 (samdaily.us)
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