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R -- AMENDMENT 1 FOR "TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES" SOL USMS-00-0001 DUE 092799 POC Christina Gregerson, Contracting Officer, (202)307-9348 DESC: This amendment is issued to address the following questions that were received in response to solicitation number USMS-00-0001, a combined synopsis/solicitation posted on September 15, 1999. It also incorporates the additional requirement included below. Questions may have been reworded for clarification purposes. Duplicate questions have been deleted. NEW REQUIREMENT: Contractor must have the capability to transcribe at a rate of 150 -- 225 words per minute. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Q. What is the estimated 95 hours/month based on? Does that mean that there will be a minimum of 95 hours per month or a maximum of 95 hours per month? A. The 95 hours is an estimate based on an average of past usage. It is an average and does not mean there will be a minimum or maximum. Q. Does this mean the number of hours of recorded interviews? A. No, this means the number of billed hours. Q. Are these tapes regular tapes or micro cassette tapes? A. Both micro and standard sizes. Generally, 90 minute tapes are used, but others are used when necessary. Q. Is there a page format specification that must be followed? A. No specific format other than a general pleading paper lined and numbered. Q. The RFQ talks about "searchable word lists". Please describe. A. In an electronic format, a searchable word list allows the investigator to quickly locate key words of the interview. Q. Further describe the government's requirements for telephone call-in taping under this contract. Is the contractor required to provide a certain manufacturer's equipment for the government's use under this contract? A. The telephone call-in requirement would be for conference call interviews. No special equipment would be needed. Q. Are dedicated phone lines to be provided for the government's use? A. No. Q. Will the investigative recordings ever be produced by telephone conference call? A. Possibly. Q. Will the government use full-duplex telephone equipment? A. Yes. Q. Specify the type of media/device used to make recordings by the government(digital). A. Digital recordings are not used at this time. That capability is being researched and could be a future capability requirement that the government could develop with the contractor. Q. When the solicitation refers to accepting the recorded interviews by secure mail or encrypted email, does this refer to sending a digital sound file as an email attachment? If so, state the format of those files and type of compression used. A. Not at this time, process still under review. Q. What company currently has the contract? What are their rates? A. There is no current contract. American High Tech has provided the services in the past. The rate was $35.00 per hour. Q. Is the work distributed evenly throughout the year? A. No, some periods are busier than others. Business is slower around the holidays and during the summer. Q. Is our understanding correct that this contract does not allow payment for transcription on a per page basis? A. That is correct. We require an hourly rate. The hourly rate is to be based on the transcripton time. Q. How often would a "live stenographer" (linguist)be necessary? How many times was a live stenographer requested in the last 12 months? A. We do not anticipate the need for an on location linguist. A live stenographer was not requested in the last 12 months. The most likely usage would be a conference call interview. Q. Background clearances are to be in place at what point? Are DOJ, DEA, and FBI background checks suitable? A. Background clearances are to be in place prior to commencement of services. It is the responsibility of the contractor to obtain the clearances. DOJ, DEA, and FBI background checks are suitable. Q. Is the archived storage required to be in electronic or paper format? A. Electronic. Q. What is meant by "secure mail"? A. Fed Ex or UPS. The finished product must be emailed to the individual inspector at the supplied email address. Q. What version of WordPerfect is the work to be done in? A. At least WordPerfect 7. Q. What are the number of pages completed during the last contract year? A. Information is not available. Q. How many lines of type per page did the previous contractor supply? A. 25 lines per page Q. What is meant by PC-Dart? A. Digital Audio Recording Technology -- a digital dictation system. Q. Would a DVI digital dictation system be of any use for your inspectors to call in their interviews? A. Not at this time, but it is a consideration being investigated. Q. How many individuals will be participating in the interviews? A. Usually 3 or 4. Q. Are the interviews mostly tapes or call-in dictation? A. Usually tapes. Q. What format should we use; a full proposal with sections or should we submit only a price quote with representation and certifications? A. The quote should include an hourly rate; references; acknowledgment and acceptance of this amendment; sufficient information to demonstrate the contractor's ability to meet the government's needs as described in the statement of work, to include a statement that they meet the required words per minute rate; and a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items. Quotations that do not meet the requirements or conditions, or take exception to the government's requirements, terms or conditions, will not be considered. All clauses and provisions referenced in the solicitation may be accessed at the following web site: http://www.arnet.gov/far. The due date for quotations is EXTENDED to 2:00PM EST on Monday, September 27, 1999. All questions must be faxed to Christina Gregerson, (202)307-9695, by 3:00PM EST on Thursday, September 23, 1999. Questions faxed after this time and date will not be honored. Telephonic requests will not be honored. Posted 09/22/99 (W-SN383200). (0265)

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