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Buy #: 1067020_01

Question Deadline: 06/10/2021 11:00 ET

Question Count: 9

Buy #: 1067020_01

Question Deadline: 06/10/2021 11:00 ET

Question Count: 9

Question Submitted:

Could you please extend this buy by 48 hours, we have a very good offer that would like you to consider.

Response Received:

The solicitation was already closed.

Question Submitted:

What are awarding criteria, is the Lowest price technically acceptable or Bench Value?

Response Received:

Responding your questions the evaluation criteria will be Best Value to the Government.

Question Submitted:

QUESTION FROM SELLER: For Item ID 1, please confirm that 365 days is the TOTAL number of days for the 4 interpreters at Soto Cano Air Force Base (and as such, the 365 days will be divided between the 4 interpreters).

Response Received:

ANSWER: The 365 days covers every day for the duration of the contract. The 4 interpreters may need to be utilized at the same time depending on mission, so they will not necessarily be able to “split” the duties.

Question Submitted:

QUESTION 1 FROM SELLER: For Item #3 (2 interpreters at Puerto Castilla Naval Base), do you need them both to work for 365 days? QUESTION 2 FROM SELLER: Can you clarify the approximate number of trips per month, and the amount of days per trip? i.e. approximately 3 trips per month, 3 days each. QUESTION 3 FROM SELLER: Can you also clarify if the Contractor will need to pay for lodging during these trips?

Response Received:

ANSWER TO QUESTION 1: Both interpreters at Puerto Castilla will be needed at the same time, potentially 365 days for both. ANSWER TO QUESTION 2: Depending on location, the number varies. Most interpreters can expect to be on mission 4-5 times a week. Occasionally overnight depending on location. ANSWER TO QUESTION 3: Occasionally the contractor will have to pay for lodging, but most of the time it will only require day trips. The contractor will have to pay for lodging for the locations if the interpreter does not live locally.

Question Submitted:

Page 5 of the PWS says: "Contractor shall be required to travel to different work sites throughout Honduras during the performance of this contract to attend meetings, conferences, and simultaneous interpretation. The Contractor may be required to travel to off-site training locations and to ship training aids to these locations in support of this PWS." Can you clarify the approximate number of trips per month, and the amount of days per trip? i.e. approximately 3 trips per month, 3 days each. Can you also clarify if the Contractor will need to pay for lodging during these trips?

Response Received:

Answer: Occasionally the contractor will have to pay for lodging, but most of the time it will only require day trips. The contractor will have to pay for lodging for the locations if the interpreter does not live locally

Question Submitted:

Page 13 of the PWS indicates that "the contractor shall have the capability to provide a minimum of thirty (30) portable interpretation devices with head sets for rotating classroom and outdoor interpreting depending on the days venue." Please confirm that "30 devices" means that 30 participants will need to listen in on a single interpretation?

Response Received:

Answer: Yes, mission dependent.

Question Submitted:

For Item ID 1, please confirm that 365 days is the TOTAL number of days for the 4 interpreters at Soto Cano Air Force Base (and as such, the 365 days will be divided between the 4 interpreters). Our understanding is that the exercise times will vary and the interpreters will need to provide support at varying times throughout the week. Please confirm that the interpreters will receive sufficient advance notice for when they will need to be available. We are trying to figure out if the interpreters would need to be "on call" or not throughout the week.

Response Received:

The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will be in charge to coordinate with the vendor the advance notice when the interpreters that need to be available to perform the service in the four locations required per Technical Exhibit 1 of the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Question Submitted:

Please confirm that the offeror does not need to have a Facility Clearance in order to bid. There is a line item for "Travel and Lodging." Please provide more details on what kind and how much travel we will need to budget for. Is there an incumbent / existing contract for this work? If so, could the SFAB please provide the Contract Number for the incumbent contract?

Response Received:

The Offeror no need to have Facility Clearance in order to bid. Actually exist an contract for this service and is the contract # W912QM-21-P-0010. For Travel and Lodging you need to consider the 4 locations where the Interpretation and Translation services will be performed and also consider the number of interpreters in each location for one year.

Question Submitted:

DBA insurance is only required for U.S. citizens. Please confirm that if we hire local Honduran Nationals, DBA insurance will not be required.

Response Received:

DBA Insurance is required and per regulation is mandatory for local Honduran Nationals.

Buy #: 1067020

Question Deadline: 06/10/2021 11:00 ET

Question Count: 6

Buy #: 1067020

Question Deadline: 06/10/2021 11:00 ET

Question Count: 6

Question Submitted:

The RFQ specifies that the Contractor should provide a laptop, printer, and paper for the interpreters. Should we budget separate laptops for each of the four locations?

Response Received:

Each of the 4 locations should have their own laptops.

Question Submitted:

The RFQ specifies 4 interpreters at Soto Cano Air Force Base, and lists the units as 365 days. Can the SFAB clarify how many hours are anticipated for each of the 4 interpreters?

Response Received:

) The Interpreters must be flexible on hours. Each Team has an engagement 2-3 times per week via our drive-to-advise missions from SCAB. The hours change depending on mission, anywhere from 0500-1700. From SCAB, the interpreters are typically not needed Saturdays or Sundays, although mission may dictate differently for future engagements depending on HND MIL.

Question Submitted:

1. Whether companies from Outside USA can apply for this? (like,from India or Canada) 2. Whether we need to come over there for meetings? 3. Can we perform the tasks (related to RFP) outside USA? (like, from India or Canada)

Response Received:

Answer 1: Yes, is open market, and available to all companies eligible to do business with the U.S. Government. Answer 2: No need to come over for a meeting in the solicitation process. Performance of the contract will be done in person as stated in the PWS. Answer 3: The interpretation and translation service is to be performed on site at several locations in the Republic of Honduras.

Question Submitted:

What type of interpreting assignments are expected? (Such as classroom, field, escort, etc.?)

Response Received:

To answer that question: Classroom, escort, and field are all part of the expectations for the interpreting assignments. It will flux based on mission requirements, but that is what the interpreters have been providing for us as we continue our mission.

Question Submitted:

It is indicated that interpreters are needed for 365 days? Will the interpreters be expected to work weekends? 7 days a week? Will the times and hours generally be regular and pre-scheduled? What are the expected hours of interpretation? Are there specific clothing requirements? For example, in cases where interpreters work during flights, they are required flame retardant flight suits. It is indicated that 365 days of translation are needed at each site? Will this be additional translation that the interpreters would perform during their regular hours? Outside regular hours? Or could this be translation that can be done by translators offsite? What is the expected daily volume of required translation?

Response Received:

1) They need to be available 7 days a week, 365 days. The teams living in the outstations may or may not work on the weekends (mission dependent). 2)The times and hours range from 0530-1800 and anywhere in between, mission dependent. 3) professional appearance (at a minimum, slacks and polo or collared shirt). 4) It is mission dependent on translation services volume. The translation services may have to happen "after hours" in order to facilitate a subject matter exchange between US and partner forces (for example).

Question Submitted:

Are interpreters required to be US citizens?

Response Received:

The answer is NO.

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