NIH/ORS requires the services of highly qualified staff to provide interpreting services for the needs of staff, patients, guests and visitors who are deaf/hard of hearing. The solicitation number is 263-04-P-(GJ)-0024. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541930 and the size standard is $6,000,000. This solicitation is a small business set-aside. As the world’s premier biomedical research institution, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is committed to meeting the needs of staff, patients, guests and visitors who are deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH). The NIH uses interpreting services to facilitate communication for events/meetings such as work related meetings, training sessions, safety talks, discussions on work related procedures, policies and assignments, disciplinary actions, conferences and other special occasions as requested. Last year NIH used 12,500 hours. On average, the NIH uses approximately 12,277 hours annually. The services are primarily on and off the NIH Bethesda campus, surrounding areas in Montgomery County, Frederick, and Baltimore. The contractor is to provide qualified interpreters to meet these requirements. The need for a qualified interpreting services contractor exists because of the continual growth, professional development and daily work routine of the D/HH employees at NIH. The NIH currently provides services through a centrally-funded and managed contract. The NIH employs approximately 22,000 persons of which an estimated 100 are self-identified as D/HH, who are located primary on the Bethesda Campus as well as leased facilities throughout Montgomery County, MD. NIH staffs are also located in Frederick and Baltimore, with occasional requests taking place there which require these services. In certain circumstances on a case by case basis, the NIH will make prior arrangements with the contractor to reimburse for certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the interpreter (i.e., mileage, parking, tolls, lodging) in accordance with U.S. Government/NIH travel regulations. Interpreting services are used principally for meetings, patient consultations, lectures and special events. In addition, social activities with government employees and patients, guests and visitors who are at the NIH may also require interpreting services. The contractor shall provide adequate interpreting services as well as the overall management of operations in order to meet our growing demand. The NIH plans to advise the contractor of an interpreting service requirement at least 5 working days in advance of the event/meeting. The requests will include a description of the event/meeting, location, planned duration, and recommended interpreter (if requested). All requests received 5 working days prior to an event/meeting must be filled and confirmed within 1 working day of receipt of request. Any requests received with less than 5 working days advanced notice should be filled according to the Performance Requirements Summary. A Qualified Interpreter is a person who has a college degree (A.A., B.S., B.A., M.A., or M.S.), in an interpreting related field, with at least 3 years of current interpreting work experience. If the interpreter has no college degree, he/she shall have at least 5 years of current interpreting work experience. A person may also be considered qualified if he/she is certified through screening as recognized by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and/or the National Association for the Deaf (NAD) (levels 4 or 5 only). Basic interpreting services, include, but are not limited to, sign language, oral, tactile, close-vision, deaf interpreting, and cued speech. Qualified interpreters must meet the following minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities: a. Fluency of sign language on the entire sign language continuum to effectively facilitate communication between D/HH employees and hearing employees; b. Ability to perform at least one of the following: (1) interpret voice to sign, (2) interpret sign to voice, (3) oral transliteration, (4) tactile, (5) close-vision, (6) deaf interpreting, and (7) cued speech; c. Ability to interpret in a variety of settings, including those that require specialized, technical, legal, scientific, medical, library, and information technology vocabulary, and familiarity with government vernaculars; d. Ability to keep pace with communications in conferences, meetings, seminars, training classes, etc.; e. Ability to voice interpret when a D/HH person’s speech is not easily understood; f. Ability to abstract, select and highlight within context when dealing with complicated concepts, idioms, etc.; g. Practicing knowledge of and adherence to the RID and/or NAD Code of Ethics; h. Knowledge of the diversity of cultures within the D/HH community to effectively work as an interpreter; i. Knowledge and skill to prepare for each interpreting assignment including the knowledge needed to assist in setting up an environment that is conducive to meeting the communication needs of both the hearing and deaf consumer; j. Ability to effectively assess the language needs of the deaf consumer; and, k. Ability to apply the analytical skills necessary to determine which communication modes the deaf consumer is utilizing. The NIH has a small need for interpreting emergency and non-emergency requests during both NIH business hours and non-business hours which may also occur during Federal government holidays or weekends. For any request that is received for interpreting services, the NIH will pay a minimum of two hours for the interpreter’s time. In addition, payment will also be made for any cancellations if they are made less than 2 full business days prior to a previously scheduled event date. The Contract type is anticipated to be Fixed Price Indefinite Quantity (FPIQ) with a one-year base period and 4 one-year options. Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of overall best value for the government. Technical factors are more important than cost. The Evaluation Factors are: 1. Understanding the Requirement; 2. Providing Interpreting Services; 3. Demonstrated Ability to Coordinate Services; 4. Past Performance; 5. Demonstrated Ability and Skill in Providing Customer Service. Requests for the RFP must be in writing and addressed to the Contract Specialist, Mr. Sanford Cook, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, Division of Station Support Acquisition, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Room 529M, Rockville, MD 20892. The FAX number is (301) 402-3407. Mr. Cook’s e-mail address is
[email protected]. His telephone number is (301) 402-5583. Requests for the RFP should include a capabilities statement including past performance data. E-mail requests are preferred. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency.