US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCEINTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION (ITA) SEMINAR - SIMULTANEOUS RUSSIAN INTERPRETER Standards, Certification and Testing Program A. Introduction and Statement of the Problem The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration's (ITA) Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) program has a requirement for Interpreters and Facilitator to manage three (3) specialized programs to train standards, certification and testing professionals from Russia and the New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (NIS). The Standards, Certification and Testing Program's sessions are: Medical Equipment: February 22nd - March 22nd, 2003 Telecommunications: May 17th - June 14th, 2003 Automotive Products: August 30th - September 27th, 2003 The Training Program will consist of three (3) four-week training sessions for approximately 17 to 20 participants. The first two weeks of each training session will be provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The remaining two week portion of each Training Session will consist of visits to private companies (Host Firms) and industry expositions, with SABIT overseeing all training and program development. The period of performance for this contract is From February 19, 2003 through September 30, 2003, with an option or one additional future set of three-four week, programs. The first option is to be completed no later than October, 2004. Scope and Objectives of the Procurement This requirement is for a simultaneous Interpreter (Russian - English; English -Russian) for the Training Program. There will be two interpreters assigned to each program. The Interpreter shall travel with the group throughout each four - week Training Session. Interpreters shall be responsible for interpreting all sessions, orientations, seminars, receptions and other activities involved in the four week training program. Additionally, simultaneous interpreting rates will be paid for weekdays and escort/administrative rates will be paid on the weekends for each four-week session. Interpreters agree to be housed in the same lodging facility as the interns while traveling outside of the interpreter's city of residence; be on call to assist participants in case of emergency day or night. Additionally, travel costs, lodging and per diem shall be provided outside of the interpreter's city of residence. The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration shall provide each interpreter with the following: 1. All travel and lodging costs for the interpreter's associated with the non-residential city portions of the training programs. 2. A government per diem for the duration of the non-residential city based travel (amount varies by city) 3. Wireless interpreting equipment and batteries. 4. The SABIT Program will pay the contractor for interpretation services in two installments: One payment every two weeks, under "immediate payment" regulations. Each payment will cover 14-15 days of interpretation services each at the agreed upon daily rate (simultaneous for week days and at the escort/administrative rate for weekends). Any translation work shall be paid separately. Optional: (Consultation and translation services): 1. Translate group travel schedules into Russian 2. Translate intern exit surveys REQUIREMENTS: The service provider shall have: Desired Basic Qualification Requirements for Interpreter/Facilitator: 1. Skills comparable to a State Department certified, seminar-level simultaneous interpreter from English to Russian and Russian to English. (Note: skills may be assessed by SABIT personnel.) 2. Knowledge of history, government, demographics, and politics of the New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union. Basis of Evaluation: Applicants who meet the Basic Qualification Requirements above will be further evaluated based on their experience, education and training shown on their application as it relates to the quality ranking factors listed below. Quality Ranking Factors: 1. Experience serving as a simultaneous, seminar-level interpreter in English and Russian. 2. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in Russian and English. 3. Knowledge of, or familiarity with, vocabulary/terms for: $ Medical Equipment $ Telecommunications $ Automotive Products 5. Knowledge of the Former Soviet Union. 6. Ability to understand and recognize the needs and interests of the host company and the group. 7. Previous work experience with delegations of this size. 8. A diplomatic, yet assertive, manner. 9. Ability to translate written material Russian to English, English to Russian. 10. Willingness to work on weekends and evenings. B. Statement of Work: The Interpreter/Facilitator agrees to implement the Standards Programs for the Medical Equipment, Telecommunications and the Automotive Products as follows: 1. The contractor shall interpret all sessions, orientations, seminars, receptions and other activities involved in the four-week training programs. 2. The contractor shall agree to be housed in the same lodging facility as the interns. C. Proposal Instructions, Conditions, Notices to Offeror and Basis for Evaluation The Government will award a contract to the offeror whose offer conforms to the solicitation and is considered to be most advantageous to the Government. The written technical proposal will receive consideration over cost in the selection of the contractor for this acquisition. Award will be made on a "best value basis". The government reserves the right to make multiple awards for this requirement. Payment to the contractor shall be made electronically, therefore offerors should be prepared to submit direct deposit information prior to contract award. Offerors are required to provide Vendor Profile data by visiting http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/~amd/vendor_form.html and completing the appropriate forms. D. Overall Evaluation Criteria The Government reserves the right to reject any, all or a portion of any proposal determined to be inadequate or unacceptable. The Government may make its decisions on the basis of initial proposals received, without discussion. Therefore, each initial proposal(s) (by major task area) should contain the offeror's best terms from a price, qualifications, and technical approach. E. Contractor Past Performance The Offeror will be evaluated on their demonstration of past successes in delivering reports, documents, and other products/services such as those described in this RFQ. Please provide at least three (3) references where you have performed similar work. The references should include, at a minimum: Contract #, COTR and Contracting Officer name and number, dollar value and type of contract, period of performance, and a statement outlining the services performed. References and evaluation of past performances will be considered appropriately. F. Price The Offeror shall provide a price breakdown, which includes total task days and crosswalks to an estimated dollar value for completion of each task areas of the stated requirements. The Offeror shall also furnish estimated travel, messenger and any other miscellaneous costs for each task area of the stated requirements. Offeror quotes shall include pricing for the Base and Option periods. G. Oral Presentation The Government reserves the right to hold oral presentations before making an award. Additionally the Government reserves the right to seek additional information, both written and oral, from any or all offeror to ensure fairness in the selection process. If you have any questions on this requirement, you should simultaneously submit them in writing via e-mail to the following individuals by no later than February 3, 2003; Tracy _
[email protected] and
[email protected]. The subject line of your e-mail should reflect "ITA SABIT Standards Programs". The Government will provide written responses by February 7, 2003 to questions received. Proposals are due by 2:00 PM., February 13, 2003 and should be submitted to:
[email protected]. The subject line should reflect "ITA SABIT Standards Programs".