Inactive
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside (FAR 19.14)
Notice ID:36C10D24Q0232
****Presolicitation Notice Only**** (We are not requesting quotes or responses at this time) The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration intends to issue a solicitation for AS...
****Presolicitation Notice Only**** (We are not requesting quotes or responses at this time) The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration intends to issue a solicitation for ASL Interpretation Services, on or about 07/31/2024. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a requirement for on-site and virtual language services for meetings, training and other events for American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation Services (spoken English into signed English and American Sign Language (ASL) and ASL or signed English back into spoken English). The frequency of services is estimated to be up to 3,276 hours during the performance period which includes an estimated 2,576 hours of virtual services and an estimated 700 hours of on-site services. There is a reasonable expectation that the on-site requirement could increase from one day per week to up to 2-3 days per week if the Department increases in-person work for employees. This Performance Work Statement is designed to obtain the services, labor, materials, travel, and equipment necessary for sign language interpretation services. The period of performance will consist of a base plus two option years. The 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 State and city ordinances. Interpreter services shall be available for one deaf or hard of hearing employee to fulfill this reasonable accommodation requirement for the Veterans Health Administration, Lake Baldwin, 5201 Raymond, St., Building 500, Orlando, FL 32803 from 09/09/2024-09/08/2025 (base year). This requirement includes on-site and virtual interpreting. There is an annual training event that is held in a different location each year where services will be needed. This event and location is yet to be determined. The services provided are for one Deaf professional in the workplace as well as a training environment. The Deaf professional is a national trainer responsible for presenting and fielding questions for four New Counselor Training sessions, four Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) Training sessions, VR&E Officer s Leadership Training Symposium (OLTS), New Division Leaders Training, and other national training events that come up throughout the year. The employee attends numerous planning meetings, team meetings and training rehearsals to ensure she is prepared. The employee s essential functions dictate a heavy meeting and training schedule. These meetings may be scheduled in advance or may occur last minute, with little notice. These meetings may include the need for intensive interpreting services or may be light in nature. The nature of the employee s work is fast-paced and highly visible. Therefore, the need for an assigned cadre of interpreters who are familiar with the employee s type of work and the language of her profession are extremely important. It is preferred the assigned interpreters have experience working with VBA and understand the various acronyms and industry language used. 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. In addition, interpreters may be asked to work in a different setting, such as the need to accompany/meet employees at outreach events and training facilities in the local area. Interpreters shall be able to interpret/transliterate fluently and understand the continuum of sign communication. Interpreters shall provide 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. The interpreter shall provide interpreting services from American English as spoken language to American Sign Language using the mode or means of communication style that is most appropriate for the deaf/hard of hearing employee in the following modes: simultaneous interpretation, consecutive interpretation, and sight translation as needed. The main responsibilities will be to translate the spoken word into sign language and vice versa. Interpreter services may range from simple to complex and be sensitive. The interpreter should 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 interpreter shall adhere to the provisions of this contract. The interpreter must be able to perform with general office equipment (i.e., computers, computer monitors, video screens, microphones, headphones, and broadband internet connection for remote and on-site interpreting) and provide interpreting services via computer microphone and/or telephone conversations. Interpreters should be technologically proficient and able to troubleshoot most of their own IT-related issues without relying on the employee client. It is requested that the Contractor coordinator be ASL certified as then they can fully understand the requirements for interpreters, screen potential interpreters, anticipate the needs of the employee client, and on short notice provide interpreting services themself or provide a qualified substitute. Orlando: Services are normally required at the VHA Lake Baldwin, 5201 Raymond St., Building 500, Orlando, FL 32803 location on-site, but the work site location and hours are subject to change. On-site services are needed at a minimum of one day each week (Monday Friday) during the business hours of 8:30AM-4:00PM or 9:00AM-4:30PM for a minimum of seven (7) hours. Virtual services are needed at a minimum of four days each week (Monday Friday) during the business hours of 8:30AM-4:00PM or 9:00AM-4:30PM for a minimum of 28 hours. These hours exclude all Federal holidays and days employee is not scheduled to work. The VA Orlando Office (employee client and employee client s supervisor) will notify the Contractor of any needed schedule changes via email. The Contractor will supply a Zoom (or similar video teleconferencing platform) account for the employee client and will also provide a shared calendar for use by the employee client and their interpreters to update in real time and adjust for different time zones if necessary. The Contractor should have access to video teleconferencing platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom for remote sessions (or similar VA-approved video teleconferencing platform). Multiple teleconferencing platforms will sometimes be used at the same time.
