Inactive

This is a Sources Sought Notice (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Sources Sought or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. (b) Although "proposal," "... This is a Sources Sought Notice (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Sources Sought or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. (b) Although "proposal," "offeror," contractor, and "offeror" may be used in this sources sought notice, any response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. The Government is seeking information for market research purposes only. (c) Any information received from a contractor in response to this Sources Sought may be used in creating a solicitation. Any information received which is marked with a statement, such as "proprietary" or "confidential," intended to restrict distribution will not be distributed outside of the Government, except as required by law. (d) This Sources Sought is issued by VISN 2 Contracting Office in Albany, NY, for the purpose of collecting information about Over the Phone Interpretation Services at VISN 2 Clinical Contact Center. The VA is seeking to provide for this requirement as of October 1, 2024, to establish a new contract. The NAICS code identified for this requirement is 541930 Translation and Interpretation Services. The requirement is detailed in the Statement of Work section of this document. (e) Cursory market research has identified small businesses that may be able to provide for this requirement. Contractors that are able to meet the requirements in the attachment and possess an interest in performing these services, are encouraged to email a capability statement and full information to Levi Russin at Levi.Russin@va.gov. - Part of the purpose of this sources sought is to determine the viability of set aside to a specific socio-economic category(service-disabled veteran owned small business, veteran owned small business, women owned small business, HUB Zone, 8(a), small business). Interested parties MUST provide company/individual name, a capability statement, examples of same or similar work performed at other facilities, DUNS number and address, point of contact and social-economic. If contractor is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), or any other special category of contractors, then contractor is responsible for providing documentation in support of this. This information will be used to determine the viability of a set aside for this requirement. If any of the requested information is not supplied with the response, this may result in the contractor not being considered in the Government s Procurement Strategy. The following information is required for determining procurement strategy and viability of sources: Set aside requirements have limitations on subcontracting. This service is located remotely. Provide your site location and supporting documentation. Given your location and proximity to the service site, how do you plan to accomplish self-performance of this work? If your intention is to subcontract work, what tasks will be performed by you as the prime contractor? What tasks will require a subcontractor due to your inability to perform them within your company? How many years experience does your company have in performing tasks of this nature, of this scope and this complexity? How many years of service do your proposed technicians have performing tasks of this nature, this scope, and this complexity? How many years does your proposed subcontractor have in performing tasks of this nature, this scope, and this complexity? How many jobs of this of this nature, of this scope and this complexity have you performed in the past five years? How many certified/licensed technicians does your company currently employ? - Contractors shall also identify any Federal Supply Schedules that may carry the desired services. - Contractors shall identify pertinent point of contact for company, contractor DUNS number for size standard and socioeconomic verification in SAM and VIP, as well as for any intended subcontractors. - Contractor shall provide 2 to 3 instances of past experience which demonstrate that they are a firm regularly engaged in this type of work, to include subcontractors for those jobs. - Contractor shall provide a listing of any teaming agreements they intend to employ in the performance of this requirement if awarded. - Contractor shall supply proof of any applicable certification or training required to meet the regulatory requirements, if applicable. - Contractors shall include any relevant comments about the Attachment(s) if applicable. Below is the Limitation on Subcontracting Certificate of Compliance Clause. Please complete this as part of your response. 852.219-77 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction. As prescribed in 819.7009(c) insert the following clause: VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION (SEP 2021) (DEVIATION) (a) Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127(k)(2), the offeror certifies that (1) If awarded a contract (see FAR 2.101 definition), it will comply with the limitations on subcontracting requirement as provided in the solicitation and the resultant contract, as follows: [Contracting Officer check the appropriate box below based on the predominant NAICS code assigned to the instant acquisition as set forth in FAR 19.102.] (i) [ ] Services. In the case of a contract for services (except construction), the contractor will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-10 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-11. Any work that a similarly situated VIP-listed subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Other direct costs may be excluded to the extent they are not the principal purpose of the acquisition and small business concerns do not provide the service as set forth in 13 CFR 125.6. (ii) [ ] General construction. In the case of a contract for general construction, the contractor will not pay more than 85% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-10 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-11. Any work that a similarly situated VIP-listed subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 85% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are excluded and not considered to be subcontracted. (iii) Special trade construction contractors. In the case of a contract for special trade contractors, the contractor will not pay more than 75% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-10 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-11. Any work that a similarly situated subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 75% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are excluded and not considered to be subcontracted. (2) The offeror acknowledges that this certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an Agency of the United States. The offeror further acknowledges that this certification is subject to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, and, as such, a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the offeror subject to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties, including prosecution. (3) If VA determines that an SDVOSB/VOSB awarded a contract pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127 did not act in good faith, such SDVOSB/VOSB shall be subject to any or all of the following: (i) Referral to the VA Suspension and Debarment Committee; (ii) A fine under section 16(g)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 645(g)(1)); and (iii) Prosecution for violating section 1001 of title 18. (b) The offeror represents and understands that by submission of its offer and award of a contract it may be required to provide copies of documents or records to VA that VA may review to determine whether the offeror complied with the limitations on subcontracting requirement specified in the contract. The Contracting Officer may, at their discretion, require the Contractor to demonstrate its compliance with the limitations on subcontracting at any time during performance and upon completion of a contract if the information regarding such compliance is not already available to the Contracting Officer. Evidence of compliance includes, but is not limited to, invoices, copies of subcontracts, or a list of the value of tasks performed. (c) The offeror further agrees to cooperate fully and make available any documents or records as may be required to enable VA to determine compliance with the limitations on subcontracting requirement. The offeror understands that failure to provide documents as requested by VA may result in remedial action as the Government deems appropriate. (d) Offeror completed certification/fill-in required. The formal certification must be completed, signed, and returned with the offeror s bid, quotation, or proposal. The Government will not consider offers for award from offerors that do not provide the certification, and all such responses will be deemed ineligible for evaluation and award. Certification: I hereby certify that if awarded the contract, [insert name of offeror] will comply with the limitations on subcontracting specified in this clause and in the resultant contract. I further certify that I am authorized to execute this certification on behalf of [insert name of offeror]. Printed Name of Signee: _________________________________ Printed Title of Signee: ________________________________ Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ___________________________________________________ Company Name and Address: _______________________________ _________________________________________________________ (End of clause) STATEMENT OF WORK Phone Interpretation Services VISN 2 Clinical Contact Center Introduction The VISN 2 Clinical Contact Center (CCC) is requesting a contract for over the phone interpretation services for both Veterans and CCC staff for various languages. This service is imperative to patient care and communication to ensure standards are met. Background /Objective CCC staff will utilize the service when translation services are needed. VISN 2 Veterans will have the option of prescheduling their call with the contractor when CCC schedule allows. The contractor must promptly respond to all VISN 2 CCC s language translation needs, providing a result that is linguistically correct and culturally appropriate. All services will be rendered via over the phone interpretation. Period of Performance The period of performance will be 10/1/2024 9/30/2029 with provision of four (4) option years. Scope of Work VA CCC staff will call the contractor as needed to interpret and/or assist with a Veteran on a call. The contractor will provide the VA CCC staff with a toll-free number to call when translation services are needed. The contractor must follow all HIPPA laws and security policies in providing the service. Prompt access must allow the Veteran and CCC staff to connect to an interpreter telephonically when one is needed. The contractor must provide license updates over the telephone or VA Microsoft Teams if requested and scheduled at least two-weeks in advance. Special Instructions Contractor must adhere to all VA Privacy & Security, the Privacy Act, and HIPAA requirements when obtaining and reviewing diagnostic information. This includes all log files, error traps, screen capture images and database query results used to aid TIS in their troubleshooting activities.