Consolidation Determination for Zone 2 Sign Language Interpretation Services (SLI) - Non Substantial Quantifiable Benefits

The contract centers on consolidating Sign Language Interpretation (SLI) services for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within Zone 2, which encompasses multiple states including NY, NJ, MD, PA, WV, KY, IN, OH, CT, RI, MA, and ME. This consolidation merges previously location-based SLI task orders into a single zone-wide contract under the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Strategic Sourcing Vehicle (SSV) Communication Access Services (CAS) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). The goal is to improve administrative efficiency, reduce redundancies, and maintain service reliability for deaf and hard-of-hearing federal employees across approximately 35 USCIS offices. By streamlining invoicing and task order management—reducing invoices from 408 to about 120 annually and cutting task order modifications—this approach aims to enhance fiscal oversight and reduce the administrative burden on both USCIS and the vendors. Key features include a significant reduction in security clearance requirements; interpreters now require only a single Office of Security and Integrity (OSI) clearance per individual, dropping the necessary clearances in Zone 2 from 30 to 15, which translates to substantial cost savings. The contract demands that contractors maintain a stable, pre-cleared pool of qualified interpreters to ensure flexible coverage and workforce stability across the zone. While no explicit evaluation factors or source selection criteria are provided, the award strategy emphasizes maintaining robust small business participation among BPA holders and meeting operational needs, suggesting a best value approach that balances cost with service continuity. The contract is structured as an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle under NAICS code 541930 for language services, with performance monitored through government acceptance at multiple office locations. Overall, this consolidation supports USCIS’s mission by fostering more efficient, consistent, and cost-effective delivery of SLI services while upholding compliance with federal acquisition regulations and small business utilization goals.