Language Services and Indigenous Language Services

INTRODUCTION This Notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ) or any promise to issue an RFP or RFQ in the future. There is no solicitation or requirement document. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, USDA-Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI/Sources Sought; all costs associated with responding to this RFI/Sources Sought will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI/Sources Sought does not preclude participation in any future RFP or RFQ issued. BACKGROUND USDA-FPAC, is charged with providing meaningful access to its programs and services via language assistance services for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) individuals throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Trust Territories. LEP individuals are those whose proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding English, is such that it would deny or limit their meaningful access to programs and services provided by USDA-FPAC, if language assistance services were not provided. This requirement for language assistance services includes the ability to support indigenous language services. The USDA-FPAC mission is to provide the language services to LEP individuals with document translation, telephonic interpretation, and in-person/online interpretation, at no cost to the LEP individual. Language support is a key component of providing a more extensive language service network. The agency is committed to providing meaningful access for language LEP individuals to its programs, products, and services. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION For the purposes of the RFI/Sources Sought USDA-FPAC is seeking contractors with the ability to provide contractor support for Language Services, including indigenous languages, to assist with those LEP individuals nationwide. The anticipated services can generally be categorized as: document translation, telephonic interpretation, and in-person/online interpretation. At this time, it is anticipated that these services will be required as soon as possible, and in perpetuity. The NAICS code for this requirement is 541930 - Translation and Interpretation Services with a size standard of $8.0M CAPABILITY STATEMENTS** Please send a short (no more than ten-page capability statement) addressing the items below. Please - Do not send marketing materials, brochures, pamphlets, etc. Your response will assist the Government with acquisition planning, regarding the appropriate acquisition method, contract type/pricing structure, contract line item (CLIN) structure, labor categories, NAIC, potential evaluation criteria, etc. Responses must include: Business name, address, and company POC (email and telephone numbers), Indicate business size based on NAICS code 541930 and socioeconomic status of your company. Does your firm accept the Government Purchase Card? Number of years providing Language Services and number of years providing indigenous language services. Recent experience in performing these services, specific emphasis on document translation, telephonic translation, in-person/online interpretation, staffing, subcontracting, automation, coordination efforts, Please list foreign language services and indigenous language services offered. Describe a few representative examples for the scope of services and the agency(ies) for which these services were performed in the last three years, Provide comments; industry observations; any recommendations (i.e., NAICs, pricing structure addressing specifically the below questions: Regarding Foreign Language Services How does the language industry provide language services? What is the certification level (if any) of language interpreters? How does the language industry ensure quality translation and interpretation service is correct? How does the language industry meet short demands for interpretation and translation services? How does the language industry ensure language interpreters are versed in the cultural nuances of the language? Does the language industry provide 24-hour a day telephonic language/Indigenous language interpretation? Are in-person Indigenous language interpreters versed in the cultural nuances of the Indigenous language? INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS Responses shall be submitted to via email to nancy.harris@usda.gov by 4:00 pm CST, Wednesday, March 23, 2022 with the subject line indicating, "YOUR COMPANY NAME - LANGUAGE AND INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE SERVICES. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Questions regarding this RFI must be submitted via email no later than 12:00 pm CST, Wednesday, March 9, 2022, to nancy.harris@usda.gov . All questions must reference this RFI. Please use the words - LANGUAGE AND INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE SERVICES Question in the email subject line. An amendment that provides the questions and answers will be posted by Monday, March 14, 2022. **No telephone inquiries will be accepted and requests for solicitation packages will not be granted, as no solicitation has been prepared at this time.