Linguist Services

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE to determine the availability and capability of certified 8(a) businesses. This notice is for planning purposes only, and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, a Request for Proposals, Solicitation, Request for Quotes, or an indication the Government will contract for the items contained herein. This notice is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information submitted as a result of this notice. The Government does not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this sources sought. Any responses received will not be used as a proposal. Description of Work: As the criminal investigative arm of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the mission of the Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) is to conduct and coordinate investigations of suspected criminal violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) and other related Acts: the Federal Anti-Tampering Act (FATA); and other statutes, including applicable Title 18 violations of the United States Code (USC); and to collect evidence to support successful prosecutions through the federal or state court systems, as appropriate. Often, FDA/OCI investigations and administrative activities require the use of transcription, translation and interpretive services which must be acceptable for use in various foreign, state, Federal and administrative courts of law. FDA/OCI has a requirement to obtain the services of a qualified cContractor to perform Linguist Services, including, monitoring, transcription, translation, interpretation and validation services. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541930, Translation and Interpretation Services. The purpose and objective of this requirement is the procurement of Linguist Services, to include transcription, translation (multiple languages) and interpretive (multiple languages) support services to support OCI in fulfillment of its criminal investigative mission Transcription Services: The Contractor shall provide qualified Analytic Linguists and equipment and materials necessary to perform transcription services for FDC/OCI. Representative activities shall include: a. Types of transcription services include, but are not limited to: timely preparation of written verbatim transcripts of real time or audio and/or video recordings; official meeting minutes, speeches, briefings, legal monitoring and text to text transcription services. b. All work shall be performed in a businesslike manner and according to the highest professional standards. If necessary, transcribers shall be properly attired consistent professional standards. If necessary, transcribers shall be properly a with professional protocol, semiformal as each live meeting dictates. c. The Contractor shall perform transcription services on an as- needed basis as specified in the individual task orders (e.g., per meeting, daily, weekly, monthly). In order to transcribe data, Analytic Linguists shall: 1. Type (or if directed, write) verbatim, the words spoken on the source recording or contained in the written media. 2. When transcribing a foreign language document (such as a map), use the original source document format as a guideline for the English-transcribed document. 3. Prepare all transcriptions in a foprmat dictated by FDA/OCI. 4. Use accepted grammar and punctuation in all transcriptions. 5. Save all transcriptions on a Windows-compatible storage device in a current version of a FDA-approved word processing application (MS Word) then give the storage device to the COR. 6. Hand-write transcriptions, when directed. 7. Provide the final product in a FDA-approved word processing application on a Windows compatible storage device to the COR for inspection and acceptance within the time frame stated in the Section 12 clause entitled "Delivery or Performance." All data is the property of the U.S. Government. 4.2 Translation Services (Multiple Languages) The Contractor shall provide qualified Analytic Linguists and equipment and materials necessary to perform translation services for the FDC/OCI. Specific activities will be outlined in individual task orders but shall include: a. TServices include the translation of verbal, written, electronic and multi-media material to and from English and native foreign languages*. Materials that might require translation include, but are not limited to, business documents, legal documents, medical documents, technical documents, software, websites, video subtitling and captioning. b. The FDA/OCI reserves the right to acquire translation services in the languages, including but not limited to, those outlined below. (Note: Agency language requirements may be extensive and will vary from office to office). The specific languages to be supported by the Contractor will be identified in task orders issued by the Government. ? English ? French ? Spanish ? Chinese ? Japanese ? Russian ? Mandarin ? Portuguese ? Hebrew ? Arabic ? Turkish ? Greek In order to translate, Analytic Linguists shall: 1. Prepare a written English translation from a variety of foreign language source exhibits, Including, but not limited to, video and audio recorded conversations, facsimile documents and written and typed materials, such as legal documents, diaries, computerized files, personal papers, maps, charts, ledgers and notes. 2. Provide accurate and complete translations free of typographical errors and without the omission of a word or words from the texts. 3. Use accepted grammar and punctuation in all English translations. Type the translation from the original source in the following formats: a. All translations shall be prepared in a FDA/OCI-approved format. b. All translations shall have a cover page with the case number or project number or name and all participants. If abbreviations are used, provide "Guide to Abbreviations" inside the cover page. Interpretive Services (Multiple Languages): The Contractor shall provide qualified Analytic Linguists and equipment and materials necessary to perform interpretive services for the FDC/OCI. Specific activities will be outlined in individual task orders but shall include: a. The contractor shall provide language Interpretive services, as outlined in individual task orders to allow FDA/OCI criminal investigators to interview suspects and witnesses; conduct meetings with non-English speaking whistleblowers, confidential informants, representatives of foreign government agencies and foreign industry as well as members of the public. b. FDA/OCI reserves the right to acquire interpretive services in the language, including but not limited to, those outlined below. (Note: Agency language requirements may be extensive and will vary from office to office). The specific languages to be supported by the Contractor will be identified in task orders issued by the Government. - English - French - Spanish - Chinese - Japanese - Russian - Mandarin - Portuguese - Hebrew - Arabic - Turkish - Greek In order to interpret data, Analytic Linguists shall: 1. Provide an oral translation of a foreign language into the English language and English into the foreign language. 2. Analytic Linguists shall be required to make notes concerning the content of the conversation; such notes shall then be given to the FDA/OCI Case Agent or the COR. Validation: In order to validate data, Analytic Linguists shall validate original translation work, on an as needed basis, at the Government's request. The person performing va lidation duties may be called upon and required to testify in court. Minimum Acceptable Language Proficiency: The minimum acceptable language proficiency standards must be certified by the following: a. U.S. Government Agencies: Members of the Interagency Language Roundtable (Department of State/Foreign Service Institute; Department of Defense/Defense Language Institute; Department of Justice/Federal Bureau of Investigation; Peace Corps; United Nations) provide written and oral proficiency tests in a variety of languages. A proficiency rating of 3 or above in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and congruity judgment in the foreign language and a proficiency rating of 3 or above in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and congruity judgment in English is required. b. Federal Court Interpreters Certification Program: Certification as a Court Interpreter by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts is acceptable. This certification is provided only for Spanish to/from English, Navajo to/from English, and Haitian Creole to/from English. c. State Courts: Certification or inclusion on the Registry of Tested Interpreters by any of the members of the Consortium for State Court Interpreter Certification is acceptable proof of language proficiency: A current list of member States is available at www.ncsconline.org/D_research/index.html; click on "Court Interpretation"; click on "Consortium for Language Access in the Courts"; and click on "Which states belong to the consortium?" The languages that are certified or tested vary depending on each State's requirements. d. Language proficiency testing by colleges, universities, Private Language Testing Institutions and additional institutions/associations may be accepted based upon the COR's verification of an entity's credentials to conduct such tests. 8(a) businesses are encouraged to respond to this sources sought notice if they have the capability and capacity to provide the identified services. Interested 8(a) potential offerors are encouraged to respond to this notice. However, be advised that generic capability statements are not sufficient for effective evaluation of respondents' capacity and capability to perform the specific work as describedrequired. Responses must directly demonstrate the company's capability, experience, and/or ability to marshal resources to effectively and efficiently perform the task described above at a sufficient level of detail to allow definitive numerical evaluation; and evidence that the contractor can satisfy the minimum requirements listed above while in compliance with FAR 52.219-14 ("Limitations on Subcontracting"). Failure to definitively address each of these factors maywill result in a finding that the respondent lacks the capability to perform the work. Responses to this notice areshall be limited to 10 pages, and must include: 1. Demonstrated experience in linguist services as described above. 2. Company name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers, website address (if available), and the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with Government representatives. 3. Name, title, telephone number, and e-mail addresses of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the responses. 4. 8(a) firm status must be certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA). 5. DUNS number, CAGE Code, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and company structure (Corporation, LLC, partnership, joint venture, etc). Companies also must be registered in www.sam.gov to be considered as potential sources. 6. Identification of any GSA Schedule contract(s) by Schedule number and contract number and SINs that are applicable to this potential requirement are also requested. 7. If the company has a Government approved accounting system, please identify the agency that approved the system. Please submit copies of any documentation, such as letters or certificates to indicate the firm's status (see item #3 above). To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary information. Any proprietary information submitted should be identified as such and will be properly protected from disclosure. Interested offerors should submit their capability statements not exceeding 10 pages in length. Phone calls will not be accepted or returned. Interested firms or individuals may submit the requested information to: emily.hunt@fda.hhs.gov or US Food and Drug Administration Emily Hunt 5630 Fishers Lane / HFA-500 OAGS/DAO Rm 2080 Rockville, MD 20857