Remote Interpretation Solution Request for Information (RFI)

The Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO), Court Services Office (CSO) is requesting demonstrations of the Remote Telephone Interpreting Program (TIP) solution hardware, software or online application that are currently available in the commercial market. This request for demonstrations is for market research purposes and to encourage dialogue between interested vendors and the AO regarding this potential procurement. Background information of the Judiciary's TIP and current solution is included in Attachment 1. The AO's required capabilities are described in Attachment 2. The full Demonstration Instructions are detailed in Attachment 3. As a result of these demonstrations, the Statement of Work may be further revised. DEMONSTRATION INSTRUCTIONS Vendors that respond to this inquiry are offered the opportunity to engage with the AO in dialogue during scheduled one-on-one remote events. On-site or in-person demonstrations will not be entertained. All demonstrations will be scheduled as a Microsoft Teams meeting. Demonstrations are anticipated to be scheduled for end of January 2024. There is a two-hour maximum time limit on the one-on-one events, where the date and time of each vendor event will be randomly assigned. During each demonstration, the Vendor will be asked to: Show/explain how a court/receiver will connect to the remote interpretation system/solution. Show/explain how the provider/interpreter will connect to the remote interpretation system/solution. Show and demonstrate how the - team or tandem interpreter function will work, if available. Will both interpreters be able to communicate with the service receiver (defendant) and the other interpreter? This is helpful for them to coordinate switching roles and assisting one another with terminology. Show the attorney/client privileged/private conversation function ("off-the-record"). Explain what hardware/software or on-line application will be needed by the provider and the receiver. Would any special software need to be installed or is it all web-based accessible? Show the audio recording capabilities, if any, of the system, especially related to the rare instances where a judge may require the simultaneous interpretation be recorded. (See 28 U.S.C. - 1827 (d)(2).) How and/or where is the recording preserved? Discuss the connection requirements of the system. (e.g. telephone connections, VoIP, web based, etc.) Show any video capabilities. If any, show how the system will work with audio only and with video if available. Experienced interpreters from the AO will participate in the demonstration for the vendor to give a demo of a hearing. Provide a demonstration of the consecutive and simultaneous interpretation. Begin with the connection to the courtroom, connection to remote interpreters (single and team interpreters) consecutive Q&A, simultaneous interpretation of a small paragraph of text, a break-out for attorney-client conversation. Show talk-thru capability. Can the system be used as a conference call, joining all lines at the same time? This is especially useful for probation officers interviewing the defendant. Defense attorneys often prefer to hear the foreign language in the background at a low volume and the interpreter in the foreground. Discuss the billing methodology, how are calls tracked by the system. Is it a flat charge per month or a charge per call or per minute/time. Are these charges per court unit, per provider room or nationally. Will your solution be implemented remotely, or will it require a hard installation for the existing and future providers Show any capabilities/innovations you would like to highlight that would be beneficial to the Government. All vendor requests to provide a demonstration need to be sent via email to Angelica Eng at contact@example.gov and contact@example.gov and must be submitted by 12:00 PM (Eastern) on Friday, January 5, 2024. Vendor requests shall include: Names of interested parties, includng the name of company, address, point of contact (name, telephone number, and email), and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). All requests must be made via email. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Interested parties will be contacted via email within two weeks of the RFI close date. The following provision is incorporated in full text: Provision 2-1, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (JAN 2003). Provision 2-1, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (JAN 2003) The judiciary does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. (1) Although "offer" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It will not be used as an offer. (2) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of: market research. [END OF PROVISION] This RFI is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of market research. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. Responses will be used for the purpose of market research to obtain viability of the requirement, estimated pricing, and request comments/suggestions/questions regarding the draft solicitation. Responses to this RFI will not be considered proposals on which the Judiciary can issue any contracts. This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not itself constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP). All information received in response to this RFI marked "Proprietary" will be protected and handled accordingly. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The Judiciary will not pay for information received in response to this RFI. There is no commitment by the Judiciary to issue an RFP, make an award, or to be responsible for any monies expended by industry for responses to this RFI. To fully comprehend the information contained within a response to this RFI, there may be a need to seek further clarification from those respondent(s) identified as capable. This clarification may be requested in the form of brief verbal communication by telephone; written communication; electronic communication; or a request for a presentation of the response. The Judiciary reserves the right to seek additional information from those vendors identified with unique solutions that are determined to be beneficial to the Judiciary.